Machine learning (ML) is a branch of artificial intelligence (AI) that focuses on enabling computers to “think” for themselves. Of course, they owe this thinking to humans (data scientists and ML engineers) who continuously supervise ML algorithms and models.
So, there’s no AI takeover (for now at least), just incredible ways to propel several industries forward by automating repetitive tasks, extracting valuable insights from data, and improving decision-making processes.
But how do humans precisely communicate with computers in machine learning?
The answer is through programming languages.
One programming language stands out among the rest for its simplicity and versatility. By the title of this guide, you can already guess we’re talking about Python.
This beloved programming language is all over the machine learning field, so mastering it gives you a great head start in the industry.
With this in mind, let’s examine how you can learn Python for machine learning courses. If you already have some basic knowledge of this programming language, don’t worry. We’ll also mention a great machine learning Python course to take your knowledge to the next level.
Factors to Consider When Choosing a Python for ML Course
Do a Google search for “machine learning Python course,” and you’ll be met with dozens of web pages that promise a sound understanding of this programming language. However, you’ll find the best course for your needs if you can identify those needs first.
Course Content and Curriculum
Your chosen course’s curriculum is arguably the most important factor for selecting the perfect machine learning Python course. One look at the listed topics, and you’ll know whether the course is right for you.
Let’s take your previous experience with Python as an example. If you have none, a course that jumps straight into machine learning algorithms without covering the Python basics will obviously not work for you.
Instructor’s Expertise and Experience
What bridges the gap between struggling to comprehend a complex subject and feeling that nothing can stop you in your learning journey? The answer is simple – a good instructor.
Before committing to a course, check who teaches it. Find out the instructor’s background with Python and whether they have enough expertise to guide you through this programming language’s intricacies.
If their bio checks all the boxes, watch at least one of their lectures. It doesn’t hurt to check whether their teaching style and voice suit you, as these can also make or break your learning experience.
Course Duration and Flexibility
Most online courses are self-paced, allowing you to create your own schedule. Fixed-timing courses also have their benefits, though. They’re usually instructor-led, so you can use the opportunity to ask questions and receive clarification as you learn the material.
As for duration, the course’s description typically indicates how long the course lasts and the recommended pace. Before starting, make sure you can commit to the course from beginning to end. Otherwise, you’re just wasting time and gaining incomplete knowledge.
Hands-On Projects and Real-World Applications
Programming languages are inherently practical, so ensure that your chosen course features hands-on projects and practical examples. Sticking solely to theory will do little to prepare you for what’s waiting in the real world.
Course Reviews and Ratings
You probably check reviews before going to a new restaurant, renting an Airbnb, or purchasing clothes online. So why should shopping for online courses be any different? When a course piques your interest, check how other learners have rated it. But don’t stop at glancing at the average rating. Read through some reviews to ensure they aren’t fake and to get a better picture of the course’s quality.
Pricing and Value for Money
There are plenty of free machine learning resources online. But the more advanced courses and certificates usually come with a fee. And that’s perfectly understandable. What’s not understandable or acceptable are courses that charge ridiculously high fees yet offer little value. To avoid wasting money (and probably time), check whether the course’s price is justifiable by its duration, level, type, and provided support.
Top Python for ML Courses Reviewed
Here are our favorite Python courses primarily focused on machine learning. We’re positive you’ll find the perfect machine learning Python course, whether this is the first time you use this programming language or want to master this skill.
Python for Machine Learning
The Python for Machine Learning course on Great Learning is a great place to start your Python-learning journey. This course is beginner-friendly and relatively short, so you won’t get overwhelmed from the get-go.
This course focuses on three Python libraries: NumPy, Pandas, and Matplotlib. It guides you through the basic concepts (arrays, intersection, loading, etc.) and then moves on to more complex functions. At the end of the course, you take a quiz. Pass the quiz, and you’ll get a certificate of completion.
Applying for this course is free. Not only that, but you’ll also receive free lifetime access, so you can revisit the course whenever you’d like. Although, some learners believe that there’s little to revisit. In total, this course lasts for 90 minutes. Those who are serious about Python learning will probably need more than this.
Still, you can view this course as a beginner’s guide and move to more advanced lessons afterward. To apply, you only need to create an account on the platform and send an enrollment request.
