Oliver EvansIf you’re like me, you’ve probably played a game and thought, “It would be so cool if it had this.” Or maybe you’ve imagined the perfect game yourself, with all the gameplay tweaks and customisation that would make it a hit—if only you knew how to code it.
And then reality hits: you don’t know a lick about coding. With how technical programs these days get, it’s a pretty intimidating thing to get into, whether for work or leisure.
Lucky you, there are plenty of coding classes in Vancouver that make learning approachable for beginners and enthusiasts alike. My friends and I explored the options because we weren’t about to let our game ideas stay just ideas!
Here are the ones we found worth enrolling in after weeks of research and comparison!
How much will it cost to attend coding classes in Vancouver?
Attending a coding class in Vancouver can set you back anywhere from $100 to $185 per month, depending on the coding language being learned as well as how many classes are included in the program.
1. Code Ninjas
Address: 3285 E 22nd Ave, Vancouver, BC V5M 0H2
Contact Details: +1 236 995 2633
Operating Hours: Monday and Thursday: 3:00 PM to 8:00 PM, Tuesday and Friday: 3:00 PM to 7:00 PM, Saturday: 9:30 AM to 2:30 PM, Closed on Sundays
If you’re looking into coding classes in Vancouver, then it’s impossible to miss Code Ninjas! This centre’s a hotspot for coders from Canada to the UK, and with one seemingly just around every bend, we’d be remiss not to pay them a visit.
That being said, we do mean seemingly. We had trouble finding the Vancouver East location on our own, so we’d definitely recommend asking for directions from the staff or locals if you can.
Their course selections didn’t disappoint. The centre offered courses for the coding of basic programs and games. Some of their programs used existing game engines familiar to kids, like Minecraft, which we found very accessible for young learners.
Camps are a common entry point for many learners into these programs, and Code Ninjas had no shortage of them. We noted specialised camps for programming languages and even 3D modelling for learners wanting more specific lessons.
On top of these, we also got to hear from regulars of the centre. A standout for customers was their flexible class scheduling, so students can attend their lessons at their convenience.
However, we do have to mention that we noted higher costs for coding classes here than at other centres. We’d definitely recommend consulting with the team and trying out a trial lesson, if possible, to gauge whether this is a good fit for your budget.
Love the flexible schedule times
“We’ve joined this past month and it’s going great! It’s one of the first activities our son is excited about going to. Love the flexible schedule times as well to accommodate our busy schedule.”
– Ms. Sabrina Eubank, Google Review
Kids are always engaged
“The staff are so nice and they absolutely know what theyre doing! Kids are always engaged and they learn self pace so i find the kids retain information much better. They have stem activities too and kids learn how to type.”
– Ms. Camryn Guanzon, Google Review
2. Byte Camp
Address: 2378 Alberta St, Vancouver, BC V5Y 3K7
Contact Details: +1 888 808 9283, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 4:00 PM, Closed on Saturday and Sunday
Looking into learning not just how to code, but to bring some visuals into your projects while you’re at it? Byte Camp might be up your alley.
This camp actually landed on our radar because of local animators who pointed us their way!
Their offerings were surprisingly diverse. They offered coding classes in languages like Scratch, as well as more specialised courses such as 3D modelling and animation in both 2D and 3D.
What really caught our attention was customers praising their breaktime practices. Learners were reportedly allowed to take breaks outside to lessen the strain of being on a gadget for most of the lesson. Talk about remembering to touch grass!
We also heard praise for their easily accessible study materials, helping students learn at home as well. These came in the form of modules and videos, both readily available online, which we found pretty convenient.
That said, we heard from a couple of learners that the centre’s equipment could still be better maintained. There’s nothing worse than working on a coding project and the machine crashing on you, after all!
Lastly, we also heard from parents and other regulars that the class schedule could be a little unclear at times. We’d definitely recommend keeping in touch with the teaching staff to get a bead on when classes occur and at what times.
Had lots of fun at camp
“It was great! Had lots of fun at camp, good mixture of animation and breaks. Learnt a lot in just four days, and was able to create my own animation! The teachers were very nice and helpful, and they were also very funny.”
– Ms. Ananya Naik, Google Review
Found ways to get all the participants comfortable together
“My son had an awesome time at byte camp despite his reluctance to try new things outside of his comfort zone and known routine. The camp really engaged him and found ways to get all the participants comfortable together, including outside breaks.”
– Ms. May Lee, Google Review
3. Under the GUI Academy
Address: 1909 W Broadway #210, Vancouver, BC V6J 1Z3
Contact Details: +1 604 715 6471, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Tuesday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday to Sunday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Closed on Monday and Friday
Under the GUI Academy– or as it’s known among locals, UTG Academy– became a hotspot for young, would-be coders to get their foot in the door of web development. When we looked into them, it’s not hard to see why.
The range of their coding classes caught our eye first and foremost. The centre provided lessons on a number of programming languages, including Java, C#, and Python. Would-be game developers might even enjoy their Unity classes!
