Glasgow Code Learning Digital Skills Courses: Developer

What is Developer?

Developer is our intermediate level. We offer FREE 6-week introductory courses to people of all ages with no or limited experience. 

If you are aged between 16 and 19 years old and not already in receipt of benefits, you could be eligible to receive a Training Allowance of up to £65 per week for the duration of your course.

If you complete a Developer course, you’ll achieve an SQA National Progression Award (NPA) at SCQF Level 5 or 6. There are four separate Developer courses you can study and you can progress on the pathway to a Pro course.

What will I study?

Web Design (Introduction to Coding) (Level 5)

This course is an entry-level introduction to designing and creating websites. Ideal for those with little-to-no previous experience. It is a springboard for future web designers and developers. It consists of three units:

Computing: Website Design and Development – focuses on HTML and CSS. You will analyse a brief, identifying the purpose and audience of the website. You will then design and develop a website before you test it.

Computing: Website Graphics – focuses on the main technical aspects of producing graphics for websites. You will learn about the different graphical file formats, and how to optimise graphics for quality and performance.

Computing: Interactive Multimedia – building on your knowledge and experience of building websites using HTML and CSS. This unit will help you add interactivity to websites using a client-side script, as well as understand the usability issues web designers face when trying to bring a website to life.

**Please note - computational competency is essential. Learners should have basic IT skills and the ability to use a computer or laptop – not just a phone or tablet - to join the Web Design (Introduction to Coding) (Level 5) course.

Software Development (Level 6) 

This course focuses on computer programming and will introduce you to coding. It consists of three units:

Software Design and Development – covering basic concepts of designing, developing, and testing software.

Computing: Applications Development – focuses on developing general application software. You will learn how to design and create apps using a development environment. You will learn some basic programming skills and constructs like variables, loops, and functions. You will develop your programming and problem solving, as well as a knowledge and understanding of design concepts. You will have a knowledge and understanding of the different methodologies for testing and evaluation.

Computing: Authoring a Website – introduces the concepts required to develop software as part of a website. Introducing you to HTML and CSS, you will learn how to use web authoring tools to plan and develop a small website to meet a client’s brief. In the process explore the main factors that can affect website performance and user experience.

**Please note - computational and coding competency is essential. Learners should have gained our Web Design (Introduction to Coding) (Level 5) accreditation previously or have demonstrable experience/knowledge of coding to join the Software Development (Level 6) course.

AI and Data Science (Level 6)

This course focuses on the study of data and how it is used to help organisations make better decisions. It consists of three units:

Data Citizenship - focuses on how data is used and misused in society and business with positive and negative effects. You will learn about data security and the legal rights and responsibilities of data subjects and data owners. You will learn to use data responsibly, develop your understanding of the data science process and be able to identify ways to apply that process to large datasets. 

Data Science - concentrates on the main methods of data analysis. Introducing you to the applications of data science, data ethics, and how to present data using dashboards and visualisations. You will gain practical skills in analysing large datasets using contemporary software. Learners will be able to apply this knowledge to real-world problems using software to identify trends in data and make predictions about the future. 

Machine Learning - provides a grounding in some of the computational approaches relating to machine learning, along with an appreciation of methods to prepare and select data to facilitate model development and use. You will develop skills in fitting and evaluating a predictive model and introduce strategies to measure and improve model performance. 

**Please note – computational, numerical and coding competency is essential. Learners should have a minimum SCQF Level 5 in maths and previous experience/knowledge in coding in Python to join the AI and Data Science (Level 6) course.

Cyber Security (Level 6)

This course focuses on the technologies, processes and practices designed to protect networks, computers, programs and data from attack, damage, or unauthorized access.

There are three units:

Data Security – learn about data security in the real world and explore current practices in corporate data security. This includes legal and ethical considerations, as well as practical methods to protect personal and corporate data.

Digital Forensics – focuses on examining digital evidence. You will gain practical skills in identifying evidential sources across a range of digital devices and mediums. Using these sources of evidence, you will then analyse and interpret data, its relevancy to an inquiry under investigation and the reporting of that information.

Ethical Hacking – helps you to develop a competent understanding of tools and techniques used by malicious and ethical hackers. By the end of this Unit, you will have the ability to implement techniques and technologies used to defend systems from attack. You will evaluate the Scottish, UK and EU legislation and ethics of hacking.

**Please note - computational competency is essential. Learners should have basic IT skills and the ability to use a computer or laptop – not just a phone or tablet – to join the Cyber Security (Level 6) course.

How is Developer taught?

Glasgow Life works in partnership with Glasgow Clyde College to deliver the course. The class arrangements can vary between in-college classes and a hybrid of in-college and online tutor-led classes.

Courses run continuously throughout the year, ask for more information.

Is Developer right for me?

Our Developer courses are for:

• Beginners with no or limited prior experience
• People considering a future in the digital sector
• People considering a career change
• People with historical experience who want to update their skills
• People with a general interest who want to earn a qualification

If you are not confident or do not have previous IT experience, then try our Basic Digital Course in PC Passport. It will help you prepare for GCL Developer if you do not already have the required skills/experience. 

Once you have completed a Developer course, you can move on to our Pro courses.