Is there a good micro-controller to use for learning concepts?

I want to learn how to program micro-controllers in C and I am looking for a component or setup that will provide me with an easy platform to go about this task. Does anyone have a recommendation as to what I should look into buying?

This isn't my field, but Arduino kits are cheap, and ubiquitous.

Hey, I did start learning using the PIC microcontrollers.

I used a PIC 16 first and then a PIC 18 microcontroller. I would recommend Mikro C for programming purposes.

You could use Proteus ISIS as a simulator software and Mikro C for the programming, this is what I used to learn first. If you want to test on hardware then you might have to get a PICkit 2 programmer.

We made the development board by ourselves using the ICSP connections, but having a readymade board will make things easier.

Hope this helps

This did help quite a bit, thank you

U can also refer Mohamad ali mazidi and jeason gillspi mazidi for programming in C for 8051