Learn to code now (and pay later)

Software development is still one of the fastest growing industries in the UK and the world. Learning to code is therefore a sure fire way to secure a reliable career that's challenging, creative and potentially very high earning.

Coding is not just for geeks anymore, and it can be a great option for people looking for a career change or young people looking get on the job ladder. However, typical coding bootcamps require large tuition fees paid upfront which can be prohibitive.

Is there a better way?

What is a coding bootcamp?

Many professional programmers are self taught, paving the way for an education in programming outside of traditional university education. Because of this, coding bootcamps have sprung up, teaching people to code in an intensive course typically lasting 2-6 months.

The popularity for bootcamp education is driven by today’s technology-focused economy pushing up the demand for talented programmers. In turn this has seen programmer wages rise significantly.

As you may well know, university education fees have increased dramatically in the UK making it a risky option for many people.

Learning to code at a boot camp gives students the prospect of a decent wage straight from completion, taking away a chunk of that risk, not to mention time.

Financing a coding boot camp (the old way)

Coding boot camps aren’t cheap, with many having costs that are roughly comparable to a master's degree. Two of the industry leaders, General Assembly and Makers Academy, currently charge £8,000 for their courses.

There are two ways you can usually pay for a coding bootcamp:

Upfront

Pay the fees before you start the course.

This is great - if you’ve got £8,000 burning a hole in your pocket! But a lot of younger people looking to make a positive change simply can’t find or save £8,000.

Also, if you find the course isn't for you, you risk paying out even if you don’t complete it.

With a loan

You can get a loan to cover the cost of your tuition. It usually works something like this:

• You sign the paperwork
• The loan company gives the money straight to the coding boot camp
• You complete the boot camp
• A few months after you complete the boot camp you start paying the money back

This has some downsides:

• If the boot camp doesn’t work out for you, you’re stuck with a hefty loan that must be repaid
• You owe interest on the loan e.g. 14.7%. This is a lot higher than a typical UK student loan
• The boot camp has your tuition fees already, so they might not be motivated to help you succeed and get a job

The Function Camp way - learn now, pay later

The Function Camp course uses a new financing method. It’s called Deferred Tuition - here’s how it works:

• You sign the paperwork
• You do the boot camp
• Once you’re earning, you start repaying 10% of your salary towards the loan

This has some advantages:

• We don’t get paid unless your training works out and you land a job, so we have an incentive to make it work for you
• If the course doesn’t work out for you, you don’t owe a penny
• The interest on the loan is linked to inflation, so the money you owe today is the same in tomorrow’s money

At Function Camp we’re proud to be one of the first in the UK to offer a boot camp where students can learn now and pay only once they’re earning using their skills.

We hope that our deferred tuition bootcamp enables people who otherwise couldn’t afford to back themselves to make a positive career move.

Learn more about the Function Camp curriculum or how to apply.