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Frequently Asked Questions

Where is iCode located?
iCode is located in Dubai, United Arab Emirates and our classes take place at our campus in Al Habtoor Towers, Dubai Marina.
 
The course hours don’t work for me. Can I attend on my own time?

No. The most important aspects of iCode happen in small, interactive groups, and require full attendance for all hours of the class. 

Do I have to take the first job I’m offered?
No, we don’t obligate you to jump onto the first offer you receive. However, since developers tend to get raises fairly quickly, we do recommend not over optimizing your job search and getting a job as fast as possible.
 
Does iCode help me get a job?
We do everything we possibly can! We have a full team dedicated to career development. They help you prepare a resume and portfolio, practice interviews, and even help you in salary negotiation. At the end of the day though, you’re the one who needs to apply, interview, and land the job.
 
What are the interest rates for the income share agreement?
The income share agreement has no interest. It’s a flat percentage that goes away once you’ve reached the AED 15k payment cap, you’ve made 24 payments, or after 60 months of deferred payments (even if you haven’t paid us anything).
 
Is the income on an income share agreement calculated before or after taxes?
You’ll pay a percentage of your gross salary.
 
What computer specs do I need?

Minimum
1.6 GHz Processor
4 GB RAM
120 GB Hard Drive
Web Cam
Microphone
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Recommended
2 GHz Processor
8 GB RAM
256 GB Hard Drive (preferably solid state)
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Recommended operating systems (in descending order): macOS, Windows 10, Ubuntu

Other versions of Windows work but students should anticipate occasional environment issues. Chromebooks are not supported, as coursework involves installing and running software locally.

For the iOS course, the computer specs are different, as iOS development requires a Mac.

Minimum
128 GB SSD (or Fusion Drive)8 GB of RAM
macOS Mojave 10.14, which is supported on the following:
• MacBook (Early 2015 or newer)
• MacBook Air (Mid 2012 or newer)
• MacBook Pro (Mid 2012 or newer)
• Mac mini (Late 2012 or newer)
• iMac (Late 2012 or newer)iMac Pro (2017)
• Mac Pro (Mid 2010, Mid 2012, and Late 2013)
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Recommended
2 GHz Processor
256 GB SSD

 
Do you offer loaner laptops for prospective students?
No, you need to bring your own laptop.

Tuition & Income Share Agreement (ISA) Questions

Important Note: The FAQs below explains certain tuition and ISA features and terms, but do not override any terms in the Income Share Agreement (ISA) itself. Students should read their enrollment agreement and ISA contract(s) carefully to understand their terms.

What is an ISA and how does it work?

An ISA is a way to pay your iCode tuition. An iCode ISA is a contract under which you agree to pay 10% of your post-iCode salary for 24 months, but only once you’re making more than AED 750,000 per year. The ISA is capped at a maximum repayment of AED 15,000, so you won’t pay more that under any circumstances.

This is our way of investing in you. We select students we believe will be successful, and cover your tuition until you’re in a financial position to pay

us back.
 
What is the true cost of iCode for students who elect to use an ISA?
iCode tuition is AED 15,000. You can elect to pay upfront or via an ISA.
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If you do not land a high paying job, you do not pay us anything. If you land a high-paying job, the most you will pay is AED 15,000.  
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If you use an ISA, depending on your income after completing your program, you will pay between AED 0 and AED 15,000, in 24 monthly payments based on your income. 
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After you reach the payment cap or complete your 24th monthly payment, you are free of obligation under the ISA.
 
What are the interest rates for the ISA?
ISAs are not loans so they have no interest.
 
Is the repayment amount on an ISA calculated before or after taxes?
 
The 10% is a percentage of your gross income, i.e. before taxes.
 
When do my ISA repayments start?
Your ISA payments start when you’re earning AED 75,000 a. If you do not make more than that, the ISA automatically expires after 60 such deferred-payment months.
 
How do you verify my income?
The Income Share Agreement requires you to report your job status and income to us.
 
How do I report my income? How can I see how many payments I have left?
You’ll report your income and your job status through your account with us.
 
What happens to my tuition if I withdraw from iCode?
iCode provides the ISA benefit to further develop coding skills in the UAE.
Out of the several thousands of applications we receive, we select only the top 3-7%. As such, if a student who’s been chosen for an ISA decides to step away post initiation of the program, they’re depriving another deserving candidate the chance to a better future. Under these circumstances their tutition will be pro-rated on the progression of the course, and they’d be obligated to pay that amount.
 
Can I pay tuition upfront instead of signing an ISA?
Yes. On the admissions application, there’s a box to check to tell us you’d like to pay upfront, instead of signing an ISA. You can make this election up until the first day of classes.
 
Do I need to be a UAE citizen to be a student?
Income Share Agreements are available to people who live in the UAE; who are UAE Citizens or UAE Residents.  Other people can still attend iCode by paying the tuition upfront.
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Can I sign another ISA with another school after iCode?

No. Our ISA requires that you sign no other ISAs. (Also we want to make sure you get a job, not go on to more school.)

When in the month are ISA payments due?

Payments are collected on the 1st of the month, and we give a 28-day starting grace period to iCode students.

Am I eligible for an ISA?
ISA eligibility is not determined on the basis of prior income, sex, race, sexual orientation, religion, national origin or protected class. There are certain minimum requirements to be eligible for an ISA. For example, ISAs are only available to people who live in the UAE; who are UAE Citizens or UAE residents. ISAs are also not available to individuals who already have an obligation to pay under an ISA with another institution.
What agreement(s) will I sign with iCode?

To enroll, you’ll sign an Enrollment Agreement with iCode that lays out the basics of the program you’ll take as well as key items to know. If you elect the ISA option, you’ll also sign an income share agreement contract prior to starting at iCode.