Intro to Java
Get started with Java by learning about the basics of a Java program and variables!
Intro to Java is a beginner-level online course from Codecademy in Java. It is structured in 3 modules with 4 stated learning outcomes, over 6h. It is free to enrol, and a certificate is available on completion. Learners rate it 4.5/5 from 2.5K ratings on Codecademy.
Part of our Java courses collection, where we compare it against 15 other courses.
Course highlights
| Provider | Codecademy |
| Duration | 6h |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.5★ (2.5K reviews) |
| Price | Free |
What you’ll learn
Level and time commitment
What this course covers
3 modulesThe 3-part outline Codecademy publishes for this course, across 6h.
Module 1 · Hello World
Module 2 · Variables
Module 3 · Object-Oriented Java
What learners rate it
Rated 4.5/5 by 2.5K learners on Codecademy (checked 25 Aug 2026).
This rating is collected by Codecademy from its own enrolled learners. We reproduce it as reported and do not accept paid or incentivised reviews. See it on Codecademy →
Compiled by the 10courses editorial desk. Fees, ratings, duration and certificate details for the 1 course shown are read directly from Codecademy course pages — we never estimate a price or a rating. Last verified 25 August 2026.
How we compare and rank courses · Our review policy · Affiliate disclosure
Compare with alternatives
Same topic, different trade-offs — here's who runs each one and what it's best at.
| Course | Provider | Rating | Price | Duration | Why pick this one |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Intro to Java This | Codecademy | 4.5★ | Free | 6h | Free — certificate included |
| Learn JAVA Programming - Beginner to Master |
 Udemy
|
4.7★ | Free | Free — and still gives a certificate | |
| Learn Intermediate Java: JUnit Testing | Codecademy | 4.7★ | Free | 1h | Quickest to finish (1h) |
| Java Enterprise Edition |
 Coursera
|
4.6★ | Check price | 1 month | Beginner-friendly · 1 month |
Common questions
Is Intro to Java free?
Yes. Codecademy lists it as free to enrol. A certificate is available on completion — providers often charge separately for the certificate even when the course itself is free, so check the fee on the provider page before you count on it.
Does Intro to Java come with a certificate?
Yes — Codecademy lists a certificate on completion. It is a course certificate, not a formal qualification or university credit.
How long does Intro to Java take?
Codecademy lists it at 6h. It is self-paced, so that is the volume of material rather than a deadline — how long it actually takes depends on the hours you put in each week.
Is Intro to Java suitable for beginners?
Yes. Codecademy lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Intro to Java cover?
It is organised into 3 modules, starting with Hello World and going on to Variables, Object-Oriented Java. The full outline is on this page.