Professional Programme · Build a career

Professional Software Development

The route to junior developer roles. Start with Python and Git, then learn what turns code into software: tests, debugging, validation, version control, code review and APIs, by rebuilding a real company's invoicing code. Then go further into the web, databases and delivery. Employers hire developers who can show tested, well-reviewed code, and that's what this track builds.

Self-paced
11 courses
Capstone project
Professional certificate

What you'll be able to do

Python functions, modules and packages
Automated testing with pytest
Debugging and input validation
Git workflow and code review
Building and testing web APIs
Shipping code through CI/CD

Enrolment opens soon

Enrolment is closed for now.

What's included

11 courses in one structured programme, 4 of them professional-only
Self-paced
Capstone project
Professional certificate included when you earn the programme badge

Programme overview

Professional Software Development takes you from Python and Git to testing, databases and APIs, and JavaScript for the web. The capstone is a real engineering task: six bug reports, a risky pull request and a release, on a Flask and SQL application.

Professional outcome

Write software that's correct, tested and safe to change.

Who this is for

Beginners who want to become developers
Self-taught coders who want professional habits
Career changers building a developer portfolio

Projects you'll build

Software Developer Capstone
Six bug reports, a risky pull request and a release, on a Flask and SQL application.

Full curriculum, module by module

Free introductions are open to everyone. The professional curriculum goes deeper, with real-world projects and assessments, and unlocks when you enroll.

1Module 1FoundationThe language and the tools every developer uses.
Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations
Python for Beginners
Python from the first line: variables, lists, loops and functions.
5 hr 20 min
You'll learn
- First Steps in Python
- Variables and Data Types
- Numbers and Maths
- Working with Text
- Conditions: if, elif and else
- Lists and Tuples
- Loops: for and while
- Dictionaries and Sets
- Functions and a Mini Project
- Errors, Modules and Next Steps
Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations
Git & GitHub: From First Commit to Pull Request
Version control and GitHub, so your work is saved, shared and visible.
6 hours
You'll learn
- Git Fundamentals
- Branching and Merging
- GitHub and Collaboration
- Automation, Portfolio and Workflow
Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations
Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap
HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap in a live editor, and a first website published with GitHub Pages.
13 hr 5 min
You'll learn
- HTML: Build the Structure
- CSS: Style and Layout
- JavaScript: Make It Interactive
- Bootstrap, Building and Launching
Full courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional
Linux and Networking Basics
The command line, files, processes and HTTP that every server runs on.
About 7 hours
You'll learn
- The Command Line
- Finding Things in Text
- awk for Columns
- Files and Permissions
- Processes, Memory and Disk
- SSH and the Auth Log
- IP Addresses and Ports
- DNS and HTTP
- Shell Scripts and Cron
- Final Project
2Module 2CoreFrom code that works once to software a team can trust.
Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 2 · Practical Skills
Software Engineering with Python
Tests, debugging, validation, Git, code review and an API, on a company's invoicing code.
About 7 hours
You'll learn
- From Script to Functions
- Money and Rounding
- Modules and Tests
- Edge Cases and Boundaries
- Debugging
- Validating Input
- Version Control with Git
- Code Review
- Building an API
- Final Project
Full courseFree introductionLevel 2 · Practical Skills· Optional
SQL for Data Analysis
Query the databases your applications store data in.
About 10 hours
You'll learn
- Introduction to Databases
- Relational Databases and SQL Tools
- SELECT
- WHERE
- ORDER BY
- LIMIT
- Aggregate Functions
- GROUP BY
- HAVING
- JOINs
- CASE Statements
- Subqueries
- CTEs
- Window Functions
- Business Analysis with SQL
- Final Project
3Module 3SpecialistBuild for the web and ship safely.
Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 2 · Practical Skills
Web Development with JavaScript
An accessible, responsive payment page with exact money, validation, fetch and tests.
About 7 hours
You'll learn
- How the Web Works
- JavaScript Essentials
- Arrays, Objects and Formatting
- HTML and Accessibility
- CSS Layout and Responsive Design
- The DOM and Events
- Form Validation
- Fetch and Async Code
- Testing JavaScript
- Final Project
Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 3 · Professional
Databases and APIs for Developers
Schemas, constraints, transactions, migrations and a tested REST API, on a real company's invoicing data.
About 7 hours
You'll learn
- Why Applications Need Databases
- Designing a Schema
- Constraints and Integrity
- Queries from Code
- Transactions
- Indexes and Query Plans
- Migrations
- REST API Design
- Testing the API
- Final Project
4Module 4CapstoneReal bugs in a real codebase, fixed properly and shipped, as a portfolio piece.
CapstoneProfessional curriculumLevel 4 · Career Projects
Software Developer Capstone: Fix It Properly
Six bug reports, a risky pull request and a release, on a Flask and SQLite refunds service.
About 12 hours
You'll learn
- The Codebase and the Bug List
- Reproduce Before You Fix
- Fix the Money and the Window
- Close the Security Hole
- No Double Refunds
- A Stricter API
- Reviewing a Pull Request
- Ship It
5Module 5CareerTurn your skills into applications that get interviews.
Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional
Career Essentials
An ATS-friendly CV and a LinkedIn profile recruiters can find.
1 hr 30 min
You'll learn
- Build a CV with AI
- A Professional LinkedIn Profile
- Quick Excel Analysis
Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional
Build Your Student Portfolio
One link that shows your repositories, tests and projects.
1 hr 25 min
You'll learn
- Plan Your Portfolio
- Show Your Work
- Build Your Portfolio Page
- Share Your Work on LinkedIn

Courses marked "In preparation" join the programme when they're ready. If you've already earned the programme badge by then, you keep it.

