Honest answers for people considering this path.
Do I need any coding experience before a bootcamp?+
Not before you apply, but you need it before you arrive. Every serious bootcamp has prerequisites — typically basic HTML/CSS, JavaScript fundamentals, and command line usage — that you are expected to complete before day one. These are provided by the school upon acceptance. Students who treat the prerequisites seriously arrive ready to benefit from the programme. Those who skip them struggle immediately. Budget 6–8 weeks of serious self-study before your start date.
What is the realistic employment outcome after a coding bootcamp?+
Le Wagon's published data (2023) shows 77% of graduates employed in tech-related roles within 6 months. The realistic picture: about half find developer roles quickly; the other half take longer, take roles slightly adjacent to pure development (technical project management, developer advocacy, QA), or pursue freelance work. The quality of your portfolio, the strength of your cohort network, and how actively you engage with the hiring process are the main variables. Bootcamp does not guarantee employment — it gives you the skills and the network. You do the rest.
Is a coding bootcamp diploma recognised by employers?+
Bootcamp certificates are not regulated qualifications — they have no formal status equivalent to a university degree. What matters to employers is your portfolio (the applications you have built), your ability to pass a technical interview (coding challenges, code review, system design basics), and your demonstrated ability to learn fast. Most tech companies that hire bootcamp graduates evaluate candidates purely on portfolio and interview performance — the certificate itself is largely irrelevant. The bootcamp's brand reputation matters as a signal, but it does not replace demonstration.
Can I do a bootcamp while earning money — is part-time possible?+
Yes — both Le Wagon and Ironhack offer part-time formats (typically 24 weeks of evenings and weekends) that allow you to maintain current employment. The intensity is lower, and the social cohort dynamic is weaker than the full-time format. For someone with financial commitments or family responsibilities, part-time is the only viable option. The curriculum outcome is identical to full-time — you leave with the same portfolio and the same knowledge. What changes is the pace and the immersive social experience.
What is the difference between Le Wagon and Ironhack?+
Both are excellent and comparable in quality. The main differences: Le Wagon has more campus locations (40+ vs Ironhack's ~12) giving you more city choices; Le Wagon's tech stack (Ruby on Rails + React) is more traditional while Ironhack uses more modern JavaScript frameworks; Ironhack has the stronger UX/UI design track; Le Wagon has the stronger data science track; Ironhack's career support infrastructure is generally more structured. For full-stack web development, choose based on campus city preference and the specific cohort's social energy (which you can assess by attending an info session).
How does living abroad during a bootcamp affect the learning experience?+
Positively, for most people. The psychological state of being in an unfamiliar place — curious, slightly alert, open to new input — is also the state that learning thrives in. You are not falling back on existing routines and comfort zones. The social energy of a cohort of international strangers navigating a new city together produces friendships and collaboration that domestic programmes rarely match. The main risk is that the city itself becomes a distraction — people who have never visited Barcelona before, for example, sometimes underinvest in the work during the first two weeks. Treat the first two weeks as a settling-in period where the curriculum takes priority over city exploration.
Can I get a job in the city where I did my bootcamp after graduating?+
Yes, but it depends on the city and your visa status. EU citizens can work freely in any EU city after graduating. UK nationals typically need a work visa to stay and work in EU countries beyond 90 days — check the specific requirements for the country where you plan to work, as rules vary. Many bootcamp graduates do find jobs in their bootcamp city: the employer connections built by the school, plus the local network from the cohort, create genuine advantage. It is not automatic — you need to actively pursue local opportunities from day one of the job search, not just remote roles.
What salary can I realistically expect after a bootcamp?+
First-role salaries for bootcamp graduates in European tech markets (2024): junior developer in Lisbon €22,000–€30,000/year; Barcelona €24,000–€35,000/year; Berlin €30,000–€45,000/year; Amsterdam €35,000–£50,000/year; Paris €28,000–€42,000/year. Remote roles for international companies often pay significantly more regardless of location — £35,000–£55,000 is achievable for a strong portfolio targeting UK/US companies. Salary in the first role is not the metric that matters most — rate of progression (to mid-level in 18–24 months) is where the long-term value of the bootcamp investment is realised.
Year-round; best Sep–May (avoid peak summer heat and tourist surge)