Machine Learning A-Z: AI, Python & R
If you want to start with the basics but cover the more advanced stuff within the same course, this Udemy’s gem is for you. It covers another programming language besides Python, R. However, this won’t be an issue, as you can focus solely on Python.
The course is broken into 10 parts, with over 40 hours of on-demand videos. Each section (and even the lessons within them) is separate, so you can choose to complete the ones that will benefit you now. Start with data preprocessing, and work toward machine learning model selection.
Those seeking practical exercises in Python will love this course. However, you might need to research some notions independently, as not all lecture sections are explained in great detail.
You can purchase lifetime access to this course for $89.99 (a little over €83). The price includes a certificate of completion and several additional learning materials (articles and downloadable resources). Complete the purchase to apply for this course.
Machine Learning With Python by IBM
IBM is one of the leading companies in the machine learning field, so you should take advantage of every chance to learn from its experts. If you’re just gaining your footing in machine learning, you’ll cover all your bases with this offering.
It will take approximately 12 hours over four weeks to complete the coursework. After each lesson, you’ll get a chance to put your newly-learned knowledge to the test.
One thing to keep in mind is that this course focuses more on machine learning using Python than the programming language itself. So, if you’ve never worked with Python, an additional resource or two might come in handy.
You can use Coursera’s 7-day trial to enroll in this course. Afterward, you’ll be charged $39 (approximately €36) a month. The same fee is a must if you want to receive a certificate.
The Complete Machine Learning Course With Python
Are you a data scientist in the making looking to build a solid portfolio with Python? If yes, you’ll love this course. You can find it on Udemy, just like millions of learners before you. This number might surprise you at first. But once you see that one of the founders of this course is Andrew Ng, a thought leader in machine learning, it will make much more sense.
In 18 hours, this course covers all the basics of machine learning with Python. But there’s a catch. You’ll need at least basic Python programming knowledge to keep up.
If this isn’t an issue, create an Udemy account and pay the $59.99 (around €55.50) fee to apply. Lifetime access and a certificate of completion are included.
Programming for Everybody (Getting Started With Python)
While not focused on machine learning per se, this course is necessary for anyone who has yet to work with Python. Pair it with one of the other courses on our list, and your success is guaranteed.
As the name implies, this course covers all the basics. It is designed to allow virtually anyone to follow, regardless of their skills. The simplest math is all you need.
You’ll also need 19 hours to complete this course offered by the University of Michigan. However, the instructor snuck a couple of non-Python-related stories into those 19 hours, which some learners didn’t like.
If you don’t mind a break here and there, join this course on Coursera for free or $49 (a little over €45) if you want a certificate.
Additional Resources for Learning Python for Machine Learning
Perhaps you can’t get enough of learning about Python. Or you find Python for machine learning courses lacking information. Whatever the case, you can find additional resources (both online and offline) to help you master this programming language. Check out some of our favorites:
- Books and e-books: “Python for Data Science, for Dummies,” “Introduction to Machine Learning with Python: A Guide for Data Scientists,” “Python Data Science Handbook: Essential Tools for Working with Data”
- Blogs: Planet Python, Real Python
- YouTube channels: IBM Technology, Google Career Certificates, techTFQ
- Community forums and discussion groups: Kaggle Discussions, Reddit (r/learnpython)
The Path to Python
As you can see, there’s no shortage of Python for machine learning courses, even hosted by some of the biggest names in the industry. Take one of the listed courses or combine them; the choice is all yours. All that matters is that you ultimately master this programming language and crush any data science career you choose.
If these courses aren’t enough to quench your thirst for knowledge, a Bachelor’s in Modern Computer Science will definitely do the trick. With it, you can learn all the ins and outs of Python and machine learning in general.
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From the same author
Read the articleFrom personalization to productivity: AI at the heart of the educational experience.
Click this link to read and download the e-book.
At its core, teaching is a simple endeavour. The experienced and learned pass on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. Nothing has changed in that regard. What has changed is how new technologies emerge to facilitate that passing on of knowledge. The printing press, computers, the internet – all have transformed how educators teach and how students learn.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the next game-changer in the educational space.
