Students at 42 Abu Dhabi coding school in Al Mina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Students at 42 Abu Dhabi coding school in Al Mina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Students at 42 Abu Dhabi coding school in Al Mina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National
Students at 42 Abu Dhabi coding school in Al Mina. Khushnum Bhandari / The National

Abu Dhabi’s free coding school has 800 places available


Anam Rizvi
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  • Arabic

42 Abu Dhabi, the city's tuition-free coding school, has 800 places available for its next session this year.

Students can join its 25-day coding boot camp — Piscine — the first of which will be held on February 20.

Marcos Muller Habig, acting chief executive of the school, said candidates can expect to "enhance their critical thinking and 21st century skills".

"Hosting the Piscine will grant all candidates the opportunity to unleash the passion within and shape the world that they live in, through technology."

Students who complete the Piscine can study at the school for a period of three to five years.

They learn all aspects of coding in a flexible curriculum at their own pace.

Graduates who complete mastery and final internship levels are highly sought-after.

Between October 2020 and 2022, the school received 31,000 applications for its sought-after places.

With no classrooms or teachers, students can attend the forward-thinking school free of charge.

Students sharpen their programming skills through internships, projects, games and peer-to-peer learning.

The centre has attracted applicants from diverse backgrounds, including oil and gas engineers, university professors, schoolteachers, flight attendants and even a DJ.

How difficult is it to get a place?

Applying to 42 Abu Dhabi is a three-step process. Interested candidates can register on the school's website and take a pre-selection test to evaluate their skills through logic and memory games.

Successful candidates are invited to attend a check-in, which is an hour-long virtual session that provides details about the test, curriculum and student life.

Following this, candidates are invited to join the Piscine, a comprehensive 25-day programme, designed to test aptitude in computer programming, motivation, endurance, and commitment.

To pass the Piscine and enrol in 42 Abu Dhabi’s programme, candidates need to commit time over 25 days to fully grasp the 42-Abu Dhabi learning technique. Once the candidates successfully pass the Piscine, they will be able to join 42 Abu Dhabi’s coding programme.

Who can apply?

42 Abu Dhabi is open to anyone aged 18 and above who has a high school certificate.

Candidates do not require previous coding experience or academic qualifications.

People looking for work across all industries with an interest in upskilling or re-skilling are encouraged to apply irrespective of coding experience.

There is no upper age limit, and a high school certificate and a minimum age of 18 years old are the only requirements.

  • Coding school 42 Abu Dhabi is located in Mina Zayed. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
    Coding school 42 Abu Dhabi is located in Mina Zayed. All photos: Khushnum Bhandari / The National
  • Hamda Alwahedi, a student at 42 Abu Dhabi, has been selected as a coding ambassador to help champion the UAE's digital drive.
    Hamda Alwahedi, a student at 42 Abu Dhabi, has been selected as a coding ambassador to help champion the UAE's digital drive.
  • Hamed Al Hashmi, another student from the centre, has been selected as a coding ambassador.
    Hamed Al Hashmi, another student from the centre, has been selected as a coding ambassador.
  • Marcos Muller Habig, chief executive of 42 Abu Dhabi, says he hopes the centre can attract talent from all over the world.
    Marcos Muller Habig, chief executive of 42 Abu Dhabi, says he hopes the centre can attract talent from all over the world.
  • The institute has received more than 31,000 applications since it opened its doors in October 2020.
    The institute has received more than 31,000 applications since it opened its doors in October 2020.
  • Students sharpen their programming skills through internships, projects, games and peer-to-peer learning.
    Students sharpen their programming skills through internships, projects, games and peer-to-peer learning.
  • The centre has attracted applicants from diverse backgrounds, including oil and gas engineers, university professors, schoolteachers, flight attendants and even a DJ.
    The centre has attracted applicants from diverse backgrounds, including oil and gas engineers, university professors, schoolteachers, flight attendants and even a DJ.
  • The cafeteria at 42 Abu Dhabi.
    The cafeteria at 42 Abu Dhabi.
Other acts on the Jazz Garden bill

Sharrie Williams
The American singer is hugely respected in blues circles due to her passionate vocals and songwriting. Born and raised in Michigan, Williams began recording and touring as a teenage gospel singer. Her career took off with the blues band The Wiseguys. Such was the acclaim of their live shows that they toured throughout Europe and in Africa. As a solo artist, Williams has also collaborated with the likes of the late Dizzy Gillespie, Van Morrison and Mavis Staples.
Lin Rountree
An accomplished smooth jazz artist who blends his chilled approach with R‘n’B. Trained at the Duke Ellington School of the Arts in Washington, DC, Rountree formed his own band in 2004. He has also recorded with the likes of Kem, Dwele and Conya Doss. He comes to Dubai on the back of his new single Pass The Groove, from his forthcoming 2018 album Stronger Still, which may follow his five previous solo albums in cracking the top 10 of the US jazz charts.
Anita Williams
Dubai-based singer Anita Williams will open the night with a set of covers and swing, jazz and blues standards that made her an in-demand singer across the emirate. The Irish singer has been performing in Dubai since 2008 at venues such as MusicHall and Voda Bar. Her Jazz Garden appearance is career highlight as she will use the event to perform the original song Big Blue Eyes, the single from her debut solo album, due for release soon.

Updated: January 27, 2023, 3:00 AM