Holberton School, born in the heart of Silicon Valley, is now launching in Mauritania with one mission: to make world-class tech education accessible to all — no prior experience required. In a world where Artificial Intelligence is transforming every industry, one thing remains clear: AI needs people. Talented, well-trained people. At Holberton, our hands-on, project-based approach prepares students for the real world — with skills that match the global demand for software engineers, AI specialists, and tech innovators. Our graduates are ready to build the future — not just use it.
hands-on practice
AI-Assisted Learning
students worldwide
Campuses over the World
This intensive Software Engineering program offers a comprehensive foundation in computer science, with a strong emphasis on core skills that every great developer needs.
In the early stages of the program, students dive deep into low-level systems, reverse engineering, and memory management. By learning to work close to the machine, they gain the ability to understand, optimize, and debug complex systems — skills that are often lacking in today's fast-paced, high-level development environments.
In a world increasingly powered by Artificial Intelligence, where code generation is becoming automated, the true value of a developer will lie not in writing simple functions — but in being able to read, understand, and debug code effectively. Whether it's your own code or that of an AI model, debugging, logic analysis, and system-level understanding will remain irreplaceable.
This is exactly where Holberton stands out: our curriculum is fully aligned with both the current and future needs of the tech industry. We teach students how to think like engineers — not just to code, but to solve problems at their root.
As students advance through the program, they move on to higher-level languages, advanced algorithms, and key concepts such as space and time complexity, database systems, and front-end frameworks. They also build a full-stack web application using the latest technologies — gaining practical experience in automation, scalability, and modern web development best practices.
Beyond technical mastery, Holberton students develop crucial skills in project management, collaboration, debugging, and technical communication — preparing them to enter the workforce as highly skilled, adaptable software engineers who can thrive in an AI-augmented future.
Git, Command Line Tools, Shell Scripting
Basic Syntax, Functions, Pointers, Memory Management
Static Libraries, Preprocessor, Bit Manipulation
Linked Lists, Hash Tables
Custom Printf Function, Basic Shell Implementation
AI-assisted development, Modern tooling, Prompt engineering
Data structures, Functions, Object-Oriented Programming, Package management
Design patterns, Testing, Error handling, Advanced OOP concepts
SQL, RESTful APIs, Database design, Web protocols
DOM manipulation, Async programming, Modern JS features, Web APIs
Concurrency, Decorators, Metaclasses, Advanced algorithms
MongoDB, Redis, Data processing, Real-time data handling
Clean code practices, Code review, Testing strategies, Documentation
Server-side JavaScript, Express.js, API development, Real-time applications
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Holberton School was a turning point in my life. I found a hands-on, immersive way of learning that truly resonated with me. More than just tech skills, I discovered a supportive community that pushed me to grow. Today, I apply everything I've learned as a level 3 support engineer. Holberton helped me find not just a job, but my place.
What I appreciated most about the learning method was the emphasis on real-world projects. These projects allowed me to develop my technical skills. It was wonderful to see the concrete results of my work; it was both stimulating and effective.
I realized that it was a method (Holberton) that suited me and that I think is perfect for computer development.
What I loved about Holberton is above all this principle of mutual help and inclusivity for everyone.
Learning how to learn is the most valuable skill Holberton has taught me. With this mindset, I developed the ability to tackle new challenges and continuously evolve in an ever-changing tech environment. Thanks to this, I've built meaningful connections with great companies that value this mentality within their teams.
Holberton strikes the right balance between solid foundations like C or Python and a modern approach to learning. We learn how to learn, we explore, we make mistakes, and we progress. At Holberton, we learn the fundamentals, which then allows us to explore other languages, and through this, we develop soft skills that are important for business.
"Holberton graduates consistently demonstrate strong problem-solving abilities and a solid foundation in software engineering principles. Their project-based learning approach produces engineers who can hit the ground running."
"The practical experience and collaborative skills that Holberton students bring to the table are exactly what we look for. They understand modern development practices and adapt quickly to new technologies."
"What sets Holberton graduates apart is their ability to learn and adapt quickly. Their hands-on experience with real-world projects makes them valuable team members from day one."
"The Holberton education model produces software engineers who think differently. Their graduates bring both technical excellence and creative problem-solving skills that make them stand out in our innovative environment."
"At IBM, we value engineers who can navigate complex systems and adapt to emerging technologies. Holberton graduates excel in both areas, bringing a robust foundation in computer science and an eagerness to tackle challenging problems."
"The project-based curriculum at Holberton really shows in their graduates' work. They come prepared with real-world experience, strong collaboration skills, and the ability to dive deep into complex technical challenges."
At Holberton, it's your curiosity and determination that matter most. We're looking for motivated individuals ready to take on real challenges — regardless of academic background or previous experience. Whether you have a degree or not, if you're eager to grow, learn, and build real development skills, Holberton is the place for you..
