Programming languages1:1 mentoring

PHP Programming

Learn PHP for the web: syntax, forms, sessions, OOP and databases with PDO, with a 1:1 mentor at your pace.

Level:: Beginner to intermediate
Format:: 1:1 online mentoring

Free, no-obligation chat · Affordable plans that fit your budget · Start this week

1:1 personal attentionOne mentor, one student, at your pace.
Flexible timingsSessions that fit your week and time zone.
Affordable plansPlans that fit your budget.
Practise between sessionsShort problems that build confidence.

About this course

Learn PHP Programming online

PHP runs a large share of the web, including WordPress and many business sites, and modern PHP with Laravel is widely used for backend work. Learners often struggle with mixing HTML and PHP, form handling, SQL queries and keeping their code secure.

This course follows the standard PHP curriculum from the official manual: syntax, control flow, functions, arrays and strings, forms, object-oriented PHP, working with a MySQL database using PDO, sessions and security, and an introduction to Composer. Each module lists topics and what you will be able to do at the end.

Learn with an affordable 1:1 mentor who explains each idea with short examples and reviews your code with you. Self-study lessons on MentorNxt exist only for Java and Python, so this course is taught in live 1:1 sessions. Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form, for a free, no-obligation chat. We will suggest a plan that fits your budget and flexible timings, and you can start this week.

Who this course is for

Beginners who want to build dynamic websites
Students who know HTML and CSS and want to add a backend
Learners aiming for WordPress or Laravel work
University students taking a web programming course
Developers moving to PHP from another language

Outcomes

What you'll learn

Set up PHP locally and run scripts and the built-in web server
Use variables, types, conditions, loops and functions correctly
Work with arrays and strings and the built-in functions
Process HTML forms safely with validation
Design classes with interfaces, traits and namespaces
Query a MySQL database with PDO and prepared statements
Use sessions and cookies for login features
Explain basic web security: XSS, SQL injection and password hashing

Skills you'll gain

PHP 8
Forms and validation
OOP in PHP
PDO and MySQL
Sessions and cookies
Composer
Namespaces
Password hashing
JSON and APIs
Debugging
Laravel basics

Detailed syllabus

PHP Programming syllabus

Every module lists its topics and what you will be able to do. Your mentor plans sessions around them and your own goals.

Module 1
Getting started with PHP
How PHP works and setting up.
- What PHP is and how it runs on a server
- Installing PHP and an editor
- The php built-in server
- PHP tags and echo
- Comments and variables
- Mixing PHP and HTML
By the end of this module you can
- Run PHP scripts on your computer
- Explain what happens when a browser requests a .php page
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 2
Types, operators and control flow
The basics of the language.
- Scalar types and type juggling
- Operators and comparison with == and ===
- if, elseif and else
- switch and match
- for, while and foreach
- Constants
By the end of this module you can
- Write programs that branch and loop correctly
- Explain == versus ===
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 3
Functions
Reusable code.
- Defining functions
- Parameters, defaults and return types
- Type declarations and strict_types
- Variable scope
- Anonymous functions and arrow functions
- include and require
By the end of this module you can
- Split code into small functions
- Reuse code across files
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 4
Arrays and strings
PHP's most used data tools.
- Indexed and associative arrays
- Multidimensional arrays
- Array functions: array_map, array_filter, sort
- String functions
- Formatting with sprintf
- Regular expressions at a glance
- Date and time
By the end of this module you can
- Process arrays and strings with built-in functions
- Choose between indexed and associative arrays
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 5
Forms and user input
Receiving data from the browser.
- GET and POST
- $_GET, $_POST and $_FILES
- Validating and sanitising input
- Escaping output with htmlspecialchars
- Redirects and the post-redirect-get pattern
- File uploads
By the end of this module you can
- Build a form that validates its input
- Prevent cross-site scripting in output
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 6
Object-oriented PHP
Classes and objects.
- Classes, properties and methods
- Constructors and promoted properties
- Visibility and encapsulation
- Inheritance and abstract classes
- Interfaces and traits
- Namespaces and autoloading
- Enums
By the end of this module you can
- Design small classes that keep their data valid
- Organise code with namespaces and Composer autoloading
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 7
Databases with PDO
Storing and loading data.
- Relational database basics
- Connecting with PDO
- Prepared statements
- CRUD: create, read, update, delete
- Joins at a glance
- Handling errors with exceptions
By the end of this module you can
- Query MySQL safely with prepared statements
- Explain how SQL injection works and how to stop it
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 8
Sessions, cookies and security
Login features and safe code.
- Cookies
- Sessions
- Password hashing with password_hash
- Login and logout
- CSRF tokens
- Error handling and logging
By the end of this module you can
- Build a simple login system
- Store passwords safely
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions
Module 9
Composer, JSON and next steps
Modern PHP tooling.
- Composer and packages
- Reading and writing JSON
- Building a small JSON API
- Unit tests with PHPUnit
- Git and GitHub
- Next steps: Laravel and WordPress
By the end of this module you can
- Install a package with Composer
- Build a small API that returns JSON
Covered in 1:1 mentoring sessions

Ways to learn

How you can learn PHP Programming

PHP Programming mentor, 1:1 online

A mentor who knows this course plans sessions around your goal, explains each idea with fresh examples and checks your understanding. Personal attention, flexible timings in your time zone and affordable plans that fit your budget.

