The Source Code
At 42, we believe in both differentiation and inclusivity. Rather than theoretical education, the education model emphasises project-based learning and teamwork. Our goal is to empower the next generation of ICT professionals by incorporating the most recent educational innovations.
WHY LEARNING TO LEARN?
How can you create the world of tomorrow with technologies from the past? At 42, you learn to learn. Rather than learning specific trendy languages, the curriculum at 42 helps you understand and tackle any kind of language. Any training solely based on one specific language is bound to quickly become obsolete. The programming languages you learn at 42 help you learn concepts that you can use everywhere else.
A CUSTOMISED CURRICULUM
With the flexible curriculum at 42, you take charge of your own skill set and create your very own portfolio depending on your interests and future plans. When it comes to specialisations, there are over 200 projects to choose from so you can continue to advance your skills and specialise in something you are passionate about. Cyber, AI, Advanced Programming, Entrepreneurship or something completely different. Everything is possible!
NO LECTURES. NO TEACHERS. NO CLASSES.
Thanks to its innovative teaching methods, 42 is able to offer training par excellence without resorting to lectures. The pedagogical staff are available to help the students find their own solutions. In order to progress at 42, you have to work in groups, learn with the community to overcome challenges and then, share your experience with your peers. You don’t learn programming by copying algorithms on paper!
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
At 42, students are responsible for their own success within a 100% practical curriculum. Surpassing oneself is the only way to move forward: You can always count on the strength of the group; give and share information, as well as learn and train at the same time. This growing collective intelligence helps students understand how a professional environment works. Each party must rely on the other in order to properly complete a project.
FAILING IS PROGRESSING
At 42, failing is not the end. It is AN end. It’s the path to success: test a program, understand your mistakes, correct them and move forward. At 42, you are rewarded for finding your own solutions. This is not about mindlessly copying a model. Understanding is the only thing that matters, whichever path you use to reach it.
PEER-TO-PEER LEARNING
If you apply to 42, don’t expect a “knowledgeable” person to teach you anything. You have to find the answers by yourself or ask fellow students to show you and explain things that you in turn will learn and transmit to someone else. This method allows you to move forward and sharpen your skills through research, experimentation and defending your personal approach to a given problem.
PEER-TO-PEER EVALUATION
In classical learning, evaluation happens at the end of the curriculum. At 42, this is when you learn the most. Peer evaluation requires students to evaluate each other’s work with the help of a grading scale established by the pedagogical staff. This system supports dialogue and allows sharing of advice that will help students move forward and seek alternative methods. There is never one specific answer at 42. There is not one single model you must reproduce and learn by heart.
GROUP WORK IS NOT CHEATING
In a classroom, it’s usually ill-advised to join forces or share advice in order to solve a problem. At 42, it’s the other way round. When projects get too tough to tackle, creating a group helps share different points of view. By approaching someone struggling with the same problem, you can share your thoughts and perspectives. Everyone brings something so that, together, you can understand and remember the keys to achieving a project.
3-year curriculum (on average)
Not everyone learns at the same pace: so why impose one? At 42, we don’t follow an administrative or academic timetable. On average, students integrate into the job market after 3 years. The curriculum is split into two parts: the common core and the second part, which is known as the specialisation part. The core curriculum must be completed in a maximum of two years. The second part may take longer, depending on your career plans. Most of the projects required have a realistic estimate of the time needed rather than an imposed deadline: personal organisation is essential.
Paced System
The length of the common core adapts to students’ work patterns. The greater the investment, the shorter it becomes. A number of intermediate milestones provide an opportunity to assess progress: the Paced System then recalculates the estimated date for completing the common core. The fastest students can complete it in as little as 8 months, while those with the most room for improvement can take up to two years.
FREEZE
To deal with unforeseen circumstances, students have a tool at their disposal: the Freeze. This allows students to take a break from the common core for a maximum cumulative period of 6 months. The Freeze is subject to approval by the staff panel, depending on how various factors.
Launchpad
After the core curriculum, students are immediately interested in the labor market, which is why we let you choose the end of your training to become Alumni. This shift can also occur after a period of inactivity and a specific level of skills obtained.