Coding & Programming Courses
Learn how to code or build your skills in programming online to gain a better understanding of how websites and apps are designed and developed.
Topics related to Coding & Programming
Courses47 Courses
Learn new skills, pursue your interests or advance your career with our short online courses.
ExpertTracks5 ExpertTracks
A series of courses designed to help you specialise your skills. Start a free two-day trial, subscribe to keep learning at your own pace, and cancel your subscription whenever you like.
Microcredentials2 Microcredentials
Our online microcredentials are designed to upskill you for work in rapidly-growing industries, without the time and cost commitment of a full degree. They can be used as an independent certification, and some even offer academic credit to use towards a degree. Each microcredential also includes a formal online assessment.
Coding and programming are key growth areas in 2020 and are expected to expand further with the advent of new technologies.
Employers across all kinds of industries are looking for candidates with knowledge in these areas.
They’re also pastimes that can be incredibly creative and rewarding, with low barriers to entry. Our range of courses caters to both digital professionals and hobbyists.
Studying coding and programming online
Coding and programming are increasingly taught in schools, so those who have completed their formal education may feel that they need to upskill to keep up with the changing pace within their industry.
An understanding of code or programming languages allows people to engage more fully with the latest technology within their industry, and stay on top of the latest trends.
For newcomers to the industry, taking a course can build a new vocabulary to understand these areas and form a foundation for further study.
From here, you can start exploring your interests in more detail with a better knowledge of programming languages or their applications.
If you already have some knowledge of the subjects, some additional study can improve your employability and job prospects, or offer you a time and place with experiments such as programming a robotic arm or building your first chatbot.
So, whether you’re looking to kick-start your coding career or progress your programming potential, the benefits of choosing an online course are clear to see.
Choosing a coding or programming course
Our portfolio caters to everybody, from novices through to seasoned professionals who may want to pass on their skills and knowledge.
Total beginners might want to try something like a course giving an introduction to databases and SQL. Here, you’ll learn the fundamentals of why databases are essential, and how the SQL language can search and manipulate data.
If you’ve already established some coding skills, you’ll likely want a more challenging course. A good example is our course on advanced data mining with Weka. This powerful tool is used for data analysis and predictive modelling.
Coding and programming qualifications
Many of our shorter courses offer you the chance to earn a Certificate of Achievement upon completion. These can be a great way of showing your dedication to continued learning and show your achievement on your CV.
If you want to earn academic credit through your studies, a microcredential might be the right choice for you. This method of learning gives you industry-relevant skills, as well as either independent certification or credit towards a degree if you choose to continue your studies.
Coding and Programming FAQs
What is coding used for?
Computer code is written to give instructions to computers to complete tasks. Every line of code tells the computer to do something, and it can be used to create software, apps, websites and more.
What coding language should I learn?
There is no right or wrong answer to this question. Different coding languages are used for different purposes, so it depends on what your main aim is. However, if you’re interested in some of the principles of coding, languages such as Python and JavaScript are an easy place to get started.
How do you improve coding skills?
The best way to improve your coding skills is to keep practising. Whether it’s taking one of our online courses or working on your own coding projects, you can keep developing the skills you’ve learned.
Can I teach myself programming?
It is certainly possible to teach yourself coding and programming skills. A big part of this discipline is finding your own answers and solutions to problems. You’ll find that many of our programming courses will give you the chance to do exactly this, within a learning structure.
What is the difference between coding and programming?
The terms are often used interchangeably, but there are some differences. Coding is the process of writing code, whereas programming is the process of creating functioning software or a computer program.
What is object-oriented programming?
Object-oriented programming is a way of computer programming that focuses on designing software around data (object) as opposed to functions and logic. Programming languages such as Java, Python, and C++ are all object-oriented.
What higher education coding and programming options are there?
We offer a range of online software engineering degrees from world-class universities. With FutureLearn, you’ll find degrees of all different levels, including online software engineering master’s degrees.
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