Best Blockchain Training Courses and Classes for 2019

Training classes

At Bitcoin Market Journal, we’re frequently asked, “Where can I learn more about blockchain?” Whether you’re a business professional looking to understand the basics of blockchain or a developer looking to increase your programming knowledge, this is your go-to guide for the best online blockchain classes.

Developer-focused blockchain classes are oriented toward technology and application. They teach you to install and code within the blockchain environment. These courses are best for a reader interested in working in blockchain as a developer.

Business-focused blockchain courses teach business and theory. While they will often discuss technology, they do so from a theoretical standpoint. These courses are best for a reader interested in understanding blockchain from a business perspective.

Developer-Focused

Learning to code means learning the ins and outs of programming.

It’s more important that you understand how to think like a coder than that you learn specific languages. Like most modern development, blockchain is spread across a wide variety of languages. Some rely on standard workhorse languages, such as Bitcoin’s C++ codebase. Other projects go out and invent their own programming languages, like Ethereum’s Solidity.

The most important takeaway from any good blockchain course isn’t the language(s) you’ll learn. It’s your ability to learn new ones as a project demands it. So we have not reviewed technical courses for how well they will teach you specific languages, but rather how well they will help you to think like a programmer.

These courses will teach you what you need to understand without pigeonholing you into a niche language you might never need again.

NameDescriptionSkill Level RequiredInteractivityPrice (In USD)Duration and Course StructureReviews, Comments and Other NotesOverall Quality
Edureka Blockchain TrainingDeveloper Focused - This beginners-oriented program promises to have you coding your own blockchain by the end of the course.

The core concepts of cryptography as applied to cryptocurrencies, blockchain development environments, and how to code a blockchain's architecture.
Intermediate. You will be best off with some background in programming.High. Each module comes with several quizzes and programming assignments.400Duration: Five weeks or 15 days (alternating durations); Structure: Online lectures and reading. Significant programming tasks.While lacking the brand name of some competitors, this course receives very strong reviews and goes into significantly more depth than most other development courses.3
Linux Foundation Blockchain For BusinessDeveloper Focused - This course offers a little bit of both. Students learn use cases and blockchain applications as well as how to perform basic installs and build lightweight dapps.

How to build a blockchain, install a development environment, and build applications on the blockchain. Some business use case instruction as well.
Intermediate. You will be best off with some background in programming.Moderate. This course is built around a series of videos with a test at the end and some interactive programming.0 to audit; 50 for certificationDuration: 14 weeks.This is a high-quality course offered by the Linux Foundation. It focuses on application and development of blockchain with five modules, each dedicated to a specific development environment.5
IBM Blockchain Foundation for DevelopersDeveloper Focused - This developer-oriented course teaches the basics of how a blockchain functions and how to build one. However, although geared toward coder, it spends almost half of its five-week syllabus on business concepts.

A combination of business use cases for blockchain and the fundamentals of how to program one.
Intermediate. You will be best off with some background in programming.High. Each module comes with several quizzes and programming assignments.0 to audit, 50 for certificationDuration: Six weeks; Structure: Online lectures, reading, and tests.The certification option for this course makes it competitive, given the pedigree of IBM. However, like Princeton's course, it is a mixed bag of programming and business concepts. This makes it a potentially awkward fit for either programmers or investors.4
CryptozombiesDeveloper Focused - This game-based app teaches you the basics of coding in Ethereum's proprietary Solidity scripting language. It is a good place to start for beginners.

The building blocks of coding with Solidity, Ethereum's native scripting language.
Novice. This is designed as a ground-up way to learn coding.High. This is an entirely interactive game.0Duration: Nine modules with more in development; Structure: Interactive online game.This will not teach you to become an enterprise level coder. However, for those casually interested, or for investors who'd like some hands-on experience with the technology behind Ethereum, this is an excellent resource.3
Udemy Ethereum and Solidity: The Complete Developer's GuideDeveloper Focused - This is a programming-oriented course that promises to teach students how to code with blockchains with training based on the Ethereum platform. However, Udemy has some reputational concerns.

Development within the Ethereum environment and the Solidity scripting language.
Experienced. This is a course for programmers who would like to understand Ethereum coding.Limited. This course is built around videos and articles.95Duration: 24 hours of video; Structure: On demand video and articles.This course receives consistently outstanding reviews. It is highly regarded for developers who would like to learn how to develop in the Ethereum blockchain.2
Blockchain Certification Training CourseDeveloper Focused - This is a survey course that teaches the "core structure and technical mechanisms" of cryptocurrencies and blockchain platforms. Built for developers, it is a good introduction to developing in this field.

A combination of business use cases for blockchain and the fundamentals of how to deploy and develop within the blockchain. This course also pays special attention to Ethereum installation and development.
Experienced. You will need a solid background in programming to keep up with this course.High. This course offers more than 40 exercises and coding projects.800Duration: 50 hours; Structure: On-demand video, articles, and coding exercises.This is a thorough course which will teach you to install and work with blockchain development. However, its combination of high price point and necessary skill level means that many students might be better off looking elsewhere.3
Udemy Build a Blockchain and Cryptocurrency From ScratchDeveloper Focused - This is our final Udemy entry on this list (although their site has many, many more options). This course is a top-to-bottom review of how to build a blockchain. Coding is done in JavaScript. While thorough, and potentially quite useful for a sophisticated audience, readers should treat it as an entry point rather than a complete survey.

The architecture and core concepts behind blockchain, as well as how to develop one from the ground up.
Intermediate. You will be best off with some background in programming.Moderate. This course is built around video and articles, but has a significant programming component.200Duration: 6:44 of video; Structure: On demand video, articles, and coding exercises.This is a moderately well received course. While it doesn't focus on any one specific area, if users can find it on sale from its relatively high price point, it offers a good development-oriented hands-on experience.2
Udemy Ethereum Blockchain DeveloperDeveloper Focused - This online lecture series is run through the website Udemy and teaches you how to develop only for Ethereum. It is best for skilled developers interested in Ethereum.

