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Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about 42
No, 42 Amman is NOT a Bootcamp. It is a full-time program that requires about 40 hours a week to complete, that extends between 1 to 3 years (1 year for the Core Program and up to 2 years for Specialization).
No, 42 Amman utilizes innovative peer-to-peer and project-based learning and we believe that the best way to learn is on campus.
Learning at 42 Amman is tuition-free. There are no hidden fees, now or after the program is completed.
Three years on average, with the first part – the core curriculum – lasting no more than 1 year, followed by a specialization for around 2 years.
Though we would not recommend it, you can stop at any time. Keep in mind that 42 Amman's program is full-time and requires commitment. But if you face any obstacles or circumstances, you can get in touch with the educational staff to review your case.
Yes, you will receive a certificate after completing the program, this certificate is accredited globally and recognized locally.
The training at 42 is intense. While there is nothing stopping you from having a full-time job, it is not recommended due to the time and effort you need to put into the program. A part-time job is more reasonable, but it may require more time management.
You do not need a laptop during the Piscine and/or the program. The campus is equipped with enough workstations to serve all students, which are more than enough to serve all students. During your program, it is okay to use your own laptop if you’d like, however, all your work must be submitted on the 42 Amman workstation.
The application starts with the online test on our application page. The test is available and can be done at any point in time. It takes 2 hours and 10 minutes and must be completed in one sitting, so do ensure that you allocate enough time for it. After passing the test, the next step is to attend an Introduction Session conducted online. Further details on these sessions will be made available through the application page and our social media channels. After the Introduction Session, it is then possible to sign up for the final step of the selection process: The Piscine.
Our online application will remain open, always. After registering and taking the online test, your online test scores will be saved for one year and you can choose which Introduction Session and Piscine to sign up for within one year.
To be at least 18 years of age.
No knowledge of coding is needed to apply to 42 Amman.
42 Amman offers a program with a world-class curriculum that challenges students with projects of increased complexity. Every problem is unique and requires you to think out of the box with other talented and motivated peers. Everyone, coder or not, can find a rewarding path within 42 Amman.
You need logical thinking skills and a problem-solving attitude. You need to be able to adapt and overcome difficulties, be proactive, curious, creative, thorough, and be able to collaborate with others.
The Piscine is the last phase before full admission to the 42 Amman program. It is a 4-week period designed to gear you up to learn the basics of programming with your peers. The Piscine is a chance for you to learn programming from scratch or dive deeper into your skillset and find out whether 42 Amman is a good fit for you. Think of the Piscine as a very condensed version of the curriculum, where you will experience our methods, learn a lot of code & meet a lot of people. The Piscine is challenging, and it will test the skills you have or want to learn. This is all part of the ride.
The word “Piscine” is the French word for “swimming pool”, meaning that everyone dives into the deep end of coding and learns how to swim together.
We don’t communicate the selection criteria. There’s only one rule: During the Piscine, give everything you’ve got. This is the only way you will know if 42’s methods suit your goals.
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.
Yes! Applicants are free to leave the admissions process at any time. You can just walk out, with no strings attached. Although the educational staff would really appreciate learning the reason behind your decision. Who knows, maybe talking it through with someone can change your mind.
Yes. The beginning of your Core Program studies is a continuation of the Piscine, so it is best to not interrupt the learning process. Nonetheless, if you know you might not be able to enroll in the school right after the Piscine, it would be fair to leave the spot for someone who is eager to start and join a later kick-off date. You can always discuss this with the 42 Amman staff members for other arrangements.
42 Amman is based on peer-to-peer learning, in which students learn and discover by themselves and with peers. The environment forces you to learn how to learn, which is one of the most important skills to develop. There is, however, a pedagogical team that makes sure the learning environment works and that students are progressing.
Peer-to-peer learning is an education model where students learn from each other instead of learning from an appointed teacher. It emphasizes critical thinking, teamwork, and communication. Students also evaluate each other and learn by explaining the material to their peers.
In project-based learning, students gain a deeper knowledge of a subject through active exploration of real-world challenges and problems. They learn by doing and thinking critically, rather than by following instructions and memorizing. It also helps transition education from theoretical knowledge to on-ground practice.
Projects will be assessed by a student’s peers using a grading sheet and general guidelines provided by the educational staff. Students must be able to explain their code to the evaluator in such a way that the evaluator understands, even if they have no prior knowledge going into the evaluation. A student’s grade will be determined by how well their code works and how well they can explain it. “If you can’t explain it, you don’t understand it well enough.” – Albert Einstein.
You start building a base in the C programming language and fundamental programming concepts. As you progress toward your industry placement, you can explore introductory branches in UNIX, graphics, and web programming. The curriculum will, then, include deeper projects in many fields of computer science: Object Oriented Programming, Mobile Programming, Functional Programming, Web Security, Reverse Engineering, Malicious Code, Kernel Programming, Network Programming, Artificial Intelligence, 3D Programming, and many other areas of programming and IT. You will also learn and utilize the git system throughout the program from Day 1 of the Piscine.
During their basic studies at 42 Amman, students learn the fundamentals of coding. C language provides an effective base for this. Through learning the language in their basic studies, students gain an understanding of how to think like a coder. C as a language also demands the coder to be independent and to understand how the code works on a fundamental level. After learning the ins and outs of C, students will understand what lies beneath any coding concept and how it really works.
42 Amman shares the proven curriculum of Ecole 42 in Paris. There are more than a hundred projects laid out in the form of a tree. When you complete a project, you move on to the next one until you can choose from different paths and discover multiple aspects of programming and IT. Each student’s experience is unique as they experiment with projects and choose to follow different specializations in the extended curriculum. At 42 Amman we work with our Anchor Partners to come up with localized challenges and projects for students to take on throughout the program.
You progress in the curriculum by completing projects and getting points. With these points, you level up and unlock more projects and specialization branches. You can also master different skills, and complete quests and achievements. Students can compare their levels to know how far they are in the curriculum.
The original curriculum was created in 2013 by Ecole 42’s team, which consists of veterans in the computer science educational field in France. It has evolved since then through the contribution of the educational staff in Paris and other schools around the world, co-operation with companies and even students. Every quarter of the year, the pedagogical committee consisting of educational staff from all 42 campuses get together to discuss and execute updates to the curriculum based on current industry trends.
Would you like to? If so, this is definitely possible. But it is more likely that you will develop new skills and interests and find other digital-related positions. Companies and organizations in all industries are affected by technology and digital transformation. More often than not, these are multi-disciplinary roles and require you to collaborate in teams. Many of the graduates from the 42 Network have also ventured into building their own companies by teaming up with other 42 graduates.
Completing the course gives you access to many positions and jobs in the digital world, from startups to global, leading companies – in existing roles or those yet to be invented. Try searching “digital world jobs” in your favorite search engine and see what’s out there! With the skills you acquire at 42 Amman and peers whom you’ll work with daily, you may even decide to build your own company. 30% of students in Ecole 42 have done just that.
At 42 Amman, we won’t teach you how to solve a specific problem or how to use a tool. The curriculum will teach you how to learn and to understand the tools you use. After 42 Amman, you will have the ability to solve hard problems, because you’ll be used to thinking critically, seeking, and sharing knowledge. We will not lock you into a specific technology. Technology changes every year anyway. You will be able to develop and maintain relevant skills throughout your career.
Absolutely! As a 42 Amman graduate, you’re always welcome to visit! Alumni can come back to continue their studies anytime they want. We would love for them to remain a part of the 42 Amman community and share their newfound knowledge from the real world with your fellow students.
