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SQL for Beginners: Learn SQL using MySQL and Database Design (Udemy.com)

Understand SQL using the MySQL database. Learn Database Design and Data Analysis with Normalization and Relationships

4.5
64,057 reviews

Created by: Tim Buchalka's Learn Programming Academy

Last updated April 2025

Our take

Based on the ratings of 64,057 students, a sample of their written reviews and the syllabus, as the course stood in April 2025. No course pays to be reviewed.

An 8.4 hour introduction to SQL that uses MySQL and Workbench as the practice ground and spends real time on database design. The syllabus runs from installation through DDL, ALTER TABLE, SELECT queries, every JOIN type, normalization, aggregate functions, subqueries and string and date functions, then closes with a challenge section. The build-along cinema booking database is the centerpiece. It's aimed squarely at people with no database background at all. Tim Buchalka's academy publishes it with Jean-Paul Roberts as co-instructor, and the content was refreshed in April 2025.

Reviewers like the clarity most. One reviewer says the explanations go into enough depth, and another praises the way the course makes them write each query rather than just watch, calling it one of the best beginner courses they've come across. The rating breakdown backs that up: about 32,000 five-star and 25,000 four-star ratings against fewer than 900 at one or two stars. Complaints are mild. One four-star reviewer wanted more on subqueries, and another noticed the narration often reads aloud what's already on screen. There are no quizzes or coding exercises on the platform, so practice comes from the challenge videos.

At about eight and a half hours it's a compact course, which is either a plus or a limit depending on what's wanted. The syllabus has no stored procedures or window functions. What it does cover, it covers carefully, and the normalization and cinema database sections give it a design angle beyond query writing. For a first pass at SQL with MySQL, especially for anyone who wants to understand why tables are shaped the way they are, it's an easy recommendation.

Best forComplete beginners who want to understand database design and normalization, not just write SELECT queries.
Skip it ifYou want window functions, stored procedures or anything past joins, subqueries and built-in functions; the syllabus stops there.

Pros

  • Cinema booking system project ties design, normalization and queries together in one build
  • Reviewers say explanations go into enough depth while staying clear for total beginners
  • Students type every query themselves, which one reviewer singles out as what makes the lessons stick
  • Refreshed in April 2025, with 127 lectures across 14 sections and captions in 27 languages

Cons

  • Subqueries get only 28 minutes; one reviewer wanted more and pointed to CS50 for extra coverage
  • Narration sometimes reads aloud what is already on the slide, per a four-star review
  • No quizzes or in-browser coding exercises; practice comes only from the challenge videos
Tim's explanations are invaluable. Everything in the course is explained in enough depth and with clarity.
Pedro Sánchez Vázquez, a student

Genuinely beginner level: no database, SQL or MySQL knowledge assumed, just a Windows, Mac or Linux machine.

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What you will learn

  • Have a detailed knowledge and understanding of using MySQL, one of the most widely used databases in the world.
  • Obtained a knowledge of SQL, and MySQL, allows students to apply for jobs in the IT sector.
  • In-depth knowledge of database design will give students an edge over other applicants.

Course content

14 sections · 127 lectures · 8.4 hours of video 3 articles

  1. 1Comprehensive Course Introduction to SQL, MySQL, and Database Concepts 2 free previews2 lectures · 7 min
  2. 2MySQL & Workbench: Complete Installation, Setup, and First SQL Queries 2 free previews8 lectures · 1.3 hours
  3. 3Mastering Database Structure with Data Definition Language in MySQL 1 free preview7 lectures · 40 min
  4. 4Mastering the ALTER TABLE Command in MySQL: Comprehensive Guide 1 free preview9 lectures · 37 min
  5. 5Mastering SQL Data Manipulation: Insert, Update, and Delete Operations 1 free preview5 lectures · 18 min
  6. 6Mastering SELECT Queries: Filtering, Sorting, and Refining Data Retrieval18 lectures · 1 hour
  7. 7Mastering Multi-Table Queries with MySQL: Comprehensive Guide to All JOIN Types 1 free preview9 lectures · 35 min
  8. 8Database Design Fundamentals and Normalization Techniques10 lectures · 37 min
  9. 9Build a Full Cinema Booking System Database: Design & Implementation10 lectures · 39 min
  10. 10Mastering SQL Aggregate Functions: COUNT, SUM, MIN, MAX, AVG, GROUP BY, HAVING12 lectures · 37 min

Who it is for

The instructor says it suits

  • Anyone who wants to learn how to use SQL and MySQL.

What you need before you start

  • A PC (Windows or Linux) or Mac is required
  • No prior knowledge of Databases, SQL or MySQL is needed.

How it compares

Against the other 388 rated Udemy courses in SQL on CourseDuck:

  • Rating4.5 out of 5higher than 48% of them
  • Reviews64,057#3 of 389 by number of reviews
  • Length8.4 hourslonger than 62% of them
  • Last updatedApril 2025more recently than 66% of them

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Quality Score

Content Quality
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Video Quality
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Overall Score : 90 / 100

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Course Description

Discover the Power of SQL & Databases: A Comprehensive Guide for Aspiring Tech-Savvies!

Are You a Student or Professional Eager to Master SQL?

