Wondering what to study after matric? Start here.
Finished matric and not sure what comes next? Code College's Java & AI Software Engineering Bootcamp is one of South Africa's most employer-aligned coding bootcamps — and it's built for complete beginners. No prior coding knowledge required. In 10–12 months you'll go from school leaver to job-ready software developer, working toward internationally recognised Oracle certifications. Backed by Compuways, an IT recruitment firm that actively helps our graduates find developer roles.
Thousands of matric graduates ask the same question every year: "What to study after matric?" If you're drawn to software development after matric, or want to learn coding after matric with zero experience, a structured coding bootcamp in South Africa is one of the most direct alternatives to university. Here's how the main options compare.
Intensive, employer-shaped, practical training. You graduate with a portfolio, internationally aligned certifications, and active placement support.
A BSc Computer Science or IT degree is a valid and respected path — especially if you want to move into research, academia, or large corporate graduate programmes.
Platforms like freeCodeCamp and The Odin Project are free, but require extreme self-discipline and give you no placement support or credential employers recognise.
The Java & AI bootcamp is structured as three progressive phases. You build on each one — starting from absolute zero and finishing as a job-ready enterprise Java & AI developer in 10–12 months.
HTML, CSS, JavaScript, Git & GitHub, Python & the Django web framework. You'll build and deploy your first real web applications. By the end of this phase, your curriculum is aligned to the PCEP (Python Institute) certification objectives.
Node.js, React, MongoDB and REST APIs. You'll build full-stack applications used by real users. Curriculum aligned to the MongoDB Associate Developer certification.
Java Beginner → Java Advanced → Spring Boot → Spring Cloud → Docker → AWS → AI & LLM integration. This is where you become the developer companies hire. Curriculum aligned to Oracle OCFA (Foundation milestone) and OCP Java SE 21 (Professional).
Code College is backed by Compuways, an IT recruitment firm. After graduation, Compuways actively supports you in finding a developer role at companies like FNB, Absa, Standard Bank and BMW.
Our curriculum is aligned to internationally recognised certification standards. You sit and fund exams independently through each issuer's portal — but your training prepares you for every objective.
Curriculum alignment means the content you study covers the exam objectives. Exam registration and fees are separate and managed by each student independently.
Issued by the Python Institute. Validates your Python fundamentals and is a recognised entry credential for scripting and automation roles.
Issued by MongoDB. Validates your ability to design and query MongoDB databases — highly relevant for MERN and Node.js roles.
Issued by Oracle. An entry-level Java credential you can sit partway through Phase 3 — a recognised milestone credential on your CV before the course ends.
The gold standard Java certification. Issued by Oracle. Recognised globally and highly valued by South African enterprise employers.
Code College is backed by Compuways — an IT recruitment firm that started by placing developers, and built a training school so they could develop more of them. That recruitment DNA shapes everything: what we teach, how we assess, and how we support graduates after they finish.
What we teach is what the companies Compuways recruits for actually need. Not textbook theory — working skills.
After graduation, Compuways actively works to connect suitable graduates with open developer roles at partner companies.
Recruiter feedback flows back into course content. When the market moves, the curriculum moves with it.
Compuways has helped place developers at:
South Africa has a well-documented shortage of skilled developers. Qualified candidates receive multiple offers. Salaries are competitive and grow quickly with experience.
Many developer roles offer remote or hybrid options — opening opportunities across South Africa and internationally, including rand-earning roles for offshore clients.
Developers who can work with AI and LLMs are among the most sought-after in the world right now. Our bootcamp includes AI integration as part of Phase 3.
Junior → Mid → Senior → Tech Lead → Architect. The developer career ladder is well-defined, merit-based, and moves faster than most traditional professions.
Real Graduates. Real Results.
Read how people just like you made the switch and landed developer roles.
Don't wait for the next university registration cycle. Your 10–12 month path to a software engineering career starts with a single conversation.