Technology & security
Software Testing & Quality Assurance
Build an evidence-led Software Testing & Quality Assurance foundation you can explain in a real workplace or interview.
Plan, test and report software quality with professional judgement.
About this course
Learn test planning, manual testing, defects, evidence, regression checks and quality communication.
Career relevance
Where this can take you
Designed for learners exploring technology careers and building a practical, honest portfolio.
Portfolio project: Create a Software Testing & Quality Assurance capstone pack that documents your purpose, method, evidence, quality check and next action.
Skills you will gain
Practical skills, not just theory
What you will learn
Understand the core workflow behind software testing & quality assurance.
Create practical evidence using controlled, workplace-ready methods.
Make evidence-led decisions, communicate limitations and escalate appropriately.
Present a portfolio-ready capstone and development plan.
Objective map
A numbered, measurable syllabus
Every lesson, knowledge check and practical activity maps to the objectives below. Domain weights show how much of the programme each area represents.
Domain 1
Software Testing & Quality Assurance: role and foundations to Manual testing
- 1.1Explain and distinguish software testing & quality assurance: role and foundations in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: establish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for software testing & quality assurance.
- 1.2Plan and produce test planning in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply test planning to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 1.3Demonstrate manual testing in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply manual testing to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Domain 2
Defects to Regression checks
- 2.1Demonstrate defects in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply defects to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 2.2Demonstrate evidence in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply evidence to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 2.3Demonstrate regression checks in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply regression checks to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Domain 3
Quality communication to Portfolio lab: Software Testing & Quality Assurance case
- 3.1Demonstrate quality communication in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply quality communication to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
- 3.2Apply and control integrated software testing & quality assurance workflow in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: connect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.
- 3.3Complete and defend portfolio lab: software testing & quality assurance case in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: create a portfolio-safe software testing & quality assurance artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.
Domain 4
Final Software Testing & Quality Assurance capstone
- 4.1Complete and defend final software testing & quality assurance capstone in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: complete and review an end-to-end software testing & quality assurance case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.
How the programme works
Learn, practise, explain and prove it
This is a long-form, eight-week guided programme rather than a stack of short articles. Each module contains six substantial lessons that move from concepts and methods into a worked case, a quality clinic, a workplace lab and assessed reflection.
1. Guided learning
Study the purpose, process, risks and professional standard through structured readings and active notes.
2. Worked cases
Compare plausible options, expose missing evidence and defend a decision under realistic constraints.
3. Quality clinics and labs
Diagnose weak work, revise it against a rubric and create portfolio evidence with a full audit trail.
4. Hard assessment
Pass applied checks and the final assessment at 85%, with no unresolved critical-error questions.
Curriculum
A complete programme, module by module
The curriculum below shows the actual learning pathway, objective and evidence for every module. Full lessons remain locked until enrolment.
Build the base
Standards, vocabulary and the core method you will use throughout the programme.
01Software Testing & Quality Assurance: role and foundationsEstablish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for software testing & quality assurance.+
Measured objectiveExplain and distinguish software testing & quality assurance: role and foundations in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: establish the purpose, professional boundaries and workplace context for software testing & quality assurance.
Evidence you will produceA technical software testing & quality assurance: role and foundations brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
02Test planningApply test planning to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectivePlan and produce test planning in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply test planning to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical test planning brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
03Manual testingApply manual testing to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate manual testing in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply manual testing to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical manual testing brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can explain the fundamentals and complete a first guided task.
Develop core skills
The working skills and tools of the role, practised one at a time.
04DefectsApply defects to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate defects in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply defects to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical defects brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
05EvidenceApply evidence to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate evidence in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply evidence to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical evidence brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
06Regression checksApply regression checks to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate regression checks in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply regression checks to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical regression checks brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can carry out routine work independently and check it properly.
Apply it in realistic scenarios
Case studies and simulations with competing priorities and incomplete information.
