Foundation
Learn the foundations of software engineering
The first part of our program is dedicated to learning key languages and frameworks, but more importantly, you learn how to learn.
A strong foundation for a bright future
Our program is designed from the ground up to give students the skills and confidence necessary to launch successful careers. The first part of our on-site intensive covers software engineering fundamentals, including low-level programming, DevOps, and high-level modern languages.
Our students also start learning the skills necessary to succeed after graduation: interviewing skills, public speaking, project management, effective communication, and more.
Learn about Holberton's methodologyHow we create our Foundations curriculum
Unit 00 — Programming Foundations
Students will begin to build an understanding of how programming languages and Unix system work — "what is going on under the hood". This foundational knowledge of how computers and programming languages work will allow graduates to optimize and debug anything later on in their professional career. Students will also begin working with algorithms and data structures which are essential foundations for great Software Engineers - the type that the best companies hire.
Areas of focus for Unit 00 include: C and Unix programming, graphical programming, data structures, assembly language, and algorithms as well as reverse engineering and security protocols.
Unit 01 — Higher-level Languages
This unit introduces students to higher-level languages, increasingly advanced algorithms, space and time complexity, database management, and front-end programming. Using the latest technologies, they will begin to create a complete web application project that will span the rest of the fundamental year.
This unit will provide the skills necessary to succeed in the best companies in Silicon Valley and beyond.
Areas for focus include: Python, Front-end development, Object Oriented Programming, Database Architecture and Implementation, Web Infrastructure, HTML, CSS, and Unit Testing.
Unit 02 — SRE, DevOps, and more
This unit emphasizes automation, scalability, and reliability, so that students are familiar with the infrastructure and best practices similar to those in tech powerhouses. Alongside a continuation in web development, students also advance in algorithmic understanding, technical writing, debugging, and project management.
Areas for focus include: DevOps, Security, Networking, Javascript, APIs, Hackathons, algorithms, and Portfolio projects.
Professional Growth
Utilizing what students have learned over the previous term, they now have the opportunity and support to find a professional opportunity to get hands on experience. In today's tech world, it's not enough to be good at technical skills, you need to be a clear communicator as well.
We push our students to work on their public speaking skills, to publish blog posts to online tech communities and publications, and to speak at conferences and meetups. Students will build confidence by participating in peer-driven technical interview and whiteboarding, as well as flash presentations and solidification of understandings through events and workshops to supplement students' understanding. Experience a unique exposure to guest speakers, advanced engineering tools, and relevant cultural topics in the tech industry found only at The Holberton School.
Opportunities abound
Companies everywhere are struggling to find top-tier software engineers, and the demand is expected to grow rapidly over the next 10 years.
According to the US Bureau of Labor Statistics, employment of software developers is projected to grow 22% annually from 2012 to 2022, much faster than the average for all other occupations. The main reason for the rapid growth is a large increase in demand for computer software. It is estimated that by 2020 there will be 1.4 million open jobs specifically for software developers.
99%
of our graduates have found an employment opportunity within 3 months of graduation (SF Campus - December 2019 - read more)
$109,000/yr
Current median full-time salary of Year 2 graduates working in the US (SF Campus - December 2019 - read more)
4.7 / 5
star rating on coursereport.com (April 2019)
Developed by working professionals
Our professional advisors are the backbone of Holberton. They provide feedback about our curriculum, are resources for our students, and are an endless source of knowledge about the most current technologies and frameworks.
Julien Barbier
Co-founder and CEO
Sylvain Kalache
Co-founder
Guillaume Salva
CTO
Olivier Chatry
Chief Software Architect
Sebastien Tricaud
Director of Security Engineering
Guillaume Plessis
Senior Cloud & System Engineer
Johann Kerbrat
Engineering Manager
After you acquire the foundations, specialize on-site or remotely
Don't just get ahead of the curve—set the curve. Our Specialization tracks prepare you for the in-demand jobs of today and the yet-to-be-invented jobs of tomorrow.
Questions?
We're here to help you take the next step. Read our Syllabus for more info, or join one of our upcoming events.