A free programming school by Fundación Telefónica in Madrid (there are 42 campuses in Barcelona, Málaga and Urduliz). No teachers or classes: you learn through projects with peers. You only need to be an adult and attend in person; selection runs through the “Piscina”.
Fundación Telefónica (42 Madrid)· 42 Madrid – Fundación Telefónica (escuela de programación gratuita)
Training is completely free with no hidden fees; the Cursus lasts up to four years on average and its first part (Common Core) 12–18 months. You pay for lodging and living costs if you do not live in Madrid. There is no official academic degree, but some projects lead to an RNCP certification
Whole degree
42 Madrid is a free coding school from the Telefónica Foundation for adults: there is no age limit and no experience or diploma is needed. Training is completely free with no hidden charges; the “Cursus” lasts up to four years on average and the first part (Common Core) takes 12–18 months. There are no teachers or lessons: you learn through projects alongside other students. There is no official diploma in the Spanish system.
Selection is through the “Piscina”: you work in person and are admitted on the result; there are no formal knowledge requirements. You need motivation and presence on campus, and working full-time at the same time is not recommended. You pay for housing and living costs yourself if you do not live in Madrid. The next Piscina starts on 26 October (per 42madrid.com on 6 October 2026).
Checking against your answers…
Where to go and what to do, step by step
Check that you have turned 18: it is the only requirement. No experience or qualification is needed and there is no upper age limit.
See how it works: the site offers open days and a five-day “Piscine Discovery Web” where you can try the method in person.
Open 42madrid.com and click “Regístrate”. The next Piscina starts on 26 October; check the registration deadline on the site.
Go through in-person selection in the “Piscina”: an intensive selection period after which you are admitted to the main programme. The training is not remote.
If admitted, plan lodging and expenses: studying is free, but if you do not live in Madrid you pay for housing and food yourself.
Learn through projects alongside other students: there are no teachers or classes; the first part (Common Core) takes 12–18 months and the whole programme up to four years.
Documents and materials to attach to the application.
Example (written by us): after turning 18 in October, Ana registers at 42madrid.com, attends the “Piscina” and shows she can learn on her own; after selection she is admitted and starts thinking about how to combine 42 with university.
An example we wrote to illustrate: it is not an official sample, replace the details with your own.
Selection runs through the “Piscina”: you work in person and are admitted by the results. There are no formal knowledge requirements.
Training is free thanks to Fundación Telefónica. There is no official degree in the Spanish system; some projects lead to an RNCP certification (per the school). Working full time alongside is not recommended.
Guide checked against the official pages: 9 October 2026. Guide written from official sources. Details may change: check them on the application page.
A letter template and a checklist to review before sending. If a local model is running on your computer, the text reads more naturally.
“Cualquier persona mayor de edad puede presentar su solicitud al campus. No hay límite de edad.”
Experience from people who have already applied. These are user opinions and are not verified by the organiser.
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This information is for guidance only. Conditions change every year — check them on the provider's official website before applying.
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