You don’t need a university degree to launch a successful IT career. With countless affordable learning options available online and offline, self-taught tech professionals are becoming the norm. Here are the best ways to learn IT without stepping foot in a university.
1. Free Online Courses and MOOCs
Websites like Coursera, edX, and Khan Academy offer courses from top institutions at no cost. You can learn everything from basic computer science to advanced cloud computing — often for free or at a low fee if you want a certificate.
2. YouTube and Tech Blogs
Many skilled developers and educators share full courses on YouTube. Channels like freeCodeCamp, Traversy Media, and The Net Ninja offer structured lessons on coding, networking, and more.
3. Coding Bootcamps and Online Schools
Bootcamps like HyperionDev (based in South Africa), Le Wagon, and CareerFoundry offer intensive, career-focused programs. While not free, they’re much cheaper than a university degree and often include career support.
4. Community Learning and Hackathons
Local meetups, online forums, and coding challenges like those on HackerRank or Codewars can help you learn by doing. Platforms like Zindi also offer African-specific data competitions.
5. Open Source Contributions
Get real-world experience by contributing to open-source projects on GitHub. You’ll collaborate with other developers and build a public portfolio of work.
6. Certification Programs
Certifications from CompTIA, Google, AWS, or Cisco validate your skills and are recognized by employers worldwide. Many of these can be earned through self-paced online study.
7. Internships and Freelancing
Apply your skills in real-world scenarios by interning at startups or freelancing online. Websites like Upwork or Fiverr can be entry points into IT service work.
Conclusion
A tech career is more accessible than ever, thanks to flexible, low-cost learning paths. With dedication and curiosity, you can gain the knowledge, experience, and credentials needed to break into IT — no university required.