How is Tech Collective different to a bootcamp?
Tech Collective promotes active, collaborative learning.
We think the traditional bootcamp model of crammed, passive and self-centred education is broken.
Tech Collective is a tech-upskill community for active, collaborative learners.
It's not a bootcamp - it's a third option to self-study and bootcamps.
We start with our Values, and go from there.
In the comparison table below, some specific bootcamps have variations, e.g. Founders and Coders uses a non-traditional model.
You should do your own research into particular bootcamps that you are considering.
| Question | Tech Collective | Bootcamp |
|---|---|---|
| What educational expertise is there? | Tech Collective is built on two pillars of educational research: Spaced repetition: learning is demonstrably more effective if it is spread out over a larger time period; and Cognitive load: thinking and learning is less effective if we are overloaded with information. | Traditional bootcamps are oriented entirely against both the spaced repetition and cognitive load theory of educational research: in a bootcamp, you are overwhelmed with dense information in a very short period of time, and expected to digest it all. (If you are interested in understanding why they might do this even if it's less effective, read our article: 3 ways in which the traditional bootcamp model is broken) |
| Who keeps the revenue? | 50% of Tech Collective membership revenues are shared amongst the community of members. We think this a fairer distribution of revenues, since you and your peers provide the bulk of the value to each other. | Bootcamp keeps all the tuition fees, regardless of instructor skill, resource quality or student experience. (So, if you are considering a bootcamp, make sure to carefully research the instructors at a particular campus, as some cities might be better than others.) |
| Can I be finished in three months? | No. We're optimising to reduce career-change risk, and that means taking it part-time and more slowly, to ensure solid foundations. | Yes. Some bootcamps are as short as eight weeks. |
| Will I learn to code in the way that real developers do? | Yes, through practical projects, talking to peers, and... Googling error messages, just like real developers. (You might be taught the occasional thing, but this will be the exception.) | No. You'll have frequent lectures and classes. (It must be that bootcamps are using fees to pay for instructors to do that - because why else would they need so much of your money?) |
| Can I maintain an income whilst learning? | Yes, it's a part-time commitment | No, you have to study full-time |
| Do I have to pay anything upfront? | Yes, but a £150 background check fee which our financing partner charges us, on which we make no profit. (We will share this invoice with you for maximum transparency.) | Yes - deposit or full fees |
| Can I pay upfront if I prefer? | No, because we think that this skews organisational incentives badly. By stopping people from paying upfront, we stop people buying their way in regardless of fit. | Yes |
| Who will my peers be? | You'll meet your prospective peers before you have to commit, in the application process. Knowing them is an important part of making an informed decision. | Whomever they choose to admit. Hopefully this bootcamp is one which has rigorous and ethical admissions policies! |
| Can I see what materials we'll be using before I commit? | Yes. Part of the application process will involve looking at, and researching, the open-source materials we'll be using, so that you can make an informed decision. | Probably not. It's certainly possible that this bootcamp has developed better resources than the open-source materials maintained by thousands of people passionate about developer education - but you'll have to take that on trust. |