Top Free Prompt Engineering Courses with Certificates (2025)

Prompt engineering is rapidly becoming a vital skill in the field of artificial intelligence, especially with the rise of generative models like OpenAI’s GPT-4 and Google’s Bard. By mastering prompt engineering, you can effectively communicate with AI models, making them perform tasks more efficiently. If you’re looking to enhance your AI skills, here’s a comprehensive list of free prompt engineering courses that come with certificates, available on top educational platforms in 2025.

1. Coursera: "Generative AI: Prompt Engineering Basics" by IBM

Platform: Coursera
Offered by: IBM

What you'll learn: This course covers foundational techniques for crafting effective prompts that can optimize AI responses. It features practical labs and graded quizzes to help you understand various prompt approaches such as the "Chain-of-Thought" and "Tree-of-Thought" methods. The final project allows you to gain hands-on experience in real-world applications.
Certificate: Yes, upon completion
Duration: Approx. 5-6 hours
Cost: Free (with financial aid)
Why take this course?: It's perfect for those who want to integrate AI skills with IBM’s cloud technologies, making it ideal for professionals aiming to work with enterprise AI.

2. LinkedIn Learning: "Prompt Engineering for ChatGPT"

Platform: LinkedIn Learning
Offered by: LinkedIn Learning

What you'll learn: This course focuses on writing effective prompts for ChatGPT, covering techniques to get the best results from OpenAI models. You’ll explore different industries and how prompt engineering can be applied to optimize AI tools for your specific use case.
Certificate: Yes, upon completion (within 1-month free trial)
Duration: Varies
Cost: Free with a 1-month trial
Why take this course?: Ideal for business professionals looking to apply AI for productivity, marketing, and more.

3. Google Cloud Skills Boost: "Generative AI Learning Path"

Platform: Google Cloud Skills Boost
Offered by: Google Cloud

What you'll learn: Google Cloud's Generative AI Learning Path covers all aspects of AI, including how to craft optimal prompts. You’ll get hands-on experience with Google Cloud’s AI tools like Vertex AI and generative models.
Certificate: Yes, Google Cloud badges available upon completion
Duration: 3-5 hours (self-paced)
Cost: Free with Qwiklabs credits
Why take this course?: Great for developers and data scientists wanting to learn AI on a cloud platform.

4. DataCamp: "Introduction to Prompt Engineering"

Platform: DataCamp

What you'll learn: This course introduces prompt engineering techniques for generative AI models, such as ChatGPT. You'll learn about best practices for designing prompts that ensure accurate outputs and minimal errors from AI systems.
Certificate: Yes, upon completion (with free trials)
Duration: 2-3 hours
Cost: Free during trial period
Why take this course?: Excellent for beginners who are new to prompt engineering and want a structured, entry-level approach.

5. Edureka: "Prompt Engineering with Generative AI"

Platform: Edureka

What you'll learn: This course dives deeper into the strategies behind prompt engineering, focusing on how to effectively communicate with generative models across various use cases. It also covers the practical applications of AI in business and technology.
Certificate: Yes, upon completion
Duration: Varies (self-paced)
Cost: Free
Why take this course?: Great for professionals interested in both AI development and applying AI to real-world business scenarios.

6. FastAI: "Practical Deep Learning for Coders"

Platform: FastAI

What you'll learn: Though this is a broader course on deep learning, it includes sections on prompt engineering and working with generative models like GPT. You'll gain hands-on experience and insights from industry professionals.
Certificate: No (But skills are highly recognized)
Duration: 7 weeks (Part-time)
Cost: Free
Why take this course?: Best for developers who want an in-depth understanding of AI, machine learning, and prompt engineering together.

7. Udemy: "Prompt Engineering Masterclass"

Platform: Udemy

What you'll learn: This masterclass offers in-depth tutorials on how to fine-tune prompts for various AI applications. It includes sections on both text and image generation, making it suitable for those exploring different areas of generative AI.
Certificate: Yes, upon completion
Duration: 2-4 hours
Cost: Free (selected courses)
Why take this course?: For learners seeking comprehensive insights on both basic and advanced prompt techniques.

8. Class Central: "Prompt Engineering and ChatGPT Mastery"

Platform: Class Central

What you'll learn: This course focuses on mastering prompt engineering techniques specific to OpenAI’s GPT and ChatGPT. It covers practical use cases and teaches how to optimize prompts for various industries.
Certificate: Yes
Duration: 2-4 hours
Cost: Free
Why take this course?: Best for professionals and students looking for industry-recognized skills in ChatGPT and GPT prompt engineering.

Conclusion

With AI becoming integral to many industries, prompt engineering is a critical skill to master. The courses listed above not only provide valuable knowledge but also offer certificates that you can showcase on platforms like LinkedIn or during job applications. Choose a course based on your career goals and get started on becoming an expert in prompt engineering today!

Additional Resources:

• Learn Prompting - A free community-driven platform that focuses on AI prompt engineering, offering tutorials and best practices.