We’re committed to improving and developing digital skills training for people across the Sussex and Brighton & Hove region.
Addressing those needs and, under a pilot scheme, we’re able to provide a number of FREE courses designed to develop a number of high-profile digital skills.
Introductory courses are running in January and February.
Our free courses
Our free courses
From January 2023, Brighton MET will be offering the below short courses:
Introduction to Virtual Reality
You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of VR technology, exploring its current uses and looking at exciting future developments. You’ll study at our central Brighton campus, using VR technology and Meta Quest 2 headsets.
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Application of Virtual Reality (Intermediate)
Designed to set you on your path towards a career in this innovative sector, this course provides an in-depth dive into VR development. Studying at our central Brighton campus, you’ll learn how to build virtual worlds and create VR experiences, as well as look at how the Metaverse may change the landscape of our real-world interactions.
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From January 2023, Brighton MET will be offering the below short courses:
Introduction to Virtual Reality
You’ll be introduced to the fundamentals of VR technology, exploring its current uses and looking at exciting future developments. You’ll study at our central Brighton campus, using VR technology and Meta Quest 2 headsets.
Discover more
Application of Virtual Reality (Intermediate)
Designed to set you on your path towards a career in this innovative sector, this course provides an in-depth dive into VR development. Studying at our central Brighton campus, you’ll learn how to build virtual worlds and create VR experiences, as well as look at how the Metaverse may change the landscape of our real-world interactions.
Discover more
At Northbrook College, we’re delighted to be able to offer the following short courses at our West Durrington campus:
Introduction to Cyber Security
This course will introduce you to the concept of cyber security, its importance and how it is embedded in web platforms. It’s designed to meet the needs of those who are looking to enter or specialise in careers in cyber security.
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Cyber Security (Intermediate)
Building on the introductory course, the intermediate level training will cover areas including malware, threat landscape and network security as well as looking at cyber security laws.
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At Northbrook College, we’re delighted to be able to offer the following short courses at our West Durrington campus:
Introduction to Cyber Security
This course will introduce you to the concept of cyber security, its importance and how it is embedded in web platforms. It’s designed to meet the needs of those who are looking to enter or specialise in careers in cyber security.
Discover more
Cyber Security (Intermediate)
Building on the introductory course, the intermediate level training will cover areas including malware, threat landscape and network security as well as looking at cyber security laws.
Discover more
From January 2023, Brinsbury College will be offering the below short courses:
Introduction to Digital Technologies in Animal Care & Agricultural Industries
Support your agricultural processes through digitalisation, which will aid the provision of livestock farming. This course will provide an insight into the new technology and equipment available, looking at practices that improve production as well as increasing human and animal welfare.
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Intermediate Digital Technologies in Animal Care & Agricultural Industries
An exciting course which offers the opportunity to develop your understanding of the different technologies and practices within livestock husbandry. You’ll gain an insight into the impact and efficiencies that these technologies can provide.
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From January 2023, Brinsbury College will be offering the below short courses:
Introduction to Digital Technologies in Animal Care & Agricultural Industries
Support your agricultural processes through digitalisation, which will aid the provision of livestock farming. This course will provide an insight into the new technology and equipment available, looking at practices that improve production as well as increasing human and animal welfare.
Discover more
Intermediate Digital Technologies in Animal Care & Agricultural Industries
An exciting course which offers the opportunity to develop your understanding of the different technologies and practices within livestock husbandry. You’ll gain an insight into the impact and efficiencies that these technologies can provide.
Discover more
From January 2023, Chichester College will be offering the below short course:
Introduction to Games Development & Esports
Developed to help those who are looking to find out more about the Esports and games development industries, this course is delivered online with engaging interactive activities. It covers topics including roles in the industry, physical and mental health, introduction to games design and development.
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From January 2023, Chichester College will be offering the below short course:
Introduction to Games Development & Esports
Developed to help those who are looking to find out more about the Esports and games development industries, this course is delivered online with engaging interactive activities. It covers topics including roles in the industry, physical and mental health, introduction to games design and development.
Discover more
From January 2023, Crawley College will be offering short courses that provide and introduction to coding for both Python and C# programmes.
Coding can seem like a daunting prospect, and you may think you’ll need a computer science degree to learn code. But every programmer has to start somewhere! This interactive course will enable you to work on exercises, supported by tutors, as you learn to code. No prior knowledge is required.
You will need a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection to complete the interactive elements of the course.
Introduction to Coding – Python
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Introduction to Coding – C#
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From January 2023, Crawley College will be offering short courses that provide and introduction to coding for both Python and C# programmes.
Coding can seem like a daunting prospect, and you may think you’ll need a computer science degree to learn code. But every programmer has to start somewhere! This interactive course will enable you to work on exercises, supported by tutors, as you learn to code. No prior knowledge is required.
You will need a desktop or laptop computer with an internet connection to complete the interactive elements of the course.
Introduction to Coding – Python
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Introduction to Coding – C#
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Frequently Asked Questions
How are the courses delivered?
Good question! The courses are generally blended, that means a mix of learning online and in the classroom. This does vary depending on the course, but you’ll find more information about this on individual course pages.
Are the courses really free?
Yes! Our CODEs courses are free to all students, aged 19+ and are fully funded through the Skills Development fund.
Can I study more than one course at a time?
We would recommend completing one course before starting another, but there’s no limit how many you study. We’d also encourage you to start with the introduction course, before progressing onto the intermediate course.
Can I speak to someone to find out more?
Absolutely! Please email:
About the project
The Sussex Local Skills Improvement Plan identified a shortage of digital skills in the region, with employers highlighting this as critical to their businesses’ successful futures.
As a response to this, Chichester College Group has set up Centres of Digital Excellence (CODEs) across five of its colleges: Brighton MET, Brinsbury, Chichester, Crawley and Northbrook College.
The project will provide blended training, a mix of online and face-to-face courses, in the key digital shortage areas for thousands of students over the next three years as well as equip tomorrow’s workforce with the digital skills required by employers.
There will be a particular focus on industry specific skills, including agriculture, business, care, construction, horticulture and IT industries. As part of this, dedicated learning facilities will be set up – each with a dedicated specialism:
- Brighton MET – Virtual Reality
- Brinsbury – Agriculture and Animal Care
- Chichester – Esports and Games Development
- Crawley – Coding
- Northbrook – Cyber Security