Training the coders of tomorrow at 42 Luxembourg
The digital transformation is redefining careers and skills. Expertise in coding has become a key asset for innovation and accessing the job market – and that's exactly what 42 Luxembourg wants to teach people. At 42, you learn through creating, experimenting and collaborating with others. No teachers, no tuition – instead a series of projects, challenges to tackle alone or as a group. This flagship centre for digital education in Luxembourg, part of the Digital Learning Hub, is training up a talented new generation to shape the future of computing.
Digital Learning Hub
Since the Digital Learning Hub (DLH) was launched in 2022, it has become a key player in boosting digital skills in Luxembourg. The Belval-based initiative offers training for all adults – no prior qualifications required – in essential fields like cybersecurity, data and AI, blockchain, cloud computing, design thinking and web development. Courses range from short workshops to structured programmes, always rooted in practice and collaborative learning.
The DLH strategy involves learning by doing and peer-to-peer exchange to stimulate creativity, autonomy and innovation. Alongside more traditional courses, the DLH also houses 42 Luxembourg, an innovative computer programming school where students learn through practical projects and teamwork, with no teachers or traditional classes.
DLH in practice
Located in the Terres Rouges building in Belval, the Digital Learning Hub and 42 Luxembourg share a modern infrastructure spread over two floors. The campus offers open, versatile spaces, fully equipped computer labs, and a FabLab for design and prototyping (3D printers, laser cutters, etc.). There are also multi-purpose classrooms, a relaxation room and a canteen, all creating an environment conducive to learning and innovation.
42 Luxembourg: no teachers, no lessons, no exams
42 Luxembourg launched its first campus in Luxembourg in 2023, within the Digital Learning Hub. The network of coding schools, founded in Paris in 2013, now has 54 campuses in 31 countries. The Luxembourg branch offers extensive and specialised programming training, with students progressing through levels rather than completing exams.
What makes it unique is that the teaching is based on peer-to-peer learning, in other words participation and interaction between students. The school is open 24/7 and there are no teachers. However, there are educational teams on hand to support students and help them find their own solutions. To progress at 42, you need to work in a group, call on the community to challenge yourself and then share your findings with your peers.
Trial period at the Piscine
Before embarking on a training course, candidates have to throw themselves in at the deep end, in the Piscine, for an initial intensive course. This launch phase is an opportunity to find out about all the learning methods involved in the training.
Over a four-week period, candidates are placed in real-life situations and set tasks which they have to resolve independently. This is a way for learners to see whether 42 Luxembourg is for them and whether the school's teaching approach suits them. No previous coding skills are necessary. Regardless of their level of knowledge, 42 seeks to challenge candidates to perform to the best of their ability in the Piscine. Once this first stage is over, the journey really begins!
42 in a nutshell:
- Age: 18 and over
- Qualifications: no school or university qualifications required
- Admission process: application, online games and Piscine
- Cost: free
- Duration: 9 to 18 months on average (maximum 2 years) for the common core training; specialisations vary in length
- Qualification: professional certificate
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