Embarking on a journey into the realm of databases? Yearning to grasp the intricacies of SQL and databases, but unsure where to kick things off? Whether you're a budding developer, a data enthusiast, or simply someone aiming to amplify your career horizons, understanding SQL and databases is your stepping stone.

Why This Course Stands Out

  1. Dive Deep into SQL & MySQL: Unlock the secrets of SQL and MySQL - the powerhouse among global databases.

  2. Master Database Design & Analysis: Most courses barely scratch the surface; we offer you an immersive dive into database design, a critical skill often overlooked.

  3. Real-world Applications: Engage with a hands-on project - setting up an online cinema booking database, offering you practical exposure to concepts learned.

Core Modules Include:

  • SQL Basics: The language that's reshaping the tech landscape.

  • MySQL In-Depth: One of the world's most renowned databases.

  • Database Design & Data Analysis: Equip yourself with these sought-after skills.

  • Hands-on Tutorials: From creating to modifying databases, we've got you covered.

  • Cross-Platform Installation Guides: Be it Windows, Mac, or Linux, we've got your back.

Exercise Your Learning:

Dive into practical exercises with step-by-step video solutions to solidify your understanding.

Why MySQL?

While we champion MySQL, the SQL prowess you gain here transcends databases. The skills are universally applicable.

Why Choose This Course?

In the vast sea of courses, ours stands tall by offering a trifecta of SQL, database design, and data analysis - all under one roof.

Tim Buchalka and Jean-Paul Roberts are your instructors. They have a combined eighty (yes 80!) years of programming experience.  Their real world and teaching experience makes them the ideal instructors for this course.

They are not just experts, they are also fantastic educators, skilled in breaking down intricate topics.

Embark on a Journey of Proficiency:

By the end of this comprehensive guide, you'll wield SQL with finesse, boast a robust understanding of MySQL, and wear the badge of database design expertise.

Your Future in Tech Beckons:

SQL, MySQL, and Database Design are your tickets to lucrative career opportunities. Don't let them pass you by. Enroll now and solidify your place in the tech world.

Ready to Transform Your Tech Aspirations?

Elevate your skills; elevate your prospects. Click the Enroll button and begin your journey into the heart of SQL and databases!
Read More Beginner Beginner Level product length iconTime: 8.4h

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Instructor Details

Tim Buchalka's Learn Programming Academy

The Learn Programming Academy was created by Tim Buchalka, a software developer with 40 years experience, who is also an instructor on Udemy, with over 2.28M+ students in his courses on Java, Python, Android, C#  and the Spring framework. 

The Academy’s goal in the next three years, is to teach five million people to learn how to program.

Apart from Tim’s own courses, which are all available here, we are working with the very best teachers, creating courses to teach the essential skills required by developers, at all levels.

One other important philosophy is that our courses are taught by real professionals; software developers with real and substantial experience in the industry, who are also great teachers.  All our instructors are experienced, software developers!

Our team is busy creating new courses right now.

Whether you are a beginner, looking to learn how to program for the very first time, or to brush up on your existing skills, or to learn new languages and frameworks, the Academy has you covered.

Read More

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Reviews

4.5

64,057 ratings on Udemy

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Write a review

By Cgjackson59@gmail.com Jackson on 7/31/2026

I learned a lot more than I expected. The course was very well thought and I enjoyed it very much.

By Pedro Sánchez Vázquez on 7/20/2026

Tim's explanations are invaluable. Everything in the course is explained in enough depth and with clarity. The exercises are carefully chosen and desgined.

By Jess Giesler on 5/14/2026

The video is so far straight-forward and easy to understand, though it appears the voice is doing a lot of reading aloud what I'm reading on the video.

By Uyiosa Osayi on 2/17/2026

Great course, wish the instructor explained about subqueries more though you could just watch 'CS50's Introduction to Databases with SQL' if you're looking for more info.

By priyadharshini on 2/12/2026

the way of teaching and making us write the query is just amazing . i think its one of the best beginner course i have come across.

By Hajar Assoujaa on 1/6/2026

C'est trés bien expliqué, la hiérarchie à partir de théorie puis pratique est trés pratique et parfaite. Et meme l'explication a été trés claire, et aussi la disposition des ressources.

By Phuc N Nguyen on 12/30/2025

Wonderful instructions and materials! Students like me need to put in at least 2X time to go through the exercises; it's all worth it though.

By Sèmiou Kolawolé YESSOUFOU on 12/9/2025

Bonjour excellent cours j'ai gagné de nouvelle connaissance grace a ce cours et je le recommande fortement

By Udayasri Damalla on 11/11/2025

It was very good experience, I have learnt a lot through the lectures and very Good Explanation by Tutor.

By Anonymized User on 10/19/2025

The course was understandable and sometimes we returned to previous knowledge which helped me understand better. The practical examples were useful.

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SQL for Beginners: Learn SQL using MySQL and Database Design
Visit course on Udemy Write a review
  • Video Duration: icon 8.4h
  • Price: $99.99
  • Provider: icon Udemy
  • Updated: icon April 2025
  • Level: Beginner Beginner
  • Language: icon English
  • Certificate: icon Yes
  • Lectures:127 in 14 sections
  • Students:199,000
  • Subtitles:27 languages
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