HOW CAN WE HELP YOU?
Here are some frequently asked questions and answers under a few broad categories. If you have more questions that have not been answered, feel free to contact us via email: contact@42singapore.sg
Registration/General
The number 42 is referred to in “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy” as the answer to the ultimate question of life, the universe, and everything. The super-intelligent robot in the story takes thousands of years to calculate the answer to this question, and the answer turns out to be the number 42. It is called 42 because it is the answer to the ultimate question and is used to symbolize how education can be improved in the future.
No, 42 is NOT a Bootcamp. It is a full-time study that requires about 40 hours a week to complete and is a 1-3 years programme (1 year for the Core Programme and 2 years for Specialisation).
No. 42 is not MOOCs (Massive Open Online Course). Students come to Campus to code and the best way of peer learning is on Campus.
Although it is possible to do some research or experiments remotely from your personal computer, it is highly recommended that you complete your studies at 42 in order to fully benefit from the programme’s emphasis on peer-to-peer learning. While you may be able to access some resources remotely, you will not have access to all of the resources and support available at the school. Therefore, it is highly recommended that you attend classes at the school in order to fully participate in the programme.
The programme is completely free. There are no fees associated with the programme before, during, or after your studies. The goal of the programme is to make education accessible to everyone, regardless of their previous education or financial situation. The belief is that financial considerations should not prevent anyone from pursuing their passions and dreams.
42 Programme is for those who are 18 and above. If I am a Singaporean male applicant, I am required complete my National Service (NS) before signing up for 42. There is no upper limit to the programme.
The programme is designed to be accessible to people of all ages and backgrounds, and it focuses on practical skills that can be applied in a variety of industries. Speak to us today to get a better understanding about the programme and how it can springboard your career switch.
Yes, you can. However, 42 is not a distance learning course. You must be able to be physically present on one of the 42 campuses throughout the entire selection process and curriculum.
It is possible to enroll in the course while attending another school in Singapore, but it is not recommended. The coursework for this programme requires a significant time commitment, averaging 35 hours per week or more, which may be difficult to manage while also attending another school.
Check the eligibility requirements: To become a student at 42, you must be at least 18 years old.
Apply online: You can apply to 42 by visiting here and completing an application. The application process typically involves an online test to evaluate your problem-solving and coding abilities.
Complete The Piscine: The Piscine is a four-week intensive coding training that serves as the final application requirement. During this time, you will collaborate with other prospective students on coding challenges and projects.
Get accepted: After completing The Piscine, you will receive a final evaluation. If you are accepted, you will be invited to enroll in the full-time programme.
Congratulations! You are now a student of 42.
Yes, we are part of a worldwide network of over 47 campuses in 25 countries, with more than 15,000 students studying across the world. 42 Singapore is the first campus in Singapore in collaboration with Singapore University of Technology and Design (SUTD).
Yes, you may transfer within 42 campuses if you meet the following conditions 1. You must be enrolled in the 42 curriculum and have completed the Core Programme. 2. You must obtain permission to transfer from 42 Singapore and your desired campus.
You are not required to purchase your own laptop for the programme. The school prepared a computer lab with all of the necessary equipment for students to use during the programme. However, if you prefer to have your own personal device, you are welcome to do so.
If you have any remaining questions and would like to speak with someone, you can contact us through our website or social media. We will do our best to respond to your inquiry within 24 hours.
Admission Process
No qualifications are needed to join 42.
You do not need to have any prior knowledge of coding to apply to the programme or be successful at it. According to statistics from 42 campuses around the world, approximately half of the students enrolled in the programme had no previous programming experience and there is no evidence that those who already knew how to programme do better than those who did not.
Even if you already have experience with coding, you may still find value in applying to 42’s programme. The programme has a world class curriculum that presents students with challenging projects and focuses on the fundamentals of coding. As you progress through the curriculum, you have the opportunity to specialize in certain topics. The programme encourages creative thinking and problem-solving, and you will be working alongside other motivated and talented peers. Regardless of your previous coding experience, there is a path within the programme that can be rewarding for you.
You do not need to be good at math to be successful in the 42 Singapore programme. While having strong mathematical skills can be helpful when coding, the most important skill you need is logic. Being good at logic and reasoning can be much more beneficial towards the success in the programme.
2 hours and 10 minutes.
To apply to the programme, you will need to complete an online test, which is available on our website. The test takes 2 hours and 10 minutes to complete and must be finished in one sitting, so be sure to allocate enough time for it. If you pass the test, you will be invited to attend an Introduction Session, which will be conducted online. After attending the Introduction Session, you may sign up for the final step of the application process: the Piscine.
