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Top 5 Online Data Engineering Courses & Certifications [2025]

Top 5 Online Data Engineering Courses & Certifications [2025]

Updated on Sep 17, 2025 | 7 min read | 14.71K+ views

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What are the top Data Engineering Courses in 2025
Prerequisites to Consider Before Taking a Data Engineering Course
Top Jobs after Data Engineering Courses
Conclusion

Did You Know?

There’s a huge shortage of data engineers coming in the future, with about 2.9 million data-related jobs expected to be open around the world. This means companies need skilled people in this field. So, if you learn data engineering now, you’ll have lots of job opportunities and a strong career ahead.

Data engineering is all about building systems that collect, store, and manage large amounts of data so that it can be analyzed and used by businesses. From cleaning raw data to designing data pipelines, a data engineer plays a key role in powering AI, business insights, and tech innovations.

As you saw above data engineering field is booming. That’s why becoming a data engineer is not only a highly recommended career move but also a lucrative one. In India, the average salary of a data engineer ranges from ₹5–14 LPA, while experienced professionals in top companies easily earn upwards of ₹30 LPA.

This blog covers the top 5 online data engineering courses in 2025 that can help you upgrade your career. From beginner-friendly programs like the Data Engineering Certification with AWS to specialized ones like Azure Data Engineer Certification, you’ll find the right course for every skill level.

As you are browsing for the best data engineering courses online, don’t miss the opportunity to expand your career options with a 100% online data science courses from top Indian and global universities, offered by upGrad.

What are the top Data Engineering Courses in 2025

To build a career in data engineering, we have collected a list of top data engineering courses in 2025 offered by leading platforms like Google, upGrad, IBM, and Microsoft.

Here are some of the popular programs offered by upGrad that will help in gaining data engineering skills in 2025 and grab a high-earning data engineer position.

Below are the top data engineering courses in India, which can be a perfect choice for you to start your data engineering journey:

1. IBM Data Engineering Professional Certificate

A career-focused program by IBM that builds strong foundations in data engineering. It covers core tools and technologies such as NoSQL, Hadoop, Spark, data warehousing, ETL pipelines, and cloud databases, ideal for aspiring data engineers and professionals looking to upskill in scalable data systems.

Feature	Details
Duration	6 months (flexible, 10 hours/week)
Specialization	Data Engineering, Big Data, ETL, SQL, Python, Cloud Computing
Certifications	Professional Certificate by IBM via Coursera
Projects	Building data pipelines, data lake implementation, querying NoSQL & SQL data
Target Audience	Aspiring Data Engineers, Developers, IT Professionals, Computer Science grads.

2. Microsoft Azure Data Engineer Certification

This data engineering course helps learners become proficient in managing data engineering using Azure services like Azure Synapse Analytics, Azure Data Lake Storage Gen2, Azure Stream Analytics, and Azure Databricks. This course is perfect for those aiming to earn an Azure Data Engineer Certification and master Microsoft’s data ecosystem.

Feature	Details
Duration	Self-paced or instructor-led (flexible modules)
Specialization	Azure Data Engineering, Data Lakes, ETL Pipelines, Real-time Analytics, Synapse SQL, Spark
Certifications	Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate
Projects	Building Synapse pipelines, querying lake storage, managing Spark pools, and real-time data flows
Target Audience	Data Engineers, BI Professionals, Data Architects, Analysts looking to specialize in Azure

Read: How to Become a Big Data Engineer

3. Executive Diploma in Data Science & AI – IIIT Bangalore

This online course “ Executive Diploma in Data Science,” designed by IIIT Bangalore in collaboration with upGrad is made for both tech and non-tech professionals. It has an updated curriculum with hands-on tools and online learning. Learners recommended an impressive average salary hike of 45% and it makes it a high-impact program for career growth.

Feature	Details
Duration	12 months (flexible & online)
Specialization	Choose between Data Analytics or Data Engineering tracks
Certifications	Executive Diploma in Data Science & AI by IIIT Bangalore (IIITB)
Projects	30+ industry-focused projects + Capstone Project of your choice
Target Audience	Working professionals (tech & non-tech), aspiring data scientists, business analysts.

If you want to make your field in Business Analytics then check out this Business Analytics Certification Programme from upGrad campus. Starting from 31st July 2025.

4. Data Engineering with AWS – Certification by Amazon

This certification by Amazon tests your ability to design and manage scalable, secure, and efficient AWS data pipelines. It covers key concepts such as data ingestion, transformation, orchestration, and governance. This course is recognized globally and is considered one of the best data engineering courses in India for professionals aiming to specialize in cloud data engineering.

