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Click Start by the University of Leeds - Foundations of Software Testing and Validation

Gain career-ready skills in software testing and development by designing robust test cases and applying industry standards. This free course is open to all ages!

You can start this free course at any time!
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This course is brought to you by:

Future Learn logo
Free
Short Course
Provider:
University of Leeds
Course length:
6-8 hours per course
Delivery method:
Online
Price:
Free
Subjects: Digital Skills, Software Development, Software Engineering
Age range: Open to all ages

Master Software Testing Best Practices

This flexible and free two-week course from the University of Leeds explores industry-standard software testing techniques to ensure quality and reliability.

Learn Core Testing Principles
Understand the Software Development Life Cycle (SDLC), dynamic testing techniques, and static code analysis tools.

Apply Best Practices
Develop test cases, validate software quality, and explore the ethical responsibilities of testing.

Learn from Industry Experts
Guided by University of Leeds specialists, this course equips you with essential software testing skills for a tech-driven world.

This free 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.

The programme, which launched in 2023, helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country who may not have previously had opportunities.

If you sign up to a Click Start programme, you’ll also get access to GetMyFirstDigitalJob, an online platform designed to help you find and land a digital job. It’s your new hub for jobs, support, and guidance for your digital career.

You’ll get access to job opportunities from employers looking for fresh talent, and a dedicated careers coach who’ll give you one-on-one support to guide you through your job search journey. There’s also learning modules to boost your employability skills in the areas you need them most, and exclusive live events where you can get your questions answered by experts from across the digital industry.

There’s never been a better reason to join a Click Start programme!

GetMyFirstDigitalJob was built by BCS and The Talent People to support the Click Start programme.

The Click Start by University of Leeds programme covers digital skills, as well as personal and professional development, designed to help you apply for a new job or access new opportunities with better pay.

This course takes 6-8 hours to complete, and you can learn at your own pace, on your own schedule, from the comfort of your home. All learning is self-guided, so you might do the course in less time!

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What will I learn?

Course Introduction

Master software testing techniques to ensure applications meet user needs. Gain hands-on experience with dynamic and static testing, and apply test design techniques like BVA and EP.

An introduction to software testing

Understand the fundamentals of software testing, its critical role in SDLC, and its importance in preventing costly errors. Learn about bugs, errors, and failures, and explore different types of testing and their applications.

Test levels and test types

Explore the four levels of testing in SDLC: unit, integration, system, and acceptance. Research functional and non-functional testing, share findings, and test your understanding with a quiz.

Software testing techniquies: Static testing

Explore static testing: review documentation and code without execution. Write your tests, use static analysis tools, and explore pseudocode exercises for early error detection and cost reduction.

Dynamic testing techniques

Explore dynamic testing, uncovering issues missed by static testing. Learn best practices and industry standards, understanding its crucial role in software development. Gain insights to improve software quality.

Test design techniques: Boundary value analysis and equivalence partitioning

Immerse yourself in test design with Equivalence Partitioning (EP) and Boundary Value Analysis (BVA). Learn, create, and share effective test cases, comparing both techniques for optimal use.

Software validation and quality assurance

Explore software validation and quality assurance, which are vital for creating reliable, trustworthy software. Learn the differences between validation and verification and understand quality assurance’s role in the SDLC.

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
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FAQS

Anyone can do this programme. However, Click Start is designed to support under-represented groups. The aim is to give you the digital skills you need to find new opportunities. Or get better pay. Or simply do what you want to do in life.

To start this free course now simply click here to join

All you need is an open mind. You don’t need experience. You don’t need to have been to university. All you need is curiosity and be ready to learn new things. Maybe you want a new direction? Maybe you want to upskill? Maybe you want a raise or promotion in your current role? Click Start gives you the head start you need.

It’s completely free. And no, there’s no catch. This programme has been developed in partnership with the Institute of Coding (IoC) and has been funded by Nominet to help reduce the UK’s digital skills gap.

This course is run by the University of Leeds, and the courses are hosted on the Future Learn platform. The Click Start programme was developed by the Institute of Coding and is funded by Nominet.

Free
Short Course
Provider:
University of Leeds
Course length:
6-8 hours per course
Delivery method:
Online
Price:
Free
Subjects: Digital Skills, Software Development, Software Engineering
Age range: Open to all ages