Am I too old? Am I too young? I'm 40, 50, 60, 70, can I still apply to CAPSLOCK?
You have to be 18 or above to apply to study with CAPSLOCK. Once you’ve hit that milestone age, you’re welcome to join us on our course!
We see a wide spectrum of ages at CAPSLOCK, from early 20s to late 50s and beyond. From a career's perspective, many cyber security employers highly value the maturity, experience and transferable skills that older candidates can offer.
The only factor to consider about age is that some of our financial lending partners might able unable to provide you with a tuition finance arrangement if you’re above or approaching retirement age. However, if that situation arises, you will still have the option to join CAPSLOCK if you pay your tuition fees up-front.
Can I apply if I'm located outside of the UK?
We’re happy to take applications from outside of the UK, however, where you live will impact which payment options are available to you.
- Living in the UK? You can access any of our payment methods, depending on your visa and right to work.
- Living in Ireland? You can pay up-front, or access a Future Earnings Agreement, depending on your visa and right to work.
- Living anywhere else? You’re welcome to apply if you’re able to pay-up front.
Whilst we welcome international applicants, please bear in mind that our course and careers support are tailored to a UK market.
Can I call someone to discuss my application?
We mostly communicate be via email for continuity and audit purposes, however, we’d be very happy to arrange a time to speak with you over the phone, or via Zoom.
Get in touch or request a call back from our admissions team.
Can you be flexible with class times? Can I miss any sessions?
As our virtual classroom experience is live, and structured around collaborative, team-based learning, we can’t offer flexibility around class times.
You need to maintain a minimum of 90% attendance to pass the course, which means you’ll have been able to join classes on time, for the duration of the class, for the duration of the course.
We understand that life happens – if you really can’t make a class then you can catch up on any missed work with help from tutors and teammates, however, this wouldn't be feasible on a regular basis.
If you have a pre-booked holiday that clashes with one our cohort schedules, don’t worry! Our admissions team is on hand to help and discuss which cohort schedule would suit you best, so please get in touch.
Do you guarantee jobs after graduation?
No, we don’t guarantee jobs after graduation. The responsibility for landing a new cyber job is ultimately on the individual learner.
At CAPSLOCK, we want our learners to take ownership of their careers and find a role best suited to them. Our careers team supports our learners in their cyber career searches by developing their career management skills.
How can I get help with the pre-course work?
If you need help with any part of the pre-course work, we’re happy to help. You can visit the CAPSLOCK Slack workspace and ask for help in the dedicated "pre-course_help" channel – or get in touch with the team.
How do I apply and what is the application process?
To get started, click the ‘Apply Now’ button to complete an application form – all you need is 10-15 minutes and a cup of tea.
We’ll tell you the next steps once you’ve applied, or you can read the full admissions process.
How many people land a job after graduating from CAPSLOCK?
On average, around 75% of our learners have secured a role in a cyber-related field within six months of graduating from the course.
The cyber security sector continues to grow rapidly with many opportunities available for those new to the industry. CAPSLOCK also continues to develop direct partnerships with UK cyber security employers who actively recruit our learners.
How much does a CAPSLOCK course cost? What are my payment options?
The cost of the CAPSLOCK course is £9,500, with a £500 early-bird discount available those learners who pay upfront.
We have three different payment options available
- Pay up-front – we’ll send you an invoice for the tuition fee which you can pay via card or bank transfer
- Interest-free payment plan – this is a third-party finance product offered by EdAid
- Future Earnings Agreement – this is a third-party finance product offered by StepEx
Is the course accredited?
Yes! Our Certified Cyber Security Practitioner (Ce-CSP) course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Information Security (CIISec), and all CAPSLOCK graduates who pass the course are eligible to apply for Accredited Affiliate membership with CIISec.
I’ve got bad credit score, will that affect my chances of securing finance?
This is a tough question to answer because every individual's circumstances will be different when it comes to finances, debt, credit scores, and eligibility for financial products.
We can’t offer advice on behalf of our third-party finance partners, but they’re always happy to help. You can get in touch with StepEx, or get in touch with EdAid with any specific queries.
What are TBL and PBL?
At CAPSLOCK, we use a combination of Team-based Learning (TBL) and Problem-based Learning (PBL), meaning learners work towards solving real-world cyber security problems in small teams.
