The Piscine
The Piscine is the final selection phase at 42. It’s a 26-day, in-person immersion programme designed to let you experience the fundamentals of programming through a collaborative methodology. You’ll learn to code from scratch, develop your skills and discover whether 42 is the right choice for you.
The Piscine
26 unique days of in-person learning
IMMERSION
Immerse yourself in 42’s working methods.
INTENSIVE LEARNING
Four weeks to get properly to grips with programming.
FROM SCRATCH
Everyone is welcome: at Piscine 42, you’ll learn to code with no prior knowledge required – your starting level doesn’t matter.
LEARN ABOUT YOURSELF
Discover how 42’s learning methods can help you progress.
A UNIQUE AND UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE
The Piscine offers you new perspectives and experiences as you share an intensive period of learning with many different people all sharing the same goal
DIVERSITY IS A VALUE
People from all backgrounds, wherever they come from, are welcome: you can only make progress by sharing different points of view.
Highlights of The Piscine 42
LEARNING MODULES
The exercises in Piscine 42 are grouped into modules. It takes roughly a day to complete each module, but you must learn to manage your time and move forwards or backwards as many times as you need. These modules allow you to focus on a specific concept. What sets this apart from other forms of learning is that, rather than watching tutorials and copying what you see on a screen, you’ll find solutions to problems either on your own or with the help of others in the Piscine, thanks to the knowledge you’ll acquire in a highly practical context.
PEER ASSESSMENTS
Each module will be assessed by fellow candidates in the ‘Piscine’, with the sole assistance of two automated tests. This is known as ‘peer-to-peer’ or ‘peer assessment’. Those who have already completed the ‘Piscine’ stage say that this type of assessment has provided them with the greatest learning experience.
TEAMWORK
During the ‘Piscine’ weekends, working groups – known as ‘rushes’ – are set up, allowing you to collaborate on projects. These projects are assessed by teaching staff or more advanced students who take part in the educational activities.
TESTS TO PUT YOURSELF TO THE TEST
Once a week, a system-generated test is set. You’ll need to complete the challenges within a time limit to test your level and put what you’ve learnt into practice. It’s an opportunity to track your progress and achievements and push yourself further.
TIME TO STRENGTHEN THE ‘TEAM’
During the 26 days of the ‘Piscine’, events are also organised to help participants bond. Although nobody knows each other at the start, friendships often develop from the working groups.
Are you up for the challenge?
Frequent Asked Questions
Once you’ve passed both of the online tests, you’ll be able to pre-register for the Piscine, the 26-day immersive selection period on the campus.
The dates will be announced throughout the year by email and on our social media.
This is the last step before you become a student at 42 and you reach it after you’ve passed the two previous online tests. This is an in-person challenge lasting 26 days in a row during which you’ll undertake daily projects giving you the chance to gain solid foundations in C language while you learn to work alongside the other candidates.
We don’t have any selection quotas at 42. There’s no fixed number of applicants for selection. However, we temporarily reserve 30% of the places to allow women to register throughout a longer period of time.
No, it isn’t necessary either during the Piscine or after you become a student. We have around 200 iMacs, which are more than enough to cater for the candidates and students. Although you can use your own laptop, it’s advisable to use the ones on the campus, particularly during the piscine.
The Piscine is demanding and requires spending numerous hours programming and working with the other candidates throughout the 26 consecutive days that it lasts. Although it isn’t impossible to complete it while you work, we recommend making this period a priority.
Not getting through the Piscine stage means that 42 might not be for you, at least for the time being. The Piscine is designed to enable you and 42 to find out whether this educational model is right for both of us. You’ll have to wait for 300 days to re-apply for the Piscine if you don’t get through it the first time.
The start of the studies is a continuation of the Piscine; we always recommend not interrupting this learning process. If you know that you aren’t going to enrol on the campus after the selection process, it would be advisable to give your place to someone who’s eager to start.
All the stages of the application, from the two online tests to the Piscine, must be completed on the same campus.
Their specific dates are always available on our website and social media.
