This Certificate in Low-Code, No-Code & AI-Assisted Application Development* is an 11-week, part-time micro-credential designed to equip learners with the practical skills to build applications, automate business processes, and develop working prototypes using visual development platforms and AI-assisted ‘vibe coding’ tools.
Vibe coding, a term coined by AI researcher Andrej Karpathy in early 2025 and named Collins Dictionary Word of the Year, describes the practice of building software by describing what you want in natural language while AI generates the code. By 2026, 63% of vibe coding users are non-developers, enterprise adoption of AI coding tools has grown 340% since 2024, and the market is estimated at $4.7 billion globally. This programme is designed to bring these transformative capabilities to Irish learners who have no prior programming experience.
The course is funded by the Micro-credential Learner Fee Subsidy 2026 programme and fees are subsidised at 80% for all eligible learner categories.
The programme equips participants with directly labour market relevant skills: the ability to evaluate and select low-code/no-code platforms (Microsoft Power Platform, Bubble, AppSheet, Retool), design and build functional applications using visual development tools, implement workflow automation (Power Automate, Zapier, Make), integrate external data sources via APIs, apply UX/UI design principles, and, critically, use AI-assisted development tools to rapidly prototype and deploy business applications using natural language prompts. These skills address the growing enterprise demand for ‘citizen developers’ who can build internal tools and automate processes without relying on specialist engineering teams.
This micro-credential has been developed with input from CCT’s Employer Engagement Forum. Industry consultation confirms strong and growing enterprise demand for professionals who can leverage low-code and AI-assisted tools to accelerate digital transformation. IBM reports a 60% reduction in development time for enterprise internal applications using AI-assisted coding. Shopify, Goldman Sachs, and Google have all integrated vibe coding tools into core development workflows, reflecting a fundamental shift in how organisations build software that is rapidly extending to Irish enterprise.
Demand is supported at both regional and national levels. The EGFSN Skills Insights Note 2025-2 confirms that AI-related job postings in Ireland have doubled since 2023, with LinkedIn estimating that 70% of skills used in most jobs will change by 2030. The SOLAS Difficult-to-Fill Vacancies Survey (November 2025) identifies software developers, AI specialists, and cloud professionals among the hardest roles to fill. Low-code and AI-assisted development directly addresses this shortage by enabling a broader cohort of professionals to contribute to software delivery without traditional programming skills.
Target cohorts include business professionals and citizen developers, managers looking to automate workflows, entrepreneurs prototyping digital products, career changers exploring software development or digital transformation roles, and employed individuals at all qualification levels seeking to upskill. No prior programming experience is required. The programme is transversal, spanning application design, workflow automation, data integration, UX/UI fundamentals, and AI-assisted development methodology.
This Certificate in Low-Code, No-Code and AI-Assisted Application Development is scheduled to commence week of October 12th 2026*. The teaching and assessment will be delivered over an 11 week period with a 2 week Christmas break. This is an 11 week, part-time programme with contact hours delivered over evening and weekend schedule slots. This programme will lead to a QQI award at Level 7 of the NQF.
*Subject to validation by Quality and Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
This programme provides a comprehensive introduction to citizen development, covering the low-code/no-code platform landscape and selection criteria; visual application design using drag-and-drop interfaces, templates, and components; data modelling and management in low-code environments; workflow automation and business process integration using tools such as Power Automate, Zapier, and Make; API integration and connecting external data sources; UX/UI design principles for effective application interfaces; AI-assisted ‘vibe coding’ using natural language prompts to generate, iterate, and deploy working applications; security, governance, and lifecycle management for citizen-developed applications.
Platforms covered include Microsoft Power Platform, Bubble, AppSheet, and Retool, alongside AI-assisted development tools.
Vibe coding is the practice of building software by describing what you want in natural language while AI generates the code. It has gone from a developer novelty to mainstream in under 18 months.
For October 2026 the course will be offered on an evening/weekend blended learning basis. Typically learners will attend two evenings per week (online) plus 1-2 Saturdays (on campus).
All students will be introduced to the CCT online learning environment as part of the induction to the programme and will have access to further support as required.
Online activities can include live or pre-recorded lectures, independent learning and assessment activities such as research tasks, discussion forums, simulations, quizzes and e-portfolio work along with online group activities such as live classes, group project work, virtual labs and tutorials. Completing the online elements of the programme each week is essential to successfully complete the programme. On campus activities can include small group tutorials, labs, project supervision, problem solving case studies, library research and seminars.
Assessment is through an application development project (working prototype with documentation, 60%) and a workflow automation portfolio (40%). Industry initiated real-world problems are used as the context for planning and designing assessment solutions, as well as being an aid for problem solving sessions. Summative assessment is a blend of integrated assessment and module specific assessment utilising both group and individual work, while formative assessment is pipelined into module delivery and feedback, so as not to add to the assessment burden of students.
Admission to this Certificate in Low-Code, No-Code and AI-Assisted Application Development is through one of the following:
Evidence of prior learning, including experiential learning,
or
Possession of an NFQ level 5 award, including leaving certificate, FET award, or equivalent.
In addition, all applicants must evidence competence in mathematics equivalent to O6 standard in leaving certificate and competence in the use of IT. Basic computer literacy is not sufficient for this programme.
International applicants whose first language isn’t English must demonstrate a minimum competency in the English
Language of CEFR B2+.
Applicants are encouraged to apply for entry based on prior learning (RPL) or prior experiential learning (RPEL) in line with the College policy. The College will thoroughly assess applications received through RPL and RPEL to ensure that candidates are able to evidence learning to an appropriate standard – normally the framework level equivalent to the direct entry qualification requirement and demonstrate potential to succeed and benefit from the programme.
Those who are in employment/working :
For eligible applicants who are currently in employment/working 80% of the tuition fees will be covered by the HEA through the Micro-Credential Learner Fee Subsidy (LFS) and the remaining 20% is payable by the student or their employer.
The Course Tuition Fee is €1050 so €210 euro is payable by the student or their employer
Those who are unemployed, formerly self-employed and ‘Returners’:
This Micro-credential course is also 80% funded for eligible applicants who are unemployed, formerly self-employed or who are classified by the HEA as ‘Returners’ or ‘Homemakers’.
Application for this Micro-Credential Certificate in Low-Code, No-Code and AI-Assisted Application Development should be made via the Springboard Courses Website.
