The University of Texas at Austin Coding Bootcamp: Review, Cost, and Guide

The University of Texas at Austin is a top higher education institution in the US, known for academic excellence and quality research. Nearly 140 years since its inception, it continues to provide a dynamic learning experience for all. Now, students have the chance to gain technical skills and hands-on experience through its extension, the UT Austin Coding Bootcamp. 

The University of Texas bootcamp uses a market-driven curriculum to teach in-demand skills and prepare students for high-growth careers in the tech industry. This article will take a closer look at this university coding bootcamp and delve deeper into its offerings, cost, and more. Let’s get started and find out if UT Austin Coding Bootcamp is the right fit for you.

The University of Texas at Austin Coding Bootcamp Courses

Top UT Austin Coding Bootcamps

UT Austin Coding Bootcamp offers six programs covering different areas in tech. These bootcamp programs equip students with tech skills, real-world experience, and an overall comprehensive learning experience. Students at the UT Austin coding bootcamp also have access to a wide range of career services to better prepare them for the job market. 

UT Austin Coding Bootcamp

This program is suitable for students who wish to develop their programming skills with a focus on web development. The full-time format takes 12 weeks to complete and costs $12,995. Meanwhile, part-time students will pay $12,495 for a 24-week program. Upon completion, students will have a professional portfolio that they can use to start a career in tech. 

What you will learn at UT Austin Coding Bootcamp:

• Front end fundamentals. Students at UT Austin coding bootcamp will learn HTML, CSS, JavaScript, jQuery, APIs, and more as a part of the full stack curriculum. 
• Backend and database architecture. Students will be exposed to server-side and database technologies such as MySQL, MongoDB, Node.js, and Express.js. 

Data structures and algorithms. Students will fortify their understanding of core computer science fundamentals by exploring in-demand topics like data structures.

UT Austin Cybersecurity Bootcamp

The cyber security bootcamp at UT Austin equips students with the technical skills to pursue their career goals effectively. This 24-week, part-time program is suitable for students who prefer flexible learning environments. Aside from learning in-demand technologies like Windows and Linux administration, you will also gain hands-on experience through collaborative projects.

What you will learn at UT Austin Cybersecurity Bootcamp:

• Ethical hacking. Students at UT Austin’s cyber security bootcamp will use technologies like Linux, Metasploit, Hashcat, and Burp Suite to build progressive web applications.
• Cyber security concepts. Students will learn about secure network architecture, risk management, cryptography, vulnerability assessment, and access management.
• Systems fundamentals. Students will explore offensive and defensive techniques in modern information security, particularly in systems administration and hardening.

UT Austin Data Analysis Bootcamp

UT Austin Data Analytics Bootcamp is a 24-week, part-time program designed to round out your technical skills and help you launch a comprehensive career in the tech industry. It uses a market-driven curriculum that centers around real-world scenarios and crucial data skills needed by a majority of employers today.

What you will learn at UT Austin Coding Bootcamp:

• Statistics and advanced Excel. Students in this UT Austin coding bootcamp will learn core Excel functions like pivot tables and VBA scripting. Additionally, they also learn modeling and forecasting in statistics.
• Front end web visualization. Students build a comprehensive portfolio after learning about HTML, CSS, Bootstrap, dashboarding, JavaScript charting, and geomapping.
• Python and databases. Students learn how to code in Python, a popular programming language used in visualization and automation. They will go over NumPy, Pandas, Matplotlib, big data analytics, and more.

UT Austin UX/UI Bootcamp

The UX/UI bootcamp at UT Austin is also a part-time program that focuses on hands-on experience. Beyond fundamental design concepts, students learn additional technologies like Adobe XD, Figma, InVision, HTML, and CSS in the course of 24 weeks. UT Austin’s UX/UI program can be a great bridge between you and your first technical role in design.

What you will learn at UT Austin UX/UI Bootcamp:

• User-first design research. Students learn how to think like a great designer by familiarizing themselves with qualitative and quantitative research practices, UX design interviews, information architecture, and insight synthesis. 
• UI development. Students go over topics like atomic design, UI grids and composition, color theory, heuristic evaluation, typography, and interaction design. 
• Visual prototyping and wireframing. Students become more proficient at using Adobe XD, Figma, InVision, and Google Slides by working on their design projects collaboratively.

UT Austin Digital Marketing Bootcamp

This UT digital marketing bootcamp is an 18-week, part-time program. It is the most affordable program at UT Austin coding bootcamp with a $9,495 price tag. The digital marketing curriculum teaches students how to build a professional network, develop critical thinking skills, and impress prospective employers. 

