ARE YOU
BORN 2 CODE?
Join a hands-on, full-time software engineering program powered by world-class peer-to-peer learning. Become part of a global tech community with 50+ campuses worldwide.
A computer academy
that defies conventional
wisdom
42 Berlin is an important
contribution to counteracting
the shortage of skilled workers
For the tech leaders
of tomorrow
A computer academy
that defies conventional wisdom
42 Berlin is an important
contribution to counteracting
the shortage of skilled workers
For the tech leaders
of tomorrow
We are part of the 42 Network of Software Engineering Schools. The first 42 school opened in 2013 in Paris. There are currently over 20.000+ active students around the world with 50+ schools open worldwide. All 42 schools are using peer2peer, gamified methodology and are completely tuition free for students.
42 is a brand well known by employers in many countries as one of the most rigorous educational methodologies.
About the school
PROJECT-BASED LEARNING
Students take ownership of their learning. Most importantly, surpassing oneself is the only way to move forward, yet you can always count on the strength of the group.
PEER-TO-PEER PEDAGOGY
Each student must problem solve, work with others and fail a few times to find the answer. We provide you with the environment, tools, support, and community to find the answers.
GAMIFIED CURRICULUM
Our learning program is structured like a tree. As you near the end of a branch, the branch splits and more projects are unlocked. This way, each student’s learning is unique.
CAMPUS OPEN 24/7
Everyone learns at their own pace. That's why the campus is open 24/7. It is also baby-friendly and dog-friendly. There are nap and yoga rooms, showers, and more.
WE CELEBRATE FAILURE
You will not be penalised if you fail a project. Instead, we see this as a necessary step to levelling up. Failing is a part of the learning journey, since this is how we truly improve.
NO TUITION FEES
Education at 42 Berlin is 100% free. Thanks to donations from our partner companies, we provide tech education, without any red tape.
STUDY FOR FREE,
THANKS TO OUR PARTNERS
We’re proud to have some of Germany’s leading tech companies supporting 42 Berlin. Thanks to their donations and involvement, our education remains fully free and accessible to all aspiring coders.
Partners like Bayer, Capgemini, CARIAD, Lufthansa Industry Solutions, Microsoft, SAP, T-Systems, and Volkswagen contribute through funding, mentoring, workshops, and career opportunities.
These collaborations help us deliver world-class, peer-to-peer tech education while connecting students directly with the industry.
42 Berlin is a full-time, tuition-free coding school with a 24/7 open campus. We’re rethinking tech education through a hands-on, peer-to-peer model, no teachers, no classes. Project based, gamified curriculum that prepares you for a job as a jr software engineer (or any other coding based, junior level job in tech) within 12-24 months.
To join, you’ll need to first play a game that will test your logical thinking skills, then you will need to pass the Piscine, an intense 26-day coding bootcamp that tests your logic, grit, and collaboration. Once you succeed – you become a 42 Student. It will take you 12-24 months to complete your Curriculum and be job ready. Onsite presence in Berlin is required, and you’ll be part of a global network of 50+ campuses.
The 42 model has already produced world-class software engineers, successful founders, and developers at top tech companies around the world. Over 50,000 students have been educated by the 42 methodology thus far and Hiring Managers value not only stark hard skills our graduates bring into a working environment but also their invaluable abilities to communicate clearly and collaborate with others.
What you will learn
Level 0
Languages: C
Learn basics: Linux, Git
Libft Project: Get a deep understanding of how standard C functions work by programming a simple C library from scratch.
Level 1
Languages: C
Printf Project: Create a custom implementation of the printf function in C.
GetNextLine Project: Implement a function in C that reads a line from a file descriptor.
Born2BeRoot Project: setting up and administering a Linux-based Virtual Machine.
Level 2
Languages: C
Push_swap Project: Develop efficient sorting algorithm.
Pipex Project: Simulate the behavior of a pipe in the terminal.
Minitalk Project: Develop a small communication program using Unix signals.
FractOl / Fdf / So_long Projects: Create a 2D graphical project usind a simplified graphics library.
Level 3
Languages: C
Minishell Project: Create a shell interpreter based on the Unix bash shell that can execute commands, manage environment variables, handle redirections and pipes, and respond to user signals.
