Since there aren’t any courses at 42, students can try a “branch” of our curriculum to see if they like it. If they don’t, they aren’t committed to an entire semester or course; they can move to the next branch and topic. This allows students to explore as well as pursue with depth the areas of programming that they are passionate about.
Unlike coding bootcamps, at 42, the skills you learn have enduring value. Whereas programming languages are constantly evolving and can become obsolete from one day to the next, the ability to learn a language in 2 weeks is an enduring skill that the digital world needs and wants.
n traditional schools, there are exams and grades with a pass or fail system. At 42, students have to master a project and skill before they can move to the next level: they have to display competency because software has to work. Autopilot will not work if it functions 95% of the time; it has to function 100% of the time. Students have an open environment to try, fail, be corrected by peers, try again, and learn until they get it right. This gives them confidence in what they truly know when entering the workplace.
A lot of traditional computer science and engineering programs focus heavily on theory, and students don’t actually spend that much time writing code, learning to program, being forced to think, and designing systems and networks. At 42, you’ll spend most of your time working on projects, writing code, designing systems, and more. Students love the hands-on, real-world approach to learning, which allows for the grasping and absorbing of much more creative material.
At 42, you can learn as fast or as slow as you need. There is no restrictive quantity of time with which you need to learn, as compared to an academic semester. Students can progress at their own pace: for those who find traditional education boring because it’s too slow, 42 challenges them and they can move as fast as they can. On the other side, students who need more time to learn can take longer: the point is that they learn skills, not just trying to pass within a given timeframe.
Arguably the point of college and university is to prepare for the workplace. 42 was founded on the belief that the traditional education system wasn’t providing needed skills for the digital workplace. 42 students spend hours and hours coding, working on projects, working in groups, and working in a professional work environment. Transitioning to the workplace is easy, and of great benefit to employers.
Our curriculum changes simultaneously with the needs of the tech industry. We’re currently adding AI and blockchain to our curriculum, working with leading industry professionals to help develop skills and understanding what employers need. Since we don’t have teachers and professors, the speed with which we can develop the curriculum and offer students the opportunity to learn is far faster than other colleges or universities.
42 doesn’t have classes, courses, or rigid working hours. We’re open 24/7, so students work when they want to work. It’s up to them to manage their time. If the traditional education system didn’t suit you, try 42! A huge part of our student population didn’t do well with traditional educational structures but are thriving at 42 and are incredibly talented programmers.