What you will learn at UT Austin Digital Marketing Bootcamp:

• Marketing strategy. Students learn how to become a master at data strategies, diverse business needs, digital funnels, proposition creation, and content marketing.
• Campaign and website optimization. This UT Austin digital marketing bootcamp also covers optimization techniques and tools like search engine optimization (SEO), WordPress, domain authority, and link building,
• Digital advertising and data organization. Students learn how to use social media and paid search advertising tools like Google Analytics and Google Ads to their companies’ advantage.

UT Austin Product Management Bootcamp

This UT Austin Bootcamp teaches in-demand product management skills and other additional technologies to anyone interested in experiential learning opportunities. You will discover more about every stage in a product’s lifecycle. In 18 weeks, students will learn how to tackle complex projects using a multidisciplinary approach to product management, among others.

What you will learn at UT Austin Product Management Bootcamp:

• Essentials of product management. Students delve deeper into cross-functional leadership, market analysis, business model development, and Agile management style.
• Comprehensive career skills. Beyond basic knowledge of PM, students will be introduced to a wide range of tools to round out their professional skills like SQL and Tableau. 
• The A to Z of great products. Students receive training in roadmap development,  backlog management, sprint planning, data analysis, product optimization, and A/B testing.

University of Texas Bootcamp Locations

The UT Austin Coding Bootcamp typically holds its full-time classes on the main campus, which is centrally located and no more than half an hour away from Austin’s farthest corners. However, all classes are now held online due to the pandemic restrictions. The school has yet to announce if students will be able to attend classes on-campus in the near future.

Although all classes are currently held virtually, UT Austin Coding Bootcamp ensures that its classrooms prioritize hands-on training. Instead of a live lecture, students take part in interactive sessions where they are encouraged to collaborate with one another. Students are also welcome to engage with instructors and teaching assistants should they require extra help.

UT Austin Bootcamp Reviews

UT Austin Bootcamp received a lot of positive reviews on Career Karma. Out of the handful of reviews, a majority of graduates gave the school high scores for the quality of the instructors and overall hands-on experience. One reviewer said the instructors are “patient, knowledgeable, and empathetic”, which helped them build confidence in their programming skills. 

Another graduate found the wide range of career services offered at UT Austin Coding Bootcamp helpful. The school’s career services team is responsible for comprehensive professional development training. They conduct mock interviews, career coaching, professional portfolio reviews, and other key skills training to help students impress potential employers. 

Bootcamp Admissions Process

UT Austin Coding Bootcamp has a simple and straightforward admissions process. There are no specific entrance requirements for the coding bootcamp at UT Austin. All it asks is for students to be committed to the program, attend the virtual lessons, complete the at-home assignments, and be open to learning. Below is how you can apply to UT Austin Bootcamp.

• Submit an online form. Visit the school’s website, click on a program that you are interested in, and provide your basic information and contact details online.
• Admission interview. Wait to hear back from an admissions representative. Have a chat about the bootcamp programs, your expectations, and anything else you might want to learn about UT Austin Bootcamp. 
• Start your application process. Fill out an application and discuss your motivations for enrolling in UT Austin Coding Bootcamp.
• Admission assessment. Don’t worry if you don’t have any real-world programming experience as this assessment is only meant to evaluate your critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
• Discuss payment plans and finalize the enrollment agreement. Once accepted, you can talk to the admissions office and find out the best payment plan that works for you. Then, you can proceed to pay the deposit and sign the enrollment agreement.

UT Austin Bootcamps Acceptance Rate

UT Austin coding bootcamp has not made its acceptance rate public. However, we know that the school is accessible to all kinds of learners, including those without any technical background. As such, it is safe to assume that applicants who have fulfilled every step of the enrollment process should be able to secure a spot in any of UT Austin’s bootcamp programs. 

The University of Texas at Austin Bootcamp Cost

The UT Austin Coding Bootcamp tuition is between $9,495 to $12,995. Although the price may seem steep, this is around the average bootcamp tuition cost in the market, as revealed in Career Karma’s State of the Bootcamp Market 2021 report. With an average bootcamp tuition of $11,727, UT Austin’s most affordable bootcamp actually costs $2,000 below the market price.

It should be noted that a bootcamp tuition is typically inclusive of all charges including lesson materials. The programs at UT Austin Bootcamp are also online which means you would be able to save money on transportation and other expenses. All things considered, you will be getting a career-oriented education at this school and learning straight from a market-driven curriculum. 

UT Austin Bootcamp Payment Options

There are three ways you can cover the cost of tuition at UT Austin Coding Bootcamp. They are upfront payments, scholarships, and loans. These are also some of the most popular financing options offered by most coding schools. The complete list of UT Austin Coding Bootcamp payment options is as follows.