Whilst on the course, our learners take on the role of trainee cyber security practitioners, completing practical projects and learning in a hands-on, simulated workplace environment, to prepare them for their future roles in industry.
Both TBL and PBL are proven learner-centric approaches which prioritise deep learning and real-world problem solving. Combined, they create an immersive learning environment which encourages engagement, exploration, innovation, and confidence. These attributes are key to employability.
What are the class schedules and teaching hours?
We offer two class schedules for you to choose from: Full Time or Part Time.
- Full Time: A 16-week course with live classes running from 9:30am - 2:30pm (GMT), Monday-Friday.
- Part Time: A 28-week course with live classes running from 6pm - 9pm (GMT), Monday – Thursday.
We chose these two schedules to try to cater to as many people as possible. We've had learners studying between school drop-off and pick-up times, after 9-5 jobs, and around all sorts of other commitments. Hopefully you can find a schedule which works for you.
What are you looking for in an application?
First and foremost: honesty! Please take the time to go through the application form and answer all questions honestly and to the best of your ability.
We don't mind if you never did your A levels, if you know nothing about cyber yet, if you've been out of work for years, or anything else you might be worrying about. Just tell us about you.
In the 'Personal Statements' section of the application form, we're looking to get a sense of your reasons for wanting to switch careers, your background, your decision to join CAPSLOCK, and who you are as a person. Please take this opportunity to really tell us about yourself - a one-sentence answer probably won't do.
What careers support is available?
One of CAPSLOCK's main goals is to help our learners launch brand new careers in the cyber industry, which is why we offer an extensive career support programme as part of our course.
We support our learners in finding a role in the following ways:
- We run a dedicated careers curriculum throughout the course, delivering workshops to help you develop your career management skills
- We offer 1-2-1 careers support with our career’sadvisors
- We have a fantastic in-house professional coach offering1-2-1s to help achieve goals, overcome barriers, and boost confidence
- We have a large network of employer partners, giving you exclusive access to a growing network of cyber employers who regularly hire CAPSLOCK learners
- We have a growing network of industry mentors to help you get into cyber
What certifications are included? Are they well recognised?
When you study with CAPSLOCK, you can gain up to 4 industry certifications.
Upon passing the CAPSLOCK course, you become a "Certified Cyber Security Practitioner" and are awarded the Ce-CSP certification. This certification is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Information Security and is widely regarded in the industry.
There is also the option to obtain three additional certifications – the cost for these is included in your tuition fee. Whilst we don’t directly teach these external certs, the course naturally covers a lot of the content, and we offer independent study materials.
What job will I get in cyber security after I graduate?
It depends! The field of cyber security is incredibly broad, covering a far greater spectrum of skills and roles than people might expect.
There are roles which are very people-driven, roles which focus heavily on risk and compliance, roles which revolve around tech, and many others.
Some common areas we see for our learners go into include:
- SOC (Security Operations Centre) – this involved actively monitoring networks.
- Cyber Security Consultancy– typically within a larger organisation, working across a range of cyber security projects.
- Information Assurance & Governance – typically less-technical, ensuring compliance, managing risks and supporting audits.
Our incredible learners have been landing jobs with a diverse range of employers, including some of the UK’s largest and most well-known companies such as ITV, BT, Jaguar Land Rover, PwC and Asda.
You can read more about our amazing learners’ career transformations.
What starting salary can I expect in my first cyber security job?
The average starting salary for CAPSLOCK alumni is around £34,400, with an average salary increase of around £11,000 from their previous role.
Our highest paid learner is currently earning £110,000 as a Senior Product Architect.
Cyber starting salaries can vary, and there are several factors which may impact how much you earn in your first role. Regardless of your prior work and life experience, it is entirely possible to land a high-paying first job in cyber.
When do I pay my tuition fee?
You won’t need to pay a penny until you have completed the CAPSLOCK pre-course work. Once you’re at the right stage of the admissions process, we’ll ask you to begin the process of arranging your chosen funding option to pay for your enrolment. This must be completed the week prior to joining the course.
For any questions regarding the steps in the admissions process, please contact our admissions team.
Which elements of cyber security will this course cover?
As cyber security is as a very broad discipline, the curriculum is designed to develop you as an all-round cyber security practitioner who understands the breadth of cyber security principles and know show to apply the knowledge you've learned in real-life scenarios.
Will the course affect my Universal Credit?
You can read government guidance on Universal Credit and students on the GOV.UK website.