Blockchain programming with an emphasis on working in the Ethereum environment and the operation of smart contracts.
Intermediate. You will be best off with some background in programming.Limited. This course is built around videos and articles.200Duration: Seven hours of lectures; Structure: On demand videoThis course does not have the brand name of some other courses. While it receives generally strong reviews, it has gotten some criticism for falling out of date.2
Blockchain Council Certified Blockchain ExpertNeither - This course promises to "impart in-depth practical knowledge." It does not, however, teach you to actually code a blockchain and lists as "advanced" material such subjects as "what are smart contracts."

Very little that you could not learn from a Wikipedia page. This course covers blockchain in a topical manner, introducing the basic concepts and anticipated use cases associated with blockchain.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.Limited. This course is built around videos and articles with one exam at the end.130Duration: Six hours of lectures; Structure: Online lectures and online exam.This course offers very little that will be new to someone already interested in blockchain. You will be better off spending your time and money elsewhere.1

Investor-Focused

These courses will teach you how blockchain works from a blockchain architecture, development, and business standpoint. They will teach you about the back-end infrastructure that tokens rely on, how to actually use the public ledger once it’s working, and how to build upon other people’s work. All of this is called “architecture” in development-speak.

It’s basically what you do with that fancy coding language once you understand it.

NameDescriptionSkill Level RequiredInteractivityPrice (In USD)Duration and Course StructureReviews, Comments and Other NotesOverall Quality
MIT Sloan Blockchain Technologies: Business Innovation and ApplicationInvestor Focused - This course focuses on business application of blockchain technology. It is taught by and through MIT professors and is specifically developed for students interested in use case and application.

The nature of blockchain, its application to problem solving, crypto economics, and the use of blockchain in developing digital platforms.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.High. In addition to lectures, this course involves forums, assignments, and group discussions.3,500Duration: Six weeks; Structure: A mix of online media including video, reading, projects, and conferencing.This is an ideal course for mid-career professionals looking to establish their credentials. The price tag will deter almost anyone else, appropriately enough. While this course does cover substantive ground, what you will mostly buy for your $3,500 is an MIT credential.5
Oxford Said Blockchain Strategy ProgrammeInvestor Focused - This is a business-oriented program run by Oxford University's Said School of Business. While an outstanding investor-oriented program, it does not teach many technical skills and will not prepare you to be a developer.

Business models in the blockchain world, with an emphasis on subjects like "strategic business decisions," regulation, and ecosystem development.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.Moderate: Online lectures and group projects.3,000Duration: Six Weeks; Structure: Online lectures and interactive modulesThis program is considerably more expensive than most other courses. Much of its value comes from the Oxford brand.5
Certified Bitcoin ProfessionalInvestor Focused - This program focuses almost exclusively on use cases for cryptocurrency. It is less of a training course than a pure credential, but is administered by an organization with growing credibility.

A survey of the use cases and business applications of blockchain technology. This is more of a syllabus and self-directed study guide than an actual course, one focused on the application of blockchain to a wide variety of industries.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.Minimal: There is little course here. Rather, this is self-directed study with an exam for certification.135Duration: As little as 20 minutes; Structure: Syllabus and exam.This is a certification, nothing more. Someone who would like to demonstrate their proficiency in blockchain business application may find some limited value from this, particularly given the credentials of the Crypto Currency Certification Consortium.4
Princeton University Bitcoin and Cryptocurrency TechnologiesInvestor Focused - This program focuses on theoretical architecture and system design in Bitcoin and blockchain. While outstanding for understanding the nature of this technology, it does not teach you to actually program a blockchain.

The nature and architecture of blockchain and Bitcoin from a theoretical standpoint. Students will learn what these technologies are and how they work, but not how to code them.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is. Skill is needed for the optional programming assignments.Moderate. This course is built around a series of videos with quizzes at the end of some modules and three programming assignments.0Duration: 18 hours of lectures, Recommended over 4 weeks; Structure: Online videos, reading, and interactive tests.This course does not provide any Princeton credentials. Nevertheless its pedigree is impresive. However it is a mix of basic concepts and programming tasks, making it an awkward fit for most learners.5
Berkeley Blockchain FundamentalsInvestor Focused - This survey course taught by computer science professors from Berkeley covers blockchain theory, use cases, and anticipated future development. Despite its pedigree, readers can likely do better.

The architecture and core concepts behind blockchain, business use cases for blockchain, and the theory and history behind cryptocurrency.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.Moderate. This course is built around video lectures with periodic assignments.178Duration: 12 weeks; Structure: On-demand video and assignments for student completion.There is relatively little to recommend this course beside the pedigree of a Berkeley certificate. It is highly topical, with neither in-depth analysis of blockchain business strategy nor real coding skill instruction. If this course were free or inexpensive, it would be a good option for the curious or casually interested. At nearly $200, you can do better.5
Blockchain Council Certified Blockchain ExpertNeither - This course promises to "impart in-depth practical knowledge." It does not, however, teach you to actually code a blockchain and lists as "advanced" material such subjects as "what are smart contracts."

Very little that you could not learn from a Wikipedia page. This course covers blockchain in a topical manner, introducing the basic concepts and anticipated use cases associated with blockchain.
Novice. This program starts with an explanation of what a blockchain is.Limited. This course is built around videos and articles with one exam at the end.130Duration: Six hours of lectures; Structure: Online lectures and online exam.This course offers very little that will be new to someone already interested in blockchain. You will be better off spending your time and money elsewhere.1

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