Coding is an in-demand skill across a wide range of exciting industries. Coding bootcamps and certificate programs meet this demand by teaching technical skills to the general public. However, students that are new to coding can have reservations about just how long it will take to learn how to code.
For professionals interested in making a career transition, it is vital to find courses that fit into a busy schedule and offer technical skills that will lead to job placement. You should research several factors before choosing a coding bootcamp based on how long it will last.
How Long are Coding Bootcamps?
In response to the demand for technical skills, coding bootcamps support students interested in becoming tech professionals. This demand is also reflected in the diverse job opportunities for students with a background in engineering, computer programming, or data science.
There are several types of coding bootcamps that vary in length, topics covered, and cost of participation. While some bootcamps can be months long, most coding bootcamps are shorter in duration than other methods of learning how to code. Especially when compared to college degree programs, coding bootcamps operate on a schedule that condenses years of fundamental skills into a weeks-long course load. The length of a coding bootcamp varies based on the student, the curriculum, and the overall expectations of the course.
Types of Coding Bootcamp Students
Coding bootcamps are tailored to different types of students.
Full-Time v. Part-Time Students
Full-time students can participate in the coding bootcamps for more hours in a day. Part-time students take the same hours as full-time students, but over a longer period of time. Full-time coding bootcamps work for students who can spend more daily hours on a course but want fewer days in the classroom; part-time coding bootcamps are better suited for students with other commitments who need to spread out their instruction over several months.
Beginner, Intermediate, and Advanced Students
Coding bootcamps are available at different levels of difficulty according to whether they’re for new or experienced students. The level of a coding bootcamp can be a contributing factor in its length. Although bootcamps can be any length, bootcamps for beginner students tend to be longer. More advanced students can usually learn complex skills in a shorter time because they already have experience. For beginner students, having fewer skills and experience in coding makes taking a longer bootcamp more beneficial than it might be for an experienced student. It is essential to accurately assess your skill set before determining how much time you’ll need to spend on a coding bootcamp.
Average Coding Bootcamp Schedule
The difference between types of students also corresponds to the average schedule of a coding bootcamp.
On the surface, taking a coding bootcamp full-time appears to be shorter in length than taking the bootcamp part-time. However, the bootcamps are equivalent to the number of hours spent in the classroom.
Prospective students should research the course length to understand the daily and weekly schedule. While most bootcamp schedules are similar to a traditional course or classroom environment, with five to eight hours a day of instruction, other courses have a significantly shorter time in the classroom on a given day.
The Coding Bootcamp Curriculum
The type of student and the schedule of a coding bootcamp is also used to build the program curriculum. Before you decide on a bootcamp, it is essential to consult the curriculum or syllabus for the course. Similar to the other two factors, the curriculum of a coding bootcamp greatly influences the length of the coding bootcamp.
Longer bootcamps tend to cover multiple topics and skills, with some coding bootcamps offering instruction in multiple programming languages and tools. A shorter bootcamp typically offers a more concise curriculum that focuses on teaching one skill or type of software. How long the bootcamp is should be secondary to what you are learning throughout the bootcamp.
Comparing Longer Bootcamps vs. Shorter Bootcamps
In comparing longer bootcamps to shorter bootcamps, there are differences in pacing and pricing.
Longer bootcamps tend to last a few months, while shorter bootcamps can last a few days or weeks. This difference in length influences the amount of time a student will commit to the program and the pacing of instruction. Coding bootcamps that are shorter in length will have a faster pace than a longer bootcamp. Shorter bootcamps also have longer blocks of time spent in the classroom. If you prefer to learn in shorter blocks of time, then taking a longer bootcamp will suit your needs better than a shorter one. However, some people find it challenging to remain focused when learning several hours of material in one sitting. If this sounds like you, a longer bootcamp might be beneficial.
Cost is another notable way that longer and shorter bootcamps differ from each other. Longer coding bootcamps tend to be higher in price than a bootcamps that are shorter in length. (It is important to note that this difference in length is usually not applicable when taking the same bootcamp as a full-time vs. a part-time student.) With that said, many longer bootcamps consist of several shorter bootcamps. In this case, it is more cost-effective to take a longer bootcamp because you can receive the instruction of multiple bootcamps simultaneously.
Looking for a Coding Bootcamp?
When preparing for a coding bootcamp, there are multiple factors to consider. From the cost of the bootcamp to the time commitment and curriculum, you should research all of the expectations and requirements of a coding bootcamp before selecting the one that is right for you. By offering live online coding bootcamps, Noble Desktop makes it easier for busy students to find a program that fits their schedules. Students that prefer a traditional classroom setting can also take any number of in-person coding bootcamps. Either way, Noble Desktop’s coding bootcamps range in cost, time commitment, and curriculum, meaning most students can find a program to meet their needs!