Why Study Understanding Software Development Processes and Tools (in the age of AI)

Understanding Software Development Processes and Tools (in the age of AI) is a 12-week NZQA Level 8 micro-credential designed for marketers, product professionals, digital/technology graduates and other professionals who want to use AI tools to develop real, working software. No previous coding background is required. The programme focuses on moving from an idea and customer requirements to a working prototype and, ultimately, a more developed application or system.

• Level of study: NZQA Level 8
• Qualification type: Micro-credential
• Duration: 12 weeks
• Credits: 15 credits
• Course code: SDTP8000
• Learning focus: Software development processes, AI-assisted development and practical application building
• Campus: No campus-based delivery is specified for this course; it is listed by academyEX as an online micro-credential.
• Suitable for: Marketing leaders, product owners, digital technology graduates and professionals wanting to build or manage software with AI tools
• Coding requirement: No coding background is required.

Key Benefits

• Learn how to turn an idea or business problem into a structured, buildable software plan.
• Use AI-assisted development processes similar to those used by professional developers.
• Create a functional prototype rather than only producing a concept or mock-up.
• Develop practical understanding of customer requirements, prototyping and software development.
• Learn how to communicate effectively with software developers when a project needs to be handed over or scaled.
• Gain a recognised NZQA Level 8 micro-credential carrying 15 credits.
• Suitable for non-coders, making the programme accessible to professionals from business, marketing, product and technology backgrounds.

Program Structure

The programme is organised into three practical phases:

• Phase 1 – Decide What You Want to Build: Identify the problem, desired outcome and customer requirements before starting development.
• Phase 2 – Create the Prototype: Convert requirements into a working prototype using an AI-supported software development process.
• Phase 3 – Take It Further: Develop the foundations needed to improve, share, hand over or grow the prototype into a more robust application or system.
• Students work through real projects during the programme rather than focusing only on theoretical software development concepts.

Discipline / Specialisation

• Primary discipline: Technology
• Specialisation: Software development processes and AI-assisted software development
• Related areas: Artificial Intelligence, digital technology, product development, prototyping and technology-enabled business solutions
• The course is particularly relevant to professionals who need to understand or participate in software development without becoming traditional software programmers.

Programme Highlights

• 12-week practical learning experience.
• NZQA Level 8 qualification with 15 credits.
• Weekly sessions are listed for Thursdays, with the published schedule showing evening sessions.
• Latest published intake: 17 September 2026. As of October 2026, this listed intake has already commenced/passed, and no later intake date is currently shown on the course page.
• Domestic student fee: NZ$450.
• International student fee: Currently listed as "Not available"; academyEX advises international students to get in touch for further information.
• Programme leaders include Dr David Parsons and Dr Roy Davies, with guest experts contributing during the programme.
• Students work towards producing something real that can be tested with customers or handed over to developers for further development.

Career Outcomes

This micro-credential is aimed at improving practical technology and software-development capability rather than preparing students for a traditional entry-level software developer role. Potential outcomes include:

• Product Owner or Product Management support roles
• Digital Product Development
• Technology Project and Innovation roles
• Marketing Technology / MarTech roles
• Digital Transformation support
• Business professionals working with software development teams
• AI-assisted product and prototype development
• Ability to create early-stage software solutions independently or communicate requirements more effectively to developers

The skills can also help professionals build prototypes for their own business ideas, test solutions with customers and work more effectively with technical teams.

Visa Requirements (International Students)

For international students, an important consideration is that academyEX currently lists international student fees for this specific micro-credential as "Not available". The course is presented as an online micro-credential rather than an on-campus international study programme. Therefore, the course page does not provide a specific New Zealand student-visa pathway for this micro-credential.

• International students should contact academyEX directly to confirm whether enrolment is currently available to students outside New Zealand.
• A New Zealand student visa should not be assumed to be available for this specific online micro-credential.
• The English-language, qualification and visa requirements published on academyEX's International Students page primarily relate to its Master's programmes, not this micro-credential.
• Students intending to travel to New Zealand specifically to study should confirm their visa eligibility and whether this particular programme can support such study before making travel or visa arrangements.

Latest Updates / Special Requirements

• The latest course information identifies the programme as "Understanding Software Development Processes and Tools (in the age of AI)".
• The published intake is 17 September 2026, with weekly Thursday sessions.
• Duration remains 12 weeks and the credential is NZQA Level 8 with 15 credits (SDTP8000).
• No coding experience is required, which is one of the key entry features of the programme.
• The course page does not specify a separate academic qualification or work-experience requirement for admission.
• The page currently lists international fees as unavailable, so international applicants should obtain confirmation directly from academyEX before applying.
• Students should also confirm the specific AI development tools used, security considerations, self-directed study expectations and project requirements during the application/enrolment process, as these are listed among the programme FAQs but are not fully detailed on the public course page.