Intermediate Python Deep Dive:
Write Better Python and Build Better Systems
Intermediate Python Deep Dive: Write Better Python and Build Better Systems
8 Weeks • Cohort-Based Course
Master Advanced Patterns, OOP, and Pythonic Design in Eight Weeks—With Live Expert Guidance
Hosted By
Core Team member at Real Python and acclaimed Python educator who combines years of teaching expertise and storytelling techniques to make complex programming concepts clear, engaging, and unforgettable.
Course Overview
Transform Your Python Skills in Just 8 Weeks,
With Live Expert Guidance
The gap between writing basic Python code and developing professional-grade systems is far wider than most devs realize.
Sure, countless tutorials cover Python basics, but making the leap to advanced concepts and architectural patterns? That’s a whole different challenge.
This is where most intermediate programmers hit a wall… Struggling to wrap their heads around complex topics like the object model, decorators, or clean system design. Without structured guidance, they’re left piecing things together, often ending up with brittle, hard-to-maintain code that fails to scale.
Meanwhile, companies are raising the bar. They don’t just need developers who can churn out scripts or copy-paste solutions from ChatGPT—they need engineers who can architect robust, maintainable systems.
But trying to figure out these advanced concepts alone? It’s a surefire way to miss critical insights that only come with expert guidance and hands-on experience.
That’s why we designed this course: to bridge the gap and give you the deep technical understanding and practical skills you need to write professional-quality Python code.
In just eight weeks, you’ll master the advanced patterns and techniques that top Python developers use every day. You’ll move beyond Googling snippets or relying on shortcuts to truly understanding Python’s powerful object model, advanced functions, and clean design principles.
No more second-guessing if your code is “Pythonic enough.”
At the end of the program, you’ll write with confidence, breeze through code reviews, and earn the respect of senior developers who know what real Python expertise looks like.
This isn’t just another online course. It’s an immersive 8-week experience combining live expert instruction, hands-on exercises, and a supportive community.
Together, we’ll help you tackle real-world challenges and become the Python developer you’ve always aspired to be.
Course Dates & Registration: Feb 3–Mar 28, 2025
What Is This Course?
This is an interactive, cohort-based Python course that focuses on Python’s core principles, starting with the object model and moving through advanced iteration techniques, special methods, and data structures.
Led by an experienced Real Python instructor, you’ll have access to structured daily lessons that you can fit in around your schedule, exercises, and live weekly sessions, all designed to help you master the inner workings of Python.
How Does It Work?
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Cohort-Based Learning: Join a small, focused group of learners, progressing through the course together with daily checkpoints and live classes.
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Daily Learning Materials: Each day, you’ll receive structured learning materials delivered through Real Python’s trusted tutorials and video courses. These can be studied at your own pace, whenever it fits your schedule.
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Instructor-Led Guidance: Meet with your instructor during weekly live classes to dive deeper into the course content, tackle tricky topics, and get your questions answered.
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Community Discussions: Stay engaged and accountable by participating in daily discussions on the dedicated online community, where you can ask questions, share progress, and connect with peers and the instructor.
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Live Q&A Sessions: Drop into twice-weekly live Q&A sessions for extra guidance when you need it, ensuring you never feel stuck or left behind.
Watch the info session recording to learn more about the course:
Why This Course?
- Master Intermediate-Level Python Skills: Gain fluency in OOP, advanced functions, and Pythonic design patterns. Build skills to develop robust, scalable systems.
- Live Cohort-Based Learning: Participate in interactive live classes, guided by an expert instructor and supported by an engaged community of peers.
- Flexible Yet Structured: Access a blend of tutorials, videos, and live instruction tailored for optimal learning.
- Apply What You Learn: Through hands-on projects and real-world scenarios, turn theory into practice.
Should I Join This Course?
This course is for you, if you:
- Have a solid understanding of Python fundamentals and want to take your skills to the next level.
- Want to deepen your knowledge of OOP and advanced programming concepts.
- Want to write cleaner, more efficient, and maintainable Python code.
- Seek a structured, immersive learning experience.
Who Should Not Take This Course?
This course is not for absolute beginners. If you’re still mastering Python basics like loops and variables, this might feel overwhelming. Check out Real Python’s beginner-level resources first.
Who This Course Is For
#1
Proficient Beginners comfortable with Python fundamentals but who feel stuck taking their code to the next level
#2
Curious Coders who can write working Python code but want to understand what’s really happening “under the hood”
#3
Skills Upgraders who use Python at work or in projects but need deeper knowledge to tackle more complex problems
#4
Career Transitioners who’ve learned Python through self-study and need structured guidance to reach professional competency
#5
Bug Battlers who can write Python code but struggle to debug complex issues because they don’t fully understand the language mechanics
#6
Clean Coders who write functioning Python code but want to learn more elegant and Pythonic solutions
What You’ll Get Out of This Course
- A deep understanding of Python’s advanced features
- Practical skills to design better systems and solve complex programming challenges
- Confidence in writing professional-grade Python code
This Course Includes
- 8 interactive live classes
- 16 live Q&A sessions for personalized support and problem-solving
- 20 hands-on coding exercises and challenges with instructor feedback
- Guided feedback & reflection
- Certificate of Completion
- Direct access to instructor during live classes, Q&As, and forum community
- A real-world capstone project that ties together all course concepts
- Lifetime access to course materials
Real Python Satisfaction Guarantee
This course is backed by Real Python’s guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.
