BrainStation

I had a great experience with Brainstation's SWE Full-Time bootcamp! Instructors are very knowledgeable and available, and it's crazy to look back on the things you've built post-bootcamp and how far you've come. I'd definitely recommend the bootcamp as a great way to build the foundational skills necessary to transition into SWE, or build some technical knowledge to become a Technical Product Manager!  Read less

I’ve had a fantastic experience with BrainStation, and I’m thrilled to share my thoughts on the course. The program is exceptionally well-structured, with a focus on equipping students with real-world skills and knowledge. The instructors, who are industry professionals, bring a wealth of expertise and an infectious enthusiasm to their teaching. Their practical insights and up-to-date industry practices make the learning experience both relevant and engaging.The curriculum is comprehensive, covering essential topics in a way that’s both thorough and accessible. The hands-on projects and collaborative work environments have been particularly valuable, allowing for the practical application of concepts and fostering a strong sense of community among learners.Moreover, the additional resources and opportunities for networking provided by BrainStation significantly enhance the learning journey. The combination of meticulous instruction, timely feedback, and a supportive learning environment truly sets BrainStation apart.Overall, I’m highly impressed with the program and optimistic about the skills and knowledge I’ve gained. I would highly recommend BrainStation to anyone looking to advance their career with cutting-edge training and a dynamic educational experience. Read less

I am not an average student. At the ripe old age of 59, I decided to pick up some new skills before hitting 60, and against the advice of a number of colleagues and friends I deliberately opted for what I imagined would be the toughest course around: a Software Engineering Bootcamp.  I like a challenge.

I had limited computer science knowledge, but have been a technophile for decades, and unlike in my previous career as a TV producer, where creating anything requires vast resources, I was enticed by the idea of creating super cool software with nothing more than a laptop.

I chose BRAINSTATION largely because, among its activities, it offers on-campus, in person courses.  Every student is different, but for me the thought of on-line courses, where you could easily drift off unnoticed, was a real turn off. It proved to be a very good choice, suited me perfectly, and lived up to all my expectations. BrainStation is not cheap, but you're investing in the most important thing: your own future. In my opinion it was entirely worth it.

OVERALL EXPERIENCE
The campus is small, but modern and in the heart of Shoreditch. It has a great vibe that constantly exudes ambition, belief, and a love of tech. There is a strong community spirit that is enriching and loaded with positivity. It's an environment that is proud of its achievements, and that in itself is infectious.

INSTRUCTORS
We had exceptional instructors and teaching assistants. They know their stuff inside out, but more importantly, they know how to communicate it with clarity an enthusiasm, and are always available for those invaluable one-to-one sessions for nailing tricky concepts, or just for general support. Their personal touch and personalised tuition was, for me, the most impressive aspect of the course. I was in a class of people who were mainly not just younger than me, but also considerably smarter. It could have been a ghastly, humiliating experience, but the reality was the exact opposite. The instructors' support, the way they take enjoyment from sharing their knowledge, and the way they deal with each student's individual ability is inspiring and truly motivating. Thanks to that, I passed the course!  I was also fortunate to be in a class of kind hearted students who were all brimming with determination.

CURRICULUM
The course is thorough and largely up to date. We had intense daily lectures, code-alongs, hackathons, and personal projects, as you would expect. These were well structured to take students from the basics to more advanced Javascript, HTML, React, Node, Express, etc. In a fast moving world, it's obviously difficult to keep up with every new development, but BrainStation seems to make quite an effort to regularly revise the course content. It was an exhausting course, however, and I wouldn't recommend it for anyone unable to devote all their energies to it. My only criticisms are that I wished the course had been a little longer. By the time the final weeks were upon us and we were immersed in our final projects, I found it hard to grapple with some of the heavy weight back-end modules. I would have loved more tuition on server-side topics, and an introduction to Python would have been useful. But in 12 weeks, it's impossible to fit everything in. Since the course, I have learned some Python, C#, and .NET techniques, and the programming sensibilities I picked up at BrainStation certainly made that easier.  

JOB ASSISTANCE
Very good. The career advice staff are knowledgeable, well connected, tenacious, and generous with their help and support. The rate at which students find post course employment is obviously a crucial metric in the success or failure of a college - especially one that defines itself as preparing students for the workplace.  I found that at BrainStation, career Advice was central to the course. And it continued for a full six months after the course finished. It's taken seriously and is not a tick-box tag-on that it could be in less conscientious organisations.    

