Skills Bootcamp in Agile and AI (Wiltshire)

Our Skills Bootcamp in Agile and AI equips you with the academic knowledge and practical skills required for your chosen industry. You'll cover the BCS syllabus and be given a strong theoretical foundation to pass the in-person exams. Alongside this, you'll attend industry contextualisation and take part in practical Agile scenarios.

You'll cover a variety of topics on the course including:

• Why Agile?, the Agile manifesto and mindset 
• Agile teams and practices 
• Practical applications 
• Terminology, general principles, benefits and types of AI 
• Meaning of AI including its history and key principles
• Legal, ethical and regulatory considerations when using AI 
• Identifying opportunities for AI and implementation.

Week one: Launch Week

During Launch Week, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with your fellow students and engage with your course lecturer. You’ll take part in a live teaching session, finalise the setup of any online learning tools, and attend a dedicated Wellbeing, Employability and Careers session.

Launch Week is designed to lay the foundations for a successful learning experience by helping you feel confident, informed, and prepared. It also provides time to access pre-reading materials, complete any outstanding enrolment tasks, and review the learner pack provided.

Week two: Agile Module

The Agile Project Management module provides a practical and theoretical foundation in managing projects using Agile methodologies. You’ll be introduced to key Agile principles, values, and framework such as Scrum and Kanban, focusing on iterative development, continuous feedback, and adaptive planning.

You’ll explore the roles within Agile teams, including Product Owner, Scrum Master, and Development Team, and how they collaborate to deliver value. The module emphasises user stories, backlog management, sprint planning, and review processes.

Week three: Study week

Study Week offers the opportunity to review past content, prepare for upcoming topics, and personalise your learning experience. Support is available through 1-to-1 sessions with lecturers and the Curriculum Administrator, as well as a tech drop-in for technical help.

Activities include a CV and Industry Day workshop, hands-on tasks with Figma, mock exams, and assigned reading to reinforce learning.

Week four: AI Module

The AI module introduces the fundamentals of artificial intelligence, including its history, key concepts, and types. It covers societal, ethical, and legal issues such as bias and privacy.

You’ll explore machine learning, generative AI, large language models, and data visualisation, while also learning how to apply AI in real-world and organisational contexts.

You'll be taught by industry professionals who have 30+ years of project management experience and 150+ contacts with local businesses.

Your two exams will take place in-person on the following dates:

• BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile: 18 July, Corsham Court, Corsham
• BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial intelligence: 1 August, Corsham Court, Corsham

On successful completion of your exam, you will be issued with a digital certificate from BCS and access to 12 months of BCS membership.

This course will follow a hybrid model, combining both online and in person learning. You will collaborate with fellow learners using a range of digital tools and platforms. Lecturers will use real-life scenarios to bring the learning to life and encourage you to draw on your own experiences throughout.

You’ll have regular opportunities to check in with your lecturers, receive feedback on assignments and mock assessments, and access support to help you stay on track and make continuous progress.
 
It is essential that you engage in independent study alongside scheduled sessions. In addition to live teaching, you’ll be expected to dedicate time each week to reviewing materials, completing assignments, and preparing for assessments. This self-directed learning will help reinforce your understanding and ensure you’re fully prepared for your examinations.

As part of your Agile Foundation learning, BCS recommends the book Agile from First Principles by Lynda Girvan to support your studies. 

Upon acceptance onto the course, learners will be provided with a 20% discount voucher to purchase either a physical copy or an e-book version of the book. This voucher will be confirmed and shared once your place on the course has been secured. Loan copies of Agile from First Principles are available on request. 

AI Module

The following titles are suggested by BCS as supporting materials to help deepen your understanding of Artificial Intelligence. While not essential reading like the Agile text, these books can be useful for gaining broader insight into the topic:

• Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Foundations: Learning from Experience - A foundational guide to understanding how AI systems learn and develop through experience.
• Getting Started with ChatGPT and AI Chatbots: An Introduction to Generative AI Tools - This introductory resource explores how generative AI tools like ChatGPT work, and how they can be used effectively in various contexts.

Our wellbeing, employability and careers programme focuses on an evidence-based approach, integrating a positive psychological and coaching approach with employability and career skills. Through conversations, connections and collaborations, these can facilitate positive changes and grow a supportive community.

During your course you'll have access to: 

• One to one wellbeing and careers coaching
• Workshop sessions at the start, during your study week and post bootcamp
• Networking events with local employers, Skills Bootcamp alumni and fellow learners

Throughout your Skills Bootcamp journey, your progress will be reviewed in multiple formats which could include verbal and written feedback, peer feedback, mock assessments, and collaborative work.

These assessments will happen at key points during the course. They are a tool for us to identify your strengths and weaknesses to help us give you the best opportunity to reach your goals during the Skills Bootcamp.

Exams for BCS Foundation Certificate in Agile and BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence are formal exams and will take place at the end of each module in person at our Corsham Court campus.

Coherent Training

Coherent Training is a specialist in providing expert training, education, and coaching in Agile Methodologies, Project, Programme, and Portfolio Management (P3M), as well as the Commercial and Logistics sectors. The team at Coherent Training is dedicated to delivering tailored training solutions and coaching services that enhance organizational efficiency and drive successful project outcomes.

The Office for Standards in Education, Children’s Services and Skills (Ofsted) regulates the Skills Bootcamps. They inspect services providing education and skills for learners of all ages. They also inspect and regulate services that care for children and young people.

This means that all Skills Bootcamp providers must meet Ofsted’s framework regulations, therefore, ensuring you have a good experience on your learning journey. However, at any point during the delivery of the Skills Bootcamp, the University might be inspected by Ofsted. While this won't impact your day-to-day participation on the course, Ofsted might request to speak to you to gain insights into your Skills Bootcamp experience.

Find out more about how Bath Spa University works and the standards to which we hold ourselves:

• Anti-slavery statement
• AI (Artificial Intelligence)
• Accessibility
• Establishing University Policies and Procedures
• Equality
• Freedom of Speech
• Harassment
• Menopause
• Prevent Duty
• Safeguarding
• Sexual Violence and Misconduct
• Trans and Non-Binary Inclusion

In the six months following your Skills Bootcamp you will receive tailored career development support to ensure you are fully supported to achieve your career goals.

This includes access to our career Development coach who can help you with CV and interview skills or putting together a business plan for those in self-employment. You’ll also receive monthly check-ins from our post-Skills Bootcamp team helping you to stay on track and connecting you to the latest job opportunities.

As Skills Bootcamp Alumni you’ll be a part of our Skills Bootcamp LinkedIn group to enable you to network with other alumni and share your career success. You will also receive regular communications featuring top tips for success, job opportunities, relevant events and news ensuring you stay in the loop.

As our Skills Bootcamps are fully funded by the Department for Education, you are required to keep in touch with us to let us know about any career progression opportunities you receive after completing the Skills Bootcamp. Our post-Skills Bootcamp team will keep in touch with you about this and provide a short declaration form to fill out once you've secured new work.