Course Syllabus
Over the eight weeks of the course, you’ll journey through Python’s object model, advanced programming concepts, and practical applications. Each week builds upon the previous one, creating a comprehensive understanding of how Python works under the hood.
The first six weeks focus on core concepts, with each topic carefully selected to enhance your Python expertise. We’ll move from fundamental object-oriented principles to advanced features like decorators and specialized data structures.
The final two weeks are dedicated to a hands-on project where you’ll apply everything you’ve learned.
Each week includes:
- Daily guided learning materials
- Hands-on exercises
- A live class accessed via Zoom
- Daily discussions on the dedicated online community, where you can ask questions, share progress, and connect with peers and the instructor
- Optional live Q&A sessions for personalized support via Zoom
- Optional weekend challenges for additional practice
Throughout the course, we’ll maintain a steady rhythm of learning, practice, and discussion. The daily materials and exercises build naturally toward each week’s live session, where we’ll work through examples together and address questions.
Live Q&A sessions provide additional support when you need it, while the weekend challenges offer opportunities to stretch your skills further. Regular interaction on our dedicated online community helps reinforce concepts and learn from your peers’ perspectives.
Let’s explore what we’ll cover each week:
Feb 3–7, 2025
Week 1: Object-Oriented Programming Foundations
Learning Objectives:
- Python’s object model
- Classes, data attributes, and methods
- Object identity, type, and value
- Inheritance and composition
- Creating and initializing objects
3
Course Kickoff Meeting
4
Instructor Live Q&A
6
Live Class: Hands-on Classes Consolidation
7
Instructor Live Q&A
Feb 10–14, 2025
Week 2: Special Methods and Data Classes
Learning Objectives:
- Special methods (
__str__,__repr__, etc.) - Operator overloading
- Creating custom sequences and mappings
- Data classes
- Introduction to iteration protocols
11
Instructor Live Q&A
13
Live Class: Deep Dive on Special Methods
14
Instructor Live Q&A
Feb 17–21, 2025
Week 3: Pythonic Looping and Generators
Learning Objectives:
- List comprehensions
- Iterating using
map()andfilter() - More Pythonic looping with
zip()andenumerate() - Iterators and iterables
- Generators
18
Instructor Live Q&A
20
Live Class: Behind the Scenes of Python Iteration
21
Instructor Live Q&A
Feb 24–28, 2025
Week 4: How Functions Function
Learning Objectives:
- Positional and keyword arguments
- Optional arguments and default parameter values
- Pass by assignment
*argsand**kwargs- Keyword-only and positional-only arguments
25
Instructor Live Q&A
27
Live Class: Deep Dive Into How Functions Function
28
Instructor Live Q&A
Mar 3–7, 2025
Week 5: Scoping and Decorators
Learning Objectives:
- Python scope and the LEGB rule
- Closures
- Decorators
4
Instructor Live Q&A
6
Live Class: Hands-on Decorators Practice
7
Instructor Live Q&A
Mar 10–14, 2025
Week 6: Advanced Data Types
Learning Objectives:
- Mutable vs immutable types
- Tuples and sets
- Collections module
- Specialized data structures
11
Instructor Live Q&A
13
Live Class: Deep Dive on Data Structures
14
Instructor Live Q&A
Mar 17–21, 2025
Week 7: Capstone Project (Part I)
Learning Objectives:
For these final two weeks, we’re going to pull everything together by building an advanced Recipe Management App.
This project will challenge you to apply the techniques you’ve learned, providing you with a comprehensive and practical experience.
By the end of the two weeks, you’ll have a fully functional app that’s ready for further development or integration into real-world scenarios:
- Custom classes and inheritance
- Special methods
- Iterators and generators
- Decorators
- Data persistence
- Advanced data structures
18
Instructor Live Q&A
20
Live Class: Recap and Workshop Search Functionalities
21
Instructor Live Q&A
Mar 24–28, 2025
Week 8: Capstone Project (Part II)
Learning Objectives:
- Finalize your capstone project
- Course review and wrap-up
25
Instructor Live Q&A
27
Live Class: Workshop on Data Structures and User Feedback
28
Live Q&A and Course Wrap-Up
Course Dates & Registration: Feb 3–Mar 28, 2025
Meet Your Instructor
Core Team member at Real Python and acclaimed Python educator who combines years of teaching expertise and storytelling techniques to make complex programming concepts clear, engaging, and unforgettable.
