Smart Pro
Aptech Certified Nxt Generation Professional (ACNPRO): a shared foundation in Excel, Python, R and large data management, branching into Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, or Software Testing — each ending in a Professional Diploma.
Smart Pro · ACNPRO
Aptech Certified Nxt Generation Professional (ACNPRO) starts every learner on a shared Foundation, then branches into Data Science, AI & Machine Learning, or Software Testing — each ending in a Professional Diploma.
146 hours · Excel, Python, R, large data management
200 Hours · Professional Diploma in Data Science (346 Hours)
200 Hours · Professional Diploma in AI and Machine Learning (346 Hours)
146 Hours · Professional Diploma in Software Testing (292 Hours)
Shared foundation
Every Smart Pro learner completes the Foundation before choosing a specialisation.
| Module | Hours |
|---|---|
| Financial Data Analysis with MS Excel | 16 |
| Python Programming | 40 |
| Emerging Job Areas — SMAC | 08 |
| Large Data Management | 40 |
| R Programming | 40 |
| Project (R) | 02 |
| Total | 146 |
Software training: MS Office 2016, Python, MongoDB, R Studio
Choose your specialisation
Each track builds on the Foundation with its own modules, software training and a job-role-aligned Professional Diploma.
| Module | Hours |
|---|---|
| Foundation of Big Data Systems | 44 |
| Processing Big Data (Hadoop MapReduce, Hive, Pig Latin) | 36 |
Smart Pro — Aptech Certified Nxt Generation Professional (ACNPRO) — starts every learner on a shared 146-hour Foundation covering financial data analysis with MS Excel, Python and R programming, large data management, and emerging job areas (SMAC). From there, learners branch into one of three specialisations: Data Science, Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning, or Software Testing. Each specialisation adds its own modules and project work on top of the Foundation, culminating in a job-role-aligned Professional Diploma.
Shared Foundation
Financial data analysis with Excel, Python, R programming and large data management
Data Science specialisation
Big data systems, Hadoop/Hive/Pig Latin, Tableau, and web & social media analytics
AI & Machine Learning specialisation
AI primer, NLP, machine learning, deep learning and ML APIs
Two closely related fields with different day-to-day work, different tools, and different starting points for beginners.
A short, focused course and a longer diploma programme solve different problems. Here's how to work out which one fits your situation.
Career pathways
Explore the skills published for this programme and the areas of work they may support. These are potential directions, not employment or placement guarantees.
Tools you'll use
Data, analytics and AI-related technology work
Based on the programme information currently published. It is not a guarantee of employment, salary or placement.
A one-month course covering advanced formulas, functions, PivotTables and data analysis tools in Excel 2019.
| Visual Analytics with Tableau |
| 40 |
| Web and Social Media Analytics (Google Analytics and SAS) | 40 |
| Project — Big Data | 40 |
| Total | 200 |
Software training: Hadoop, Spark, Hive, Pig Latin, Tableau, Google Analytics Tools, SAS Analytics
| Module | Hours |
|---|---|
| AI Primer (ML, DL, Neural Networks) | 16 |
| Natural Language Processing Toolkit | 44 |
| Machine Learning | 40 |
| Deep Learning and Machine Learning APIs | 60 |
| Project — ChatBot and Recommendation Engine | 40 |
| Total | 200 |
Software training: Python, APIs, R Studio
| Module | Hours |
|---|---|
| Fundamentals of Java | 40 |
| Software Verification, Validation and Testing | 24 |
| Agile and DevOps | 32 |
| Functional Testing using Selenium | 24 |
| Mobile Testing | 24 |
| Project — Automation Testing | 02 |
| Total | 146 |
Software training: NetBeans, Selenium, Robotium, SOAP
Software Testing specialisation
Java fundamentals, software verification & validation, Agile/DevOps, Selenium and mobile testing
Every specialisation ends in a Professional Diploma with a job-role-aligned exit profile
Real project work
An R project in Foundation, plus a Big Data, ChatBot & Recommendation Engine, or Automation Testing project in the chosen track
Entry requirements, fees and intake dates are confirmed by the admissions team, so check the admissions page or contact the academy before you apply. Not sure whether a short course or a longer programme suits you? Compare them in Short Course or Diploma? How to Choose the Right Programme Length, or browse the full course catalogue.
A four-month course covering database design, SQL querying and data management using SQL Server 2016.
A three-month course covering Python programming and the Django framework for building web applications.