Beginner 110 hours English Professional CertificateFREE
Our recommendation
IBM's beginner data-science certificate, covering Python, SQL, data analysis and an introduction to machine learning across several courses. It is thorough and hands-on with real tools, and a common alternative to Google's data programmes. Broad rather than deep, and best paired with your own projects.
Good for: Beginners who want a hands-on route into data science with a recognised certificate.
Less suitable if: You already know Python and SQL, or you want advanced, specialised material.
Realistic time: Around 110 hours; four to six months part-time.
About this course
The IBM Data Science Professional Certificate is a 12-course program that most people finish in several months — often four to six at a few hours a week. You can audit the lessons free; the certificate runs on Coursera's ~$49/month plan, so the total is usually around $250–$300 depending on your pace.
What you'll learn
Use Python for data analysis with common libraries
Write SQL and work with relational databases
Clean, analyse and visualise real datasets
Build and evaluate machine-learning models
Work in Jupyter notebooks like a practitioner
Complete an end-to-end capstone project for your portfolio
This course includes
110h
On-demand video
Yes
Certificate
English
Language
What it costs
Free to audit on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, around $49 a month, with financial aid available. Finishing in a few months keeps the cost modest.
Comparison · LBS
Compare alternatives for IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
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.
The certificate is issued through Coursera with IBM. It is a recognised entry-level credential, but as with all such certificates, employers look hardest at the projects you build along the way.
Last updated
Instructor
I
IBM
Coursera instructor
Created by IBM's data-science team and taught by IBM practitioners. The program reflects the tools and workflow IBM uses on real projects, from Python notebooks to deployment.
Yes as a beginner route into data science, if you finish it and build a portfolio. It is a recognised name; the projects are what employers weigh most.
IBM leans more towards data science and Python and machine-learning basics; Google Data Analytics is more focused on analytics with spreadsheets, SQL and visualisation. Choose by whether you want a data-scientist or data-analyst path.
Yes. Python, SQL and data tools are central, along with an introduction to machine learning.
You can audit it free on Coursera; the certificate needs a subscription, with financial aid available.
Around 110 hours across several courses — four to six months at a part-time pace.
It is a solid start, not a guarantee. Pair it with a portfolio of projects and keep practising.