Skills Bootcamp in Agile Project Management
Skills Bootcamp in Data Analytics and Machine Learning
Skills Bootcamp in Scrum Foundation
Skills Bootcamp in UX/UI Design
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 starting your own business, 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, pathways to getting a job and tailored small business support.
You'll also benefit from employment support including techniques for job applications and taking part in mock interviews.
Get involved
Are you a business interested in working with our Skills Bootcamps?
Find out the benefits of getting involved with our courses, including:
- Accessing a pool of over 500 upskilled job seekers across eight digital skill areas
- Saving money on advertising jobs
- Targeting learners looking for roles in your industry.
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, pursue a career in a new field or start their own business.
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 take the next step in your career journey.
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
- Live in or near Bath and North East Somerset, Bristol, South Gloucestershire or North Somerset
- 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
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 government 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?
After completing your Skills Bootcamp you’ll be supported by your Career Development Coach for six months. This includes help with interviews, updating your CV and putting together a business plan. You’ll have access to additional training such as our Entrepreneurship for Beginners short course.
During and after your course you’ll be invited to a Skills Bootcamps students and alumni LinkedIn group in which you can network and celebrate your career success with your fellow learners.
Once you’ve finished your Skills Bootcamp you’ll be sent a monthly newsletter with the latest job vacancies and networking events.
As our Skills Bootcamps are fully funded by the Department for Education, there is an expectation that you'll keep in touch with us to let us know about any career progression opportunities you receive after completing the short course. You’ll be provided with a short declaration form to fill out once you've secured new work.
Course in focus: Skills Bootcamp in Agile and Scrum Foundation (West Midlands)
During our seven-week, Level 3 Skills Bootcamp in Agile and Scrum Foundation, you’ll learn about key Agile principles, the Scrum framework and how to apply them within project management scenarios. You’ll also gain the academic knowledge and practical skills required for your chosen industry.
You must be aged 19+ and live in the West Midlands to apply.
Find out more
“Completing the Skills Bootcamp definitely helped me get new work and gave me a good starting point for developing my marketing knowledge and skills.”
Cameren, Student, Skills Bootcamp in Digital Marketing
Securing a new role with the help of a Skills Bootcamp
Since September 2021, Bath Spa University has run free Skills Bootcamps for local residents. In January of 2024, Bath Spa started its 50th cohort.
Jed Taylor, a Skills Bootcamp alum, talks about his time on the course and how he was able to combine his previous work experience and Skills Bootcamp experience to land a senior analyst role.
Read Jed's story
From Freelancer to Front End Developer, Adam's career change success
Adam Wozniak has worked as a freelance motion graphics designer for the past five years. After completing a Skills Bootcamp in Web Development earlier this year, he's now started a three month internship as a Front End Developer Intern.
Read Adam's story
"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 Maddie's story
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
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.