Code Nation Reviews 108

The Course itself is well made although is full of filler and wasted hours doing nothing.

My main gripe is they take advantage of people on Universal Credit with the promise of job prospects that never happen and dodge all attempts to contact them about it.

I started their course with zero experience. Very slow and inefficient in nature. They want you in a zoom call all day, with your camera on, to teach you a 30 minute coding exercise over the span of 8 hours. They would not allow independent study for those that learned quicker, and you were not allowed to leave the call or your seat for the duration of those 8 hours, unless it was for a break, or lunch. So - you're forced to sit there and listen to them dribble on about something that could otherwise be learned in 30 minutes, but for 8 whole hours instead.

They also tell you that if you drop out, you will be sanctioned if you're on universal credit, like I was. They are lying. They use this as a fear tactic to keep you on the course. They don't have the power to get you sanctioned. My guess is that they do this to retain numbers so they can benefit the most when offering you to recruiters, so they make more money from commission. They tell you their certificate is recognized, but in reality, it's just a piece of paper. I dropped out and decided to learn using free sources like codecademy and freecodecamp, and learned more in a day than I did during the first two weeks on the course.

The tutors are amazing people with great personalities and even greater humor. They deserve better.

Was on the software bootcamp, easy to follow course, no real experience before but with great instructors and managed to get lot from the employability team, with interviews

But some of the 'guaranteed opportunities' have not been shown.

The tutors/mentors are lovely and hard working. They will show you everything they can within reason and teach you everything they know.

Sadly, the last few weeks of my learning were spoiled and confirmed that I was in fact just a number. Besides receiving inappropriate comments of fellow learners, and at least one even displaying my code as their own (and verbally attacking me when confronted) Not only did they keep him on the course (numbers), they stressed that I needed to stay on the course too, as I threatened to leave despite learning a lot and working hard.

I felt ignored and disregarded due to this. I was very anxious to join lessons as the boys all teamed up with the lazy learner and completely ignored me and any suggestions or comments I made. The staffs bright idea was to simply split us up, and allow the boys to disregard previous rules by letting them hold frequent private chats.

Graduation day was a let down. My teammate and I worked as hard as we could on our project (and struggled to get assistance off the mentor as he was already 'helping the boys'). We learned that another student who was a bit behind (not his fault) was put with the boys team last minute to get credit. This was now 4 boys in one team and 2 girls in another. This was feeling increasingly sexist.

When the boys work was shown I was devastated as it was clear the mentor put in work and help for them. Considering when they did get on with me during the beginning of the course they would often ask for help, this sudden project brought up suspicions. Another learners comment made it worse when he said 'so we actually have our work finished' as my teams work was not complete.

We were told afterwards to return to the main channel, where my teammate and I sat there to get told by the mentor that he was going to speak to the boys first (who were in a private chat again) and left. This all showed blatant favouritism and left a bad feeling. Despite trying to keep a neutral and positive outlook this all felt extremely misogynistic and unprofessional. I cannot explain how upset I was. I still am.

The worst of it is how in emails, induction emails and during the first few weeks of the course we were guaranteed interviews. Since the 13th Sept (graduation), I have just been given the link to portal. No interview, no specific advice on my cv or portfolio, just a link to a portal with jobs that require more skills and qualifications than any of us learners have.

Most of the tutors are amazing, the learning content is great. I just had a very bad, unsafe experience that left a bad impression of the company.

I forgot to note that when my teammate and I questioned the last tutor about the teams, he specifically informed us that he initially wanted us all as one team as 'usually only two people actually do the work'. He initiated to us that he expected my teammate and I to do the work for the boys. I wish I recorded that comment as it was very upsetting.

If you are a woman, have learning disability, or mental health issues please be careful and keep notes and receipts of every interaction you have.

[EDIT] Disclaimer: Some of my wording might sound extreme as recalling these events has made me emotional.

I had the opportunity to be taught by Tom Daly during my Cybersecurity course at Code Nation and I couldn’t have asked for a better tutor. Tom is a fantastic tutor who combines deep technical knowledge with an ability to break things down in a way that’s easy to understand. His expertise spans a wide range of critical topics, from learning how to use Linux, understanding exploits and pen testing, to securing our own network server built on a LAMP stack (Linux, Apache2, My PHP, and MySQL).

