Skip to Content

Top 11 Best Arduino Online Courses [2023]

Top 11 Best Arduino Online Courses [2023]

Arduino is one of the most popular open-source electronics systems that you can use to build all sorts of cool devices and projects with.

I often get asked by newcomers: what is the best way to learn Arduino? 

There are many options, but overall I think that online courses are the quickest and most complete way to learn, especially if you combine them with some practical DIY projects alongside.

You can choose from a wide range of different courses; some are short and designed for complete beginners, and others which are more advanced and focus on particular applications.

> Read our guide: How Easy Is It To Learn Arduino?

In this article I’ll share with you what I think are the 11 best online courses to learn Arduino.

1: An Introduction to Programming the Internet of Things (IoT) Specialization

If you are looking for a more professional introduction to the world of Arduino, you can choose this course. 

It comes from a respected education facility, the University of California. As a result, you will be getting a more thorough overview of this topic. 

The first few weeks will be dedicated to the theory behind the Internet of Things. This is a good way of learning about the importance of this technology. 

From there, you will have a greater focus on the Arduino and how you can use it. One of the things that help set this course apart, though, is that it doesn’t stop at the Arduino. You’ll also learn how to use the Raspberry Pi. 

Another huge benefit of this course is that it is taught by a respected institution. As a result, it comes with plenty of ways to test your knowledge. Some of the assessment methods include: 

  • Quizzes
  • Hands-on projects
  • Graded assessments
  • Graded programming assignments

If you have any questions, you will be able to ask a knowledgeable teacher. Plus, you’ll be able to move through the course at your own pace. 

This is a good feature for those who have to balance work and study commitments. 

At the end of the course, you will receive an Arduino certification. 

This is great for those who want to get employed in this area. Employers will love to see this, as it shows that you are dedicated to learning more about this area. 

This is a great course, but it might not be for everyone. It is structured and will require you to write reports and get graded.

While this is a great way of delving more deeply into the internet of things, it might not suit those who are looking for a more casual introduction into the world of Arduino. 

It also has a broad focus, looking at the Raspberry Pi as well as Arduino. So, if you are only interested in Arduino, you might want to look at another course. 

2: Arduino Step by Step: Getting Started

This course places a greater focus on the Arduino and learning how to use it. 

You’ll start with learning the basics, like how to assemble a circuit. You’ll discover how the inputs and outputs operate, and you’ll learn how this device will interact with other electronics. 

Once you have this knowledge, you’ll be able to take things to the next level. You will be able to start working on developing your own circuits. 

There is a range of practical projects that you will be able to undertake. For example, you will be able to learn how to measure the voltage of the circuit. 

You’ll also be able to detect when someone is entering a room. You’ll have to learn how to sketch programs to make sure that you can do this. 

For some people, being able to apply these skills in a more practical setting can be the best way of learning a new skill. 

This course is in-depth and is consistently being updated to reflect the latest changes in technology. It also comes with a lot of resources, including: 

  • 16 and a half hours of video. 
  • There are also extensive repositories of programming code on GitHub. 
  • There are plenty of ways to put your knowledge to the test. There are quizzes. You’ll also have practical activities to complete.
  • Linked resources
  • Student discussions
  • Written articles & guides

You’ll be able to go through the course at your own pace.  Considering the low price, this is a good deal. At the end of the course, you will be able to get a certificate. 

Like all courses, though, there are a few drawbacks to consider. This course is excellent for beginners. It will talk you through what Arduino is and how it works. 

But if you already have a little experience and want to learn about more complex features, it might not be the right option for you. 

Instead, you should consider the sister course Tech Explorations Arduino Step by Step Getting Serious, which we’ll discuss later. 

3: Introduction to Computer Science

Third, you might want to consider this course from Harvard University. Though it won’t specifically focus on the Arduino, it will give you a good general introduction to the world of computer science. 

You don’t need any pre-requisite knowledge. This will give you more knowledge about the wider context of Arduino and give you insight into the real-world ways this technology can be applied. 

Plus, you’ll be able to start learning how to write computer code. Though Arduino is based on C++, this course will teach you a wide range of languages. 

More important than learning the syntax, though, you’ll be taught how to approach programming. This will allow you to develop critical problem-solving skills to overcome any issues that you might face. 

Some of the other areas that the course focuses on are:

  • Learning about algorithms and data structures
  • Looking at data structures and how to manage your resources
  • The basic principles of web development
  • Communicating about your project with other people

There are a few other big benefits. First, you will be able to take this course on your own schedule. This will allow you to slot study around your other commitments. 

You should be able to complete it within 12 weeks. It also places a focus on real-world applications. 

There are several practical assessments for you to complete. From there, you’ll be able to take on the final project.

If you do this, you will receive a certificate of completion. Coming for a respected institute like Harvard, this will look great on your resume.  

While this is a great course, there are a few drawbacks to consider. 

The biggest is that it only serves as a basic introduction to the world of computer science. It doesn’t explicitly focus on working with the Arduino. 