07Quality communicationApply quality communication to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.+
Measured objectiveDemonstrate quality communication in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: apply quality communication to a realistic software testing & quality assurance brief, documenting the decision, evidence and next action.
Evidence you will produceA technical quality communication brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
08Integrated Software Testing & Quality Assurance workflowConnect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.+
Measured objectiveApply and control integrated software testing & quality assurance workflow in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: connect the programme topics into one controlled workflow with clear inputs, checks, handover points and escalation boundaries.
Evidence you will produceA technical integrated software testing & quality assurance workflow brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
09Portfolio lab: Software Testing & Quality Assurance caseCreate a portfolio-safe software testing & quality assurance artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.+
Measured objectiveComplete and defend portfolio lab: software testing & quality assurance case in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: create a portfolio-safe software testing & quality assurance artefact from a realistic workplace scenario and explain the choices made.
Evidence you will produceA technical portfolio lab: software testing & quality assurance case brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You can make and justify decisions in realistic situations.
Prove it and plan your next step
Portfolio evidence, final review and a development plan you can show an employer.
10Final Software Testing & Quality Assurance capstoneComplete and review an end-to-end software testing & quality assurance case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.+
Measured objectiveComplete and defend final software testing & quality assurance capstone in a realistic software testing & quality assurance context: complete and review an end-to-end software testing & quality assurance case with evidence, quality checks, limitations and a professional recommendation.
Evidence you will produceA technical final software testing & quality assurance capstone brief with requirements, safe method, sample output or architecture, validation evidence and handover notes.
Six guided lessons + worked case + quality clinic + workplace lab + hard knowledge check
Milestone: You have portfolio-ready evidence and a clear next step.
Suggested pace
Eight-week study plan
Plan for roughly 5–9 hours each week across readings, worked cases, practice, portfolio production and assessment remediation. Repeat a week when the knowledge checks show a gap.
Week 1
Software Testing & Quality Assurance: role and foundations to Test planning
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Software Testing & Quality Assurance: role and foundations and Test planning and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the software testing & quality assurance: role and foundations and test planning portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 2
Manual testing
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Manual testing and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the manual testing portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 3
Defects
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Defects and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the defects portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 4
Evidence
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Evidence and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the evidence portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 5
Regression checks to Quality communication
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Regression checks and Quality communication and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the regression checks and quality communication portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 6
Integrated Software Testing & Quality Assurance workflow
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Integrated Software Testing & Quality Assurance workflow and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the integrated software testing & quality assurance workflow portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 7
Portfolio lab: Software Testing & Quality Assurance case
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Portfolio lab: Software Testing & Quality Assurance case and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the portfolio lab: software testing & quality assurance case portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Reach at least 85% on the week’s checks, resolve every critical error and save the reviewed portfolio evidence before continuing.
Week 8
Final Software Testing & Quality Assurance capstone
- •Complete the six guided lessons for Final Software Testing & Quality Assurance capstone and build structured notes against the objective codes.
- •Analyse the worked case, compare two defensible options and submit a reasoned decision record.
- •Complete the quality clinic, correct the weak draft and document every revision against the rubric.
- •Produce the final software testing & quality assurance capstone portfolio evidence and complete the hard knowledge checks.
- •Review every incorrect answer, explain why each distractor fails and schedule targeted retrieval practice.
Checkpoint: Submit the capstone evidence pack, defend the key decision, remediate every weak objective and pass the final assessment at 85% with no critical misses.
Technology & security
Continue your learning path
AI for Work & Prompting
Use generative AI responsibly to research, write, analyse and improve everyday work.
60–72 hours
AI Product Management
Plan responsible AI-enabled products around people, value and risk.
50–60 hours
API & Integration Foundations
Understand how systems exchange information safely and reliably.
55–66 hours
Assessment and certificate
A scenario-led software testing & quality assurance case, practical portfolio review and final knowledge assessment. It is a UGEN ACADEMY completion record, not an external professional credential.
Who this is for
- ✓Learners exploring technology careers.
- ✓Job seekers building practical software testing & quality assurance evidence.
- ✓Professionals developing a structured new capability.