Coding Boot Camps: Options, Benefits, Requirements, and More

A coding boot camp is a short yet intense way to learn the critical skills you need to begin working as a tech professional. Whilst many boot camps emphasise the skills you'll need to be a software engineer, you can also find bootcamps that focus on data analytics, full-stack web development, and more.

Discover more about what attending a coding boot camp involves, along with popular boot camp options and the benefits of attending one.

What is a coding boot camp?

Coding boot camps are intensive educational programmes that focus on practical skills development. Whilst the curriculum will differ for each boot camp, you can typically expect to learn:

• Programming fundamentals like JavaScript, CSS, and HTML

• Web development

• Popular programming languages, like Python, Java, or C++

• Data queries and management web page development

Coding boot camps take place in-person or online. You can attend part-time or full-time and can run anywhere between 12 weeks to seven months. Given their shortened timespan, they can also be expensive. Many coding boot camps cost several thousand pounds, varying from £2,500 to well over £15,000 [1]. 

Requirements for coding boot camps

Admission requirements to coding boot camps vary. Some boot camps accept students with no prior background in computers, whilst others expect some experience. According to the United Kingdom’s Department of Education, you must be at least 19. Additionally, boot camps typically don’t require you to have any prior experience [1]. 

Some programmes might require a test to prove your maths, English, and technical skills in addition to completing an interview. Each boot camp provider's website should list the specific requirements, which are worth reviewing as you consider your options.

Can a coding boot camp replace a bachelor's degree?

Whether you should attend a coding boot camp rather than earn your bachelor's degree in computer science or a related field is a common question. Whilst a coding boot camp doesn't completely replace a bachelor's degree in terms of the breadth of education you receive, it does emphasise practical skills development. It may help you quickly learn what you need to get started as a tech professional.

If you're interested in starting your career in tech at a faster pace, a coding boot camp may be a strong option. That being said, you may find that employers want a bachelor's degree as you seek out more senior roles.

6 popular coding boot camps and certificates

Below are six of the more popular coding boot camps and certificates to explore if you're interested in expediting the development of your practical skills.

1. Google IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate

If you're interested in working in information technology (IT), then Google's IT Automation with Python Professional Certificate may be a good choice. The programme takes six months to complete, provided you can dedicate 10 hours a week to your studies. Throughout that time, you'll learn how to program with Python, use Git, and solve problems with IT automation. The programme also includes an applied learning project that gives you hands-on coding experience.

2. IBM DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate

IBM's DevOps and Software Engineering Professional Certificate emphasises a DevOps mindset. The programme takes around three months to complete when you can dedicate 10 hours a week to your studies. You can expect to learn and practise the Agile philosophy and Scrum methodology and grow proficient in creating applications using Python.

3. Meta's Front-End or Back-End Developer Professional Certificates

Are you interested in working with either the front-end or back-end of websites? Then Meta has two possible options for you. Earning a certificate typically requires seven to eight months of commitment, with approximately six hours of weekly study. During this time, you’ll acquire practical skills and receive support for coding interviews. 

With the Meta Front-End Developer Professional Certificate, you'll learn about responsive web design with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript. With the Meta Back-End Developer Professional Certificate, you'll learn programming systems, including Git, SQL, Version Control, Cloud Hosting, APIs, JSON, and XML.

4. BrainStation's Software Engineering Bootcamp

BrainStation's Software Engineering Bootcamp takes around three months to complete when you attend full-time and eight months when you attend part-time. You'll begin by learning about the fundamentals of computer science before developing more specific and practical skills for working as a software engineer. The project-based programme also brings in exclusive guest lecturers to bolster your experience.

5. General Assembly's Software Engineering Bootcamp

General Assembly's Software Engineering Bootcamp focuses on helping you become a full-stack web developer by learning engineering fundamentals and key programming languages and completing projects to build your skills and portfolio. The online programme takes around three months to complete, is expert-led, and promises industry relevance.