Though, knowing how to write computer code will be a huge benefit when you start programming in the Arduino IDE. 

4: Arduino Programming and Hardware Fundamentals with Hackster

One of the most important elements of Arduino is learning how to wire it correctly. 

This course will delve more deeply into this area. You will be able to learn the connection between the way you wire the hardware and how you program the device. 

This course is known for its practical approach to this skill set. Several areas will be covered in this course. These include: 

  • Being able to wire a breadboard
  • Learning to write computer code to control your Arduino
  • Using the internet to control the Arduino and remotely log information
  • Putting your skills to the test with basic circuits. You’ll be able to control LED lights. 

One of the best areas of this course is that it is aimed at complete beginners. 

As long as you have the passion to learn about how Arduino works, you will be able to follow this course. 

It also comes with plenty of resources. There are 94 articles and over seven hours of video lectures. 

If you want, you can buy an Arduino and start wiring these circuits for yourself. This is the best way to learn, as you’ll be able to get practical experience. 

However, if you don’t want to do this, you can use an online simulator for this course. 

By the end of this course, you should have the basic skills needed to take on simple projects. You’ll also be leaving with a certificate of completion.

 This is a good way of showing off the hard work and dedication that went into learning your skills. 

This course has more than 100,000 students that have taken it and lots of 5 star reviews. It is the most popular Arduino course on Udemy, and taught by an expert in the field.

The only downside is that it focuses on beginners, so if you’re looking to learn something more advanced you may be better off with the follow up course: Arduino Step by Step Getting Serious (mentioned below).

5: Arduino Bootcamp: Learning Through Projects

While learning the theory behind Arduino is important, some people will prefer to focus on learning through hands-on projects.

If this sounds like you, this might be the right course for you. It has been based on the principle that you learn better when you are putting your skills to the test. 

To do these projects, you won’t need to have any experience with electronics or computer programming.

However, you will need to have access to an Arduino Start-Up Kit and an Uno Microcontroller. The good news is that these will be fairly affordable. You can pick up a starter kit from just $30. 

The biggest attraction of this course is the type of projects that you will be able to make. There are over 15 covered in the class. Some of these include: 

  • Making a phone on which you can make calls and receive texts. 
  • Creating a universal remote
  • Designing a weather station that tells you the climate information online
  • Game projects, including using lights and a joystick
  • A car that is driven by an app

The projects are separated by difficulty. If you have done one of the other courses, you might want to jump ahead to an intermediate or advanced project. 

With each project that you complete, you’ll learn a little more about how the Arduino works. With each project, you’ll get schematics of how to wire the circuit. You’ll also get the code you need to run the project. 

Then, there will be a video breakdown of each of these elements, explaining why they opted to take this approach. 

With over 15 projects for you to complete, there is a lot of content included with this course. You’ll be getting all the schematics and code needed to make the project operate. 

There are over nine hours of videos. You’ll have lifetime access, so you can move through the course at your own pace. 

At the end of the course, you will receive a certificate of completion. Plus, with so much first-hand experience, you’ll be well-equipped to start taking on your own projects. 

The instructor is fairly active and will be able to answer any questions that you have. 

This course is well suited to beginners, so if you’re looking for something more advanced it may not be ideal (check out the next course on our list for something more detailed).

6: Arduino Step by Step Getting Serious

This is the sequel course to Tech Exploration Arduino Step by Step: Getting Started. 

Unlike the courses we’ve looked at so far, this isn’t suitable for beginners. 

It will require you to have at least a basic knowledge of how to use the Arduino. You should also know how to write a simple sketch. 

It will go into more depth about how you can use this technology. More specifically, it will look at some of the ways that you can use the Arduino. 

For example, you will be able to look at the way that it will interact with other objects in the world. Some of the things taught in this course include:

  • Using things like Wi-Fi and the radio. 
  • How to use an LCD screen and buttons, so you can interface with the Arduino
  • Storing data on SD cards
  • Minimizing the amount of memory taken up by your sketches
  • Using stepper motors

Before you start this course, there are a few basic pieces of equipment that you will need. You’ll have to have access to the Arduino IDE. 

This can be run on all types of computer systems. You’ll also need Arduino breadboards and the basic tools required to wire them.

One of the biggest benefits of this course is the ability to go in-depth about topics. There are over 30 hours of content and around 250 lectures. 

Plus, there are plenty of examples, each complete with its own pre-written code and schematics. You’ll be walked through each of these scenarios, explaining every step of the process. 

This will highlight the mindset that you need to develop when you are developing your own projects. 

 Finally, this course comes with plenty of support. There is a forum, which the instructor frequently responds to. You can also use a Facebook group. This is a good way to talk about your personal projects. 

7: Basic Electronics for Arduino Makers

If you are new to the world of Arduino, one of the biggest challenges you will face is electronics. 

You’ll need to have an idea of what each element does and how it needs to be attached to the circuitry. This online course is dedicated to teaching you these elements. 

