42 London: A Cultural Crossroads for Future Developers

Opened in 2021, 42 London is the first 42 campus in the UK. Located in the heart of East London’s dynamic tech district, the campus blends peer-to-peer education with the city’s cultural richness, aiming to broaden access to digital careers and build a diverse, forward-thinking tech community.
Glimpse of 42 London cluster

Located in the heart of East London, often referred to as the city’s “Silicon Roundabout,” 42 London is a true cultural crossroads where tech meets creativity. Its strategic location near landmarks like Brick Lane, Whitechapel Gallery, and Spitalfields Market means students can dive into code by day and explore art, street food, and vintage treasures by night, making 42 London a truly unique campus.

Initiated by the Ousa charity, 42 London was launched with a clear mission: to provide transformative educational opportunities and democratize access to tech careers through a free, peer-to-peer learning model. Despite its visionary and bold mission, 42 London didn’t escape criticism: “When we first opened, people didn’t even ask about the curriculum… It was more like — ‘Why is this free?’, ‘Is this a scam?” Bahareh Fatemi, Director of Operations at 42 London, tells us. While the skepticism started strong, it faded away once students experienced the Piscine, and even allowed 42 London to secure valuable partnerships.

In 2024, 42 London became a hub for cross-sector collaboration, from hosting AI hackathons with Anthropic and UK charities to launching a BBC exchange programme that bridges tech and media. The campus regularly welcomes industry leaders like Google, OpenAI, and Microsoft for events and talks, while also deepening ties with universities and government.

What’s more, to help students navigate the saturated and complex job market of London, the campus leads plenty of initiatives like personalized coaching sessions and resume reviews to support students through their professional journeys: “Whether that’s a first internship or a leap into a startup, we’re here with real feedback and real support.”

Though it started small, the campus kicked off its largest Piscine yet this year, offering not only a bigger scale but also a unique experience. Set in a restored heritage building, a few steps from the East London Mosque, the campus offers a warm, inclusive environment where students can dive into code and connect across cultures, making the Piscine experience there truly unique.

Looking ahead, 42 London aims to strengthen its local presence and engagement through relationship-building with both static and non-static actors like the Tower Hamlets Council, to further scale outreach and support services sustainably. The team also plans to expand alumni support, Discovery Piscines, and community-focused initiatives in the coming months, with 2026 set to be a year of consolidation, sustainability, and graduate success.