Build software engineering foundations across programming, version control, Agile delivery, testing, databases, DevOps awareness, secure coding and practical application development.
Build the habits behind reliable software delivery. This 18-week foundation programme connects programming, collaboration, manual testing and secure-development awareness through a small application project.
What you will develop
- Explore engineering roles and the software lifecycle, including Agile, Scrum and Kanban practices.
- Develop programming fundamentals using Python, JavaScript, HTML and CSS, with introductory SQL and databases.
- Use Git and GitHub for version control and collaboration; review and verify GitHub Copilot suggestions.
- Create manual test cases, investigate defects and record clear bug reports.
- Explore CI/CD, AWS cloud concepts and secure-coding awareness.
Practical work
Build a simple web application and supporting test cases. Present the repository, test evidence, defect records and improvements you made to the application.
Career directions
Explore junior development, QA support and introductory software-testing opportunities. Employers may require additional stack knowledge, qualifications and practical experience.
UK salary and contract-rate guide
Evidence reviewed: 6 October 2026. These examples describe named-role markets for career planning.
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
Test Analyst/QA
Permanent salary: £28,250 to £51,000 a year, the 25th to 75th percentiles in Robert Half’s 2026 UK national guide. The related-position table uses a combined Test Analyst/QA title; this is not a junior-only or manual-tester-only distribution.
Permanent Test Analyst/QA source: related-position table
Junior-specific contract evidence remains limited; experienced contractor figures are not 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 fundamentals, Agile fundamentals and GitHub proficiency learning awards, together with introductory ISTQB awareness. Agree the exact provider and assessment for these generic labels. Testing awareness is not itself ISTQB Certified Tester Foundation Level certification.
Programme completion is separate from passing a vendor examination. Confirm current preparation scope, eligibility, examination access, additional costs, subscriptions and renewal arrangements before enrolment. No awarding-body accreditation, examination pass or vendor award is implied by attending RDE.
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.