Beginner 182 hours English Professional CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
One of the best free ways to start a data analyst career from zero. Over about 182 hours it moves from spreadsheets to SQL, R and an introduction to Python, ending in a portfolio project you can show employers.
Good for: Beginners and career changers aiming for a data analyst role.
Less suitable if: You already know SQL, or you want a Python-first path.
You want a recognised credential for job applications
You prefer a guided, six-month plan
Consider something else if you…
You already know SQL and spreadsheets
You want an advanced, Python-first path
You need a short refresher, not a full programme
Requirements: None — designed for complete beginners.
Realistic time: About six months at 10 hours a week (roughly 182 hours). Faster if you study full-time.
About this course
The Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate is the most enrolled data analyst program on Coursera, with 2.4 million learners. Designed from the ground up for career changers, it assumes no prior experience and moves through the full analyst stack: data cleaning in spreadsheets, SQL for querying databases, visualisation in Tableau, and introductory R for statistical analysis. Eight courses, roughly 182 hours of content, culminating in a capstone where you build and present a case study portfolio project.
What you'll learn
Clean, organise, and transform data using spreadsheets and SQL
Write SQL queries to extract and aggregate data from relational databases
Build interactive dashboards and visualisations in Tableau
Perform basic statistical analysis and data wrangling in R
Complete a portfolio-ready case study to show in job applications
Apply the data analysis process: Ask, Prepare, Process, Analyse, Share, Act
This course includes
182h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
Yes
Mobile access
English
Language
What it costs
You can watch every lesson for free using the audit option on Coursera. The certificate needs a paid Coursera subscription, around $49 a month. Finish in three to four months and the total stays under $200 — far less than a bootcamp teaching the same skills, and you can try it before you pay.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
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The certificate is issued by Google and is one of the better-known entry-level credentials in data analytics. Many employers accept it for junior data roles, and in some programmes it can count towards university credit. It does not replace a degree, but for a first analyst job it is worth having.
Instructor
GC
Google Career Certificates
Coursera instructor
2.4M+ learners8 courses4.8 instructor rating
Delivered by Google's in-house Career Certificates team — a group of Google employees and instructional designers who built the program specifically to train the type of analyst Google and its partner companies actually hire.
For a beginner targeting a first data analyst role, yes — if you finish it and build a portfolio. The skills are real and the credential is widely recognised. Treat it as a starting point rather than a guarantee.
It is built as a degree alternative, and many employers accept it for entry-level data roles. Entry-level analyst jobs commonly start around $55,000 to $70,000, above median pay for roles that do not need a four-year degree.
Usually not by itself. Most employers now hire on demonstrated skills, so your portfolio, how you present your work, and your job-search approach matter as much as the certificate.
It is designed for complete beginners with no experience. The main challenge is consistency — about 10 hours a week over six months — rather than difficulty.
Entry-level roles commonly start between $55,000 and $70,000, with reported averages higher for those who bring some experience. Location and background change this a lot.
As of the 2026 update, yes — it now includes an introduction to Python for data analysis, alongside spreadsheets, SQL, R and Tableau. Earlier versions were R-only, so this is recent.
About six months at 10 hours a week (roughly 182 hours). Full-time learners often finish in two to three months.
No — the certificate itself does not expire. But tools and practices change, so keeping your skills current still matters.