Because there is less focus on writing computer code, you’ll be free to delve deeply into electronics. 

As a result, you’ll be able to learn about things like voltage drops and transistors. This is key if you are planning on taking on your projects. You’ll need to know what materials you need to purchase. 

There are a few things to bear in mind before taking this course on though.

First, it might not be suitable for beginners. You’ll need to have at least a little experience working with the Arduino. You’ll also need to have the following tools: 

  • Breadboard
  • Jumper wires
  • Battery
  • Multimeter
  • Basic math skills and an understanding of how electronics work

At seven and a half hours long, this course is a good introduction to electronics and how they operate. 

At the end, you’ll be leaving with a certification. You should also have the knowledge and confidence required to design your own circuit boards. 

The only downside to this course is that it does require the students to have a little experience in the world of Arduino.

 If you come to it as a complete beginner, you will likely struggle to follow some of the concepts. 

Because of this, I would recommend completing one of the other Arduino tutorials before you come to this course. 

8: Learn to Design Your Own Boards

This course is in a similar vein to Basic Electronics for Arduino Makers. However, it caters to the complete beginner. 

Like the previous course, you will learn to get to know each of the electrical elements and how they work. The biggest difference is how you will be learning about these elements. 

This course will require you to learn via the Altium Designer software. This is professional-level software, which is very powerful. 

This will let you create a digital version of your board, designing it online. For some complex projects, this can be necessary. 

You’ll know what parts you need to order. You’ll also have a set of plans that you can work off. 

This course, though, won’t be for everyone. First, it is expected that you will have some understanding of Arduino circuitry and boards. It is aimed at people who are in college. 

Furthermore, doing a digital design of your boards isn’t too common for Arduino, unless you are planning on completing a complex project. 

However, if you are planning to pursue a career in electronics, this skill could come in very useful. 

9: Learning Arduino: Interfacing with Analog Devices

If you are already familiar with the basics of Arduino, you might just need a little extra knowledge to learn how to apply this knowledge to the real world. 

In this case, this course might be the right option for you. 

It is relatively short, compared with the other options on this list. It clocks in at a little over 90 minutes. 

This ensures that you get right to the point, without the need for any waffle. Just because it’s short doesn’t mean that you won’t learn a lot of valuable skills, these will include: 

  • Learning the components of sensors and how to wire them into the circuit. 
  • Discovering some functions you can use to control the Arduino output
  • Looking at how the Arduino can create analog output

You’ll be putting these newfound skills to the test by completing three real-world projects. 

You’ll also have a quiz to complete when you are finished viewing the videos in each section. 

This is the ideal course for those who are looking to pick up the basics quickly. At just over 90 minutes long, it won’t be a huge time commitment. 

10: Arduino and Programming in the Internet of Things

This is another short course for those who want to get to grips with the basics of Arduino fairly quickly. It will talk about Arduino and how to use it. 

This includes how you can use sensors. But it will also discuss the wider context around the technology. Because of this, you’ll learn the basics of Raspberry Pi and how to write code in Python. 

While this approach might not be right for everyone, you will get a better understanding of the Internet of Things and how you can use Arduino to engage with it. 

This will give you a more well-rounded appreciation of this technology, and specifically how you can utilise it to interact with other IOT devices.

The biggest criticism of this course is that it places a lot of emphasis on the theory. There aren’t a lot of practical projects that you can try. 

But it is relatively quick – at only five hours, it won’t take you too long to complete. 

11: Arduino Workshop for Beginners

Finally, you might want to consider taking this Arduino workshop. 

This is a little different from the other courses on this list. It is completely free. It is available as a series of YouTube videos from the Core Electronics page

While it won’t have any quizzes or the ability to interact with the teacher, it will provide a good overview of Arduino. 

It goes into depth about how you can write code that your Arduino will understand. This is the main focus of the course.  

Though it will also briefly discuss how to create the circuitry for the Arduino.  

The good thing about using free resources, like YouTube, is that there is plenty of help on hand. 

You can post a question in the comments. Or there are plenty of other videos to explain the concept differently. 

In the world of Arduino, Jeremy Blum is one of the most popular content creators and is a well respected teacher.

Final Thoughts

Arduino is a very powerful piece of technology, with dozens of ways for you to put it to use. 

-> Check out our article on what you can build with Arduino for a full set of ideas

However, before you can do this, you will need to know some basic skills. These courses are a great way to pick up this essential knowledge. 

But this is just the tip of the iceberg. There are plenty of other resources you can use. 

For example, you can turn to YouTube videos, blog posts, or forum sites to connect with other members of the community. 

The advantage to taking a course is that the information is likely to be better structured than learning from blogs or YouTube videos.

It will follow a logical sequence and you’ll likely have the chance to ask questions or get feedback on your projects.

Take a look at the options I have discussed here and pick a course that suits your current ability. Then get stuck in and enrol onto it and take your Arduino knowledge to the next level.