Tom’s practical approach to teaching, especially in areas like securing network infrastructure and building hands-on skills with real-world scenarios, really helped solidify my understanding. He consistently made sure we understood the core principles of the course, not just in theory but in real-world applications. His dedication to our learning was evident in every lesson. Never once did I have to remind him about recording the lessons, even after he asked us to remind him incase he does forget. He is a absolute legend!!

During my course, Tom was not just a tutor, he became a mentor and collaborator. While I had some knowledge in cybersecurity, there were moments where both Tom and I worked together to figure things out, while the rest of the team would sit back, watching and wondering what was going on. Those moments of collaboration were some of the best parts of my learning experience, and I thoroughly enjoyed every bit of it.

Tom has a rare ability to both teach and work alongside you as an equal when necessary. I’m genuinely sad that this chapter has come to an end, though I understand it was time. I hope I get the opportunity to work with people like Tom in the future, he is a clear example of someone who serves as a ladder, helping others climb higher, rather than being a hurdle. The world truly needs more people like Tom.

The course was just about acceptable, but they promise that the course will lead to opportunities. Absolute nonsense. They introduced us to their "employment specialists" who apparently are there to help you use the skills you are learning and qualifications you are gaining to help you secure employment in trainee positions. But they don't do ANYTHING at all in that respect, except send you a link to a job board that has about 100 jobs on it, 95 of which require much higher qualifications or experience. They don't answer your calls or emails. God knows what this "department" of Code Nation actually does with their time. My best guess is to get more people onto their courses through govt funding as that is clearly their only priority.

They let people on the courses who are just so far out of their depths, like don't even know how the basics of how to use a computer. Or be able to talk. Or type. This slows the whole class to snails pace all day, every day.

Don't waste your time. Far more cons that pros.

Course - CodeNation
As I come to the closing two weeks of my Software Development Master Course at CodeNation, I wanted to share the brilliance of the companies initiatives and effective tutoring to both professionals, students and people who are just keen to learn.

When I first reached out to CodeNation’s CEO David Muir, he was so welcoming and took the time to go through which course was for me. Which really showed me that everybody was open to helping support my learning journey from the beginning.

CodeNation offer fantastic Bootcamps in Software Development, Technology, and Cyber Security, where I’ve learned so much more than just the technical skills. I’ve become confident in languages like HTML, SQL, the style-sheet language CSS and JavaScript, and I’ve delved into frameworks like Node.js and React. But what really stood out for me was the sense of community and the freedom to explore and learn at my own pace. Whether it was navigating the terminal or mastering VS Code, I always felt supported and encouraged to push my limits. This supportive environment not only helped me grasp complex concepts but also made the learning journey genuinely enjoyable.

What’s even more inspiring is the influence CodeNation is having in bringing computer technology knowledge to diverse audiences. The skill set I’ve acquired from these courses is second to none, and the teaching is by far the best I’ve ever experienced.

1000% recommend.

I started my career journey into tech with Code Nation. I completed the 12 week master software developer course.

I was new to coding, but with the help of the tutors I was able to gain fundamental coding principles. I learnt languages such as Javascript, HTML & CSS. We were taught to create a full application using the MERN stack as well other databases such as MySQL.

The tutors are knowledgeable and will do everything they can to help you understand a subject and complete tasks. I was also able to see what a developers work environment would be like, understanding agile working using ticketing systems and tools like Kanban.

The main skill I developed that helped me in my career was problem solving. I was shown how to break a problem down and research it to find a solution (always read the documentation).

If I were to do it again I would do more research into the current job market. It was difficult to find a role as a junior developer, a lot of positions wanted a developer with a wide range of skills but only wanted to pay for a junior and didn't seem to want to offer additional training. I started my first role in tech as an apprentice, I suggest looking into apprenticeships earlier and applying to them as well as junior developer roles. Look into academy's and get familiar with the hiring process by using tools online like Codility, demonstrate your problem solving techniques. You should be able to show fundamental coding skills, but more importantly, a desire to learn more. Have a growth mindset and show that to a potential employer.

The course was challenging, but it was well worth it.

