Learn by Source
LinkedIn Learning · on LinkedIn Learning

Python Essential Training

4.7(4,000) on LinkedIn Learning·280K enrolled
Beginner 8 hours English Course Certificate
SkillsPythonFunctionsData structuresObject-oriented programmingProgramming basics

Is this course right for you?

Our take
A clear, concise primer on Python for a complete beginner. It comes with a LinkedIn Learning subscription.

Good for: complete beginners who want a concise introduction to Python.

Skip if: you already know Python, or you want a project-heavy course.

Ryan Mitchell covers syntax and data types, control flow and functions, object-oriented programming, files and libraries, and error handling, working through examples that build on each other rather than isolated demos. It is a structured first look, shorter than the big bootcamps.

It is an essentials course, so it is not project-heavy and does not go deep into frameworks or applied areas like data or web — someone who already knows Python will find it basic, and a project-based course fits better instead. It needs a subscription, and the material tracks current Python.

Comparison · LBS

Compare alternatives for Python Essential Training

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.
LinkedIn Learning4.7(4,000)
Python Essential Training
Price
Paid
LinkedIn Learning subscription
Duration
8 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
Pluralsight
Python: The Big Picture
Price
Paid
Pluralsight subscription
Duration
1.5 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
DataCamp
Introduction to Python
Price
Paid
DataCamp subscription
Duration
4 hrs
Level
Beginner
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
Pluralsight
Classes and Object-oriented Programming in Python 3
Price
Paid
Pluralsight subscription
Duration
3 hrs
Level
Intermediate
Certificate
Course Certificate
View course →
Prices & availability can change — confirm on the provider's site. We're not affiliated with any single provider.

About this course

Python Essential Training is the flagship Python course on LinkedIn Learning — covering Python syntax and data types, control flow and functions, object-oriented programming, working with files and libraries, and error handling. Ryan Mitchell's teaching is clear and methodical, working through examples that build on each other rather than isolated demos.

Browse all Programming courses Browse all LinkedIn Learning courses

Instructor

RM
Ryan Mitchell
LinkedIn Learning instructor
280K+ learners6 courses4.7 instructor rating

Ryan Mitchell is a software engineer and Python author, known for her O'Reilly books on Python web scraping, with clear and methodical teaching style.

Frequently asked questions

Not by default — it runs on LinkedIn Learning, which is subscription-based — but a free trial is common, and many public libraries and universities give members full access at no cost. Before paying, check whether a library card or an institution you belong to already provides LinkedIn Learning, since that quietly unlocks this course and the rest of the catalogue for free.

Yes. Senior engineer Ryan Mitchell starts from installing Python and writing your first program, then builds through variables, types, operators, functions, classes, and objects, and on to error handling and working with files. No prior programming is assumed, and the clear, structured progression suits people meeting the language for the first time rather than those already coding and looking for advanced material.

Less than some bootcamps — it leans toward clear, structured teaching of the language's essentials rather than building one large project throughout. If you specifically want project practice, the same instructor offers a companion 'Python Practice: Real-World Coding Challenges' course. A sensible route is this course for the fundamentals, then the challenges course to actually apply them, since Python is learned far better by writing it than watching.

Yes, it teaches current Python 3, which is the version in use everywhere today, so you are not learning outdated syntax. It goes beyond the pure basics too — into error and exception handling, threads and processes, working with files and command-line arguments, and creating your own modules and packages — giving a fuller foundation than a bare beginner tour would.

Yes, you earn a LinkedIn Learning completion certificate that attaches neatly to your LinkedIn profile, which is convenient given the platform. Be realistic about its weight, though — for programming roles what genuinely counts is code you can show, such as small projects on GitHub. Treat the course as a way to actually learn Python properly; the certificate is a modest signal of effort, not a qualification on its own.
Paid
LinkedIn Learning subscription
Enroll now