These lesson plans also appeared well-structured when we got to chatting with regulars and the teaching staff themselves. Lesson plans came in levels tailored to specific age ranges, with topics like web development or computer prep.
UTG Academy is also an afterschool program, which should come in handy for learners wanting to pick up something but not having enough time to commit to a full-day class.
That being said, some learners did let us know that they still could feel like there was limited time per class. Most classes were only held for an hour, which can make retention a little difficult.
Some learners have also had trouble scheduling make-up classes, which can be difficult if something comes up that stops students from attending their lesson. We’d recommend communicating regularly with the teaching staff to help mitigate this issue.
Instructor is very friendly and patient
“Coding programs are very helpful for the future, so my daughter has joined the UTG coding course since last semester. Instructor is very friendly and patient. The coding class is really fun,.she likes it very much.”
– Ms. Pennie Li, Google Review
Thoroughly enjoyed the experience
“My son joined them for a coding summer camp and thoroughly enjoyed the experience. The teachers were attentive and patient. My son continued to use the skills he learned from class to create his own games at home.”
– Ms. Judy W., Google Review
4. Steamoji Kitsilano
Address: 2156 W Broadway #1, Vancouver, BC V6K 4L9
Contact Details: +1 604 336 0682, Email
Operating Hours: Monday to Thursday: 2:30 PM to 7:00 PM, Friday: 2:30 PM to 6:00 PM, Saturday: 10:00 AM to 3:30 PM, Closed on Sunday
Coding is just one part of the STEM curriculum, and the Kitsilano locals we got to chat with were all too happy to put Steamoji Kitsilano on our radar when we asked about coding classes. With that kind of reception, how could we not check them out?
Steamoji was home to a number of STEAM-related subjects, and the sheer range impressed us. Their coding classes covered various pursuits, from game-making to coding your own voice assistant!
The atmosphere when we dropped by for a visit was also friendly and welcoming. The staff were quick to let us know about their ongoing lessons, and the students we spoke with also seemed pretty engaged in their work.
What caught our eye was just how hands-on the projects were, which we found pretty handy for helping students get a grasp on what exactly they’re doing and building. There’s no better feeling than seeing the fruits of your labour work at the end, after all!
That said, we noticed their outdoor breaks were pretty limited. Since we get a lot of screen time in our daily lives already, we find this a little tiring for learners, especially young ones.
We also heard from a few students that their lesson plans can be unclear at times. We’d definitely ask for a more defined curriculum from the teaching staff if you’re planning to take lessons here.
Very attentive to the kids
“It’s a great place to learn about modern technology, and it has a friendly and positive atmosphere. Adam and the whole team are very attentive to the kids and do their best to keep them interested.”
– Ms. Ekaterina Matveeva, Google Review
The activities help them be creative
“My kids, a 7 year old and a 5 year old attend Steamoji. They really enjoy it, specially the older one. The activities make them think about problems and solving them. The activities help them be creative.”
– Mr. Abdulwahed Zainel, Google Review
5. STEMA Learning Centre
Address: 1025 Kingsway, Vancouver, BC V5V 3C7
Contact Details: +1 604 283 6788, [email protected]
Operating Hours: Monday to Friday: 9:00 AM to 6:00 PM, Saturday: 11:00 AM to 3:00 PM, Closed on Sunday
We mentioned that coding can be picked up at any age, and the STEMA Learning Centre was a particular favourite for exactly that. Parents let us know about this after-school spot as a good starting point for kids liking coding.
The centre surprised us from the get-go with its physical location. When we dropped by for a visit, we were pleased to see a well-maintained centre. Their equipment was similarly kept clean and updated, from computers to their 3D printer!
The team’s communication was also refreshingly quick and responsive. The staff readily shared their lesson plans, schedule, and curriculum (which spanned coding, robotics, and even digital art).
When we got to chat up a few regulars, we also heard pretty good things about the learning environment. Learners reported it was generally calm and laidback, with little pressure, allowing them to take the lessons at their own pace.
On the other hand, we did notice that the coding languages their curriculum supported could be limited in comparison to other centres. They largely focused on Scratch Jr. and Python or already existing game engines like Roblox Studio.
We also noted that there are limited options for when to take your class days, especially for certain programs that could only be held on one or two days out of the week. We’d recommend calling ahead for classes that can better fit your schedule.
The atmosphere is calm and cheerful
“Wonderful place and staff! My daughter has been in the after-school program for three months and loves it. The atmosphere is calm and cheerful. It’s one of her favourite places for pro-D days too.”
– Ms. Su-Laine Brodsky, Google Review
They get a bit of time to use iPads and the computer for learning
“This is the second year our kids have been going to STEMA after school, and they love it. We don’t have devices at home, so they get a bit of time to use iPads and the computer for learning. The 3D printer is a big hit too!”
– Ms. Melanie Steele, Google Review