I found that this course was incredibly helpful in giving me a great starting point for my career in software development. The best part of the course was the Git section led by Michael. This was a new concept to me and Michael explained it very well. I have found this skill invaluable in my current role as a full stack dev

Ezra has a compassionate honesty that just gets you on board no matter what. We're a team or crew or whatever and we help each other and build each other up. The passionate common sense approach reminds me of Tan France, who I of course think is amazing

I attended the Master40 course at Code Nation in 2022 with the expectation of receiving guaranteed support for securing a job post-course. Unfortunately, the reality did not align with the promises made. It appears that Code Nation's focus is primarily on financial gains rather than the genuine assistance of their graduates in their job search after completing the program.

Throughout the course, there was an emphasis on employability support, with Gina spearheading this effort. However, in the crucial last two weeks of the program, Gina became unresponsive, rendering her unapproachable for job-related assistance. Despite persistent efforts to communicate and seek guidance, myself and fellow graduates found ourselves without the promised support, resulting in a sense of betrayal and frustration.

The lack of support and unfulfilled promises left a sour impression on our overall experience, and it seems evident that Code Nation's commitment to assisting graduates in securing employment may not be as robust as advertised. For those considering a career transition into the tech industry, caution is advised when contemplating Code Nation as a potential training provider.

*Experience from June 2022*

This time last year in Jan 2022, I was finishing off the final stage of my 12-week Master Bootcamp course. A year on, I've been working as a junior developer for almost a year.

My course at Code Nation has equipped me with the core web development skills - which I currently use in my role. In addition, the training was delivered by dedicated instructors who ensure our understanding of topics were consolidated. Teamwork, communication and agile working practices are emphasised throughout - especially in the final team project. These transferrable skills have also proven to be crucial in my current role.

After the course, experienced employability officers gave us extensive guidance on CV and interview techniques and processes. After some perseverance, I managed to land a role with the use of the Code Nation careers portal.

A great alternative to a uni course that I was able to do remotely. It gave me base knowledge quickly and my current employer confidence.

I got on the course on a grant. If paying full price, I would want code nation to up employability links and have a guarantee e.g. if you don't land a job, you don't pay a fee.

At the moment, once the course has finished, although they have some jobs for companies that they post (for very low wages), you're pretty much on your own and it takes a lot more work building a portfolio to convince an employer to take a chance on you... especially with how saturated the job market is with junior developers.

These guys do an amazing job of training, preparing and helping people get ready for a career in software development. Great tutors and support staff and genuinely useful course content that helped me get a job in a sector I'd dreamed of getting into but just didn't know how to go about it.

I have just recently completed the 12-week Cyber Security Master Skills Course and what a great experience!

I have already had 2 interviews for job roles that I never would have believed I could have applied for 3 months ago, and thanks to Code Nation I feel confident applying for companies as I have all the tools I need to get started.

My Trainer, Paul, was so patient yet always took the opportunity to stretch our newly learned skills. FYI, I had zero knowledge of any kind of coding or Cyber Security knowledge other than basic configuration of a firewall, now I'm cracking hashes and having fun on Capture the Flag events.

I definitely recommend this Code Nation if you are thinking of getting in to Cyber Security or Software Development.

I graduated from the Code nation, master coding course and was employed within 2 months of the end date. This was obviously a great outcome, but the course itself was brilliantly managed and taught. All of the tutors are a inspiration and work so hard to set you up on the best foot. Couldnt recommend more if you are young or simply looking for a change, ( I was a chef before the course )

I spent 3 weeks on the starter coding course. Over the course, I learned coding fundamentals, 3 coding languages and advanced my knowledge of the sector. It also provided me with a portfolio of work to build upon.

I can truly say it was a 10/10 experience. My tutor was amazing and you could tell he truly loved what he was doing. I will hopefully be joining more courses with CodeNation!

I've taken several other courses,but the codenation course was where i learned the most
The instructors are kind, intelligent and respectful, even though I speak very little English, I was able to communicate with them and in not a moment I realized that they were angry or bored with me speaking, this was the best course I've taken so far.

Did recent cyber course. Lots of work, but really interesting. Covers a lot of ground (basics, hardware & software, laws, research & a practical project) in a short space of time and you get the chance to play with security tools in a safe sandboxed manner as well as during the project. Teachers Lorraine and Li are great and super helpful when you have any problems or questions.

Amazing group/course for everyone, clear, precise and really makes you feel part of a team. Life changer!