Philosophers Project: Solve the commensal philosophers problem using concurrent and parallel programming.
Level 4
Languages: C, C++
Cub3D Project: Create a 3D maze game using raycasting and a simplified graphics library
MiniRT Project: Develop a rendering engine, allowing the creation of realistic threedimensional images.
NetPractice Project: Learn fundamental networking concepts, including IP addressing, subnet masks, and routing.
Level 5
Languages: C++, HTML, CSS
Webserv project: Build an HTTP server from scratch.
IRC project: Implement a chat server based on the IRC protocol.
Inception project: Set up a complete web development environment using Docker containers.
Level 6
Languages: Python or Ruby, HTML, CSS, Javascript
Transcendence project: Develop a complete single-page web application.
This project integrates multiple technologies and addresses both the frontend and the backend, providing a complete experience in fullstack web development.
Proof of concept:
Our Students
We are incredibly proud of our students who have successfully completed the Core Curriculum at 42 Berlin and gone on to launch their careers in a wide range of IT fields.
- The 42 model has already produced world-class software engineers, successful founders, and developers at top tech companies around the world.
- Over 50,000 students from 42 schools all over the world have been educated by the 42 methodology.
- Hiring Managers value stark hard skills and invaluable abilities to communicate clearly and collaborate with others our graduates bring into a working environment.
MEET SOME OF 42 BERLIN STUDENTS
WHO SHARE THEIR SUCCESS STORIES:
Jean Isserstedt
42 fundamentally changed how I approach problem-solving. As a game designer, I’m not usually required to dive into code — but learning to think like a programmer has helped me break down complex systems and challenges more logically and analytically.
Mariia Paraskun
School 42, with its schedule and supportive community, helped me realize that it’s actually impossible to ever be 100% prepared for what might be required of me. The best and most valuable knowledge is truly acquired during the process of working on a project.
Daniil Tolmacov
Before joining 42 I was on the crossroad choosing between university computer science degree and small independent school in Berlin. Choosing 42 definitely paid me back. I found a full-time job after only 9 months of studying. It gave me a solid foundation that helps to easily learn any language.
Elise Van Iterson
I found an internship at a software development agency in Amsterdam. They build websites and apps for other companies, like the Rijksmuseum. I’ll be their backend development intern and hopefully a junior backend developer after 😉.
Barra MacMahon
Alongside 42, I work full-time at SAP in the BTP Innovation team, developing AI features. With no prior coding experience, 42’s curriculum gave me the tools to thrive. After 2 years, I’m nostalgic yet excited for new challenges. Embrace 42—it’s a treasure!
Marie Darbois
I started at 42 Berlin more or less exactly two years ago. Little did I know it would lead me to completely switch careers. I got a full-time position at Amazon as a software engineer, but I still hope to be around campus, working on advanced curriculum projects.
Tetiana Fedorenko
After experimenting with various IT roles and even venturing into the art world, nothing quite clicked until I joined 42. The hands-on peer-learning approach helped me make valuable connections and learn a lot from others.
Joseph Albers
Above all 42 ingrained a desire to learn within me. After all, at my job I am constantly forced to learn new languages, frameworks and tools. I believe that appreciating this journey will make the difference in the long run.
Max Schaub
Even though I am not coding I work with software every day. From basics like using the command line, what a merge request is and all the other important software engineering principles out there. These skills are the basics when it comes to software and therefore play a huge role in my job.
Pooneh Moghaddasi
The very first day I walked into the school, in the big cluster of computers, there was a red sign hanging on top: “Don’t Panic.” That message is the essence of what I learned at 42 and has stayed with me whenever I face something unfamiliar.
Théo Zanchi
When moving to Germany, working for Deutsche Bahn was my objective because I am passionate by this industry and I had the chance to meet DB executives on campus to discuss about our pedagogy, and this is how I managed to have an internship at DB Cargo.
Kristiyana Milcheva
Some of the ways 42 really prepared me for the working world was teaching me the ability to communicate and to take on projects I have no idea how to approach.
Feras Hassouneh
42 enabled me to understand the needs of students and now help them to achieve their goals and dreams. I enjoyed the most the openminded community and the work with my peers. For me 42 became a mindset, that i can learn and achieve anything.
