Kickstart your software development career

Software development is a team-based process with a diverse range of roles in the sector. On this two-week course, you’ll explore the fundamentals of software development and understand the different roles within a development team.

You’ll learn about different development jobs such as requirement engineers and back-end developers and discover the key skills needed for success.

Gain practical insights from an industry professional who has successfully transitioned into software development and get guidance on how to start your own career.

Explore the variety of software developer jobs

Find out about different career paths in software development and the diverse industries that hire developers. Reflect on which sector aligns your interests and goals.

Learn about the hiring process and get tips on preparing for job interviews

Delve into the software development cycle

Understand the full cycle of software development, including its applications and challenges.

Explore key legal, social, and ethical issues relevant to the field.

Gain the skills to become a successful software developer

Under the guidance of experts from the School of Computing at the University of Leeds, you’ll gain foundational knowledge and practical insights into software development. By the end of the course, you’ll be prepared to start your career in this field.

Syllabus

Week 1
The software development team
- Welcome to the course
  Discover the roles within a software development team and the skills needed to succeed. Explore various development jobs and learn about the legal, social, and ethical concerns important for developers to understand.
- Meet the software development team
  Discover the inner workings of a software development team and gain insights into the roles and skills that power this dynamic field. Learn about various team roles and how they collaborate.
- Being a great developer
  Learn the essential skills beyond programming developers need, focusing on ethical development and understanding relevant laws. Discover common ethical issues and the significance of intellectual property.
Week 2
Starting your career
- Careers in software development
  Explore the diverse employment opportunities in software development across various industries. Learn about different sectors that hire developers and the specific skills they seek.
- Meet the software development team
  Gain insights into the software development recruitment process, from application steps to career progression, with tips from a seasoned developer. Learn how to navigate the recruitment tasks and prepare effectively.

When would you like to start?

Start straight away and join a global classroom of learners. If the course hasn’t started yet you’ll see the future date listed below.

Available now

Learning on this course

On every step of the course you can meet other learners, share your ideas and join in with active discussions in the comments.

What will you achieve?

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to...

Describe the range of roles within software development and the different skill profiles needed to succeed
Discuss some of the challenges in software development, including social, legal and ethical concerns
Explain the different sectors where a software developer might work

Who is the course for?

This course is designed for beginners interested in exploring the basics of software development. It’s suitable for anyone wanting to understand various roles, gain industry insights, and develop the foundational skills needed to start a career in software development. Click Start, dedicated to addressing digital disparities for underrepresented groups, provides complimentary access to this course from the esteemed University of Leeds. Participants benefit from full access to course materials, graded assignments, and certificates—completely free of charge. This initiative helps enhance your skills and prepare for a career in software development.

Who will you learn with?

Sam Wilson

I am currently an Associate professor in the School of Computer Science, University of Leeds. Graduating with a PhD in theoretical computer science I am focused on computer science pedagogies.

Who developed the course?

University of Leeds

As one of the UK’s largest research-based universities, the University of Leeds is a member of the prestigious Russell Group and a centre of excellence for teaching.

Click Start

This course is part of Click Start, a nationwide training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC) , a national collaboration of universities, employers and charities and funded by Nominet – the public benefit company and guardians of the .UK namespace.

Institute of Coding

The Institute of Coding (IoC) is a national collaboration of employers, universities, and charities, on a mission to provide people from all walks of life with access to digital learning and career opportunities.

Endorsers and supporters

funded by

What's included?

University of Leeds are offering everyone who joins this course a free digital upgrade, so that you can experience the full benefits of studying online for free. This means that you get:

Unlimited access to this course

Includes any articles, videos, peer reviews and quizzes

Tests to validate your learning

A PDF Certificate of Achievement to prove your success when you’re eligible

Learning on FutureLearn

Your learning, your rules

Courses are split into weeks, activities, and steps to help you keep track of your learning
Learn through a mix of bite-sized videos, long- and short-form articles, audio, and practical activities
Stay motivated by using the Progress page to keep track of your step completion and assessment scores

Join a global classroom

Experience the power of social learning, and get inspired by an international network of learners
Share ideas with your peers and course educators on every step of the course
Join the conversation by reading, @ing, liking, bookmarking, and replying to comments from others

Map your progress

As you work through the course, use notifications and the Progress page to guide your learning
Whenever you’re ready, mark each step as complete, you’re in control
Complete 90% of course steps and all of the assessments to earn your certificate

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