Top Advanced SQL Courses to Take in 2025

Are you looking to improve your SQL skills and master advanced SQL? This can be an incredible way to take your data work to the next level. Whether you’re in data analysis, data science, marketing, or finance, knowing how to write complex SQL queries can make a real difference. Advanced SQL can help you uncover meaningful insights, streamline processes, and truly stand out in your role.

So, I’ve put together a list of the best advanced SQL courses you can take in 2025. Each one offers something a little different, and I've added extra details to help you decide which might be the perfect fit for where you're at in your SQL learning path. Let’s dive in, and I hope you find something that works for you!

Here is a table with all recommended advanced SQL courses. Just choose one and become awesome!

What I Mean By Advanced SQL

Advanced SQL goes beyond writing complex queries. It’s about using data effectively, solving business problems, and optimizing databases for better performance. Concepts like window functions, recursive queries, and performance tuning can greatly enhance how you work with data.

Whether it’s speeding up your queries, working with multi-level joins, or using indexing to boost performance, these skills help you handle large datasets and provide valuable insights.

The courses listed here cover different aspects of advanced SQL. Some focus on hands-on practice with real datasets, while others are more academic. No matter your style, mastering advanced SQL is about consistent practice and applying what you learn.

If you're not ready for advanced SQL yet, start with SQL Basics and come back once you're comfortable using SELECT, WHERE, GROUP BY, and other essential commands. If you feel confident in your SQL skills, then dive into my list of recommended advanced SQL courses for 2025.

LearnSQL.com: Advanced SQL Track

If you're serious about getting really good at SQL, the Advanced SQL track is the course to take. Honestly, I’d recommend it to you because it’s super hands-on and practical. It goes beyond just the basics—you'll learn about sophisticated queries, complex joins, window functions, Common Table Expressions (CTE), recursive queries, and other advanced concepts. Plus, everything you learn is directly applicable to real-world problems.

There are tons of practical projects that simulate actual business challenges, and the interactive exercises are based on real datasets. If you want to feel confident using advanced SQL at work, this course has got you covered.

Course Highlights:

• Interactive Learning with Real Datasets: You'll work with datasets that are similar to what you would find in the workplace, helping you understand complex topics like window functions, recursive queries, and advanced joins. The focus is on practical application, which makes it easier to see how these skills can be used on the job.
• Flexible Lifetime Access: With lifetime access, you can learn at your own pace without the pressure of deadlines. This is particularly helpful if you're balancing learning with a busy work schedule.
• Online Certification: After successfully completing the course, you will receive a certificate that you can publish on your LinkedIn profile.

Why Choose This Course: If you already know the basics of SQL and are looking to level up, this course is perfect for you. It will help you write more efficient and optimized queries while teaching you how to apply SQL to solve complex business problems. Plus, there's a free trial available, so you don't risk anything by giving it a try!

Duration: 45 hours

Rating: 4.81 (8375 ratings)

🔗 Explore the Advanced SQL Track

LearnSQL.com: Window Functions Practice Set

Window functions are such a powerful tool for advanced analysis, and this course gives you awesome interactive exercises to really get comfortable with them. You’ll learn how to use functions like ROW_NUMBER(), RANK(), and LEAD()/LAG()—all in ways that apply directly to real-world data problems.

Course Highlights:

• Hands-On Practice: There are over 100 interactive SQL tasks. They’re all designed to be practical, so you’ll know exactly how to use them in real business scenarios.
• Online Console: You don't have to install or set up anything. Everything happens in the browser.
• Focus on Analytics: If you're in data analysis, this is the kind of deep dive you need. It’s designed specifically to make window functions your secret weapon for complex data manipulation and advanced analysis.

Why Choose This Course: If you're really into data analytics and want to nail down window functions, this course is a no-brainer. It gives you tons of practice, great examples, and everything you need to feel comfortable using windows functions in real work scenarios.

Duration: 20 hours

Rating: 4.90 (473 ratings)

🔗 Practice Window Functions

LearnSQL.com: Understanding Indexes

Indexing is key to optimizing how databases handle data, and this cool SQL course will help you master it from the ground up. You’ll go from the basics to advanced topics like composite indexes and how to maintain indexes over time, so you can get your queries running as smoothly and quickly as possible.