Feature	Details
Duration	Self-paced (exam duration: 130 minutes, 65 questions)
Specialization	Cloud Data Engineering, AWS Services, Data Pipelines, Data Governance
Certifications	Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Data Engineer - Associate
Projects	Building AWS data pipelines, data model design, and real-time transformation workflows
Target Audience	Cloud engineers, data engineers, AWS developers, and data analysts
Exam Format	Multiple-choice/multiple-response; real-world scenario-based questions
Recognition	Industry-valued certification by Amazon, globally accepted

5. IIT Kanpur – Professional Certificate in Data Engineering

This program by E&ICT Academy, IIT Kanpur is designed to give professionals and graduates industry-ready skills in data engineering. It covers database systems, data modelling, cloud platforms, ETL pipelines, and big data processing, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application.

Feature	Details
Duration	Approx. 3.5 to 6 months (87 hours).
Specialization	Cloud Data Engineering, ETL development, and database management systems.
Certifications	Joint certification from E&ICT Academy, IIT Kanpur upon successful completion.
Projects	cloud-based data pipelines, database optimization, and data transformation workflows.
Target Audience	Fresh graduates, working professionals in IT, analytics, or software development, looking to upskill.

Prerequisites to Consider Before Taking a Data Engineering Course

Before starting a data engineering course, it is important to know the key skills and background knowledge that can lead to success in this field. Most programs are beginner-friendly, but having the following will give you an advantage:

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Basic Programming Knowledge: Familiarity with Python or SQL is useful since these are core tools in data engineering.
Understanding of Databases: Knowing how databases work, especially relational databases, is essential. Courses like the Google Analytics Course and Google Data Analytics Certification can help you get started.
Cloud Basics: Many modern pipelines use platforms like AWS, Azure, or GCP. A basic understanding of these cloud platforms is helpful. For example, if you aim to become an Azure Data Engineer, familiarity with Azure services is a plus.
Curiosity & Problem-Solving Skills: Successful data engineers think analytically. They enjoy tackling complex problems and focus on details when handling large datasets.

These skills aren't required, but they can boost your learning for advanced certifications. This includes Azure Data Engineer Certification, GCP Data Engineer, or a Big Data Course. Grasping data engineering and building key skills early can speed up your learning and prepare you for jobs.

Top Jobs after Data Engineering Courses

The following table highlights key roles available after completing a data engineering course and their associated skills.

Job Title	Average Salary
Data Architect	₹16L – ₹28L
Machine Learning Engineer	₹7L – ₹20L
Data Scientist	₹6L – ₹17L
Cloud Data Engineer	₹5L – ₹15L
DevOps Engineer for Data	₹5L – ₹14L
Data Engineer	₹5L – ₹14L
Big Data Engineer	₹5L – ₹12.5L
Azure Data Engineer	₹5L – ₹12L
Business Intelligence Analyst	₹5L – ₹10L
Data Analyst	₹4L – ₹8L

Source: Glassdoor

Further Read: How to Become a Data Engineer: 9 Steps, Key Skills, and Career Prospects for 2025

Conclusion

Data engineering is becoming crucial as businesses generate vast amounts of data. In 2025, data engineers will still be crucial. They will turn raw data into insights that help businesses make decisions. Taking top data engineering courses in India helps you master key tools. You’ll learn Python, SQL, Apache Spark, and cloud platforms. This knowledge sets you up for success in a high-demand field.

To get ahead of the curve, consider enrolling in the Master’s in Data Science Degree from LJMU through upGrad. This program will help you learn the skills needed for a successful data engineering and data science career. Enroll now!

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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

1. What is Data Engineering?

Data engineering is the process of designing, building, and managing data infrastructure. It involves collecting, storing, and processing data to ensure it is ready for analysis. Data engineers work with tools like SQL, Python, Apache Hadoop, and Spark to build data pipelines and databases, enabling data scientists and analysts to derive insights from data efficiently.

2. What skills do I need to become a Data Engineer?

Key skills for data engineers include proficiency in programming languages like Python, SQL, and Java. Understanding data warehousing, cloud platforms (e.g., AWS, Azure), ETL processes, and working with frameworks like Apache Hadoop, Spark, and Kafka is essential. Knowledge of databases and data modeling is also important.

3. Is Data Engineering the same as Data Science?

No, data engineering and data science are different fields. Data engineering focuses on creating and maintaining the infrastructure needed to process and store data, while data science is concerned with analyzing and interpreting that data to extract insights using statistical models, machine learning, and algorithms.

4. What is an ETL pipeline in Data Engineering?

ETL stands for Extract, Transform, Load, a process used in data engineering to move data from various sources into a data warehouse. Extract gathers raw data, Transform cleans and processes it, and loads stores it in the desired format for analysis. Building efficient ETL pipelines is a crucial part of a data engineer's job.

5. What are the best tools used in Data Engineering?

Common tools in data engineering include Apache Hadoop, Apache Spark, Kafka, Airflow, SQL databases, NoSQL databases like MongoDB, cloud platforms like AWS, Google Cloud, and Microsoft Azure, and data integration tools like Talend and Apache NiFi.

