This course is FREE for Londoners who are on a Low-Income or on Active Benefits or Other Benefits or if you do not already have a full level 3 qualification. Find out more
This course is FREE for Londoners who are on a Low-Income or on Active Benefits or Other Benefits or if you do not already have a full level 3 qualification.
Level 3 Certificate in Software Development, Gateway Qualifications
The Free Courses for Jobs initiative is for Londoners aged 24 or over at the start of the course who are: on a low-income; or on certain benefits; or do not have a full level 3 qualification. For more information Click here
The course fee is £2699.00. If you are unable to pay the course fee upfront, you can choose to apply for an Advanced Learning Loan from the Student Loans Company (SLC) to help cover the cost. The Advanced Learner loan available for this course is £1645.00. The remaining fee of £1054.00 will need to be paid at enrolment. If you are unable to pay this fee upfront, you can talk to our Information, Advice and Guidance team who will advise you on other financial support available. You can contact the Advice and Guidance Team by phone on (0203 871 3111) or by email: advice@citylit.ac.uk. The Loan is repayable after the course ends. For more information, please call Business & Technology on 020 7492 2515. You can find more information about the Advanced Learner Loan here www.citylit.ac.uk/advanced-learner-loans
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Choose a starting date
Learning modes and locations may be different depending on the course start date. Please check the location of your chosen course and read our guide to learning modes and locations to help you choose the right course for you.
- Start Date: 28 Oct 2025End Date: 23 May 2026Tue+Sat (Evening): 18:15 - 21:15Learn both online and in-personLocation: Blended (learn both online and in-person)Duration: 25 sessions (over -30 weeks)Course Code: CSDQ01Tutors: Sathish Boini, Kathryn ColdhamFull fee £2,699.00 Senior fee £2,699.00 Concession £2,699.00
Please note: We offer a wide variety of financial support to make courses affordable. Just visit our online Help Centre for more information on a range of topics including fees, online learning and FAQs.
What is the course about?
The future of work is evolving rapidly. This course will help you secure your career by equipping you with in-demand tech skills and preparing you for success in the digital workforce.
The course offers a strong foundation in Software Development, equipping you with essential skills to start a career or advance in your current role as well as progress to a qualification in the same sector or a related area at a higher level.
With technical software development skills highly sought after by employers, this course will help distinguish you from other candidates and open new career opportunities.
The Level 3 curriculum covers the core aspects of modern software development, employing practical, project-based methods to enhance your learning.
This qualification will be supported by a comprehensive learning support package, provided by Code Institute, including a learner management system and learning content.
What will we cover?
1. Project Management: we will look at project management methodologies, use project management software to plan an IT project, track progress, and review the outcomes to determine project success.
2. JavaScript: use of JavaScript in web development.
3. Object-Orientated Programming with Python: we will examine the underpinning concepts of object-oriented programming to develop skills in an object-oriented language.
4. Programming Implementation: we will look at the underpinning concepts of programming and how it is implemented.
5. Software Testing: develop an understanding of testing strategies and techniques.
What will I achieve?
By the end of this course you should be able to...
1. Utilise project management concepts and the processes and tools used by organisations to manage IT projects. Learners will experience the concepts, processes, and tools used to manage IT projects.
2. Develop an understanding of JavaScript as a text-based programming language to create interactive elements on web pages.
3. Recognise the features of object-oriented programming in Python
4. Use tools and techniques of an object-oriented programming language using Python.
5. Design and develop an object-oriented program in Python to meet requirements
6. Test and document an object-oriented program
7. Explain the principles and concepts of programming languages and how programming is implemented.
8. Understand the importance of good programming practices.
9. Understand functional and non-functional requirements in programming
10. Develop an understanding of testing strategies and techniques and the stages from planning to acceptance testing. Recognize how automation can be applied to software testing and implement test plans, identify appropriate test data and record results.
What level is the course and do I need any particular skills?
As this is a level 3 portfolio based accredited course you will be required to complete tasks in your portfolio so your written English should be at least at level 2 GCSE or equivalent.
No prior knowledge of Software Development is required but you should be a confident computer user with good file management skills.
Admission to the course is contingent upon a successful completion of an initial assessment with the Code institute and a short interview with the Head of the curriculum afterwards. You should complete the application form first by clicking the Start Assessment button on our website.
How will I be taught, and will there be any work outside the class?
This course has a blended format. It will be delivered online with a 3-hour session per week. Additionally, you will be required to come in the college for five Saturdays during the duration of this course. Additionally, there are five in person Saturday sessions from 10:30am – 4:30pm in our campus. For more information about these sessions please contact us at computing@citylit.ac.uk
You will engage with an online Learning Management System that also provides analytics and tracking to support your progress throughout the course.
Students should allocate 8-10 hours per week for self-directed study. Throughout the course, students are expected to give regular progress updates to the group during these sessions. Additionally, there will be scheduled assessments to evaluate progress and understanding.
Are there any other costs? Is there anything I need to bring?
There are no additional costs. Learning will take place via Slack and an online Learning Management System, and all course materials will be provided.
You need access to a laptop/computer with a working camera that can run Chrome browser efficiently, a good internet connection and a notebook.
When I've finished, what course can I do next?
The skills learnt on this course will not only open a wide range of job opportunities, but also compliment any existing skills that translate across all industries. This course will allow you to begin working in entry level tech roles, and you can also progress to the Level 5 Diploma in Software Development or a relevant degree programme in higher education.
Please note: We reserve the right to change our tutors from those advertised. This happens rarely, but if it does, we are unable to refund fees due to this. Our tutors may have different teaching styles; however we guarantee a consistent quality of teaching in all our courses.