Build practical coding foundations across Python, JavaScript, HTML, CSS, SQL, version control, software delivery and secure coding awareness.
Build a practical starting point in coding and web development. This 18-week beginner programme develops programming, version control and problem-solving through guided exercises and a personal portfolio project.
What you will develop
- Write Python using variables, control flow and functions; explore JavaScript functions, DOM interaction and events.
- Create web pages and layouts with HTML and CSS, and practise basic SQL querying, filtering and joins.
- Use Git and GitHub to manage code; develop software-lifecycle, Agile, debugging and testing awareness.
- Use AI for code explanation, documentation and debugging support while verifying generated code.
- Develop secure-coding awareness, input validation and introductory OWASP concepts.
Practical work
Create a personal portfolio website with documented code and a GitHub repository. Explain your implementation, changes, testing and what you would improve next.
Career directions
Explore junior web, frontend and Python-development opportunities, alongside coding-enabled support and introductory testing work. Employers may require further technical depth and practical evidence.
UK salary and contract-rate guide
Evidence reviewed: 6 October 2026. These examples describe named-role employment markets and help you explore career progression.
The National Careers Service software developer profile spans £30,000 starter to £75,000 experienced a year. This is whole-career context, not a junior-only range or an immediate post-course expectation.
Explore the software developer career and salary profile
Junior contract-rate evidence remains limited. Professional contractor benchmarks should not be treated as entry-level expectations.
Salary and contract-rate figures are indicative UK market ranges based on publicly available evidence reviewed at the stated date. Actual earnings vary according to experience, location, employer, sector, qualifications, responsibilities and employment type. Course completion does not guarantee employment, promotion or a particular level of earnings.
Mentoring and career support
Mentoring connects technical learning with practical development and professional evidence. Your programme includes six months of job-search support and three months of in-role support. Discuss the arrangements and starting dates with our team, including CV, LinkedIn and interview preparation. Employment is not guaranteed.
Certification and assessment information
The source identifies Python, JavaScript, HTML/CSS, version-control and Agile learning certificates, plus RDE AI-assisted coding and secure-coding certificates. These labels do not specify a single external awarding body. Confirm the exact provider, award and assessment with RDE before enrolment.
Programme completion is separate from passing an awarding body examination. Confirm preparation, assessments, examination access, additional costs and renewal arrangements before enrolment. No vendor award or examination pass is guaranteed by course completion.
Your next step
Register your interest to discuss your experience, starting point, current delivery arrangements, tools and software access, assessment, certification options, fees and any available funding. Confirm the current intake and support arrangements before making a commitment.