Free course · Programming & Development
Python Starter
A free introduction to programming with Python: variables and input, decisions and loops, functions, lists and dictionaries, and solving a small real problem.
Free · self-study · no certificate
About 6 hours
2 modules · 5 lessons
What you will be able to do
- Write and run short Python programs that read input and print results
- Use if statements and loops to make decisions and repeat work
- Organise code into functions and store data in lists and dictionaries
Who it's for
- Complete beginners who have never programmed
- Students and office staff who want to automate small tasks
Before you start
Basic computer use. Python 3 and a text editor, or a free online Python environment.
Module 1 · about 120 minutes
Your First Python Programs
Syntax, input and output, decisions, loops and reusable functions.
- Run a Python script and read user input
- Write functions that make decisions and repeat work
Module 2 · about 80 minutes
Working with Data
Lists, dictionaries and sets, then a complete small problem solved step by step.
- Store and look up related data
- Break a small problem into steps and code it
Further learning
- The Python Tutorial (official, free) — The official introduction to the language, best read alongside your own small programs.
- Python for Beginners (python.org) — Installation help and links to beginner resources.
- Thonny — Python editor for beginners (free download) — A simple editor with a step-by-step debugger that works offline.
Continue with a full program
- Python — Practical Python programming for automation, data work and back-end development — from first scripts to a deployed, tested application.
- Data Science — Collect, clean, and analyze data to support decisions in government, NGOs, and business.
- JavaScript — Learn JavaScript to build interactive websites and modern web applications, from DOM basics to async programming.
Want the full Python program?
This free course is an introduction. The full program is taught live by an instructor, with practical assignments, assessments, projects and a certificate.
See the Python program