Stephen Gruppetta is a seasoned Python educator and author known for his engaging narrative approach to explaining complex concepts, drawing on his PhD in physics and years as a lecturer and technical writer.
With experience ranging from corporate training to creating accessible resources like The Python Coding Book, he’s dedicated to helping learners master Python with clarity and creativity.
What Learners Say About Stephen
“Your [teaching style] is succinct, easy to understand, and process oriented… With the exercises you've provided, I'm starting to realize that my first experiences with programming weren't at all representative of my abilities to problem solve or structure my thinking. It has been a great confidence booster for me.”
— Brandon
“I appreciated your patient explanation of and listening to all our crazy questions! I am so excited that I am finally starting to understand programming!”
— Morgan
“I thought the course was a great balance with just the right level of intensity that I felt like we got an awful lot of actual coding written whilst gaining a good overview of the general theory and applications. It was well paced and you found the time to answer questions in detail.”
— Robert Shaw
“[…] the most comprehensive way to really try to get at the material in a way that goes beyond just memorizing code snippets or syntax. I recommend it to everyone I talk to that wants a Python resource for getting started and wants to really understand what they are doing at a deeper level.”
— Nathan
“[Stephen] explains the concepts and syntax of Python in a far more intuitive way! In particular, I thought your explanation of the difference between the = and == operators was excellent […] Incredibly professional work!”
— Edward
“One of the best courses to learn programming. You could see a lot of thoughts went into the design of this course.”
— Li Zhang
“I have to tell you how much I love your approach to coding and the way you explain every step! I'll take this opportunity to thank you for all you've done and you're doing to teach us! and you're great, keep up the great work!!”
— Agus Kotik
“Consistently excellent! Well done - your simple, insightful explanations and teaching style are really going down well […] Highly recommended to anyone wanting to learn Python from first concepts!”
— Samir Patel
Course Dates & Registration: Feb 3–Mar 28, 2025
Enroll Today →And Unlock Advanced Python Mastery
Frequently Asked Questions
You should be comfortable with Python basics including:
- Writing and calling functions
- Using basic data structures (lists, dictionaries)
- Basic control flow (if/else, loops)
- Working with modules and imports
- Basic file I/O operations
If you’re unsure about your readiness, we recommend completing our Python Basics Learning Path first.
To ensure high-quality interaction and personalized attention, we keep our cohorts intentionally small at around 10 participants. This enables meaningful discussions, detailed feedback on exercises, and focused support during live classes. We carefully balance group size to create an optimal learning environment while maintaining engaging peer interactions.
While live classes are a valuable part of the learning experience where you can interact directly with the instructor and peers, we understand conflicts may arise. All live sessions are recorded and made available within 24 hours. However, we strongly encourage attending live whenever possible to get the most out of the interactive elements and real-time Q&A.
Course materials are available in advance, allowing you to preview upcoming content. However, the course is designed around daily discussions and collaborative learning within your cohort. While you’re welcome to read ahead, the forum discussions and exercises will follow the daily schedule to maintain group cohesion and maximize peer learning opportunities.
These courses combine the flexibility of self-paced learning with the benefits of structured instruction and peer interaction. You’ll have access to expert instructors who can clarify complex concepts, provide personalized feedback, and guide your learning journey. The cohort format also creates accountability and community, which are proven to increase learning outcomes.
The course is designed for a commitment of 60-90 minutes per day. This includes:
- Reading/watching course materials
- Completing exercises
- Attending live classes
While you can occasionally shift work between days, maintaining this steady pace helps you stay aligned with cohort discussions and activities.
Yes, you’ll retain permanent access to all course materials, including:
- Written tutorials and video lessons
- Live session recordings
- Exercise solutions
This allows you to review content at your own pace even after course completion.
The instructor actively monitors and participates in forum discussions throughout their working day. You can expect responses to questions within a few hours during the work day in the instructor’s time zone (GMT). Additionally, live Q&A sessions provide direct interaction opportunities twice per week.
Our cohort courses combine several key elements:
- Expert instructors with real-world Python experience
- High-quality, tested learning materials from Real Python
- Small group sizes (around 10 students)
- Interactive live sessions and daily forum discussions
- Project-based learning with personalized feedback
- Permanent access to all course materials
This is a one-time payment that covers the complete 8-week course. You pay once and get access to the entire program. There are no recurring charges or hidden fees—your single payment covers everything needed for the full course experience.
This course is backed by Real Python’s guarantee. You can receive a full refund within 14 days after the course ends, provided you meet the completion criteria in our refund policy.
Have another question? Email us at info@realpython.com
Course Dates & Registration: Feb 3–Mar 28, 2025
Enroll Today →And Unlock Advanced Python Mastery