The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: Online professional course (20 credits) Study duration: 13 weeks
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

Strong object-oriented programming skills are favoured by many employers, so develop yours with this online professional course. 

Throughout the course, you’ll discover the techniques and tools for developing, testing and debugging object-oriented programs in Python, Java and more – while learning to distinguish between objected orientation and procedural programming.  

You’ll cover a range of interesting topics, including: 

  • how to fix errors in object-oriented programs  
  • sustainable coding practices and how to choose the appropriate solution 
  • principles and concepts of object-oriented programming 

At the end of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to study one of our popular postgraduate computing courses. 

 

Why we’re great 

  • Build on your knowledge of common programming languages such as Python and Java.
  • Hone your critical thinking and analytical skills.
  • Learn how to use appropriate data structures for a given problem.
  • Study 100% online, part-time, so there’s no need for a career break.
  • Receive your online professional course certificate from the University of Essex, a top 30 UK university (Complete University Guide, 2025).

You’ll study the following topics as part of the online professional course: 

  • object-oriented programming philosophy 
  • working with UML 
  • working with objects and classes 
  • data structures in object-oriented programming 
  • debugging/error handling 
  • inheritance and polymorphism 
  • inheritance in practice  
  • packaging and testing 
  • pointers, references and memory 
  • advanced topics: design language evolution and design patterns 

Teaching methods 

Studying online gives you the freedom to complete your qualification when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or in a café. 

Our online professional courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you’ll have access to your study materials 24/7, including: 

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments 
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the module content with fellow students 
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors 
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals 
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team 

To ensure you receive high-quality tutor support, each class is capped at 20 students. 

 

Assessment methods 

You’ll be assessed exclusively through assignments. These include assessed discussion forums, written assignments and journal entries. 

We’re committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback in the following ways: 

  • our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent 
  • you’ll always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start 
  • you’ll be able to clearly view your marks in your gradebook whenever you log on to the learning platform 
  • there’s a seven-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work 
  • you’ll have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise 

  

Study duration 

Our ObjectOriented Programming online professional course has a study duration of 13 weeks, including a one-week induction to help you settle into online study. 

The Objected-Oriented Programming online professional course offers a whole host of opportunities. This will be beneficial whether you’re looking to climb the career ladder or take the first step into business – helping you stand out amongst the competition. 

If you wish to continue your studies and boost your prospects, you could choose additional computing online professional courses. Alternatively, you could progress onto the PG Cert Computer Science (60 credits), PG Dip Computer Science (120 credits) or the full MSc Computer Science (180 credits).

Please note, acceptance on to a postgraduate qualification is subject to meeting the entry requirements of your chosen programme. 

No formal qualifications or experience is necessary.  

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency of English is required. If English isn’t your first language, your ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.5. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.  

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you’re a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries. 

Please note, our online professional courses have a limited number of places available. We’ll always endeavour to get you started on your preferred date, but if this isn’t possible our Admissions team will be in touch to discuss alternative arrangements.

Full tuition fee:
£1,386 UK / £1,455 International (2024-25) Δ
 

  • Our online professional courses are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included. 
  • Alumni discount of 10% of the tuition fee available if you’re a previous graduate with the University of Essex or University of Essex Online.
  • We offer a 14-day moneyback guarantee, so if you decide your course isn’t for you during the first 14 days, we’ll give you a full refund. Terms and conditions apply. 

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach on our Objected Oriented Programming online professional course are experts in the business field.

What our students say

testimonials

Alice Villar -MSc Computer Science

Alongside studying my Masters, I also work as a Python instructor in a coding school.

I have a great deal of programming experience with Python and I’m passionate about game development. I’m a creative person and in my opinion, building games while studying is the best way to learn how to code.  Before starting a career in computer science, I was a lawyer and published three books – the first two on jurisprudence with a preface written by Luis Fux, a justice minister of the Supreme Federal Court. The third book focuses on banking law and has a preface written by Luis Felipe Salomão, a justice...

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