The best SQL courses

Extracting actionable intelligence from the ever-increasing volumes of data enterprises generate is fundamental to maintaining a competitive edge. Structured Query Language (SQL) serves as a critical tool for this data interaction, enabling professionals to manage, retrieve, and analyze information efficiently. As organizations increasingly rely on data-driven decision-making, the ability to effectively harness database technologies is paramount. For individuals and teams looking to develop or sharpen these vital capabilities, a diverse range of SQL courses provides structured learning paths, offering a clear route to mastering this essential programming language.

Up-skilling through dedicated training remains a highly effective strategy for building crucial technical competencies within IT teams, and SQL proficiency is consistently among the most sought-after skills. Investing in SQL education can lead to significant improvements in operational efficiency, allowing businesses to unlock deeper insights from their data repositories. For IT professionals, acquiring or enhancing SQL skills not only broadens their technical toolkit but also opens doors to new career opportunities and increased marketability in a competitive landscape.

In this article, we look at some of the most effective SQL courses available, designed to empower you with this essential programming language and enhance your data-handling proficiency. The enduring relevance of SQL, even with the advent of newer data technologies, means that expertise in this area is a valuable asset. Whether you're starting your journey with databases or aiming to refine advanced querying techniques, the right course can provide the knowledge and practical experience needed to succeed.

What is SQL?

SQL, often pronounced 'sequel', has been a cornerstone of data management since its emergence in the late 1970s. It is a standardized programming language specifically designed for managing and manipulating relational databases—systems that store information in tables with predefined relationships between them. 

The primary function of SQL is to allow users to query these databases, meaning they can request specific data, update existing records, insert new information, and manage the database structure itself.

The skills required to write effective SQL queries have remained in high demand since the language's inception. Even with the rise of NoSQL databases and big data technologies, SQL continues to be a dominant force in data interaction. Most businesses rely on SQL-backed systems for critical operations, leading to a persistent and strong demand for personnel with robust SQL programming skills.

Whether you aim to broaden your existing technical skill set or are embarking on a new career in data analysis, database administration, or software development, achieving proficiency in SQL can significantly expand your professional opportunities.

The best SQL courses for 2025

The Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert

Best overall SQL course

Provider: Colt Steele (via Udemy)

Price: TBC - available via a Udemy plan (pricing starts at £15 per month)

Course link: The Ultimate MySQL Bootcamp: Go from SQL Beginner to Expert

Course duration: 21 hours

This highly-rated Udemy course, led by reputable instructor Colt Steele was last updated in April 2025. It's designed to transition students from SQL novices to proficient users capable of tackling complex database tasks. The curriculum is comprehensive, covering fundamental SQL syntax, database creation and management, advanced querying techniques including joins and Window Functions with MySQL 8, and practical data modeling for real-world scenarios.

Emphasizing a hands-on approach, the bootcamp is packed with exercises, challenges, and projects to solidify learning. Upon successful completion, students are expected to confidently interact with any SQL database, particularly MySQL, generate insightful reports, and leverage SQL for data-driven decision-making or application integration.

Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python

Best SQL course with academic credit

Provider: IBM (via Coursera)

Price: Typically included with a Coursera Plus subscription (e.g., around $59/month or an annual option) or available through Coursera's single course purchase/specialization pricing, which can vary.

Course link: Databases and SQL for Data Science with Python

Course length: 33-35 hours

This course, offered by IBM through Coursera, is designed for individuals looking to build a foundational understanding of SQL and its application in data science, particularly when working with Python. It offers a structured learning path for beginners with no prior database programming experience. 

Across its modules, learners will explore relational database concepts, learn to create and access databases, execute SQL queries for data retrieval and manipulation, and understand how to use Python to interact with databases. A key feature is its integration within broader IBM professional certificates, and successful completion can contribute to those credentials. The curriculum covers essential SQL commands, data types, and delves into more advanced topics relevant to data engineering.

SQL: Master SQL Database Queries in Just 90 Mins!

Best SQL course for intensive learning

Provider: Udemy

Price: $44 (£34.99)

Course link: SQL - Master SQL Database Queries in Just 90 Minutes!

