Learn the
Foundations of
Software Engineering
Next cohort: February 3rd, 2025
Start as a novice,
finish as an entry-level software engineer
Our collaborative, project-based pedagogy is means that you don’t have to be a tech wizz to get started. 80% of our students had never written a line of code before starting our admissions test!
We will teach you the foundations from scratch – all you need to do is buckle up, clear your schedule for 9-months, and complete the course.
*it’s a little harder than this, but you get the idea.
When you complete the course, you will leave with a robust foundational skill and knowledge base in software engineering, with which you can land your first role in tech.
Course details
9-months
35 hours per week
Monday - Friday
Melbourne (Hybrid)
Online (Australia-wide)
Find out more
What do you learn?
What does a typical week look like?
What jobs do our students get?
Sprint 1:
Introduction to
Software Engineering
During the first sprint, dive into programming with C and Unix, graphic programming, and the world of algorithms, while also exploring reverse engineering and security protocols.
Sprint 2:
Python (Back-end)
& Web Development
Next, discover high-level languages, deepen your understanding of databases and front-end programming. Using cutting-edge tools, you’ll venture into designing a web application.
Sprint 3:
JavaScript (Front-end)
& Full-Stack Development
Finally, the last sprint focuses on automation and scalability, preparing you to meet industry standards. Complete your training with enhanced mastery in web development, algorithms, and project management.
Portfolio Project
Develop a
Full-stack project
To conclude your journey at Holberton, you’ll work in a group of 3 people to ideate, design and build a portfolio project. Then, you’ll present it at your Cohort’s Demo Day!
Our most recent Demo Days have been held at Canva and REA Group!
Our software engineering grads presented
their projects at Canva!
In July 2024, Cohort 22 presented their final portfolio projects at Canva!
Nick, Nobuhiro and Yichen built “Relish” – an app that allows users to find and eat at new restaurants, and earn rewards while doing so.
Daniel, Warren and Tingru built “Uplift” – Daniel didn’t know where his money was going, so they built an app that provides users with full visibility of their spending habits.
Check out the highlights from our Demo Day at REA!
In March 2024, Cohort 21 presented their final portfolio projects at REA’s HQ in Melbourne!
Hewson, Alicia and Chelsea built “vybe” – which offers a personalised music experience by aligning songs with users’ moods through a unique colour-based selection algorithm
Uwe, Maria and Jess built “Simplicity” – an intuitive inventory management solution, built to empower small business owners with efficient inventory oversight.
Learn through projects and peers,
not lectures and exams
You’ll learn how to build, maintain and test software by completing 2-4 projects every week alongside your cohort members.
This collaborative, project-based pedagogy is an alternative to the traditional lecture-memorisation learning style that many of us don’t particularly enjoy, or find engaging!
Holberton’s active-learning pedagogy makes it easier for you to learn, as you are learning by doing, learning by problem solving, and learning with others.
Work 1:1 with your own industry mentor
We collaborate with Australia’s top employers to source mentors for all Holberton students.
You will have monthly 1:1 catch ups with an industry mentor to assist with your transition into tech!
Holberton students are mentored by professionals from the following companies (… and more!)
Study Hybrid or Remote
Melbourne-based students can access our Melbourne CBD campus from Monday – Friday.
For students outside of Melbourne, the course is fully remote.
All students and staff are connected to each other via slack – the industry standard collaboration software.
Apply now for Cohort 26,
before it starts on February 3rd!
All Holberton students must complete our admissions process to enrol – it ensures that everyone is equally motivated and committed to the cause.
Our admissions process will have you writing code in no time… literally… you’ll build a website from scratch!
Students in Cohort 26 will graduate in November 2025.
Frequently asked questions
The course is 9 months long, and is delivered over 3 x 3 month sprints.
Monday
10am – 11am: Stand Up call to introduce the week’s projects for all cohorts (online, compulsory)
2pm – 4pm: Ask Me Anything Session with Software Engineer in Residence (online, optional)
Tuesday
10am – 12pm: Pair Programming (online, compulsory)
Wednesday
10am – 4pm: Peer Learning Day (face to face, compulsory)
*every 2nd PLD is online
Thursday
2pm – 4pm: Ask Me Anything Session with Software Engineer in Residence (online, optional)
Friday
10am – 11am: Weekly Wrap-Up & Student Speaker of the Week (online, compulsory)
Full-time: 35-40 hours per week.
Our Melbourne students are face-to-face “on campus” 1x every fortnight.
Students are also welcome to work at the campus from Monday – Friday.
For students around Australia, we are fully remote.
