Udacity Intro To Programming Review : 9 Pros and Cons You Should Consider

Written by Lewis Forfar, accountant, technology writer and a graduate of this program (2021). Lewis’s account of taking the course is kept below as he wrote it. Updated and fact-checked by Josh Hutcheson, OnlineCourseing editor. See our review methodology.

Some links on this page are affiliate links: if you enroll through them we may earn a commission at no extra cost to you. It does not change our verdict, and several of the alternatives we name pay us nothing.

Last updated: 13 October 2026 (full refresh; syllabus, projects, prices and ratings re-checked on Udacity’s nd000 program page that day).

Udacity’s Intro to Programming Nanodegree (nd000) is a 109-hour beginner program that teaches HTML and CSS, two courses of Python and a course of JavaScript, with four projects that a reviewer grades. On 13 October 2026 it cost $249 a month, was rated 4.8 from 1,350 reviews on Udacity’s page, and was last updated by Udacity on 10 August 2026.

QUICK VERDICT

See the Intro to Programming Nanodegree →

What changed since this review was first written

Lewis took the program in 2021. Udacity has rebuilt it since, so his account below describes an earlier version. The table shows what is different on Udacity’s page today.

Lewis’s starting point

“In this Udacity Intro to Programming review, I shall be talking about my journey from a non-CSE background to programming. I signed up for the 4-month paid nanodegree offered by Udacity for ‘Intro to Programming’. Signing up for the course, I was lacking in any real programming experience and was going into the course with not much prior knowledge.”

“I previously had heard of Udacity as I was a participant in their Front End Web Development scholarship course along with Google, but I did not complete it due to university commitments. Always having an interest in programming, I believed this was a good place to start as it covered many different types of programming and seemed to provide the foundations of many different languages and technologies to be able to base future learnings off.”

Udacity’s Intro to Programming Pricing

Udacity sells access by subscription rather than per program. On 13 October 2026 the nd000 page listed three options: $249 a month, a four-month bundle at $212 a month ($846 in total), or $999 to buy just this program outright. Any subscription also opens the rest of Udacity’s catalog, so the bundle is easier to justify if you plan to continue into a second Nanodegree. The page also showed a 40% discount banner for new users; check the terms at checkout because promotions change often.

The arithmetic matters because the clock runs while you study. A beginner who stalls on the JavaScript project for a month pays for that month. If your schedule is unpredictable, the one-time $999 option removes the pressure; if you can commit, the monthly plan with a discount is cheapest.

Lewis’s take on the price (2021)

“I used the monthly payment and paid every month to gain access to the course resources. When signing up, Udacity was offering a 50% discount on Nanodegrees, so I was able to get a discount on the normal pricing. Udacity’s prices are remarkably high otherwise. The content of the course can be accessed from other courses that are a lot cheaper or even completely free. However, the review of code and career advice that Udacity offers is completely different and invaluable if this is something that you would use.”

That judgment still holds. What you pay extra for is the reviewed projects and the structure, not the lessons themselves.

Check the current Intro to Programming price →

Intro to Programming Nanodegree Timeline

Udacity now gives a time estimate in hours rather than months: 109 hours for the seven required courses, plus about 7 hours if you take the optional Git and GitHub course. Each course has its own estimate, which helps you plan:

Source: Udacity’s nd000 program page, read 13 October 2026. Hours are Udacity’s estimates and do not include waiting for project reviews or rework after a review asks for changes.

Lewis’s experience was faster than the old four-month estimate: “I completed the course in under 4 months, and I believe most people would be able to also.” He also flagged the risk that still applies today: “Other people, who have less computing and programming experience, may take longer to complete the Nanodegree. The monthly payments make this achievable, but could work out even more expensive for some students.”

A realistic 12-week plan at 10 hours a week

1. Weeks 1 to 2: orientation and web development; build and submit Animal Trading Cards.
2. Weeks 3 to 6: Python I (VS Code workspaces, turtle graphics, functions, the shell, strings and lists, style); submit the Adventure Game.
3. Weeks 7 to 8: Python II (files, web APIs, objects and classes); submit Rock Paper Scissors.
4. Weeks 9 to 12: JavaScript (data types, conditionals, loops, functions, arrays, objects); submit Build a Shopping Cart. Add the optional Git course if you have time, because you will want your projects on GitHub.

Syllabus of Udacity’s Intro to Programming Nanodegree

Below is the current syllabus as Udacity lists it, followed by Lewis’s notes from the matching parts of the 2021 version where the material overlaps.

Course 1: Introduction to Web Development (14 hours)

Lessons: The Web and HTML, Basic HTML Page, and Styling with CSS. Skills Udacity lists include HTML, CSS, Flexbox, front-end development basics, browser DevTools and debugging. The project, Animal Trading Cards, has you build a styled card for an animal using HTML and CSS against a checklist.

Lewis on the 2021 HTML lessons: “The different parts of the lesson are made up of short lecture clips where instructors will explain key concepts of the different sections, followed by written materials going into these concepts in more detail. At the end of most of these sections are sets of questions that test your knowledge. Some of the lectures were quite short, so this may be a negative point for some people if they prefer listening to people explain concepts rather than reading them. However, as moving on through my programming journey, I have started to realize that reading documentation is an especially important skill.”