Upfront payment

This is a great payment option for individuals who prefer a stress-free learning experience. In the long run, students who choose to pay their tuition fees in full would not have to worry about growing interest, repayment, or student debt. You can use free budgeting apps to help you hit your target savings or with overall financial management.

Scholarship

This UT Austin Coding Bootcamp scholarship is only available for students of the University of Texas at Austin. Recipients will receive a $500 scholarship that counts toward their tuition fees. Please contact the school for more information about merit or need-based scholarships.

Loans

It is unclear if the school partners with a third-party lender to offer loans. However, most coding bootcamps offer some types of loans because it is one of the more accessible options for a bulk of students. Please refer to the University of Texas at Austin Coding Bootcamp for more information about its financing options. 

University of Texas Bootcamp Instructors

How well you work with your instructors can have a long-term impact on your new career. If you have an engaged and dedicated teaching staff, you’ll respond in kind. A good instructor can elevate your game and make you both a better developer and a more well-rounded person.

The instructors at UT Austin Bootcamp come from the real world and have lots of hands-on experience to pass on to their students. Based on online reviews, you will likely encounter teachers who hail from a diverse range of companies from Fortune 500 to startups. Their real-world experience allows them to offer valuable advice and insight into a job in tech.

UT Bootcamp Schedule

All of UT Austin’s coding bootcamp programs are available part-time, making them suitable for adult learners, university students, and people juggling multiple commitments at once. The school offers only one full-time program which is the 12-week full stack development program. 

The schedule hours for UT Austin Coding Bootcamp vary depending on the program you choose. Full-time students are expected to spend 20 hours in class per week, from Monday through Friday between 9am to 2:30pm. Meanwhile, part-time students may spend as little as nine hours or as many as 30 hours per week. These do not include self-study hours. 

UT Austin Bootcamp Reddit Discussions

The University of Texas bootcamp came about through a partnership with Trilogy Education Services, who work hand-in-hand with the school to design and administer the programs. The rise of these university-backed bootcamps has generated a lot of social media chatter, including on popular forums like Reddit. 

"Career Karma entered my life when I needed it most and quickly helped me match with a bootcamp. Two months after graduating, I found my dream job that aligned with my values and goals in life!"

Venus, Software Engineer at Rockbot

Find Your Bootcamp Match

The reviews are mixed but we can also find positive feedback on Reddit. One Redditor said he was impressed with the UT Austin Coding Bootcamp and happy with the foundation the classes had given him. He advocates bootcamps for those who want to learn a programming language but cannot stay motivated enough through self-study.  

Meanwhile, another Reddit user commented that their company was pleased with the quality of UT Austin Bootcamp graduates after hiring them. However, they went on to say that it may not be an accurate reflection of the programs. You will also find discussions about the bootcamp on other online forums. It is best to do a lot of research before deciding if a school is right for you. 

Bootcamp Curriculum

UT Austin Coding Bootcamp is dedicated to offering a market-driven curriculum, which is in line with its mission to increase access to tech jobs. What this means is that the school continuously revamps or updates the lessons according to the market demand. When a skill is no longer sought-after by potential employers, the school will review the curriculum accordingly. 

Let’s take a look at the cyber security curriculum as an example. It covers Python programming, which is the most popular programming language right now, according to the TIOBE index. Another example is the full stack curriculum which offers a handful of in-demand programming languages like JavaScript, HTML, and CSS.

These tools allow students to not only know the basics of coding but also develop progressive web applications using various technology stacks. This, coupled with the hands-on training, should help students ace any technical interview and impress potential employers upon graduation. 

Bootcamp Job Placement

Not a lot of information is available on UT Austin Coding Bootcamp’s job placement rate. However, there are some graduates who have successfully found a technical role right after leaving the bootcamp and documented their journeys online. Some even said that they were able to find a job as a junior developer in the middle of the full stack program.

Based on multiple accounts of graduates, it is clear that UT Austin Bootcamp’s market-driven curriculum can provide the technical foundation you seek, especially without any professional experience. The school also offers a comprehensive learning experience which includes hands-on training and robust career services.

Is the UT Austin Coding Bootcamp Worth It?

Yes, UT Austin Coding Bootcamp is worth it if you’re looking for intensive, short-term courses that can help you lay the groundwork for technical skills. It has six programs to choose from, spanning five major areas in tech which are web development, cyber security, data analytics, product management, and digital marketing.

At the bootcamp, students also work with a career coach to finetune their job search skills and optimize their resume to match what prospective employers are looking for. The school can potentially provide a well-rounded experience for people looking to break into tech. To help cover the cost of tuition, it also offers several payment options which include a $500 scholarship.

UT Austin Coding Bootcamp FAQ