We heard you. A wide-spread interest towards the school prompted Hive Helsinki to open the first round of applications to applicants older than thirty.
Hive Helsinki will be open to students over 30 years of age as well. At the launch of the school, it was announced that during the first rounds of applications, the school would only accept applicants between 18 and 30 years of age. However, since Hive Helsinki has attracted an even wider interest than was originally expected, the school has decided to do away with the age limit.
“We’re amazed and very flattered by the surge of interest towards Hive Helsinki. Many people over 30 have wished for an opportunity to apply already in the first round of applications,” says Minna Kivihalme, School Director of Hive Helsinki.
Hive Helsinki’s international sister schools, which are based on the same pedagogy developed in the French École 42, have stretched the age range over the years. Hive Helsinki, on the other hand, will get rid of age limits before the first round of applications opens.
“We want to change the way people see coders and coding. Therefore, we’re looking for students representing all walks of life, all genders and diverse life experiences. Having no age limits fits this way of thinking,” Kivihalme continues.
A new kind of application process
Applications to Hive Helsinki will open on January 15, 2019. One hundred students will begin their studies during the first year of operation. No previous degree is required.
“Instead of having a certain background, education or degree, we expect applicants to be visionaries who are motivated and committed to the three-year study program. In the first phase of application, the applicant’s aptitude will be measured with an online logic test. Those who pass the test will be invited to the Piscine, an immersive four-week training and selection period that will define who can enroll as a student,” Kivihalme says.
Life-long right to study
Hive Helsinki’s higher-education level study program takes around three years to complete. The curriculum is based on peer-to-peer learning and includes not only intensive and demanding studying but also internships. Students are granted a life-long right to study, and they can return to Hive to update their skills whenever working life so requires.
“There is a serious lack of coders in Finland. But it’s not just about the quantity of new coders. More importantly, we need coders from more diverse backgrounds. Coding is not just for mathematically-oriented, engineering-inclined men. Now, there are plenty of talented, creative young folks, especially women, who won’t even consider coding as a career choice. A tremendous amount of potential is lost,” says Ilkka Paananen, CEO of Supercell, the company bringing Hive Helsinki’s concept to Finland.
“Therefore, Hive Helsinki is looking for students with as diverse backgrounds as possible. According to the school’s philosophy, if you can dream it, you can code it.”