What is a Skills Bootcamp?
Meet the Skills Bootcamp delivery team as they tell you in their own words what goes on in our Skills Bootcamps.
Browse our short courses
Skills Bootcamps
Our free Skills Bootcamps give you the opportunity to build up sector-specific skills and support you towards advancing your career.
Whether you're looking for a new job or want to progress in your current industry, our free Skills Bootcamps open the door to a range of new and exciting opportunities.
You don't need any prior knowledge of the subject, just an interest and willingness to learn. These online short courses provide you with the digital skills employers look for, as well as pathways to getting a job. You'll also benefit from employment support including techniques for job applications and taking part in mock interviews.
What you need to know
Skills Bootcamps are short courses of up to 12 weeks that allow you to build up sector-specific skills and support you towards employment. They're for adults who want to retrain and pursue a career in a new field.
We're delivering these in partnership with employers, providers and local authorities. These courses are fully funded by the Department for Education and help you gain skills for life, help support skills demands in your area, and ultimately help you to get a job.
Before you apply to one of our short courses, there are a few things to consider.
What is the commitment to a Skills Bootcamp like?
These free online short courses are designed to fit around other commitments and involve around 30 hours of study per week. A positive mindset is key to successfully complete these Skills Bootcamps.
It's important to note that you're expected to spend a number of hours outside of teaching on independent study to support your learning. Your lecturers will support you with reading activities to do during your independent study.
Who can apply to a Skills Bootcamp?
Eligibility requirements vary from course to course but generally you must:
- Be aged 19+
- Have the right to live and work in the UK
- Have lived in the UK for at least three years
- Currently live in England
- Agree to provide mandatory personal data and supplementary information on your employment outcomes for up to eight months following completion of the Skills Bootcamp
- Have not completed a DfE funded bootcamp in the last 12 months
Some of our Skills Bootcamps require you to live, work or be looking to work in specific parts of the country (e.g. Bath, Bristol, Gloucestershire) so please check the specific Skills Bootcamp web page for more information.
How much does a Skills Bootcamp cost?
Working alongside our partners we're able to provide these courses free of charge. We only accept applications from those who haven't completed a govenment funded bootcamp in the last 12 months.
If you're being sent for training by your employer, your employer will need to pay up to 30% of the total fees depending on the size of the company. If this is the case, please contact us at shortcourses@bathspa.ac.uk for more details.
What happens after a Skills Bootcamp?
You'll receive six months of employability support after completing a Skills Bootcamp. This includes your lecturers signposting you to networking events and job vacancies. You'll also receive a quarterly newsletter with the latest training opportunities, jobs fairs and tech events.
As our Skills Bootcamps are fully funded by the Department for Education, there is an expectation from the DfE that you'll keep in touch with us to let us know about any interviews or job offers you receive after completing the short course. We'll provide you with a short form that you must get your new employer to fill out in order for us to provide evidence to the DfE.
Bath Spa University secures further funding for new Skills Bootcamps
Since September 2021, Bath Spa University has taught over 250 students the sector-specific skills needed to start their dream careers through a Skills Bootcamp.
Following this success, Bath Spa University has since secured funding for five new Skills Bootcamps that were rolled out in January this year, in partnership with the West of England Combined Authority.
Find out more
"Diversity amongst UI/UX designers is essential."
Skills Bootcamp in Creative Computing student Madeleine Perry recounts her experience on the course. She tells us her top tips for completing a Skills Bootcamp and her highlights of the 12 weeks.
Read about Maddie's experience
Unite Students run UX workshop for Skills Bootcamp participants
In November, Unite Students held a day of workshops, talks and mock interviews for our current Skills Bootcamp in Creative Computing students.
Marie Draper, who attended the day, said: "It was great to have time with people who are currently working in the UX industry. For me, it helped to put a lot of things that we have been taught on the course into a real-life context, as sometimes theory and practice can be quite different."
Read Marie's story
From chef to coder, Adam Grover shares his bootcamp experience
Adam Grover knew he wanted a career change. With the help of the Skills Bootcamp in Creative Computing he's started a new career as a web developer.
Read Adam's story
"I improved my web development skills, teamwork skills and my overall confidence on camera. My experience was something I'll never forget, if I could do it again I wouldn't change a thing."
Ash, Student, Skills Bootcamp in Web Development
Spotlight on: Lior Burstein
Whilst taking a break from working, Lior Burstein completed Bath Spa University's Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing. She's recently started working as part of the Skills Bootcamp team, helping new and potential students undertake the same journey. Lior tells us her experience of the short course and her advice for changing careers.
Read Lior Burstein's story
Spotlight on: James Shaw
Meet Skills Bootcamp in Creative Computing lecturer, James Shaw. He brings together his experience of working as a freelance graphic designer and his knowledge surrounding ideation, design development and design process in his teaching. James describes the digital soft skills that students learn on the course as well as highlighting how the Skills Bootcamp builds confidence and opens the door to new opportunities within the creative sector.
Read James Shaw's story
Our lecturers
Jason
John
James
Vincent
Zac
Richards
Oliver
Berman
Kirill
Koniayev
Lorna
McIsaac
Tracey
Edwards
Kevin
Grieves
James
Shaw
Carey
Hunt
Contact us
If you have any queries please contact shortcourses@bathspa.ac.uk
Privacy Notice
Read the privacy notice about signing up for these Skills Bootcamps, including how and why your personal data will be collected, and what it will be used for.