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Code First Girls

Find out about free training for women and non-binary people to develop coding skills.

About Code First Girls

Code First Girls is a social impact organisation whose mission is to close the gender gap in tech by helping women and non-binary people to develop their coding skills and break into the tech industry.

Two women standing looking at a laptop screen.

Code First Girls run free, year-round online coding courses for university students and recent graduates across the UK, including:

  • Massive Open Online Courses (MOOCs): 4-week Sprints and Challenges designed to provide beginner-level tech skills
  • @Uni Kickstarter courses: 8-week classes for university students to learn the basics of JavaScript, web development, Python & Apps, Data & SQL
  • CFGdegrees: 16-week intensive courses in four specialist areas, leading up to a paid, full-time job for those wishing to pursue a career in data, software, full-stack or product management
  • +Masters courses: 4-week extension course to the CFGdegree

You can find full information and FAQs about the courses on the Code First Girls website.

Through its partnership with 110+ sponsors across a range of sectors and industries, such as NatWest, Deloitte, Nike, BT and Rolls Royce, students can find employment opportunities in over 12 countries as part of their CFGdegrees.

Courses at Code First Girls

Code First Girls run MOOC Sprints and Challenges on a wide range of topics, as well as introductory Kickstarter classes, and CFGdegrees and +Masters linking you to companies and job opportunities.

Faith Ida, MSc International Development, Sustainability and Social Justice
‘Participating in the CFGdegree has been a transformative experience. Code First Girls is a beacon of empowerment, equipping women with the expertise, confidence, skills and support to thrive in the world of technology and shatter glass ceilings.’
— Faith Ida MSc International Development Sustainability and Social Justice (2019)

Why get involved?

By joining the Code First Girls community of learners, you'll be able to:

  • access the largest community of women coders and developers in the UK
  • complete free industry-standard training around your studies
  • futureproof your skills
  • get certificated qualifications
  • find international employment opportunities with starting salaries of £25-50k
  • become a paid instructor through the CFG Instructor Academy

Who can access the Code First Girls courses?

Code First Girls' free @Uni Kickstarter classes and CFGdegrees are available to University of Bath women and non-binary students who are 18+ and alumni who have graduated within the last two years.

How can I sign up?

Code First Girls runs the courses independently. The courses are very popular and places are limited, but University of Bath students get priority access to the South West regional courses by using the unique code UPBAT when they sign up.

Enquiries

If you have any questions about the courses, please contact Code First Girls directly.

“The University of Bath is delighted to partner with Code First Girls (CFG) to give women the opportunity to learn coding skills alongside their studies and thereby help redress the gender imbalance in the technology sector. Coding skills are in great demand by employers and CFG’s range of highly-regarded, industry-backed free courses open up exciting avenues for students from all disciplines to explore a future career in tech.” (Helen Stringer, Director of Employability and Student Success, University of Bath)

Impact of Code First Girls

Code First Girls community of 120,000+ employable coders, instructors, and mentors is one of the largest and most diverse globally.

    Code First Girls works with 110+ partner companies, helping them to attract candidates across Europe, the USA, the Middle East, Africa and India. Its international footprint continues to grow.

      42% of students doing Code First Girls courses did not study STEM subjects at university. With more employers looking for transferable skills, non-STEM degrees are looked upon more favourably by tech employers than ever before.

        82% of Code First Girls members studied non-Computer Science subjects at university. More and more women are looking to transition into a career in tech from a non-tech background.

        Contact

        The University of Bath's affiliation to Code First Girls is managed by the Digital & Academic Skills team in the Skills Centre.