SUMMARY
As a stepping stone into a career in tech, or as a way to simply build a foundation in software development knowledge, BrainStation is, in my opinion, very good indeed. I have no experience of other tech colleges, so I don't have any benchmarks to make comparisons with, but I am now confident in my software writing abilities, have built apps from scratch that work, and I followed up the Software Engineering Bootcamp with a short course in UX Design - also at BrainStation, London. That was also a tremendously rewarding course, taught in person on campus by excellent instructors who shared their knowledge and valuable industry experience with skill and panache.  

Will a BrianStation course get you a job and/or a new career? No - no course can do that, but this college can certainly help you make the most of your attributes.  

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I'm incredibly grateful to the educators, TAs, career services, and the entire BrainStation team for their unwavering support. Their encouragement boosted my confidence and pushed me to achieve more than I imagined. I learned so much during this journey and highly recommend BrainStation to anyone looking to make a career transition or enhance their skills.  Read less

An irreplaceable team collaboration experience, learning the latest and most standard programming techniques in the industry, with daily access to teachers and TAs for answering questions. Compared to self-learning, it greatly increases the chances of career transition, allowing you to see the gap between yourself and industry professionals, learn how to set goals, and complete your own independent project, taking the first step into the industry. Read less

The Cybersecurity course at BrainStation offered a thorough and engaging learning experience. The course content was relevant and up-to-date, the instructors were knowledgeable and supportive, and the delivery methods catered to different learning styles. The practical applications ensured that students were not only learning but also applying their knowledge effectively. Overall, I would say this course is highly recommended for anyone looking to start or advance their career in cybersecurity.Positives: 

• Comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum
• Experienced and approachable instructors
• Effective blend of live and self-paced learning
• Strong emphasis on practical, hands-on experience
• Supportive online learning environment

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This was a very cool experience to go back to school and learn new skills. The content was very helpful and the final project helped us apply our new skills. It was be great to have more 1:1 time with the instructor. The class is introductory so it's very limited at only 8 weeks. It moves fast and you have to do a lot of work outside of class. Class was more helpful when we  got through all the slides and were able to ask questions while still having time to do the in-class activities. If you pay attention and practice outside of class then you are able to develop a basic knowledge of digital marketing and integrate entry level skills.  Read less

I recently completed an 8-week digital marketing course at BrainStation, and it was a truly enriching experience. The program provides a solid foundation, setting the stage for continuous learning and skill enhancement in the field of digital marketing. The instructors were incredibly open and supportive, fostering a collaborative and engaging classroom environment. The in-person class ambiance was dynamic and invigorating, contributing positively to our learning experience. A significant portion of the course was dedicated to a final group project, which was both challenging and rewarding, allowing us to put our newly acquired skills into practice. Overall, this course is a great starting point for anyone looking to delve into digital marketing and build a strong base for further exploration and mastery Read less

I can't recommend this course enough! I've taken several courses at Brainstation and the Product Management course at BrainStation was outstanding. The instructors were engaging and deeply knowledgeable. They made each class interactive and insightful through their own real-world examples. Their experience and passion for teaching made the class a rich learning experience. My class was filled with ambitious individuals eager to upskill, creating a collaborative and motivating environment. The classroom setting allowed for valuable interaction and hands-on activities based on the lectures, giving us more practical understanding of product management processes.A major highlight was the hands-on approach, especially the final project and group work, which provided practical skills and real-world examples. We covered various aspects of product planning and managing sprints, gaining comprehensive knowledge to apply in our careers. Overall, the BrainStation Product Management course is an excellent investment for anyone looking to advance in this field.
Overall, I found every course I've taken to help me with my own career goals, understanding the work of marketing, data analytics and now product management with each respective course. I highly recommend it! Read less

An intensive and exhausting but really enjoyable time is coming to an end and I have to say it was really empty. I was lucky with the class, there were relatively few of us and that was an advantage given the amount of material. The teaching team is very committed, the course is manageable but you have to do something. You have to see it as your full-time job and sit down in the evenings and do the assignments or recaps. The material starts at a certain level, but you can certainly catch up in the first two weeks. The only small point of criticism is the last lesson, where the concepts are introduced, but more theoretically than practically. Otherwise it's a really solid and good basis for making things really practical.  Read less

If you're a beginner looking for a comprehensive and well-structured introduction to digital marketing, BrainStation is an excellent choice. It provides a strong foundation in all the essential areas, preparing you to navigate the exciting world of digital marketing with confidence.Highly Recommend! Read less

Very intense 3 months where you learn a lot with tons of hands on practise, following a well structured course curriculum. 
Educators are very helpful too. 

