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A Python bootcamp is a focused, immersive learning environment designed to help students learn this major programming language relatively quickly. Bootcamps offer hands-on exercises, and allow you to work on projects that cover fundamentals like syntax, algorithms, and object-oriented programming.
Python bootcamps emphasize project-based learning: real-world assignments that participants can eventually compile into a portfolio to share with potential employers. The end goal is to leave students with the practical skills and experience that qualify them for jobs as Python programmers at the close of the course.
“Bootcamps absolutely deliver,” says developer Geoffrey Bourne, co-founder of the New York City-based social media API company Ayrshare. “With small classes, hands-on projects, and live support, candidates are pretty much set up for success.”
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6 Python bootcamps to help jump-start your search
Below are a few of the most prominent courses currently available.
General Assembly Python short course
General Assembly touts its short course as a “beginner-friendly option with no prerequisites,” but it’s also suitable for more experienced programmers looking to make a career pivot.
In addition to Python basics, students learn the rudiments of web development and data science to see if either of these common career paths for Python programmers might be for them.
- Learners can choose between a 10-week, two nights per week evening course, or a one-week accelerated course.
- Before the first session, all enrollees regardless of experience level receive remote, self-paced preparatory lessons that cover Python fundamentals. In the final unit students build a custom application from scratch.
- Total cost: $4,500. Installment plans, loans, and scholarships may be available.
- Available in person in a handful of cities around the world (such as New York, Sydney, London, and Singapore) or online.
- The course is live, so you should notify your instructor in advance if you expect to miss a session (catch-up resources are available).
- GA instructors regularly double as career coaches who offer advice on professional paths. Completing a GA course also makes you one of nearly 100,000 alumni worldwide, offering further opportunities for networking and workshops.
- Signed certificate awarded upon completion.
Udemy Complete Python Bootcamp
One of the more budget-friendly options, Udemy’s low-cost, self-paced online course promises to take participants “from zero to hero” with an emphasis on giving beginners the skills they need to reach proficiency.
- Enrollees must complete 22 hours of course content.
- Through 19 coding exercises and 15 articles, students go from mastering the basics to more advanced functions like timestamps and decorators and building their own apps and games.
- $189.99 for the course or $20.00 per month for a Udemy subscription.
- This is a self-paced, online course.
- Since this isn’t a live bootcamp, mentoring isn’t possible but learners receive lifetime access to over 100 lectures and their accompanying notebooks.
- Certificate of completion upon finishing.
CodingNomads: Learn Python Online
The CodingNomads online course boasts a carefully signposted learning environment that’s meant to offer clear markers of progress through assignments, documentation, and videos.
- Coding Nomads estimates that its comprehensive three-part Python series (101, 201, and 301) takes between 200 and 250 hours to complete. A student who commits 20 hours a week can expect to finish the series within 10 to 15 weeks.
- Curriculum covers basic concepts and use cases; tools like GitHub and IDE; integrating Python apps with SQL, databases, APIs, and data sets. A final portfolio project incorporates all the above and more.
- Tiered subscriptions run from $9.00 per month for the self-paced Basic Membership to $899.00 per month for the Mentorship Program, which includes weekly online meetings with a mentor.
- Online course. Basic and Premium levels are self-paced, while Mentorship level requires a commitment of 15 hours per week and usually takes 3 to 4 months to complete.
- Mentorship is offered through the most expensive subscription tier (see above); a $29 monthly Premium Membership (i.e., the middle tier) grants access to a members-only forum and more than 10 additional coding courses.
- Certificate awarded upon completion.
Nucamp: Back End, SQL, and DevOps with Python
Known for its emphasis on affordability, Nucamp’s online bootcamp has students solve coding problems and complete coding assignments through a carefully structured combination of live streaming workshops and self-paced video lectures and exercises.
- The course runs for 16 weeks. Note that attendance at a 4-hour live workshop every Saturday or Sunday is required for the duration of the bootcamp (on top of 8 hours of self-guided study during the week).
- Highlights of the three-part curriculum include common algorithms and object-oriented programing concepts; SQL and relational databases; and using apps in the “big three” real-world clouds: Amazon AWS, Google, and Microsoft Azure.
- From $2,124, depending on plan; installment plans are available through Nucamp’s Fair Student Agreement.
- This online bootcamp mixes live workshops (4 hours per week) with self-paced video lectures and exercises (8 hours per week).
- Nucamp provides access to career advisors who can help with interview and resume prep.
- Students receive a certificate of completion upon finishing.
Carnegie Mellon: Programming with Python
Presented under the auspices of Carnegie Mellon University’s widely respected School of Computer Science and its Executive Education program, Programming with Python teaches newcomers to write clear and efficient code from the ground up. Emphases on debugging, effective testing, and industry best practices bolster the overall goal of creating readable programs. The course also makes extensive use of Python’s many open-source libraries.
- 10-week duration, requiring an estimated commitment of 5–10 hours per week.
- Focuses on writing code using common Python structures; instruction is delivered through prerecorded faculty videos supplemented by live “office hours.”
- $2,500; installment plans available.
- This is a structured, online program that requires a weekly time commitment for students to complete each learning module within a 10-week span.
- Carnegie Mellon touts moderated peer discussion groups, available exclusively through its online platform, as a significant bonus feature.
- Certificate awarded upon completion.
Udacity: Introduction to Programming with Python I
Udacity refers to its courses as nanodegree programs, meaning they focus closely on practical skills for a specific job market. Coupled with a comparatively low cost and at-your-own pace scheduling, that makes their introductory Python bootcamp a potentially beginner-friendly option.
- The average duration of this bootcamp is one month.
- After an introduction to core programming concepts and basic syntax, students move on to writing conditional statements and Python functions, debugging, working with strings and lists, and creating a text-based adventure game.
- Monthly subscription for $249 or four-month enrollment for $846. Discounts and free trials available.
- Course is online and self-paced.
- Career and networking resources are available.
- Certificate awarded upon completion.
The takeaway
Python bootcamps are geared toward giving students the practical experience that can be the proverbial foot-in-the-door in a fast-paced and well-compensated profession. Many of these types of bootcamps require a concentrated time commitment and are marketed toward both coding novices and programmers who want to learn a new language.
Finally, before you settle on a Python bootcamp, remember that there are several steps you can take that will help you reach an informed decision.
- Download the course curriculum if it’s available on the company site. If you don’t see it on the website, ask a representative for a copy.
- Read the reviews posted on outlets like Career Karma, Course Report, and SwitchUp.
- Last, far from least: Find out who’s teaching your course. Research instructors on the company site and on LinkedIn, where you should be able to learn more about their credentials, connections, and experience.
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