6. Flatiron School's Software Engineering Bootcamp

Flatiron School's Software Engineering Bootcamp takes as little as 15 weeks to complete when you can attend full-time, with courses available in-person and online. Engineers design and teach the programme, emphasising both front-end and back-end development. Topics include using Rails, HTML, CSS, and more to build apps and web pages, and you'll do a capstone project to showcase the skills you developed.

How to choose a coding boot camp

To choose a coding boot camp geared to your goals and aspirations, you’ll need to consider various factors, including the learning format, subject matter, time, and cost. Explore a few tips below.

Learning format

Both in-person and online boot camps have their merits, so you should choose the environment that makes you feel empowered and supported. Online coding bootcamps offer more flexibility so you can attend to your other responsibilities. If you prefer an interactive learning environment with face-to-face support from the instructor, you may want to attend an in-person boot camp.

Curriculum

It is essential to consider what you want to gain from a coding boot camp. Are you a beginner who needs to build a skill set? Or are you an advanced professional who wants to strengthen your knowledge of an in-demand area, like cybersecurity? You can find boot camps to help you fulfil either goal. Review what you'll learn to ensure it aligns with your needs.

Duration

Each boot camp programme lasts a different amount of time. Consider how much time you have to dedicate to your learning and which makes the most sense given those potential restrictions.

A part-time, online programme may be a good option if you want to continue working or have competing demands. Alternatively, you may wish to attend full-time and move through the programme more quickly so you can begin looking for relevant roles.

Cost

As mentioned, coding boot camps can be expensive (and the price point doesn’t always mean it’s the best option). Think about how much you have to spend—and want to spend—on a boot camp. Also, consider whether programs offer payment plans or if they require full payment upfront.

3 benefits of joining a coding boot camp

Completing a coding boot camp offers various benefits. Examine three in more detail below. 

1. Boost your salary potential.

Working as a tech professional tends to come with higher salary options than other career paths. For instance, software developers earn an average UK salary of £43,518, according to Glassdoor UK, as of July 2024 [2]. That's approximately £8,000 more than the median UK salary of £34,963 reported by Statista [3].

2. Gain in-demand skills.

Building an in-demand skill set can lead to increased salary rates and new employment opportunities. For example, Prospects notes that companies of all types need web developers [4], supporting continued and rising demand in the UK over the next decade, making it a growing digital hub. 

Because of its focus on practical skills development, you may leave a coding boot camp with a variety of in-demand skills. It can also potentially make you a more competitive job candidate.

3. Expand your career possibilities.

Attending a coding boot camp is an excellent way to gain the fundamental skills to explore a range of tech professions—many of which remain in high demand. The following list details some of the more common jobs you may be able to get after you finish a boot camp:

• Application developer: Design, test, and troubleshoot applications for mobile devices.

• Back-end developer: Build and maintain databases and servers that support websites.

• Full-stack developer: Create and maintain websites and applications.

• Junior developer: Work alongside senior developers to design and troubleshoot software.

• Software engineer: Create applications, systems, and other types of software.

• Technical support specialist: Assist customers with installing and troubleshooting software and hardware.

• UX designer: Create and assess applications and websites with the end user in mind.

• User interface designer: Create digital products the customer finds attractive and easy to use.

• Web developer: Create websites and web applications.

Next steps

Hopefully, you now feel more informed regarding the array of boot camps available online, in-person, part-time, and full-time. From rapidly gaining the coding skills you want to develop to potentially enhancing your marketability in the job market, these intensive programmes offer numerous benefits. 

You can also build your foundational knowledge and essential skills with online courses. For example, if you're new to computers, explore whether the subject is a good fit for your career interests by learning a programming language. Check out the University of Michigan's Python for Everybody on Coursera for more information. 

Alternatively, you may consider a computer science Professional Certificate offered by industry leaders on Coursera to dive deeper into an aspect of software engineering and development.