I was lucky to get a BC government grant as unemployed. That said, I think the regular $16000 is very expensive.  Read less

I enjoyed my web development bootcamp at BrainStation so much. It was an amazing experience with clear explanations of the instructors for each topic and all the support from the TAs. The curriculum was well structured, I just needed to show up and absorb all I could without thinking about learning by myself during the whole process. The projects that we worked on each week always matched the subject we were learning and allowed us to apply our skills straight away. We also had a chance to work on three different hackathons collaborating with other teammates. Also, BrainStation offers great support and workshops on the career accelerator program. BrainStation really thought of everything we would encounter. Overall I highly recommend BrainStation! Read less

As a recent graduate of the software engineering bootcamp, I can attest to the program's effectiveness in equipping students with the necessary skills for a career in tech. The educators were undoubtedly the highlight of the experience, demonstrating exceptional knowledge and a genuine passion for teaching. Their dedication and willingness to provide personalized assistance made complex concepts digestible and fostered a supportive learning environment.


The bootcamp's structure was well-designed, offering a comprehensive curriculum that covered a wide range of relevant topics in software engineering. The combination of lectures, hands-on projects, and collaborative exercises facilitated a holistic understanding of programming languages, development methodologies, and industry best practices. Additionally, the emphasis on real-world applications allowed us to apply theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios, enhancing our problem-solving abilities and preparing us for the demands of the field.


However, where the program fell short was in its post-bootcamp career support. While the curriculum adequately prepared us for technical interviews and portfolio development, the resources and guidance provided for job placement were lacking. Limited networking opportunities and minimal assistance in navigating the job market left many graduates feeling uncertain about their prospects post-graduation. Improved career counseling, job placement assistance, and alumni networking initiatives would greatly enhance the overall value of the program and better support graduates in their transition to the workforce.


In summary, the software engineering bootcamp offers an excellent educational experience with knowledgeable instructors and a well-structured curriculum. However, there is room for improvement in the provision of post-bootcamp career support to ensure that graduates are adequately prepared for success in the industry.

P.S. I also completed the data science certificate course. It provided an adequate overview of current data science topics without delving too deep, which would be more appropriate for a full-time diploma. Read less

My bootcamp was fun, clear, and supportive. The material was presented in a straightforward way that made it easy to understand, even for someone with limited experience. The instructors were patient and always willing to help, creating a supportive atmosphere where I felt comfortable asking questions and seeking guidance.The hands-on approach made learning enjoyable and engaging. Instead of just listening to lectures, we got to dive right in and start coding from day one. This interactive style kept me motivated and excited to learn more.The clear explanations and step-by-step instructions made even the most complex topics seem manageable. I never felt overwhelmed or lost, thanks to the carefully structured curriculum and the availability of resources for additional help.Overall, my bootcamp experience was a positive and empowering journey. It equipped me with the skills and confidence to pursue a career in software engineering, and I'm grateful for the fun and supportive environment that made it all possible. Read less

I just completed the UX Design Bootcamp and I can share a few things from my experience:
The environment is excellent, professional and friendly.
The educators (Brad, Jamie and Josh) were amazing during the 12 weeks, always positive, supportive and giving good feedback.
Still talking about the educators, I want to highlight when Jamie shared a schedule to help us better organize our work time. After that, I started creating schedules to manage my time better, and it was a game-changing moment for my productivity.
The BrainStation team, in general, is always trying to help and be available for the students, so try to use their help anytime you need it.
After this experience, I truly understand what my next steps need to be to find a job and start working on this career that I am pursuing.

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I was able to create a full stack application at the end of the bootcamp. Despite taking it online, lectures are very engaging and educators and teaching assistants are very helpful. Also, having the same goals in the cohort just helps elevate each other. I highly recommend this bootcamp. Read less

Brainstation is an amazing choice for those who would like to further their education. The staff and instructors are extremely helpful and really have a passion for what they’re teaching. If you’re unsure on whether or not this is a place for you then think no more. They really do help you excel your skills and teach you how to be the most professional version of yourself. I’d highly recommend BrainStation to those who are ready to make a career path change and I’ll assure you that they’ll properly educate you on what to expect in your new career choice. Read less

My time at BrainStation was brief but extremely fun and an excellent place to learn! The highlight of this boot camp must be the educators and TAs! They provided excellent lectures and provided assistance beyond what was expected! Their career support lectures were useful in giving me a headstart and tips in beginning my job search journey! I would highly recommend other aspiring developers to come here!  Read less