Introduction to Python Programming
Gain an understanding of fundamental Python programming principles, concepts, and the software lifecycle.
This course offers a hands-on experience to discover a versatile language used across various domains. Python’s clear and concise syntax is beginner-friendly, making it an excellent choice for those new to programming. Python has a large and active community, offering extensive support, libraries, and frameworks for web development, data analysis, machine learning, and more.
Topics
- Introduction to programming logic and design: the programming environment, variables and data types, control structures (conditionals loops), working with lists and strings, input and output, functions, classes, files.
- Interpreting errors and exceptions, testing and simple debugging of code.
- Reusing existing functionality: libraries and APIs, developing and/or extending existing solutions.
- Tools and techniques for sharing software solutions.
- Version control.
- Software Development Life Cycle.
RGU Upskilling
Undertaking a RGU online short course can help you to develop or change your career or support your business to grow.
We're proud to offer a range of online short courses tailored to meet the evolving needs of businesses and individuals both locally, nationally and in the global community. Additionally, if you are domiciled in Scotland, you may be eligible for a fee-waiver place, which means you could study for free. Identified and created in collaboration with industry, these credit-bearing online courses are designed to enhance employability for individuals and organisations looking to upskill their workforce.
Find out more about the range of courses on offer and the benefits of studying online with RGU:
Learning methods
The course has four modules delivered online, via the University's Virtual Learning Environment Moodle.
- Recorded Lectures: approximately 2 hours/week in total, presented as short bite-sized (20-30 minute) lessons
- Tutorial exercises: a range of guided exercises to help participants further explore the principles covered in lectures.
Assessment
- Regular formative quizzes to check your understanding and progress.
- A software design and development exercise to bring together elements of the course.
Independent Study
- Materials and exercises are available online, allowing participants to study flexibly and independently at time and place to fit around existing work and life commitments.
- Further reading resources.
- Online tutor support.
Staff Delivering on This Course
The School has a vast experience delivering Python programming at all levels, from BSc (Hons) to MSc. Python is also central to the School’s strong track record in industry and research projects applying AI and Machine Learning to areas such as energy, health care, transport and tourism.
Staff at the School of Computing are recognised for their student-centred approach to teaching and support, with a number of them receiving STAR awards year on year.
Find out moreRGUflex
There are no prerequisites for this course.
Academic Year 2025/2026
Fee-waiver places
If you are domiciled in Scotland, you may be eligible for a fee-waiver place, meaning you can study for free.
To meet the requirements to be allocated a funded place, applicants must meet the criteria to be assessed as "Home" for the purposes of fees. Find out more about the Fee Status and the Scottish Government regulations that we use to make our assessment:
Eligibility is assessed on application and further evidence may be required.
All other applicants
Applicants who are not eligible for a fee-waiver place will be required to meet the module cost to study:
- Course fee - £520 for entire module
Additional Costs
Some other costs are not included in the course fees:
Disclaimer
For new intakes, course fees are reviewed and published annually for each mode of delivery. Tuition fees are fixed for the duration of a course at the rate confirmed in the offer letter. For further information:
Any Questions?
Get in touch with the team and we'll do our best to help.