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We want to support top female graduates entering into a career in tech entrepreneurship. Summer 2013, Entrepreneur First will be running a free course to equip young women with basic coding skills.

A massive thank you to the City of London Corporation and RBS Inspiring Women in Enterprise for their generous support

Does this sound like you?

You have lots of digital ideas, you’re determined, ambitious and willing to learn. You know that coding is one of the most highly valued skills in today’s world and you recognise the doors that it will open for you.

You may not feel a natural affinity to technology, or you may already have done a bit of coding. You appreciate technology, its applications and uses, but possibly lack the understanding of how it works. This lack of knowledge can feel like a major barrier to entering tech entrepreneurship as you do not speak the language of your technical peers.

Why is Entrepreneur First doing a girls coding programme?

There is a widely recognised lack of female participation in tech entrepreneurship. EF has seen this first hand with only 25% of applicants female and less than 10% of the final cohort female. Women make up only 19% of those on computer science degree courses and although there are fantastic initiatives to teach young girls to code, it will be some years before they bring gender parity to the workplace.

EF has an opportunity to address this gender imbalance by raising the profile of women in tech entrepreneurship and equipping high potential female graduates with a basic knowledge of different coding languages, an understanding of the logic behind programming and the ability to build basic websites/apps.

You can read more here.

What will I learn through Code First: Girls?

At the end of the summer programme you will:

+ have an understanding of the logic behind coding, the different languages and how they interact

+ be confident talking with and working with technical people

+ be able to create simple web applications and to build prototypes of their ideas

+ have a female mentor from the industry to guide them through this process

So what will I be doing?

The course will create an intense and immersive learning environment. Over the summer, you will have around 4 hours a week of in-person lectures and tutorials, and then a further 4 hours of preparation and practice each week. Sessions will be held from 6-8pm Tuesday and Thursdays in a central/East London location.

How do I know if coding is for me?

If you’ve ever wanted to create your own website or come up with the latest great app design but haven’t known how to go about creating it, learning to code is for you. Having some basic coding skills will allow you to start building your ideas.

Check out some of the great ways to learn how to code on the web (e.g., Treehouse, Codeacademy). If you find this interesting and exciting, you will benefit hugely from learning in a classroom environment.

I already am a girl coder, can I apply?

We would love to have you involved in the programme, but the education part of the programme may be too basic for you. Please get in touch and we can have a chat about whether it would be suitable. Drop us an email at recruit@entrepreneurfirst.org.uk

I have an arts background, does that matter?

No, not at all. Coding is a skill and can be picked up by people of all backgrounds, whether scientific or arts based.

I am a complete computer novice, can I still learn to code?

The course will start with the basics of coding and is suitable for complete novices. Some coding experience is a bonus, but not necessary.

Am I on Entrepreneur First if I complete the girls coding programme?

EF and Code First:Girls are two separate programmes. If you are only on Code First:Girls you will not have access to the Entrepreneur First cohort or programme.

How much does the programme cost?

The cost of the programme is very kindly being covered by our sponsors the City of London Corporation and RBS. There will be no cost for the participants, but you will be expected to complete the programme. Thanks to their generosity, for those outside of London we will be able to provide means tested bursaries to cover some of your travel costs. 

I am a boy, I want to learn to code. Is there a programme for me?

Unfortunately this year we are only able to provide a programme for female graduates. In the future we hope to be able to support anyone who is interested in learning to code. In the meantime check out great websites such as Treehouse, Codeacademy and Udacity.

Do I need to be a graduate?

Applications are now closed for those who have graduated or who are graduating this summer. We have now opened applications for penultimate year students. Apply here.

How can I learn more about the programme?

If you have any burning questions please email recruit@entrepreneurfirst.org.uk with Code First:Girls in the headline

How can I apply to the programme?

Applications are closed for those who are graduating this summer, or who have already graduated. Applications are open for penultimate year students here