Talk to our team

How it works

Your learning journey

Four simple steps to start PHP Programming with a mentor. A real person replies to you; there is no booking system.

Step 1: Talk to us
Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form. The first chat is free, with no obligation.
Step 2: Get your plan
We listen to your goal, level and deadlines, then suggest a plan that fits your budget and timings.
Step 3: Learn with your mentor
Online 1:1 sessions with a mentor who knows your course, explains clearly and checks your understanding.
Step 4: Practise & track progress
Keep going between sessions with practice, and watch your confidence grow week by week.

Learn by doing

Projects and practice

Contact form with validation
A form that validates input, escapes output and saves messages to a file or database.
To-do list with MySQL
A CRUD app using PDO and prepared statements.
Login and registration
Accounts with hashed passwords, sessions and a protected page.
Mini blog
Posts and comments with object-oriented PHP classes and a database.

Your progress

What you'll be able to do

Milestones from the start, middle and end of the syllabus.

Run PHP scripts on your computer
Early on
Build a form that validates its input
Halfway
Install a package with Composer
By the end

FAQs

PHP Programming: frequently asked questions

Is there a self-study option for PHP Programming?

Not yet. MentorNxt's free self-study lessons cover Java and Python only, so PHP Programming is taught through 1:1 mentoring. Your mentor plans sessions around your goals, explains with fresh examples and reviews your code with you.

Do I need to know HTML and CSS first?

Basic HTML helps because PHP produces web pages. If you are new, your mentor can cover the HTML you need alongside PHP.

Do you teach Laravel or WordPress?

The course builds the PHP foundations both rely on and ends with an introduction to Composer. Tell us your goal and your mentor can plan a path toward a framework or WordPress.

Is PHP still worth learning?

Yes. Modern PHP is fast and well designed, and it powers a huge number of existing websites and applications, so there is steady demand for developers who understand it.

How much does mentoring cost?

1:1 mentoring is personal online tutoring and is affordable, with plans that fit your budget. Tell us your goal and how often you would like sessions, and our team will suggest an option that works for you in a free, no-obligation chat.

How do I get started?

Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form on this page. Our team replies, talks through your goal and level, and arranges a mentor at flexible timings in your time zone. You can start this week.

Free, no-obligation chat

Talk to our team about PHP Programming

Tell us what you need. Our support team replies within one working day, by email or WhatsApp, whichever you prefer, and arranges your mentor.

Prefer to talk first?

Message the support team directly. We usually reply the same day.

Chat on WhatsApp Email us

Our mentors teach and explain. They never complete graded work, tests or assessments for students.

Keep going

Syllabus references

Last reviewed9 November 2026

Ready to start PHP Programming?

Message us on WhatsApp or email, or fill in the short form. Our team replies with a plan that fits your goal and budget, and you can start this week.

Fill in the short form

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Learn PHP Programming online

Who this course is for

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

PHP Programming syllabus

Getting started with PHP

Types, operators and control flow

Functions

Arrays and strings

Forms and user input

Object-oriented PHP

Databases with PDO

Sessions, cookies and security

Composer, JSON and next steps

How you can learn PHP Programming

PHP Programming mentor, 1:1 online

Your learning journey

Step 1: Talk to us

Step 2: Get your plan

Step 3: Learn with your mentor

Step 4: Practise & track progress

Projects and practice

Contact form with validation

To-do list with MySQL

Login and registration

Mini blog

What you'll be able to do

PHP Programming: frequently asked questions

Talk to our team about PHP Programming

Related courses

HTML and CSS

Web Development

SQL and Databases

JavaScript Programming

Web Development for Beginners

Node.js and Express

Syllabus references

Ready to start PHP Programming?

Learn PHP Programming online

Who this course is for

What you'll learn

Skills you'll gain

PHP Programming syllabus

Getting started with PHP

Types, operators and control flow

Functions

Arrays and strings

Forms and user input

Object-oriented PHP

Databases with PDO

Sessions, cookies and security

Composer, JSON and next steps

How you can learn PHP Programming

PHP Programming mentor, 1:1 online

Your learning journey

Step 1: Talk to us

Step 2: Get your plan

Step 3: Learn with your mentor

Step 4: Practise & track progress

Projects and practice

Contact form with validation

To-do list with MySQL

Login and registration

Mini blog

What you'll be able to do

PHP Programming: frequently asked questions

Talk to our team about PHP Programming

Related courses

HTML and CSS

Web Development

SQL and Databases

JavaScript Programming

Web Development for Beginners

Node.js and Express

Syllabus references

Ready to start PHP Programming?