For people looking to fast-track their career into tech, coding bootcamps have gained a lot of popularity within the past few years. However, with so many bootcamps and so much information floating around, it can be hard to know what to expect. If you’re considering joining one, this article will debunk 5 common myths to help you make an informed decision. 

Myth 1: Coding bootcamps are easy

It’s called a bootcamp for a reason! Coding bootcamps are one of the quickest ways to get into tech, but that also means they have to pack in a lot of learning in a short amount of time.
At Northcoders, our bootcamps take you from complete beginner to a junior role in tech in just 13 weeks. That means our students have to be motivated and not afraid to put in the work. Our fast-paced bootcamps are full-time and packed with all the learning material to cover the fundamentals and beyond.
With so much to learn, it’s important to choose a bootcamp that will have plenty of support to help you along your journey.

Myth 2: Coding bootcamps aren’t interactive or supportive

If your idea of a coding bootcamp looks like a handful of pre-recorded videos that you’ll need to struggle through on your own, think again!
All the lectures and seminars on our bootcamps are taught live over video calls. You’ll be regularly talking to people and working alongside coursemates on paired work and projects, with plenty of opportunities to ask questions or to reach out to a tutor every step of the way.

Myth 3: Coding bootcamps are only for tech graduates

You don’t need a university degree in Computer Science to do a coding bootcamp. In fact, for many bootcamps including ours, you don’t need any coding knowledge at all. Anyone can join, no matter your background or education. We’ve had people from baristas to farmers join our bootcamps and learn to code from scratch!
You’ll be able to learn all the skills you need to start a role in tech, without needing any degree or prior experience.

Myth 4: Coding bootcamps don’t teach enough for a job 

As mentioned earlier, our graduates consistently go on directly from the bootcamp to a full-time junior position in tech.
Employers in tech typically don’t require a university degree. Instead, they like to see technical skills put into practice. A coding bootcamp can help you develop your skill set and portfolio, with a focus on practical experience and an understanding of workplace best practice.
At Northcoders, we also have career coaches dedicated to helping our graduates take the next step from bootcamp to tech job. Within the first 7 months of 2023, Northcoders placed 254 graduates into work!

Myth 5: Coding bootcamps are unaffordable

Coding bootcamps are definitely an investment. However, they are still less expensive than a traditional university degree. There are also different financial support options available to make bootcamps more accessible: from fully-funded government scholarships to deferred payment schemes or income sharing agreements. If you want to know more about these, including the free scholarship, you can have a look at our payment options page here. 

In conclusion, doing a bootcamp will require work, but is accessible to most people and can change your career and your life by giving you the skills you need to start a new role in tech. 

If you still have any questions, don’t hesitate to contact our team! We understand that joining a bootcamp is a commitment, so we’re here to help you make sure a coding bootcamp is right for you and will give you the best experience.