Specifically, AI agents have emerged as tools that utilize all of AI’s core strengths, such as data gathering and analysis, pattern identification, and information condensing. Those strengths have been refined, first into simple chatbots capable of providing answers, and now into agents capable of adapting how they learn and adjusting to the environment in which they’re placed. This adaptability, in particular, makes AI agents vital in the educational realm.
The reasons why are simple. AI agents can collect, analyse, and condense massive amounts of educational material across multiple subject areas. More importantly, they can deliver that information to students while observing how the students engage with the material presented. Those observations open the door for tweaks. An AI agent learns alongside their student. Only, the agent’s learning focuses on how it can adapt its delivery to account for a student’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and existing knowledge.
Think of an AI agent like having a tutor – one who eschews set lesson plans in favour of an adaptive approach designed and tweaked constantly for each specific student.
In this eBook, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) will take you on a journey through the world of AI agents as they pertain to education. You will learn what these agents are, how they work, and what they’re capable of achieving in the educational sector. We also explore best practices and key approaches, focusing on how educators can use AI agents to the benefit of their students. Finally, we will discuss other AI tools that both complement and enhance an AI agent’s capabilities, ensuring you deliver the best possible educational experience to your students.
Read the articleThe Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) began enrolling students in 2023 to help bridge the skills gap between traditional university education and the requirements of the modern workplace. OPIT’s MSc courses aim to help professionals make a greater impact on their workplace through technology.
OPIT’s courses have become popular with business leaders hoping to develop a strong technical foundation to understand technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, that are shaping their industry. But OPIT is also attracting professionals with strong technical expertise looking to engage more deeply with the strategic side of digital innovation. This is the story of one such student, Obiora Awogu.
Meet Obiora
Obiora Awogu is a cybersecurity expert from Nigeria with a wealth of credentials and experience from working in the industry for a decade. Working in a lead data security role, he was considering “what’s next” for his career. He was contemplating earning an MSc to add to his list of qualifications he did not yet have, but which could open important doors. He discussed the idea with his mentor, who recommended OPIT, where he himself was already enrolled in an MSc program.
Obiora started looking at the program as a box-checking exercise, but quickly realized that it had so much more to offer. As well as being a fully EU-accredited course that could provide new opportunities with companies around the world, he recognized that the course was designed for people like him, who were ready to go from building to leading.
OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity
OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity launched in 2024 as a fully online and flexible program ideal for busy professionals like Obiora who want to study without taking a career break.
The course integrates technical and leadership expertise, equipping students to not only implement cybersecurity solutions but also lead cybersecurity initiatives. The curriculum combines technical training with real-world applications, emphasizing hands-on experience and soft skills development alongside hard technical know-how.
The course is led by Tom Vazdar, the Area Chair for Cybersecurity at OPIT, as well as the Chief Security Officer at Erste Bank Croatia and an Advisory Board Member for EC3 European Cybercrime Center. He is representative of the type of faculty OPIT recruits, who are both great teachers and active industry professionals dealing with current challenges daily.
Experts such as Matthew Jelavic, the CEO at CIM Chartered Manager Canada and President of Strategy One Consulting; Mahynour Ahmed, Senior Cloud Security Engineer at Grant Thornton LLP; and Sylvester Kaczmarek, former Chief Scientific Officer at We Space Technologies, join him.
Course content includes:
- Cybersecurity fundamentals and governance
- Network security and intrusion detection
- Legal aspects and compliance
- Cryptography and secure communications
- Data analytics and risk management
- Generative AI cybersecurity
- Business resilience and response strategies
- Behavioral cybersecurity
- Cloud and IoT security
- Secure software development
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Leadership and communication in cybersecurity
- AI-driven forensic analysis in cybersecurity
As with all OPIT’s MSc courses, it wraps up with a capstone project and dissertation, which sees students apply their skills in the real world, either with their existing company or through apprenticeship programs. This not only gives students hands-on experience, but also helps them demonstrate their added value when seeking new opportunities.
Obiora’s Experience
Speaking of his experience with OPIT, Obiora said that it went above and beyond what he expected. He was not surprised by the technical content, in which he was already well-versed, but rather the change in perspective that the course gave him. It helped him move from seeing himself as someone who implements cybersecurity solutions to someone who could shape strategy at the highest levels of an organization.