Base
- Total: $19,000 inc. GST
- Payment structure: 18 equal monthly payments
- Monthly payment: $1,055
Scholarship
- Total: $9,500 inc. GST
- Payment structure: Up-front, or 9 equal monthly payments
No, prior coding experience is not required to apply. However, a strong motivation to learn and work hard is essential.
No! Holberton students across the globe have been employed in a wide variety of tech roles (see below).
If you are thinking about moving into a career in tech, establishing foundational skills and knowledge in software engineering is the best way to get started.
Holberton students across the globe have been employed in the below job roles. They typically begin at the “Junior” or “Associate” level, before working their way up!
Develops software applications and systems using programming languages, frameworks, and tools.
Designs, develops, and maintains software applications and systems for various platforms and devices.
Develops software applications that involve both front-end and back-end technologies.
Develops server-side applications and database systems for software applications.
Develops user-facing applications and interfaces using front-end technologies such as HTML, CSS, and JavaScript.
Develops and designs video games, including programming, graphics, and sound.
Provides expert advice and guidance to businesses and organizations on technology-related issues and solutions.
Integrates different systems and technologies to work together efficiently and effectively.
Manages and maintains Unix-based operating systems, including system security, performance, and troubleshooting.
Develops and implements data-driven solutions and AI algorithms to extract insights and improve business outcomes.
Founding member of a software company who is also involved in the development and management of software applications.
Develops user-facing applications and interfaces using React.js and other front-end technologies.
Highly experienced developer who leads and mentors other developers and contributes to the development of complex software applications.
Designs and implements DevOps practices to improve software development and delivery processes.
Develops automated test scripts and frameworks to ensure software applications and systems function as expected.
Designs and implements data models and architectures for software applications and systems.
Develops software applications and systems using the Python programming language and associated frameworks.
Develops and manages large-scale data pipelines and infrastructure to support data-driven applications.
Develops server-side applications using Node.js and related technologies.
Software engineers are essentially creative problem solvers, designing and developing software solutions to meet a client’s requirements. In a practical sense, they utilise programming languages and other technologies to turn an idea into a final product, such as web applications, mobile games and operating systems.
We often think of a software engineer as someone who sits in front of a computer and writes code for eight hours every day, this is not how the job really translates. In reality, a career as a software engineer includes a lot of collaboration with colleagues and collective problem-solving. This means much of the job involves ongoing discussions with designers, data scientists, and project managers to figure how best to achieve a desired outcome.
One of the satisfying parts of the role is the fact a software engineer gets to work on a project from start to finish, knowing they are responsible for the final outcome. This can make a career as a software engineer highly satisfying and intrinsically rewarding.
- You don’t need a University degree: With alternative educational pathways such as the Holberton School Australia, software engineering is now more accessible. The school was founded in Silicon Valley and trains job-ready software engineers in nine months through a pragmatic, project-led curriculum. Students from the course have been offered entry level job roles despite having no previous software engineering skills. This reflects the enormous demand for skilled tech talent in Australia, as well as a commitment from the Australian tech industry to employ people from a broader range of training and educational backgrounds, as per the Tech Council of Australia.
- It’s a flexible career path: Every business needs software, meaning a software engineer can work in almost any industry, in a company of any size, across all types of organisations. Software engineers can also work remotely, from anywhere. As long there is an internet connection, they can generate an income (a good one at that). The skills are also highly transferable across countries and cultures, allowing software engineers to travel and work for innovative companies across the globe.
- It pays very well: According to talent.com, the average Australian software engineer makes around $120,000 per year, 30% more than the average Australian income of around $90,000 per year. As we continue to rely on technology for innovation and business growth into the future, this discrepancy is only set to grow – making a career in software engineering more attractive than ever.
| Recommended | Minimum | |
|---|---|---|
| Operating System | PC : Windows 10, version 1903 or superior MAC: MacOS 10.13 or superior | PC : Windows 10, version 1803 or superior MAC: MacOS 10.12 or superior |
| Processor | Intel or AMD with virtualization instruction support VT-x/AMD-V (Intel Core i5 and superior) | |
| Memory | 16GB | 16GB |
| Free Hard Disk Space | 60GB SSD | 30GB |
| Additional Hardware | Wifi network adapter with WPA2 Enterprise support | |
| Internet Browser | Chrome 77.0.3865.120 or superior | |
| Vagrant | Vagrant 2.0.2 or superior – with Ubuntu 14.04 box | |
| VirtualBox | VirtualBox 5.2 or superior | |
| Antimalware | Malwarebytes 3.0 or superior – or equivalent security software | |
- Aged 18+
- Hold a valid Australian VISA
- Complete the admissions process
- Dedicate 4 x days per week to study