The application period for the programme does not have a set end date, as the online application process is always open. After you register and complete the online test, your scores will be saved for one year. During this time, you can choose the dates for the Introduction Session and Piscine that you would like to participate in.
To apply for the programme, you must meet the following requirements:
– Be at least 18 years old
– Strong sense of commitment
– Have basic computer proficiency, including the ability to use a mouse and keyboard
– Be motivated, determined, and willing to learn
We do not have any additional requirements based on background, education, or degree. Prior coding experience is not necessary, and while mathematical skills may be helpful, the most important skill you need is the ability to think logically.
Yes, you can take the online test again if you do not pass it the first time. However, you are only allowed to take the test once per application period. If you take the test during the current application period and do not pass, you will have the opportunity to take it again at the start of the next recruitment period.
Due to its intense training, it is not advisable. It would be more feasible for part-time workers.
Due to space limitations, we are only able to accept a maximum of 150 applications per intake.
The Curriculum
To be successful in the programme, you will need to have strong logical thinking skills and a problem-solving mindset. It is also important to be able to adapt to challenges, take initiative, be curious and creative, pay attention to detail, and work well with others.
Learning in the 42 programme is structured around a series of projects, with over 200 projects organized on a graph called the galaxy. As you complete each project, you move on to the next one on the path, eventually reaching a point where you can choose between different paths to gain different skills. Each student’s learning experience is unique.
In the curriculum, you advance by completing projects and earning experience points. These points allow you to level up and unlock additional projects and specialization paths. You can also be recognized for mastering specific skills, completing missions, or contributing to the community. The programme is divided into 21 levels in total.
The curriculum at 42 is regularly updated to reflect current industry trends and technologies. It was initially created in 2013 by a team of experienced professionals in France, and has evolved over time through the input of staff from various campuses, as well as companies and students. These stakeholders can suggest and work on projects in collaboration with the staff to ensure the curriculum remains relevant.
A gamified programme is one in which progress is measured and tracked through the use of points, similar to a game. At 42, you earn points as you complete projects and level up, unlocking new learning opportunities and paths as you go. Your level reflects how far you have progressed in the programme, with higher levels indicating more points earned and greater progress. After reaching level 7, you can begin your first internship and start choosing a specialization path. The programme culminates at level 21.
At 42, the focus is on “peer-to-peer learning,” where students learn from each other and in groups, rather than being taught by traditional teachers. Instead, students are encouraged to explore, experiment, and seek out information on their own. There is a team of educators who design the context and challenges for each project and track students’ progress, but students are largely responsible for their own learning.
Peer-to-peer learning is a method of learning in which individuals learn from each other rather than from a single instructor. This approach promotes critical thinking, teamwork, communication skills, and a sense of community among participants. In a peer learning environment, members also evaluate each other and learn from the feedback they receive from their peers.
Project-based learning is a method of learning that involves students actively exploring real-world challenges in order to gain a deeper understanding of a subject. In this approach, students learn by doing and evaluating the results of their work, rather than simply memorizing information or following instructions.
The quality of your projects will be evaluated by your peers and our automated grading system, known as the “moulinette.” The score scale used to assess your work will be determined by our staff.
Yes, the school will organize various activities such as guest speaker presentations, hackathons, career fairs and social events. These events provide opportunities to connect with like-minded individuals and industry professionals from a variety of backgrounds and disciplines. We want our guest speakers to not only present information, but also establish a connection with the students at 42. In addition to events facilitated by the school, students are encouraged to organize their own activities and build the community. These events help to keep students engaged and connected to the real world, and may also include collaborations with companies and organizations, such as podcasts, hackathons, and workshops.
The Piscine
The selection process at 42 is referred to as a “piscine” because the word “piscine” is French for “swimming pool.” The metaphor is meant to convey the idea that everyone is starting at the same point and learning together, like people learning to swim in a pool. The process is meant to be enjoyable and challenging, like learning to swim.
No, 42 Singapore is fully equipped with to support your learning.
The Piscine at 42 Singapore runs for 26 days and takes place 3 times per year. They are typically held from April to July period of the year. The campus is open 24/7 during the Piscine period, so you can come and go as you please. The pools are a selection process that allows you to demonstrate your problem-solving and critical thinking skills. They are designed to be enjoyable and challenging, like learning to swim in a pool.
