The standard starting point for learning Google Cloud, from Google Cloud on Coursera. It introduces and compares GCP's main compute and storage services and its resource- and policy-management tools. A clear, official orientation to the platform — foundational rather than hands-on engineering, and a common first step before the Associate Cloud Engineer path.
Good for: A clear, official first orientation to Google Cloud.
Less suitable if: You want deep hands-on engineering or you already know GCP basics.
Skills you'll gain
Google CloudCloud infrastructureCompute servicesStorage servicesResource managementIAM
Is this course right for you?
A good fit if you…
You are new to Google Cloud
You want the official grounding
You are heading toward GCP certifications
Consider something else if you…
You want deep hands-on engineering
You already know GCP fundamentals
You want a different cloud (AWS/Azure)
Requirements: None; general IT familiarity helps.
Realistic time: Around 8–12 hours.
About this course
Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure is the standard starting point for learning GCP. It introduces and compares Google Cloud's main compute and storage services and its resource- and policy-management tools, and — crucially — backs the videos with hands-on labs that spin up a temporary Google Cloud account so you actually provision and configure things yourself.
What you'll learn
Identify Google Cloud's core compute and storage services
Compare options like Compute Engine, App Engine, and Kubernetes Engine
Use resource and policy management tools (IAM, projects)
Provision and configure resources in hands-on labs
Understand GCP's overall structure and billing
Set a foundation for GCP certification paths
This course includes
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
You can audit the course free on Coursera. A certificate needs a Coursera subscription (about $49/month) or Coursera Plus, with financial aid available. It is a common first course before the Google Cloud Associate Cloud Engineer path (whose exam, separate, is about $125).
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for Google Cloud Fundamentals: Core Infrastructure
Same topic, different options. We surface the trade-offs others hide so you can pick the course that actually fits your time, budget, and goals.
A Google Cloud certificate on Coursera is a credible learning record. It is a course certificate rather than a professional qualification or degree. It is not itself a Google Cloud certification — those are separate paid exams.
Last updated
Instructor
GC
Google Cloud Training
Coursera instructor
Created by Google Cloud's training team as the foundational course in several GCP learning paths. The emphasis is practical — comparing services and getting hands-on in the console rather than abstract theory.