The next cohort starts on October 6th, 2025.
Holberton is a world-class software engineering school born in Silicon Valley. We offer a hands-on, project-based program that trains students in the most in-demand tech skills — including software development, AI, web, and cybersecurity — without requiring any prior experience or degree.
Our unique approach prepares learners for real-world jobs by focusing on practical learning, collaboration, and problem-solving — the same way engineers work in top global tech companies.
Holberton brings this proven model to Mauritania, giving local talent access to international-level tech training — right here in the country.
If you want to know more, please download our full story here
Anyone can apply! We don't require any prior degrees, not even a high school diploma. The only requirement is to be 18 years old and motivated to learn computer development.
At this time, Holberton School Mauritania is open exclusively to residents of Mauritania.
Once you enroll, you'll begin our admission process, which includes a few basic quizzes and logic tests to assess your problem-solving mindset.
After that, you'll get to build your very first coding project — no experience required!
Admissions are processed on a rolling basis and will remain open until 15 days before the cohort start date.
We encourage you to start early to secure your spot — remember, only 30 seats are available!
For more information on cost, kindly reach out to oumar.sow@holbertonschool.com
The initial training lasts 10 months.
No, no programming experience is required. Our program is designed to start from scratch and guide you step by step in your learning.
🧠 1. C teaches you how computers really work
C is close to the hardware — it doesn't hide what's going on underneath. You manage memory manually. You work with pointers. You interact with the operating system. This forces you to:
➡️ These are the skills that give you the x-ray vision to debug and fix code at any level — including AI-generated code.
⚙️ 2. Algorithms are the language of logic and optimization
Even if you're using high-level libraries or frameworks, you still need to:
AI tools may suggest code, but only a developer with a strong foundation can assess whether that code is correct, optimal, or even safe.
🤖 3. In the AI era, the most valuable skill is not code writing — it's code understanding
Generative AI can write thousands of lines of code in seconds. But:
You can't outsource thinking. You can't automate intuition built from learning systems like C. And you can't replace real problem-solving with code generation.
🔍 4. Debugging is the future superpower
As AI takes over more code production, the engineers who thrive will be the ones who can:
🎓 Why Holberton Teaches C and Algorithms First
Holberton's curriculum starts with C and low-level systems to give students the thinking tools that AI can't replicate: clarity, precision, logic, and control.
This foundation builds resilient, adaptable developers — not just people who can follow tutorials or prompt a chatbot.
Whether you're fixing AI bugs, optimizing for performance, or building something brand new, understanding is power — and that starts with C, algorithms, and systems thinking.
No, Holberton does not deliver a government-issued degree (such as a university diploma). Instead, you will receive a Certificate of Completion that confirms you have successfully finished the program.
This certificate is recognized by leading companies in the tech industry internationally. Our curriculum is designed in direct collaboration with industry partners to ensure that you acquire the exact skills employers are hiring for today — with a strong focus on project-based learning, real-world tools, and team collaboration.
Our graduates are hired based on their skills, projects, and ability to work in a team — not a traditional diploma. This is especially true in the tech industry, where portfolios and practical experience speak louder than academic credentials.
While Holberton is not a traditional academic institution governed by a Ministry of Education, it is part of a global network of campuses that has trained thousands of software engineers now working at companies like Google, Tesla, Apple, and many startups and scale-ups. Our students succeed because they are trained to be job-ready from day one.
The training materials and technical content are entirely in English. This includes project instructions, documentation, and all the online learning resources.
Why? Because English is the international language of computer science and programming. Most professional documentation, tools, and open-source communities use English — so becoming comfortable with it is a crucial part of your training and future career in tech.
That said, you won't be alone! Our local Software Engineer support staff will speak both French and English. They'll be there to guide you, help you understand concepts, and support your learning journey in whichever language you're most comfortable speaking.
🗣️ So while you'll learn in English, you'll be supported in both French and English.
Yes ! You can reach out to oumar.sow@holbertonschool.com
Yes, all students are required to bring their own laptop.
Our training is designed to be flexible, allowing you to work from wherever suits you best — whether that's at home, in a coworking space, or on campus.
That said, we strongly encourage students to come to the campus. The Holberton experience is not just about technical skills — it's about building strong soft skills through collaboration, peer learning, communication, and teamwork. These are best developed by being physically present with your peers, actively engaging in group projects, and participating in the vibrant campus life.
To fully participate in the program, your laptop must meet the following minimum specifications:
Operating System:
Software:
For the best experience, we recommend:
We understand that not everyone has access to the required equipment. If obtaining a compatible laptop is a real concern for you but you're eager to join the program, please contact us before enrolling. We'll do our best to explore potential solutions together.