OPIT’s MSc has given Obiora the skills to speak to boards, connect risk with business priorities, and build organizations that don’t just defend against cyber risks but adapt to a changing digital world. He commented that studying at OPIT did not give him answers; instead, it gave him better questions and the tools to lead. Of course, it also ticks the MSc box, and while that might not be the main reason for studying at OPIT, it is certainly a clear benefit.
Obiora has now moved into a leading Chief Information Security Officer Role at MoMo, Payment Service Bank for MTN. There, he is building cyber-resilient financial systems, contributing to public-private partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
Leading Cybersecurity in Africa
As well as having a significant impact within his own organization, studying at OPIT has helped Obiora develop the skills and confidence needed to become a leader in the cybersecurity industry across Africa.
In March 2025, Obiora was featured on the cover of CIO Africa Magazine and was then a panelist on the “Future of Cybersecurity Careers in the Age of Generative AI” for Comercio Ltd. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry also invited him to speak on Cybersecurity in Africa.
Obiora recently presented the keynote speech at the Hackers Secret Conference 2025 on “Code in the Shadows: Harnessing the Human-AI Partnership in Cybersecurity.” In the talk, he explored how AI is revolutionizing incident response, enhancing its speed, precision, and proactivity, and improving on human-AI collaboration.
An OPIT Success Story
Talking about Obiora’s success, the OPIT Area Chair for Cybersecurity said:
“Obiora is a perfect example of what this program was designed for – experienced professionals ready to scale their impact beyond operations. It’s been inspiring to watch him transform technical excellence into strategic leadership. Africa’s cybersecurity landscape is stronger with people like him at the helm. Bravo, Obiora!”
Learn more about OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity and how it can support the next steps of your career.
-
Go to all authors
Related posts
From personalization to productivity: AI at the heart of the educational experience.
Click this link to read and download the e-book.
At its core, teaching is a simple endeavour. The experienced and learned pass on their knowledge and wisdom to new generations. Nothing has changed in that regard. What has changed is how new technologies emerge to facilitate that passing on of knowledge. The printing press, computers, the internet – all have transformed how educators teach and how students learn.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is the next game-changer in the educational space.
Specifically, AI agents have emerged as tools that utilize all of AI’s core strengths, such as data gathering and analysis, pattern identification, and information condensing. Those strengths have been refined, first into simple chatbots capable of providing answers, and now into agents capable of adapting how they learn and adjusting to the environment in which they’re placed. This adaptability, in particular, makes AI agents vital in the educational realm.
The reasons why are simple. AI agents can collect, analyse, and condense massive amounts of educational material across multiple subject areas. More importantly, they can deliver that information to students while observing how the students engage with the material presented. Those observations open the door for tweaks. An AI agent learns alongside their student. Only, the agent’s learning focuses on how it can adapt its delivery to account for a student’s strengths, weaknesses, interests, and existing knowledge.
Think of an AI agent like having a tutor – one who eschews set lesson plans in favour of an adaptive approach designed and tweaked constantly for each specific student.
In this eBook, the Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) will take you on a journey through the world of AI agents as they pertain to education. You will learn what these agents are, how they work, and what they’re capable of achieving in the educational sector. We also explore best practices and key approaches, focusing on how educators can use AI agents to the benefit of their students. Finally, we will discuss other AI tools that both complement and enhance an AI agent’s capabilities, ensuring you deliver the best possible educational experience to your students.
The Open Institute of Technology (OPIT) began enrolling students in 2023 to help bridge the skills gap between traditional university education and the requirements of the modern workplace. OPIT’s MSc courses aim to help professionals make a greater impact on their workplace through technology.
OPIT’s courses have become popular with business leaders hoping to develop a strong technical foundation to understand technologies, such as artificial intelligence (AI) and cybersecurity, that are shaping their industry. But OPIT is also attracting professionals with strong technical expertise looking to engage more deeply with the strategic side of digital innovation. This is the story of one such student, Obiora Awogu.
Meet Obiora
Obiora Awogu is a cybersecurity expert from Nigeria with a wealth of credentials and experience from working in the industry for a decade. Working in a lead data security role, he was considering “what’s next” for his career. He was contemplating earning an MSc to add to his list of qualifications he did not yet have, but which could open important doors. He discussed the idea with his mentor, who recommended OPIT, where he himself was already enrolled in an MSc program.