Course Highlights:

• Index Fundamentals: Learn everything from how to create and use indexes effectively to understanding advanced concepts like composite indexes. Indexing is all about making your databases run faster, and this course makes sure you get it right.
• Cross-Platform Approach: Whether you’re using MySQL, SQL Server, PostgreSQL, or Oracle, this course covers indexing strategies for all the major platforms. This means you can apply what you learn in pretty much any environment.
• Hands-On Examples: You'll do practical exercises to see how indexing works in action—creating, modifying, and using indexes to boost query performance.
• Performance Tuning Projects: Indexes are all about speed, and you'll learn how to use them to make your queries faster and more efficient, especially when working with large datasets.

Why Choose This Course: If you’re dealing with big data or just want to make your SQL queries fly, this is the course for you. It's packed with hands-on exercises and real-world examples that show you exactly how to get the best performance out of your databases.

Duration: 10 hours

Rating: 4.80 (123 ratings)

🔗 Learn About Indexes

Coursera: Advanced Relational Database and SQL

This course on Coursera is also a good option. It covers stored procedures, triggers, and common table expressions (CTEs) in a detailed and methodical way, making it easier to follow along and really absorb the concepts.

Course Highlights:

• Real-Life Projects: You’ll get to work on real projects like managing inventory using stored procedures and setting up triggers for data consistency, which makes your learning experience much more practical.
• Top-Tier Instructors: The instructors have both academic and industry experience, so they really know how to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
• Available only on desktops - it's designed for laptops or desktop computers only

Why Choose This Course: If you're looking for a solid mix of theory and hands-on practice, this course is a nice choice for advanced database management. It covers both the conceptual and practical aspects, helping you understand and apply advanced SQL features effectively.

Duration: 1.5 hours

Rating: 4.5 (353 ratings)

🔗 Check Advanced Relational Database and SQL on Coursera

Pluralsight: Advanced SQL

This course is a decent choice if you want to focus on improving SQL performance and working with complex queries. It emphasizes efficient coding techniques and troubleshooting slow queries, which is especially helpful if you often work with large datasets or need to optimize existing queries.

Course Highlights:

• Advanced Query Techniques: Learn practical methods to speed up your queries, including advanced joins, subqueries, and optimization strategies.
• Industry Applications: The course offers examples like optimizing retail databases and managing financial data, showing how these skills apply in real scenarios.
• Hands-On Labs: You get to practice what you learn in interactive labs, which helps solidify your understanding and gives you practical experience.

Why Choose This Course: If you're focused on SQL performance and want practical, hands-on methods for tackling complex queries, this course is a reliable option. It may not be the most innovative, but it will definitely help you work more efficiently with SQL.

Duration: 24 hours

Rating: n/a

🔗 Access Advanced SQL on Pluralsight

edX: Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL by Stanford University

If you're looking for an in-depth, academic exploration of SQL from one of the best universities in the world, this is the course to take. It’s a deep dive into advanced topics like indexing, constraints, and transactions, and it’s all taught by Stanford experts.

Course Highlights:

• Stanford-Level Content: This course offers high-quality, in-depth material from Stanford, covering everything from database constraints and indexing to views and security.
• Self-Paced Learning: It’s flexible, so you can fit it around your schedule, which is great if you’re balancing a lot of responsibilities.
• Practical Assignments: The assignments are designed to show you how to apply what you’re learning to real-world situations, making sure you really understand the advanced concepts.

Why Choose This Course: If you’re looking for a challenging course that’s also very rewarding, this one is perfect. You’ll get a deep, academic understanding of how databases work and how to use SQL effectively, all from a top-tier institution.

Duration: 20 hours

Rating: 4.3 stars (9 ratings)

🔗 Databases: Advanced Topics in SQL on edX

These courses cover a variety of advanced SQL topics to help you boost your data management and analysis skills. But if I had to pick one, I'd go with the Advanced SQL track on LearnSQL.com. It’s hands-on, practical, and directly applicable to real-world scenarios. Whether you’re looking for hands-on practice, academic depth, or industry-focused skills, there's something here for every advanced SQL learner.

Conclusion

Advanced SQL skills are a must-have if you want to make the most of the data available to you. The courses I’ve listed each bring something different to the table—whether it's LearnSQL.com's hands-on approach or Stanford’s rigorous academic focus. Picking up these skills will make your work easier and help you make better, data-driven decisions.

If you’re ready to take your SQL skills to the next level, any of these courses will help you get there. Let’s get started on mastering advanced SQL together—you’ve got this!