6. What is the difference between Data Engineering and Data Analytics?

Data engineering involves building and managing data infrastructure, while data analytics focuses on examining data to uncover patterns, trends, and actionable insights. Data engineers build the data pipelines and systems, while analysts use the prepared data to generate insights and reports.

7. How much does a Data Engineer earn?

The salary of a data engineer varies by location, experience, and expertise. On average, in the United States, a data engineer earns between $83,000 - $100,000 per year. In India, data engineers can expect to earn between ₹5,00,000 to ₹14,00,000 annually, depending on experience and the company.

8. Is Data Engineering in demand in 2025?

Yes, data engineering is in high demand in 2025. As businesses continue to generate vast amounts of data, the need for skilled professionals to manage and prepare data for analysis will only increase. According to industry reports, data engineering is one of the fastest-growing fields in tech.

9. What are Data Engineering Certifications?

Data engineering certifications are formal qualifications that validate your skills in areas such as database management, cloud computing, and ETL processes. Popular certifications include Google Cloud Professional Data Engineer, AWS Certified Big Data - Specialty, and Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Engineer Associate.

10. Can a Data Scientist transition into Data Engineering?

Yes, a data scientist can transition into data engineering, but it requires acquiring new skills. Data scientists typically focus on data analysis and modeling, while data engineers focus on building and maintaining data pipelines. A data scientist would need to learn more about databases, ETL processes, and cloud technologies to make the transition.

11. What are the best data engineering courses in India?

Some of the best data engineering courses in India include the Data Science Program by upGrad in collaboration with top universities like LJMU and IIITB. These courses offer hands-on experience and cover essential tools like SQL, Python, Apache Spark, and cloud platforms.

12. Is Data Engineering an IT Job?

Yes, data engineering is an IT job that bridges software engineering and data management. Data engineers design, build, and maintain systems that handle large volumes of data, making them essential in IT-driven industries.

13.Do I need prior knowledge of coding to start a data engineering course?

Basic coding knowledge in languages like Python, Java, or SQL is helpful but not always mandatory. Many beginner-friendly courses introduce programming fundamentals before diving into advanced concepts.

14. What skills will I learn from a data engineering course?

You’ll learn programming, database management, data pipelines, cloud platforms, big data tools (Hadoop, Spark), and problem-solving skills. Courses also cover data warehousing, ETL processes, and data modeling.

15. What are the educational qualifications needed to become a data engineer?

Most employers prefer candidates with a bachelor’s degree in computer science, IT, engineering, or mathematics. However, certifications and practical skills can also help you break into the field.

16. Can I learn Data Engineering on my own?

Yes, self-learning is possible with online courses, tutorials, and hands-on projects. However, structured programs and certifications provide guided learning, industry exposure, and placement opportunities, making the journey smoother.

17. Is Data Engineering harder than Data Analyst?

Yes, data engineering is generally considered more challenging than data analysis. While analysts focus on interpreting data and creating insights, engineers build the pipelines, databases, and systems that make data accessible. This requires stronger programming, cloud, and system design skills.

18. Can I get a data engineer job without experience?

It’s possible but competitive. Freshers can enter through internships, junior data engineer roles, or by showcasing strong project work, certifications, and portfolio building. Employers value practical skills with tools like SQL, Python, and cloud platforms, even if you lack prior job experience.

19. Can AI Replace Data Engineering?

AI can automate parts of data engineering, like pipeline optimization or schema detection, but it cannot fully replace the role. Data engineers handle complex system design, scalability, security, and integration tasks that require human judgment. Instead of replacement, AI will augment and speed up data engineering processes.

20. Can I learn Data Engineering in 3 months?

You can grasp the basics of data engineering in 3 months if you dedicate consistent time. In this period, you may learn SQL, Python, cloud basics, and simple pipelines. However, mastering advanced tools, big data frameworks, and real-world projects usually takes 6–12 months.

Reference Links:
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/data-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,13.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/big-data-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,17.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/azure-data-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/data-architect-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/machine-learning-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,25.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/business-intelligence-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,29.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/cloud-data-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,19.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/data-scientist-salary-SRCH_KO0,14.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/data-analyst-salary-SRCH_KO0,12.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/devops-engineer-salary-SRCH_KO0,15.htm
https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/us-data-engineer-salary-SRCH_IL.0,2_IN1_KO3,16.htm
https://digitaldefynd.com/IQ/surprising-data-engineering-facts-statistics/

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Rohit Sharma

834 articles published

Rohit Sharma is the Head of Revenue & Programs (International), with over 8 years of experience in business analytics, EdTech, and program management. He holds an M.Tech from IIT Delhi and specializes...

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