On the first project: “At the beginning of the project, you receive a checklist of everything that needs to be covered to pass the project. Once the project was submitted, it gets reviewed, and they compare your code to the checklist provided. Even when all the items on the checklist have been agreed, they still provide you with feedback on your code and how you can make it better in the future.”

Course 2: Introduction to Programming with Python I (34 hours)

Lessons: Introduction to VS Code workspaces, Turtles and Code, Python Functions, Shell Workshop, Python at Home, Strings and Lists, and Style and Structure. Skills include control flow, functions, data types and structures, user input, the standard library, PEP 8, linting, refactoring, and basic Bash. The project is a text-based Adventure Game where the story changes with the player’s choices.

Lewis on the Python part: “This was a lot trickier than learning HTML and CSS. However, the instructor made it clear and went through the language step by step. This lesson took me a lot longer to get through than the previous, and I did have to do some separate research.” And on the Adventure Game: “I found this project a lot harder than the previous project and had to refer to my notes when coding this game. However, the project helped me so much in developing this language as a skill, and I felt a lot more confident after completing and passing this challenge.”

Course 3: Introduction to Programming with Python II (23.5 hours)

Lessons: Introduction, Working with Files, Web APIs, and Objects and Classes. This is the course that did not exist as a required part in 2021. It adds object-oriented Python, exception handling, JSON and API requests. The project is a Rock Paper Scissors game built with classes, which is a sensible first taste of object-oriented design.

Course 4: Introduction to JavaScript (36 hours)

Lessons: VS Code workspaces, What is JavaScript, Data Types and Variables, Conditionals, Loops, Functions, Arrays and Objects. The project, Build a Shopping Cart, replaces the Pixel Art Maker that Lewis built. It asks you to write the logic behind a simple store cart.

Lewis’s warning about the JavaScript part is worth reading even though the project changed: “I found this lesson to be very intense, and a massive step-up compared to the previous lessons that had been taught. There did not seem to be much gradual progression through the course. However, the questions at the end of the topics were very well written and helped me get through the lesson.” Udacity has since split the course into more, smaller lessons (nine now), which should soften that jump.

Instructors

Udacity lists seven instructors, including Karl Krueger (command line), Rachel Manning (full stack developer), Abe Feinberg (science teacher and educational psychologist), Richard Kalehoff, Kelly Howard, Julia Van Cleve and James Parkes. Changing instructors from course to course is one of the things Lewis disliked, and it is still how the program is built.

View the full nd000 syllabus →

What else you get with Udacity

The main things you pay for over a free course are the reviewed projects and the structure. On 13 October 2026 Udacity’s plan card listed four items with every subscription: unlimited access to the catalog, hands-on projects with expert feedback, personalized career coaching and interview prep, and program certificates. For a comparison with cheaper platforms, see Udemy vs Udacity.

Project reviews and feedback

Every project is graded against a published rubric. A reviewer either passes it or returns it with line-level comments, and you can resubmit. Lewis valued this most: “The mentors help in giving personal feedback without any hesitation whether it be good or bad, which I feel is very good because you get to know where you are wrong.”

Getting help between projects

In 2021 Lewis used two channels: a student forum (“The community on here was helpful and always willing to try and help. However, as they were students also, some lacked the knowledge to be able to answer the technical questions”) and a staff Q&A, where Udacity promised a reply within 24 hours and “my questions were always answered before this.” The older pages on our site also promised one-to-one or group mentoring. That is no longer on the plan card, so do not count on a personal mentor; the project reviews are the dependable form of expert help.

Career coaching

Udacity’s plan card lists personalized career coaching and interview prep. For a beginner program, the useful part is help turning four small projects into a portfolio and a GitHub profile. Do not expect a beginner certificate to open job interviews on its own.

Overview of Udacity

Udacity is an online school founded in 2011 that sells project-based programs it calls Nanodegrees. It was acquired by Accenture in 2024 and now sells access by subscription. On 13 October 2026 Udacity held a 4.5 rating from about 3,400 reviews on Trustpilot. The Intro to Programming page itself showed 4.8 from 1,350 reviews.

Here are the 9 pros and cons from the title, updated for the current program.

Pros

1. Four reviewed projects. Each one is graded against a rubric and returned with comments, which free courses rarely offer.
2. A sensible beginner order. Web pages first, then two Python courses, then JavaScript, so you finish knowing which direction you prefer.
3. Short checks after every topic. Lewis said these questions “distilled my knowledge”, and the current lessons still use them.
4. Current tooling. Lessons run in VS Code workspaces in the browser and cover the shell, linting and PEP 8 style, habits many beginner courses skip.
5. Clear next steps. The program feeds straight into Udacity’s front-end, JavaScript, Python and data programs on the same subscription.

Cons

1. Expensive for beginner material. $249 a month for content that CS50 and freeCodeCamp teach for free.
2. The clock runs while you study. A slow month costs another $249 unless you buy the $999 one-time option.
3. Instructors change every course. Lewis found this jarring, and the program still has seven instructors.
4. Uneven learner reports. Most recent reviews on Udacity’s page are five stars, but a July 2026 one-star review said some content was out of date and support was slow.

