Learning to learn
42’s program is based on the principles of gamification, learning-to-learn, and peer-learning. Our participants learn together and help each other – failures are opportunities for growth: test a program, understand your mistakes, and move forward.
During your program, you’ll get to experience from a selection of nearly 150 well-maintained projects that range from 2 days to 6 months, depending on their scope, complexity, and the learning path you’ve chosen.
Between 12 months and 5 years
Part 1
Common Core
The first part of 42’s program is the core curriculum – you’ll get to experience learning the fundamentals of software engineering: programming in C, algorithms and software development, file systems, UNIX, sysadmin and network architecture. While everybody can progress at their own pace, this will most likely take around 12-18 months for most people.
After successful completion of the common core, you may choose to finish the program and receive your 42 certificate, attesting to the level you’ve reached, or you may continue further developing your skills in the specialisation.
Part 2
Specialisation
The second part is the specialisation, where participants get to decide which direction they want to move forward in: fields such as AI, mobile or web development, cybersecurity, or a combination of these fields are at your disposal – and more. Neutrality towards brands, technology and programming languages is emphasised in order to stay adaptive for the future. This program includes over 100 projects to complete in groups, and also includes internships and entrepreneurial programs. Each participant can decide on their own when they’re ready to enter the next step of their career and become an alumni.
Skills & fields
Software development
Imperative programming
- C
Functional programming
- OCaml
- Lisp
Object-oriented programming
- C++
- C#
- Java
- Swift
- Mobile development
Algorithms & AI
- Machine learning
- Deep learning
- Neural networks
- Genetic algorithms
- Maths
Graphics
- Image computing
- Games
- OpenGL
- Vulkan
- Metal
Adaptation and innovation in digital technologies
Adaptation & creativity
- Innovation
- Thinking out of the box
Web
- Back-end dev
- Full-stack dev
- Frameworks
- Rails
- Django
- Node
- React
- Symfony
Technology integration
- Complex environments
- Heterogenous environments
- Projects from companies
Design and management of information systems
System programming
- UNIX
- Posix
- Kernel
- Low level
- Embedded systems
Network & system administration
- Network architecture
- Network services
- IP addressing
- Cloud
- DevOps
- Virtualization
- Continuous integration
Security
- Virus
- Rootkits
- Trojans
- Exploits
- Firewalls
- Countermeasures
- Backups
- Man-In-The-Middle
- Sniffing & spoofing
DB & Data
- SQL
- PostgreSQL
- MySQL
- Oracle
- Data structure
- NoSQL
- Data lake
- Data visualization
- Data mining
Parallel computing
- Threads
- Mutexes
- Semaphores
- Concurrent programming
- GPU programming
- Cuda
- OpenCL
Communication & management of teams and projects
Rigor
- Coding style
- Regression tests
Organization
- Personal organization
- Project management
Company experience
- Internships
- Work and study (optional)
Management and communication of teams
and projects
- Group management
- Communication
The freeze
When facing the unexpected, learners have access to a tool called the Freeze. The Freeze helps them take a break in the core curriculum for up to three times, for no longer than 6 months in total. Afterwards, when they’ve reached the Specialisation, participants will have a greater degree of freedom and time management opportunities: you may combine the Specialisation with internships and other professional experiences.
The 42 certificate
42 is a sustainable training program for long-term integration into the labor market. There is no shortage of job offers in the IT industry: as soon as they complete their first internship, two-thirds of our participants are offered their first permanent position. The 42 certificate is issued when the participant decides to end their training after completing the core curriculum. It attests to the final level obtained at 42. Depending on the personal pathway chosen, it ranges from level 9 (validation of the common core) to level 21 (validation of several thematic branches available in the curriculum, and which may include periods of professionalization).