Beginner 60 hours English University CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
Harvard's dedicated introduction to programming with Python, and a gentler entry point than the broader CS50x. It focuses entirely on Python — from the basics to writing your own programs — with a free certificate on completion. Well taught and beginner-friendly.
Good for: Beginners who want to learn Python specifically, with a free Harvard certificate.
Less suitable if: You want a broad computer-science foundation across several languages, or you already know Python.
You want broad computer science across several languages
You already know Python
You want a quick reference rather than a course
Requirements: None — no prior programming needed.
Realistic time: About 60 hours; a couple of months part-time.
About this course
CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python (CS50P) is HarvardX's dedicated on-ramp to Python, taught by David Malan of CS50 fame. Across ten self-paced weeks it builds programming from zero: functions, variables and types, conditionals and Boolean logic, loops, exception handling, libraries, unit testing, file I/O, regular expressions and object-oriented programming — reinforced with hands-on exercises drawn from real-world problems.
What you'll learn
Write functions with arguments and return values
Use conditionals, loops and Boolean logic
Handle exceptions and debug code
Write unit tests and use libraries
Validate data with regular expressions
Model entities with object-oriented programming
This course includes
60h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
Free on edX, including a free CS50 certificate when you pass the problem sets and final project. edX also sells an optional verified certificate.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python
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EDedX
CS50's Introduction to Programming with Python
Price
Free
Audit free · HarvardX certificate available (paid)
Complete the problem sets and final project and Harvard issues a free CS50 certificate; edX's verified certificate is optional and paid. As with all CS50 courses, the work you produce matters more than the certificate.
Instructor
DJ
David J. Malan
edX instructor
Taught by David J. Malan, Gordon McKay Professor of the Practice of Computer Science at Harvard and the long-time instructor behind the globally popular CS50 courses.
About this provider
ED
edX
Non-profit online learning platform founded by Harvard and MIT. 45M+ learners worldwide.
CS50P focuses entirely on programming with Python. CS50x is the broader introduction to computer science, covering C, Python, SQL and JavaScript. You can take them in either order.
Yes. Pass the problem sets and final project and you get a free CS50 certificate. The edX verified certificate is a separate, optional paid option.
No. CS50P assumes no prior programming.
Yes. It is focused, well taught, and takes you from the basics to writing real programs.
Around 60 hours; a couple of months part-time is typical.
It is beginner-friendly but still asks real effort in the problem sets, which is where the learning happens.