Course length: 1 hour 30 minutes

This Udemy course is designed for individuals seeking a rapid introduction to SQL database queries, promising to cover the essentials in approximately 90 minutes. Given the widespread use of SQL databases across businesses, a fundamental understanding of basic querying is a valuable skill for many professionals. It offers a focused curriculum designed for rapid skill acquisition. 

This offering serves as a crash course, guiding students from foundational concepts to writing their initial queries. It's positioned as an ideal starting point for those who have regular interaction with SQL databases and need a quick primer to become functional.

SQL & Database Design A-Z: Learn MS SQL Server + PostgreSQL

Best SQL course for data science

Provider: Kirill Eremenko, et al (via Udemy)

Price: £59.99 ($75)

Course link: SQL & Database Design A-Z: Learn MS SQL Server + PostgreSQL

Course length: 12 hours 30 minutes

This Udemy course, developed by Kirill Eremenko and the Ligency Team, is presented as a comprehensive guide for individuals aiming for careers in data science, data analytics, or database administration. Students will learn to craft database queries for both PostgreSQL and Microsoft SQL Server. The curriculum also delves into the distinctions and applications of OLAP (Online Analytical Processing) and OLTP (Online Transaction Processing) databases and includes numerous practical exercises to solidify understanding of both MS SQL Server and PostgreSQL.

The course focuses heavily on database design principles, an essential skill for anyone looking to build robust and efficient database solutions. It aims to provide a strong foundation in SQL, database architecture, and practical application across two major database systems.

Advanced SQL for Query Tuning and Performance Optimization

Best SQL course for advanced users

Provider: LinkedIn Learning

Price: : Included with a LinkedIn Learning subscription (typically around $29.99/month if billed annually, or $39.99/month if billed monthly. Individual course purchase options may also exist, often around $35-45).

Course link: Advanced SQL for Query Tuning and Performance Optimization

Course length: 1 hour 44 minutes

Learning to create SQL queries in isolation is insufficient for real-world application; understanding query execution and its impact on database performance is crucial. This LinkedIn Learning course, with expert instruction from Dan Sullivan, delves into the practicalities of SQL query execution. 

It focuses on how queries affect database resources and processing power. The content guides learners through modeling strategies to ensure each query runs efficiently and avoids negative impacts on overall database performance, covering essential techniques for query tuning and optimization.

Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization

Best SQL course for Excel users

Provider: Duke University (via Coursera)

Price: Typically included with a Coursera Plus subscription (e.g., around $59/month or an annual option). Specific pricing for the specialization, if purchased standalone, can vary but is often in the range of $49−79 per month after a trial period.

Course link: Excel to MySQL: Analytic Techniques for Business Specialization

Course length: Approximately 7 months, assuming a pace of around 3 hours per week

This Coursera specialization, offered by Duke University, is designed to empower learners to bridge the gap between spreadsheet analysis and more powerful database querying techniques. It guides students through a structured path, starting with data analysis in Excel and progressively introducing MySQL for more complex data manipulation and business intelligence tasks. 

The curriculum focuses on practical analytic techniques, enabling participants to manage large datasets, extract meaningful insights, and make data-driven business decisions. This comprehensive program is suitable for those looking to enhance their analytical capabilities by moving beyond the limitations of Excel for larger-scale data work.

Learn SQL

Best SQL course for comprehensive learning

Provider: Udacity

Price:  £377.50 for a one-time payment. A monthly subscription is £94 per month.

Course link: Learn SQL

Course length: 2 months (estimated)

Udacity's "Learn SQL" course is designed to equip students with the ability to write SQL queries for analyzing substantial datasets. The curriculum typically starts with fundamental SQL commands, functions, and data cleaning methodologies. Learners then progress to understand how these querying skills are applied to both relational databases (like PostgreSQL) and an introduction to non-relational database concepts. 

A key feature of Udacity's approach is the inclusion of real-world projects designed to build practical skills. Students often benefit from mentor support and career services, depending on the specific program enrollment. This course aims to provide a comprehensive learning experience for those starting or advancing their SQL capabilities.

