Click Start - Bath Spa University Skip to main content

Click Start

Short course

    Age 18-30 and want to do something you love for a living? Take your career to the next level with free digital training, employability coaching and mentoring from industry professionals.

    • It's free! Gain digital skills and employability support at no cost to you.
    • Our next course starts on Tuesday 9 April. Teaching takes place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-1.30pm over eight weeks. In-person teaching will take place at the Bristol Folk House, Bristol.
    • No previous knowledge needed. We'll teach you all you need to know to click start your career.

    Click Start by Bath Spa in Creative Digital Skills is a creative digital programme designed to help you pursue a new career. You'll develop next level skills in digital marketing, UI/UX design and web development to build a portfolio that'll showcase your new abilities.

    Over the eight weeks you'll work on live briefs, in groups and individually, to strengthen your problem solving skills, creativity, adaptability and resilience. These are all valuable skills that employers look for.

    You'll be supported through the course and for six months after by a personal employability coach from Catch22.

    You'll be given a one year membership to the British Computer Society, free of charge, as part of this course. This membership includes access to an industry mentor who will advise you on progressing into a career in tech and creative industries.

    “As someone breaking into the tech field, I often feel underqualified to apply for roles. Not only do my career coaches give me the confidence and validation to apply for jobs, their personalised support and expertise in optimising my job application documents and skills is invaluable."

    Cher-Maine, Click Start Learner

    What is Click Start?

    This free, digital course is part of the new nationwide Click Start training programme developed by the Institute of Coding (IoC), a national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers. Click Start is funded by Nominet, the public benefit company that operates and protects UK Internet infrastructure and uses its funds to support projects that promote digital inclusion.

    The new programme will be rolled out through 2023 and helps to tackle the UK’s digital skills gap. This will be done by offering skills and training to more than 26,500 learners across the country, who may not have previously had opportunities.

    What you'll learn

    Course overview

    Within the web development part of the course, you'll be introduced to web development, HTML and Further HTML. You’ll also have an introduction to CSS and Bootstrap.

    For UX/UI, you'll learn about the basics of UX/UI, and explore ideation, fundamentals of colour, typography and hierarchy. You'll practice wireframing and prototyping, putting the digital tools you've learnt into practice.

    For digital marketing, you'll have an introduction to digital marketing and learn about Search Engine Optimisation (SEO) and techniques to utilise it. You'll also learn about social media marketing, including content and email marketing.

    How will I be taught?

    You’ll be taught through a combination of face-to-face and online teaching across the eight weeks. Teaching takes place Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, 10am-1.30pm.

    Previously, the in-person teaching has taken place at:

    You'll be taught by highly experienced tutors and also benefit from guest speakers and group exercises. 

    What could the next steps be?

    After completing this course, you could undertake:

    • Further Education
    • Self-Employment
    • Employment (internships, apprenticeships, entry level roles)
    • Volunteering
    Our partners

    Catch22

    Catch22 is a not-for-profit business with a social mission. For over 200 years it has designed and delivered services that build resilience and aspiration in people and communities.

    Last year the organisation supported over 160,000 people across England and Wales.

    Catch22 delivers high quality tailored employability programmes that equip hard to reach individuals with the support they need for a path to sustainable employment.

    Nominet

    Nominet is a public benefit company, driven by a commitment to use technology to improve connectivity, security and inclusivity online. For 25 years, Nominet has developed an expertise in the Domain Name System (DNS) that now underpins sophisticated threat monitoring, detection, prevention and analytics that is used by governments to mitigate cyber threats.

    Our social impact programme provides funding, support, and opportunities to help tackle some of the most important digital issues facing young people in the UK today.

    The Institute of Coding

    The Institute of Coding, led by the University of Bath, is a collaborative national consortium of industry, educators and outreach providers that are working together to respond to the UK’s digital skills gap through the delivery of employer-led digital skills education.

    Through this collaborative approach, IoC partners have created more than 150 new courses that have engaged over 900,000 diverse learners to date.

    Bath College

    Bath College provides innovative training to develop skills, inspire individuals, enrich the wider community and encourage all to achieve and progress.

    They work with new and emerging talent to prepare them to excel and to meet the needs of current or future employers. Bath College works with people from across local communities to develop their skills, improve their life chances and give them a passion for learning new things or mastering existing skills.

    TechSPARK

    TechSPARK is a not-for-profit community dedicated to connecting, educating and strengthening tech ecosystems from Swindon to Swansea. They work with tech and digital businesses from startups to scaleups, SME’s to global corporations to help them thrive through techSPARK's networks and knowledge.

    TechSPARK connects with over 35,000 people monthly; highlighting the best in tech in the West and bringing people together through events and programmes.

    “I wanted to transition away from the industry I was working in, and future proof my career by developing digital skills. I appreciated the relaxed teaching methods that still packed in a lot of detail and knowledge.”

    Kyle, Click Start Learner

    Ready to apply?

    What we look for

    No previous knowledge is needed to complete this digital course. The main thing we’re looking for is an interest in learning next level digital skills to further your career. You may be looking to develop in your current role, reskill into a new career or start your own business.

    Eligibility requirements

    To be eligible for the programme, you may:

    • Be aged 18-30
    • Live within an hour's travel of the West of England
    • Have the right to work in the UK

    You must be willing to travel for in person teaching.

    If you are aged 16-30 but don't live within an hour's travel of the West of England, you may be eligible for Click Start by the University of Leeds in Digital Skills, which is completely online.

    Cost

    Click Start is free.

    Dates and times

    The next courses start on:

    • 9 April for eight weeks, Tuesday - Thursday from 10am - 1:30pm. In-person teaching will take place at the Bristol Folk House, Bristol.
    • 7 May for eight weeks, Tuesday - Thursday from 10am - 1:30pm. All teaching will take place online.

    You will be taught through a combination of face-to-face and online teaching, and must attend every session.

    Please note that whilst these are the current confirmed dates, they are subject to change.

    How do I apply?
    1. Complete the application form.
    2. Once you've submitted your form, you'll be contacted by a member of staff to complete the next stage of your application. This will be done via a short phone call.

    Frequently asked questions

    How much of my course takes place in person and when?

    30% of your teaching will be in person. This will take place over the eight weeks.

    Will I receive a certificate or qualification at the end of my course?

    At the end of your short course you'll receive a certificate of completion.

    You'll also be given a one year membership to the British Computer Society, free of charge, as part of this course. This membership includes access to an industry mentor who will advise you on progressing into a career in tech and creative industries.

    What will I learn during the programme?

    You'll learn skills in web development, UI/UX design and digital marketing. For more in depth information, please see our course overview.

    What happens after my course?

    You'll be provided with six months of employability support from Catch22, including being signposted to opportunities for employment, self-employment, volunteering and further education.

    Contact us

    If you have any queries please email clickstart@bathspa.ac.uk or call +44 (0)1225875607

    Privacy Notice

    Read the privacy notice about signing up for Click Start, including how and why your personal data will be collected, and what it will be used for.

    the logo for click start

    Website feedback to web@bathspa.ac.uk