Welcome to Codam, a full-time programming course in the heart of Amsterdam! At Codam, you learn to program like a pro using our unique peer learning curriculum. We cover your tuition fees, there are no teachers and we are open 24/7! Moreover, Codam is accessible to everyone, because no previous education or diploma is required, to register you only have to be over 18. We believe that everyone can learn to program wherever you come from! #writeyourfuture
There are many things at Codam that are different from the traditional education institutions. We have no pre-admission requirements, no tuition fees, no teachers, classrooms, or semesters. We don’t look at grades, recommendations, or previous education results. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to apply.
Codam covers the tuition of all their students without expecting anything in return. Knowledge should be open and accessible to everyone, without fees. Everyone should have the chance to become a qualified software engineer, regardless of their background. The only investment students have to make is time and willingness to learn.
Anyone can code, regardless of age, gender or background. Students do not need previous experience in programming to join Codam. Students will learn the necessary skills from scratch. Codam attracts an unconventional pool of candidates, and that's why we have such a wide variety of talent.
Peer learning at Codam primarily focuses on promoting student engagement. Peer instruction adds value in its ability to encourage critical thinking, problem-solving, and innovation. Students will be taught to find solutions to new problems as they arise instead of being taught the specifics of how to solve one. Together with other peers,Codam students will take on challenging projects in the curriculum by giving and receiving information and alternating between teaching and learning; Codam students adapt and progress rapidly through their projects.
Our curriculum is entirely project based. The curriculum is designed so the students are constantly learning, even if it's only learning what they don't know.
Codam is for everyone, no matter where they come from or what they did in the past. We have no prejudices. We believe that everyone can become a software engineer. But don't just take our word for it…
Wendell: "I've always worked hard. I didn’t study after high school, because I was constantly busy with work, I have built websites for an online marketing agency, but I got bored soon. I wanted to program more. Luckily, I came across Codam! Besides all the hours I spend at Codam, I always have my laptop in my bag to work on the side. I’m still working as a freelancer, but I also work for a company in Amsterdam."
Lotte: "Something that I always carry with me are my tattoos. They're a combination of my favorite TV series and a video game that means a lot to me. Later on, I want to make video games myself. I have already completed a study for this: game artist. That is more the artistic part of it. Here at Codam I learn coding, so that I can make games completely myself, both the 2D and the 3D part."
Flint: “I’m studying at Codam, because after six years of traveling and working in the fashion industry, I wanted to do something with my brain. I like solving problems and puzzles, so when I ended up at the Codam Piscine I really liked it. But what particularly grabbed me was peer-to-peer learning. It is important for me that I can continue traveling later and with coding, you can actually go anywhere in the world.”
Danielly (middle) tells: "I am somewhat more alternative than most people. I feel a bit of a rocker. It is not necessarily who I am, but I could describe myself as such. I am also a bit disorganised. All my notes are in different places in my computer." Solange (left) and Isadora (right) about Danielly: "She is a caring person, who always pays attention to someone else and listens carefully. She is always willing to explain everything step by step for assignments for Codam. It does not matter to her how complicated it is."
Codam is a new, innovative school, in the heart of Amsterdam. Based on the revolutionary education model of the French school 42 that was founded in Paris by tech-entrepreneur Xavier Niel. With impressive results (100% of graduates found a job in the industry) 42 has inspired others around the world to use the model. In September 2018, Codam opened its doors as the Dutch sister school to 42, using the same successful curriculum.
Corinne Vigreux, co-founder of TomTom, was inspired by Xavier Niel. With a passion for innovation and technology, she decided to set up her own programming college like 42. Corinne had first hand seen the shortage of programmers, so she decided to take action. It is the goal of both Codam and Corinne to help ensure that the world of tomorrow is shaped by people from all corners of society and the world.
Codam is part of the #42network, with 9.000 students around the world, who are all studying to become qualified software engineers using the same curriculum and the same educational model!
Our curriculum is divided into multiple steps. It's set up as a game, with the ability to gain levels and achievements through the completion of projects. The end goal is to reach level 21. Once you have reached level 21, you are ready to find a job.
Everyone starts at the same place to ensure everyone has a strong programming foundation to build upon. Here at Codam, you can learn to do anything from programming an A.I. to game graphics. Nobody tells you what route you must take, it is up to you! You are in charge of your own future. If you are not sure what your passion is, you are free to try all the routes until you find it. It’s all up to you.
After a Bachelor's degree in Modern and Classical Letters, Hélène decided to turn to computer science. First, she enrolled in a Multimedia program and then in a Multimedia Project Management Master's degree while doing a training-program in parallel. Once, graduated she started to work for an e-commerce company. In 2015, she decided to make another bold move by joining 42. At a conference there, she met the Kapten CTO who offered her an internship. Hélène joined Kapten for what was supposed to be a 6-month internship in 2016 before being hired as a Full-stack developer. She currently works on transactions and fraud in the Payment Tribe, after having been part of an R&D team and the Supply tribe.