Lola Le
The greatest value in 42 for me is that every day I have the opportunity to network with many talented, motivated, and kind people from all over the world. In this school, you can find friends and gain inspiration.
Pietro Nuti
One of the things I loved the most about 42 is that the learning curve is constantly steep but the projects are still approachable, which forces you to learn how to learn; a very valuable takeaway both for possible specialisations and/or my everyday job.
Fedir Staryk
42 helped me getting into the job, thanks to hard and soft skills I earned during my studies. But the most helpful skill during the job, was to quickly learn and adapt to new topics and challenges, as you need to be able to work with stuff you never even heard of before.
Santiago Tena Hernandez
The skills for independent and collaborative work that I acquired while working on my projects at 42 have allowed me to deliver and build great working relationships.
Vasileios Almpanis
42 taught me to be a self-starter, problem-solver, and above all self organized person, all of which are essential in my current role. It gave me with the confidence to tackle challenges and groups and independently and to lose the fear of failing but embrace it.
Yurii Arutiunov
42 school is more than just a place to learn coding — it’s a place of growth and personal development. I carry the lessons of resilience, innovation, and community into every challenge I face. It’s a school that prepares you for a lifetime of learning.
Application process
STEP 1
Start your application process by signing up on our application platform.
After entering your personal details, you’ll complete two online logic games that take about two hours in total. No coding experience is required, only focus and some basic problem-solving skills. For the best experience, play the games on a desktop or laptop rather than on a mobile device.
STEP 2
Attend a short Introduction session online or on campus.
Within 48 hours, you’ll receive the results of your logic games. If you pass, you’ll be invited to sign up for an Introduction session, either online or on campus. This session is your opportunity to learn more about 42 Berlin’s approach to learning, meet our team, explore the campus, and ask any questions you might have.
STEP 3
Pass the Piscine, an intense 26-day coding bootcamp.
The Piscine tests your logic, grit, and collaboration. It is a full-time on-site course, you must be in Berlin to participate. Once you succeed, you become a 42 Berlin student!
OPEN DOORS & INTRODUCTION
Join us for our Open Doors & Introduction event and get a real feel for life at 42 Berlin.
You’ll learn how our peer-driven learning model works and what makes 42 different from any other coding school.
42 BERLIN STORIES
Head to our YouTube channel @42berlin for tips on the Piscine, student life, behind-the-scenes at our Berlin campus, coding projects, and talks from tech insiders.
FAQ
Some our of most frequently asked questions that may be on the tip of your tongue. Check the full FAQ page for a more cohesive list.
What do I need to do to get in?
After registration, you will need to pass a two-hour long online test, made up to to cognitive games. If you succeed, you will need to clear the last hurdle, the ‘Piscine’; our one-month-long selection process.
Do I need to know how to code to join?
Nope! We welcome in beginners and advanced coders alike. Of course, the programme might be initially more challenging if you’re never coded before, however it is designed to be completed by any level of experience.
Can I study remotely?
No, we do not provide any online or remote study options. All students are required to complete the program with access to the campus. We’ve found that our peer-learning method is much more effective when done in person.
I am already a skilled coder.
Why should I join?
42 Berlin offers a program with a world-class curriculum that challenges students with projects of increased complexity. Every problem is unique, and it requires you to think outside of the box along with motivated peers. At 42, you will not just build on your hard skills of coding, but learn the soft skills necessary to thrive as a software programmer. Everyone, coder or not, can find a rewarding path.
Does 42 Berlin provide Accomodation?
We don’t provide our Pisciners/Students with accomodation or accomodation support. We can connect you with other Pisciners before you begin and send you some useful hints about finding a flat in Berlin though!
Does 42 Berlin provide Bachelor's/Master's degree?
We are part of the 42 global network. At the moment we are in progress of getting licensed to allow our students get a French Bachelor’s/Master’s degree from 42 Paris based on the level they reach in their curriculum ETA TBD. However, we are not an Educational Institution in Germany yet.
Can I study at a different city than the one I did my Piscine in?
No. You need to start your Core Curriculum in the same city as the one in which you completed your Piscine. Each person is able to do the Piscine only twice in their life. If you don’t pass it the first time you will need to wait for 300d to take it for the second time.