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Professional Software Development

Self-paced

11 courses

Capstone project

Professional certificate

What you'll be able to do

Python functions, modules and packages
Automated testing with pytest
Debugging and input validation
Git workflow and code review
Building and testing web APIs
Shipping code through CI/CD

Enrolment opens soon

Enrolment is closed for now.

What's included

11 courses in one structured programme, 4 of them professional-only
Self-paced
Capstone project
Professional certificate included when you earn the programme badge

Programme overview

Professional outcome

Write software that's correct, tested and safe to change.

Full curriculum, module by module

Free introductions are open to everyone. The professional curriculum goes deeper, with real-world projects and assessments, and unlocks when you enroll.

1Module 1FoundationThe language and the tools every developer uses.

Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations

Python for Beginners

Python from the first line: variables, lists, loops and functions.

5 hr 20 min

You'll learn

First Steps in Python
Variables and Data Types
Numbers and Maths
Working with Text
Conditions: if, elif and else
Lists and Tuples
Loops: for and while
Dictionaries and Sets
Functions and a Mini Project
Errors, Modules and Next Steps

Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations

Git & GitHub: From First Commit to Pull Request

Version control and GitHub, so your work is saved, shared and visible.

6 hours

You'll learn

Git Fundamentals
Branching and Merging
GitHub and Collaboration
Automation, Portfolio and Workflow

Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations

Web Development: HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap

HTML, CSS, JavaScript and Bootstrap in a live editor, and a first website published with GitHub Pages.

13 hr 5 min

You'll learn

HTML: Build the Structure
CSS: Style and Layout
JavaScript: Make It Interactive
Bootstrap, Building and Launching

Full courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional

Linux and Networking Basics

The command line, files, processes and HTTP that every server runs on.

About 7 hours

You'll learn

The Command Line
Finding Things in Text
awk for Columns
Files and Permissions
Processes, Memory and Disk
SSH and the Auth Log
IP Addresses and Ports
DNS and HTTP
Shell Scripts and Cron
Final Project

2Module 2CoreFrom code that works once to software a team can trust.

Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 2 · Practical Skills

Software Engineering with Python

Tests, debugging, validation, Git, code review and an API, on a company's invoicing code.

About 7 hours

You'll learn

From Script to Functions
Money and Rounding
Modules and Tests
Edge Cases and Boundaries
Debugging
Validating Input
Version Control with Git
Code Review
Building an API
Final Project

Full courseFree introductionLevel 2 · Practical Skills· Optional

SQL for Data Analysis

Query the databases your applications store data in.

About 10 hours

You'll learn

Introduction to Databases
Relational Databases and SQL Tools
SELECT
WHERE
ORDER BY
LIMIT
Aggregate Functions
GROUP BY
HAVING
JOINs
CASE Statements
Subqueries
CTEs
Window Functions
Business Analysis with SQL
Final Project

3Module 3SpecialistBuild for the web and ship safely.

Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 2 · Practical Skills

Web Development with JavaScript

An accessible, responsive payment page with exact money, validation, fetch and tests.

About 7 hours

You'll learn

How the Web Works
JavaScript Essentials
Arrays, Objects and Formatting
HTML and Accessibility
CSS Layout and Responsive Design
The DOM and Events
Form Validation
Fetch and Async Code
Testing JavaScript
Final Project

Full courseProfessional curriculumLevel 3 · Professional

Databases and APIs for Developers

Schemas, constraints, transactions, migrations and a tested REST API, on a real company's invoicing data.

About 7 hours

You'll learn

Why Applications Need Databases
Designing a Schema
Constraints and Integrity
Queries from Code
Transactions
Indexes and Query Plans
Migrations
REST API Design
Testing the API
Final Project

4Module 4CapstoneReal bugs in a real codebase, fixed properly and shipped, as a portfolio piece.

CapstoneProfessional curriculumLevel 4 · Career Projects

Software Developer Capstone: Fix It Properly

Six bug reports, a risky pull request and a release, on a Flask and SQLite refunds service.

About 12 hours

You'll learn

The Codebase and the Bug List
Reproduce Before You Fix
Fix the Money and the Window
Close the Security Hole
No Double Refunds
A Stricter API
Reviewing a Pull Request
Ship It

5Module 5CareerTurn your skills into applications that get interviews.

Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional

Career Essentials

An ATS-friendly CV and a LinkedIn profile recruiters can find.

1 hr 30 min

You'll learn

Build a CV with AI
A Professional LinkedIn Profile
Quick Excel Analysis

Short courseFree introductionLevel 1 · Foundations· Optional

Build Your Student Portfolio

One link that shows your repositories, tests and projects.

1 hr 25 min

You'll learn

Plan Your Portfolio
Show Your Work
Build Your Portfolio Page
Share Your Work on LinkedIn

Courses marked "In preparation" join the programme when they're ready. If you've already earned the programme badge by then, you keep it.