I joined 42 after a year of med school. I realized I might have chosen the wrong branch when I was designing video games on my computer during classes instead of taking notes. I chose 42 instead of any other school because of the peer learning method. Before joining 42 I had always learned the most by trial and error on my own and using internet resources. I felt that having the freedom to learn what I thought was the most important would drive me more than attending mandatory classes. Three years later, I'm designing data processing pipelines and working on predictive models in the area of pharma research.
After 9 years as a store manager for a French leather goods brand, I wasn't learning anymore and I started thinking about my professional path. I wanted change, challenge, and, why not, a whole new job. One evening, I saw a news report about 42. It clicked right away: this school was made for me, it was a perfect fit - no lecture, no professor, the students all help each other, you need team spirit and motivation. I successfully passed the test and Piscine. So I used my company training credits, to attend 42 full-time for a year. A year later, the same company offered me the position of IT project manager. I'm now in charge of the IT side of Le Tanneur's points of sale. 42 was a real opportunity to step up, it's tough but don't give up and you can reach your goals.
Hi! I'm Simon. I'm from Belgium and I work as an embedded software engineer. Do you have a high school diploma? I don't. I was passionate about drones but I could not pursue studies because I dropped out from school. Then I heard about 42. After the online test, I subscribed to the Piscine, which was so stimulating! Everyone was helping each other and sharing knowledge. I've done my internship in a robotics start-up. 42 enabled me to get my dream internship after only 9 months. Since then I graduated and I'm working for electronics companies.
After Codam you can go anywhere. You can start your own company, or join the aerospace industry, or even advance the field of programming. The sky is the limit! In the end, once you’ve finished at Codam you’ll have the ability to learn how to learn. This means you can bring your programming to any field and help improve it. You’ll be able to handle anything any industry throws at you. There are many students from 42 and our other sister schools that have advanced the fields they’ve joined. Feel free to read what they’ve done after their education.
More about after CodamApplication
Informative introduction
to Codam
Selection month
Start of the curriculum
To join Codam, applicants have to take three steps; an online test, attending a Check-in event, and joining the Selection Piscine.
The first step is to take an online test that needs to be one on a desktop. The applicant has 2 hours to get as far as they can. If they pass the online game, they can sign up for the Check-in event at the next step - This is an introduction presentation where they’ll have the chance to have all their questions answered.
The last step is the Selection Piscine.The Piscine (‘Pool’ in french) is part of the admission process and is a 28-day coding challenge in which only motivation, willpower, and hard work will keep you afloat. Seven days a week, day and night. It’s a challenging task, but many students consider it one of the best and most challenging parts of their Codam experience. After this month, applicants know for sure if Codam and the Curriculum is something for them. Anyone can exit the admission process anytime they want, and no one is tied to anything.
Welcome to Codam, a full-time programming course in the heart of Amsterdam! At Codam, you learn to program like a pro using our unique peer learning curriculum. We cover your tuition fees, there are no teachers and we are open 24/7! Moreover, Codam is accessible to everyone, because no previous education or diploma is required, to register you only have to be over 18. We believe that everyone can learn to program wherever you come from! #writeyourfuture
Take the test!There are many things at Codam that are different from the traditional education institutions. We have no pre-admission requirements, no tuition fees, no teachers, classrooms, or semesters. We don’t look at grades, recommendations, or previous education results. Anyone 18 years or older is welcome to apply.
Codam is for everyone, no matter where they come from or what they did in the past. We have no prejudices. We believe that everyone can become a software engineer. But don't just take our word for it…
Wendell: "I've always worked hard. I didn’t study after high school, because I was constantly busy with work, I have built websites for an online marketing agency, but I got bored soon. I wanted to program more. Luckily, I came across Codam! Besides all the hours I spend at Codam, I always have my laptop in my bag to work on the side. I’m still working as a freelancer, but I also work for a company in Amsterdam."
Lotte: "Something that I always carry with me are my tattoos. They're a combination of my favorite TV series and a video game that means a lot to me. Later on, I want to make video games myself. I have already completed a study for this: game artist. That is more the artistic part of it. Here at Codam I learn coding, so that I can make games completely myself, both the 2D and the 3D part."
Flint: “I’m studying at Codam, because after six years of traveling and working in the fashion industry, I wanted to do something with my brain. I like solving problems and puzzles, so when I ended up at the Codam Piscine I really liked it. But what particularly grabbed me was peer-to-peer learning. It is important for me that I can continue traveling later and with coding, you can actually go anywhere in the world.”
Danielly (middle) tells: "I am somewhat more alternative than most people. I feel a bit of a rocker. It is not necessarily who I am, but I could describe myself as such. I am also a bit disorganised. All my notes are in different places in my computer." Solange (left) and Isadora (right) about Danielly: "She is a caring person, who always pays attention to someone else and listens carefully. She is always willing to explain everything step by step for assignments for Codam. It does not matter to her how complicated it is."
