Level 3 Certificate in Coding Practices

1. Principles of Professional Coding Practices Writing clean, efficient, and maintainable code.

2. Programming Standards & Style Guides Industry conventions for Python, Java, JavaScript, and C#.

3. Code Documentation & Commenting Creating audit‑ready documentation and technical notes.

4. Version Control & Collaboration Tools Git, GitHub, branching strategies, and collaborative workflows.

5. Debugging & Error Handling Techniques Identifying, fixing, and preventing runtime and logical errors.

6. Testing & Quality Assurance Unit testing, integration testing, and test‑driven development (TDD).

7. Secure Coding Practices Input validation, authentication, and protection against vulnerabilities.

8. Software Development Lifecycle (SDLC) Agile, Scrum, and DevOps methodologies for structured development.

9. Audit‑Ready Code & Compliance Standards IEEE, W3C, and ISO standards for software quality and compliance.

10. Case Studies & Practical Coding Projects Real‑world projects demonstrating professional coding practices.

• Builds competence in professional coding standards and practices

• Enhances compliance with RQF, BCS, IEEE, and W3C standards

• Strengthens skills in documentation, testing, and secure coding

• Provides tools for audit‑ready coding projects and compliance frameworks

• Offers recognized certification to support careers in software development, IT support, and programming leadership

• Learners with prior coding knowledge (e.g., UCOD‑212 – Level 2 Award in Understanding Coding)

• Students seeking progression into professional software development

• Junior programmers aiming to formalize their skills with industry‑aligned certification

• Assessment Type: Written exam + coding project + viva

• Format: MCQs, applied coding tasks, project submission, and oral defense

• Total Questions: 70 theory + 1 coding project + 1 viva

• Passing Score: 70%

• Duration: 6–8 weeks (120–150 hours total)

• Certification: Level 3 Certificate in Coding Practices (CODP)

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.