Singapore’s tuition-free coding school, 42 Singapore (42 SG), launched in September 2023 with a challenging, unconventional approach to tech education. Modeled after Ecole 42 in Paris, the program emphasizes peer learning and hands-on projects, eschewing traditional teachers and prerequisites. Despite a high attrition rate, two Singaporeans have recently achieved top-level certifications.
First to Achieve Top Certifications
Brian Young, 36, was awarded the RNCP Level 7 certificate in October, equivalent to a master’s degree. Jeffrey Goh, 35, earned the RNCP Level 6 certification – a bachelor’s degree equivalent – in July and is on track to complete the full 21-level curriculum by August 2026. Their success is notable given the program’s difficulty; only 40 of the 320 students in the first two cohorts have graduated after completing the first nine levels.
The 42 SG program requires prospective students to pass a two-hour logic and memory test, followed by “The Piscine,” a rigorous coding challenge. For Mr. Young, this journey began in 2014 when he became the first Singaporean to enroll at Ecole 42 in Paris, after leaving a computer science program at the National University of Singapore after six months.
Despite failing 15 projects during his time in Paris, Mr. Young completed all 21 levels of the curriculum – a feat achieved by less than 2 percent of students worldwide. He later returned to the 42 network through SUTD to obtain the RNCP Level 7 certification, viewing it as a way to finalize a long-held goal. Mr. Goh, a member of the first intake of 190 students, was among the fastest globally to complete the program’s core curriculum.
A Non-Traditional Approach
42 SG’s structure differs significantly from traditional education. Students are not graded, simply passing or failing projects. The program attracts a diverse student body; nearly half already hold a degree, 14 percent have postgraduate certificates, and around 20 percent are over 40 years old, with an average age of 30.
The school has increased its intake, welcoming 173 students in 2025 across two intakes, up from approximately 130 in 2024. 42 SG aims to attract mid-career professionals seeking new skills and those who may not have thrived in conventional learning environments, seeking to identify “outliers” with untapped potential.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the RNCP certification?
The RNCP Level 6 certification is equivalent to a bachelor’s degree, and the RNCP Level 7 certification is equivalent to a master’s degree, as recognized by the French certification system.
What makes 42 SG different from a traditional coding bootcamp?
42 SG differs from traditional coding bootcamps by being tuition-free, having no teachers or structured lessons, and relying on peer learning and a gamified, project-based environment.
What kind of student is 42 SG looking for?
42 SG is looking for “outliers” – individuals who may not have found success in traditional learning routes but possess the potential to thrive in a challenging, self-directed learning environment.
Will the success of Mr. Young and Mr. Goh encourage more Singaporeans to pursue this unconventional path? It remains to be seen whether this success will inspire others to take on the challenge of 42 SG’s rigorous curriculum.