Codam is a new, innovative school, in the heart of Amsterdam. Based on the revolutionary education model of the French school 42 that was founded in Paris by tech-entrepreneur Xavier Niel. With impressive results (100% of graduates found a job in the industry) 42 has inspired others around the world to use the model. In September 2018, Codam opened its doors as the Dutch sister school to 42, using the same successful curriculum.
Corinne Vigreux, co-founder of TomTom, was inspired by Xavier Niel. With a passion for innovation and technology, she decided to set up her own programming college like 42. Corinne had first hand seen the shortage of programmers, so she decided to take action. It is the goal of both Codam and Corinne to help ensure that the world of tomorrow is shaped by people from all corners of society and the world.
Codam is part of the #42network, with 9.000 students around the world, who are all studying to become qualified software engineers using the same curriculum and the same educational model!
Our curriculum is divided into multiple steps. It's set up as a game, with the ability to gain levels and achievements through the completion of projects. The end goal is to reach level 21. Once you have reached level 21, you are ready to find a job.
Everyone starts at the same place to ensure everyone has a strong programming foundation to build upon. Here at Codam, you can learn to do anything from programming an A.I. to game graphics. Nobody tells you what route you must take, it is up to you! You are in charge of your own future. If you are not sure what your passion is, you are free to try all the routes until you find it. It’s all up to you.
After Codam you can go anywhere. You can start your own company, or join the aerospace industry, or even advance the field of programming. The sky is the limit! In the end, once you’ve finished at Codam you’ll have the ability to learn how to learn. This means you can bring your programming to any field and help improve it. You’ll be able to handle anything any industry throws at you. There are many students from 42 and our other sister schools that have advanced the fields they’ve joined. Feel free to read what they’ve done after their education.
After a Bachelor's degree in Modern and Classical Letters, Hélène decided to turn to computer science. First, she enrolled in a Multimedia program and then in a Multimedia Project Management Master's degree while doing a training-program in parallel. Once, graduated she started to work for an e-commerce company. In 2015, she decided to make another bold move by joining 42. At a conference there, she met the Kapten CTO who offered her an internship. Hélène joined Kapten for what was supposed to be a 6-month internship in 2016 before being hired as a Full-stack developer. She currently works on transactions and fraud in the Payment Tribe, after having been part of an R&D team and the Supply tribe.
I joined 42 after a year of med school. I realized I might have chosen the wrong branch when I was designing video games on my computer during classes instead of taking notes. I chose 42 instead of any other school because of the peer learning method. Before joining 42 I had always learned the most by trial and error on my own and using internet resources. I felt that having the freedom to learn what I thought was the most important would drive me more than attending mandatory classes. Three years later, I'm designing data processing pipelines and working on predictive models in the area of pharma research.
After 9 years as a store manager for a French leather goods brand, I wasn't learning anymore and I started thinking about my professional path. I wanted change, challenge, and, why not, a whole new job. One evening, I saw a news report about 42. It clicked right away: this school was made for me, it was a perfect fit - no lecture, no professor, the students all help each other, you need team spirit and motivation. I successfully passed the test and Piscine. So I used my company training credits, to attend 42 full-time for a year. A year later, the same company offered me the position of IT project manager. I'm now in charge of the IT side of Le Tanneur's points of sale. 42 was a real opportunity to step up, it's tough but don't give up and you can reach your goals.
Hi! I'm Simon. I'm from Belgium and I work as an embedded software engineer. Do you have a high school diploma? I don't. I was passionate about drones but I could not pursue studies because I dropped out from school. Then I heard about 42. After the online test, I subscribed to the Piscine, which was so stimulating! Everyone was helping each other and sharing knowledge. I've done my internship in a robotics start-up. 42 enabled me to get my dream internship after only 9 months. Since then I graduated and I'm working for electronics companies.
Application
Informative introduction
to Codam
Selection month
Start of the curriculum
To join Codam, applicants have to take three steps; an online test, attending a Check-in event, and joining the Selection Piscine.
The first step is to take an online test that needs to be one on a desktop. The applicant has 2 hours to get as far as they can. If they pass the online game, they can sign up for the Check-in event at the next step - This is an introduction presentation where they’ll have the chance to have all their questions answered.
The last step is the Selection Piscine.The Piscine (‘Pool’ in french) is part of the admission process and is a 28-day coding challenge in which only motivation, willpower, and hard work will keep you afloat. Seven days a week, day and night. It’s a challenging task, but many students consider it one of the best and most challenging parts of their Codam experience. After this month, applicants know for sure if Codam and the Curriculum is something for them. Anyone can exit the admission process anytime they want, and no one is tied to anything.
Are you excited about Codam?
Apply now to start your application process. The first step is to take an online test that needs to be completed on a desktop.
Reminder: At every step of the application you can pause, there is no rush!