During the Piscine, teams are formed randomly and are composed of a diverse group of students. Each team is responsible for working together to solve the tasks that are assigned to them. The aim of the Piscine is to provide an opportunity for students to work collaboratively and to demonstrate their problem-solving and critical thinking skills.
If you are not accepted into the program after participating in the Piscine, it does not necessarily mean that you are not capable of learning programming. The Piscine is designed to determine whether the program’s learning model is a good fit for you, and if it is not, there are other options and approaches to learning programming that you may find more suitable. It is important to keep in mind that there are many different ways to learn programming and that it is worth exploring different options. If you are not accepted into the programme, you are welcome to try again in the future or to consider other ways of learning programming.
If you wish to leave the Piscine early, you are free to do so at any time. The school’s staff would appreciate it if you could share your reasons for leaving, as this feedback can be helpful in improving the programme. However, it is ultimately your decision to leave the Piscine and you are not required to stay if you do not wish to.
You will be notified of your acceptance or rejection into the programme within 1 month of completing the Piscine.
If you are accepted into the programme, it is recommended that you start your studies as soon as possible in order to get the most benefit from the programme. Starting your studies soon after being accepted will allow you to make the most of your time in the programme and to achieve the best possible results.
To be successful in the 42 programme, you will need to spend a significant amount of time on campus. During the Piscine, it is typically necessary to invest an average of 60 hours per week in your studies. During the regular programme, the time commitment is typically around 40 hours per week. It is therefore recommended that you carefully consider your availability and commitments before participating in the Piscine.
The dates for the next Piscine and check-ins will be posted on the school’s website and social media channels. If you are interested in participating in the Piscine, it is recommended that you check these sources for updates and to stay informed about the availability of the Piscine.
You can take up to 2 Piscines in your lifetime, on all campuses of 42 and its partners. A minimum of 300 days between these 2 Piscines must be respected.
Job Prospects
At 42 Singapore, we will provide you with the platform to meet hiring companies and actively secure relevant internship opportunities. We will also host career and internship events for you to meet prospective companies.
However, ultimately it is up to you to secure the internship opportunity. We will provide the resources and support, but it is your responsibility to make the most of these opportunities and secure an internship position.
Students get a 42 certificate whenever they decide to end their training, and the certificate features the highest level that they completed. The Certificate shows that this student studied at 42 and provides grades/competency in various subject matter.
In addition, Upon attaining Level 17 (42) and Level 21 (42), students may apply to obtain the RNCP Level 6 and 7 respectively. The “RNCP titles” are registered in the “Répertoire National des Certifications Professionnelles (RNCP).” This certification is recognized throughout Europe as validation of the acquired professional skills. Level 6 of the European nomenclature is equivalent to a Bachelor’s Degree and Level 7 is equivalent to a Master’s Degree.
Graduates of the 42 Singapore programme are well-equipped to pursue a variety of roles in the tech industry, including but not limited to coding, network and system security, data related ICT roles. Many of our graduates have gone on to work at top tech companies around the world, while others have started their own successful businesses.
100% that completed the Core Curriculum are employed (Paris data).
This programme is supported by MOE https://www.moe.gov.sg/news/press-releases/20230301-learn-for-life-forging-our-collective-future, and co-funded by SkillsFuture Singapore.
The 42 programme prepares graduates for a variety of positions in the technology industry. Included among the most common occupations pursued by 42 graduates are:
Software Engineer: 42 provides a strong foundation in coding skills applicable to a variety of software engineering positions. Graduates may specialise in front-end development, back-end development, or full-stack development and work on the development of applications, websites, and software systems.
Data Analyst: The 42 programme also provides a solid foundation in data analysis and manipulation, making it an excellent choice for graduates seeking careers in data analysis, data science, or business intelligence.
Cybersecurity Analyst: The 42 programme also provides a solid foundation in cybersecurity, making it an excellent choice for graduates seeking careers in cybersecurity, information security, or related fields.
DevOps Engineer: This course emphasises project-based learning and collaboration to prepare students for roles in DevOps or Site Reliability Engineering (SRE). Graduates may develop and maintain software deployment pipelines, manage infrastructure, or safeguard the dependability and scalability of software systems.
Companies such as Google, Apple, Amazon, IBM, Microsoft, and Tesla, among others, have hired 42 graduates. Nevertheless, many 42 graduates go on to work for startups, smaller tech companies, and even start their own businesses. The skills and experience acquired through the 42 programme are highly transferable and in high demand in the tech industry, making it a valuable path for anyone pursuing a career in technology.