MS SQL Server: Learn MS SQL Server from Scratch

Best SQL course for MS SQL users

Provider: Udemy

Price:  £59.99

Course link: MS SQL Server: Learn MS SQL Server from Scratch

Course length: 5 hours 30 minutes

This Udemy course, offered by Oak Academy, focuses on teaching the fundamental aspects of creating and managing databases using Microsoft SQL Server. Students will be introduced to writing MS SQL queries and will also learn to use SQL Server Management Studio (SSMS), a graphical interface for managing and extracting information from SQL Server databases. 

The course focuses on practical application, guiding learners from initial database creation to effective data management within an MS SQL Server environment, making it ideal for those new to this specific RDBMS.

Learn Intermediate SQL for Marketers and Product Managers

Best SQL course for marketing

Provider: Codecademy

Price: £120 ($149.99)

Course link: Learn Intermediate SQL for Marketers and Product Managers

Course length: 5 hours (approximately)

This Codecademy Pro course is specifically tailored for marketing and product professionals who need to leverage SQL for data-driven insights. Recognizing that sales funnels, churn metrics, and customer data are often stored in databases, this course empowers those without prior programming knowledge to query this information effectively. 

The curriculum focuses on practical, intermediate SQL skills directly applicable to marketing analytics and product management, such as analyzing user behavior, segmenting customers, and measuring campaign performance. Its hands-on, interactive learning environment is designed to make SQL accessible and immediately useful for optimizing strategies and understanding business performance.

Deploying Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure SQL Database

Best SQL course for MS Azure users

Provider: Pluralsight

Price: £24 ($30) / month (after a 10-day trial)

Course link: Deploying Microsoft Azure Synapse Analytics and Azure SQL Database

Course length: 1 hour 57 minutes

A core focus of this Pluralsight course, instructed by Robert Lindley, is to place SQL querying within the context of Azure SQL Databases, and it also covers Azure Synapse Analytics. The course addresses deploying these Azure resources, particularly as part of a CI/CD (Continuous Integration/Continuous Deployment) process using Azure DevOps. 

This relatively short and highly focused course aims to equip students with the skills to effectively deploy Azure SQL Databases and Azure Synapse Analytics (formerly Azure SQL Data Warehouse) within an Agile development framework.

SQL for Data Analysis: Beginner MySQL Business Intelligence

Best SQL courses for business leaders

Provider: Maven Analytics (via Udemy)

Price: £59.99 

Course link: SQL for Data Analysis: Beginner MySQL Business Intelligence

Course length: 4 hours 30 minutes

For businesses that need to understand how their data can influence strategic planning, this course from Maven Analytics offers an excellent foundation to build knowledge and skills. The course uses MySQL and MySQL Workbench to guide students in developing SQL queries, including the creation of MySQL JOIN statements for working with multiple tables. 

The real-world business cases and practical exercises characteristic of Maven Analytics' courses make this learning highly valuable for all business leaders and aspiring analysts looking to leverage data for decision-making.

The Complete SQL Bootcamp: Go from Zero to Hero

Best for comprehensive PostgreSQL learning from a top instructor

Provider: Jose Portilla (via Udemy)

Price: £89.99 (UK Price). Typically around $129.99 (Note: Udemy prices fluctuate frequently with sales; this is a common non-sale price, but significant discounts are very frequent.

Course link: https://www.udemy.com/course/the-complete-sql-bootcamp/

Course length: Approximately 9 hours of on-demand video (current listing is 9h 6m).

This perennially popular Udemy course, instructed by leading data science and programming instructor Jose Portilla, is designed to take absolute beginners to a confident level of SQL proficiency using PostgreSQL. Its comprehensive curriculum covers everything from basic SQL syntax, data manipulation (SELECT, INSERT, UPDATE, DELETE), and database creation to more advanced topics, such as GROUP BY statements, conditional expressions, JOINs, subqueries, and data type management.

A key strength of this bootcamp is its clear explanations and numerous practical exercises and challenges that allow students to apply what they've learned immediately with a widely used open-source database. The course structure is logical and progressive, making complex concepts accessible. Given its high ratings, extensive student base, and the instructor's reputation, it's a trusted choice for individuals looking to build a solid and practical foundation in SQL with PostgreSQL, a skill highly valued in various tech roles.