Python Preparation Programme

Overview

This is the University of Essex Open Python Course. It is a free Python course created by the Computer Science and Electronic Engineering department of the University of Essex. This course introduces Python and introduces programming for beginners. Even if you've never programmed before, you can take these tutorials. 

These tutorials contain everything you need to get started.  You don't even need a programming environment installed on your computer - you can run the code within the questions themselves, inside the web browser.

Some younger students may need guidance with certain mathematical formulae appearing in this course (eg, area of a circle, volume of a sphere, Celsius and Fahrenheit, mathematical operators including powers and roots, etc).

Topics 

• Variables and Data Types
• Processing user input
• Program control flow, using "if/elif/else" structures, for loops and while loops
• Creating and using functions
• The built-in Python Data Structures: Lists, Tuples, Dictionaries and Sets
• Several simple text-based games and challenges, to practise all of the above

How to enrol

Sign-up for the Python Preparation Programme in a few simple steps:

• Register with Open Essex. Follow the step-by-step instructions and remember to keep your username and password somewhere safe
• Check your inbox. Authorise your Open Essex account using the link provided in the sign-up email
• Enrol on the Python Preparation Programme. Log into Open Essex and press ‘enrol me'
• You're ready to roll! Work your way through each module in your own time. Once you've completed these tutorials, you'll have access to a downloadable certificate of achievement!

If you want to prepare for Higher Education and are in Year 12 or 13, why not try out our University Preparation Programme?