Obiora started looking at the program as a box-checking exercise, but quickly realized that it had so much more to offer. As well as being a fully EU-accredited course that could provide new opportunities with companies around the world, he recognized that the course was designed for people like him, who were ready to go from building to leading.
OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity
OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity launched in 2024 as a fully online and flexible program ideal for busy professionals like Obiora who want to study without taking a career break.
The course integrates technical and leadership expertise, equipping students to not only implement cybersecurity solutions but also lead cybersecurity initiatives. The curriculum combines technical training with real-world applications, emphasizing hands-on experience and soft skills development alongside hard technical know-how.
The course is led by Tom Vazdar, the Area Chair for Cybersecurity at OPIT, as well as the Chief Security Officer at Erste Bank Croatia and an Advisory Board Member for EC3 European Cybercrime Center. He is representative of the type of faculty OPIT recruits, who are both great teachers and active industry professionals dealing with current challenges daily.
Experts such as Matthew Jelavic, the CEO at CIM Chartered Manager Canada and President of Strategy One Consulting; Mahynour Ahmed, Senior Cloud Security Engineer at Grant Thornton LLP; and Sylvester Kaczmarek, former Chief Scientific Officer at We Space Technologies, join him.
Course content includes:
- Cybersecurity fundamentals and governance
- Network security and intrusion detection
- Legal aspects and compliance
- Cryptography and secure communications
- Data analytics and risk management
- Generative AI cybersecurity
- Business resilience and response strategies
- Behavioral cybersecurity
- Cloud and IoT security
- Secure software development
- Critical thinking and problem-solving
- Leadership and communication in cybersecurity
- AI-driven forensic analysis in cybersecurity
As with all OPIT’s MSc courses, it wraps up with a capstone project and dissertation, which sees students apply their skills in the real world, either with their existing company or through apprenticeship programs. This not only gives students hands-on experience, but also helps them demonstrate their added value when seeking new opportunities.
Obiora’s Experience
Speaking of his experience with OPIT, Obiora said that it went above and beyond what he expected. He was not surprised by the technical content, in which he was already well-versed, but rather the change in perspective that the course gave him. It helped him move from seeing himself as someone who implements cybersecurity solutions to someone who could shape strategy at the highest levels of an organization.
OPIT’s MSc has given Obiora the skills to speak to boards, connect risk with business priorities, and build organizations that don’t just defend against cyber risks but adapt to a changing digital world. He commented that studying at OPIT did not give him answers; instead, it gave him better questions and the tools to lead. Of course, it also ticks the MSc box, and while that might not be the main reason for studying at OPIT, it is certainly a clear benefit.
Obiora has now moved into a leading Chief Information Security Officer Role at MoMo, Payment Service Bank for MTN. There, he is building cyber-resilient financial systems, contributing to public-private partnerships, and mentoring the next generation of cybersecurity experts.
Leading Cybersecurity in Africa
As well as having a significant impact within his own organization, studying at OPIT has helped Obiora develop the skills and confidence needed to become a leader in the cybersecurity industry across Africa.
In March 2025, Obiora was featured on the cover of CIO Africa Magazine and was then a panelist on the “Future of Cybersecurity Careers in the Age of Generative AI” for Comercio Ltd. The Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry also invited him to speak on Cybersecurity in Africa.
Obiora recently presented the keynote speech at the Hackers Secret Conference 2025 on “Code in the Shadows: Harnessing the Human-AI Partnership in Cybersecurity.” In the talk, he explored how AI is revolutionizing incident response, enhancing its speed, precision, and proactivity, and improving on human-AI collaboration.
An OPIT Success Story
Talking about Obiora’s success, the OPIT Area Chair for Cybersecurity said:
“Obiora is a perfect example of what this program was designed for – experienced professionals ready to scale their impact beyond operations. It’s been inspiring to watch him transform technical excellence into strategic leadership. Africa’s cybersecurity landscape is stronger with people like him at the helm. Bravo, Obiora!”
Learn more about OPIT’s MSc in Cybersecurity and how it can support the next steps of your career.
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