Read recent nd000 reviews on Udacity →

Do I Recommend Udacity’s Intro to Programming Nanodegree?

Lewis’s conclusion in 2021: “The course is well-designed and suitable for a beginner to start their coding journey. I believe this Nanodegree is for someone who has a keen interest in learning to code but is not quite sure what area of coding they want to learn, as this course has an overview of many different areas. However, the course is very pricey compared to some of the competitors offering similar courses out there and there is only written assistance, so nothing face to face. Overall, my Udacity experience was positive, and I would consider using their courses again in the future.”

Our 2026 view agrees on who it suits and adds a price test. Take it if you have tried teaching yourself and stalled, if graded projects will keep you going, and if you can give it at least 10 hours a week so the bill stays under $850. Skip it if you are self-motivated; the free route below teaches the same languages.

Who should skip it

• You already write basic Python or JavaScript: go straight to the Intermediate Python or Intermediate JavaScript Nanodegree.
• You want a job-ready web skill set: the Front End Web Developer Nanodegree assumes basic HTML, CSS and JavaScript and goes further.
• You want a university-style foundation: Harvard’s CS50 courses are free to audit and more rigorous.

Free and cheaper alternatives

The Intro to Programming Nanodegree wins on one thing: a person grades each of your four projects. If that is what you need, it is a good program. If not, start with the free options and keep your $747.

Start Intro to Programming at Udacity →

Comparing programs? Our ranked guide to the best Udacity Nanodegrees re-checks the hours, projects and prerequisites of 10 programs, and the Udacity Nanodegree review covers how the subscription works. For the full catalog, see our Udacity hub.

About Lewis Forfar

“The last few months, I have been working on developing a new skill that I have always had an interest in, Programming. From this, I am going to keep looking to expand my knowledge of programming by focusing on front-end web development.” Read Lewis’s story. Also from our Udacity reviews: the Java Web Developer Nanodegree review.

Udacity Intro to Programming FAQs

How much does the Udacity Intro to Programming Nanodegree cost?

On 13 October 2026 Udacity charged $249 a month, $846 for a four-month bundle (about $212 a month) or $999 to buy the program outright, and showed a 40% discount banner for new users. The program is 109 hours, so at 10 hours a week most beginners need about three months: $747 on the monthly plan, which is why the four-month bundle or a discount usually works out cheaper.

How long does it take to finish?

Udacity estimates 109 hours across seven courses and 30 lessons, plus an optional Git and GitHub course of about 7 hours. At 10 hours a week that is roughly 11 weeks, plus a few days for each of the four project reviews. At 15 hours a week, two months is realistic.

Do I need any prior programming experience?

No. Udacity labels the program Beginner and lists no prerequisites. It starts with how the web works and a basic HTML page, then moves to Python and JavaScript. You do need to be comfortable installing software, managing files and working in a browser-based code editor.

What projects are in the Intro to Programming Nanodegree?

Four projects, each graded by a reviewer against a rubric: Animal Trading Cards (HTML and CSS), an Adventure Game and a Rock Paper Scissors game (both Python), and Build a Shopping Cart (JavaScript). The Pixel Art Maker project described in older reviews has been replaced.

Is the Intro to Programming Nanodegree worth it?

It is worth it for a beginner who needs structure, deadlines they set themselves, and someone to grade their code, and who can finish in two or three months. If you are motivated on your own, free courses such as Harvard’s CS50 and freeCodeCamp teach the same languages, and you can try Udacity’s free Intro to JavaScript course before paying anything.

Does the Nanodegree include mentors and career services?

Udacity’s plan card lists hands-on projects with expert feedback, personalized career coaching and interview prep, program certificates and access to the wider catalog. The one-to-one technical mentor described in older reviews is not on the current plan card, so treat project reviews and the community as the main forms of help.

Which language does it teach first?

HTML and CSS come first (about 14 hours), then two Python courses (about 58 hours together), then JavaScript (about 36 hours). Python therefore takes the biggest share, which is a change from older versions that put more weight on web pages.

Is the Udacity certificate recognized by employers?

It is a Udacity completion certificate, not a degree or academic credit, and no employer requires it. Its value is the four projects you can show and talk through. Put the projects on GitHub with a short README; that is what a hiring manager will actually open.

Can I get a refund?

Udacity’s Terms of Use (updated January 16, 2026) give seven days from your first purchase to cancel for a full refund. After that, fees are not refunded, and canceling a monthly plan keeps access until the end of the month you paid for.

What should I take after Intro to Programming?

Pick the track you enjoyed. For web work, Udacity’s Front End Web Developer Nanodegree (39 hours) or the Intermediate JavaScript Nanodegree (41 hours) are the direct next steps. For Python, the Intermediate Python Nanodegree (35 hours) or AI Programming with Python (52 hours). For data, Programming for Data Science with Python (63 hours).

Related Udacity guides: Best Udacity courses · AI Programming with Python review · Programming for Data Science with Python review · Every Udacity Nanodegree in 2026 (Hub)