The SELECTION SPRINT
Three weeks. Full time. On campus in Helsinki. Free of charge. No competition.
You can start from zero
No previous credentials or software engineering experience needed.
You work on programming projects, give and receive feedback, and experience how Hive’s learning model works.
By the end, you’ll know if Hive is right for you. And we’ll know if you’re right for Hive.
No competition
We don’t believe in competing against others at Hive.
You won’t compete against other applicants. You’ll work alongside them, solve problems together, and help each other learn.
There are no quotas on how many we can select. However, on average, about one-third of applicants who make it until the end are accepted.
What the 3 weeks are like
The Selection Sprint is a simulation of the real studies, compressed into three weeks. You work the way Hive students do: full-time, on campus, on projects, with the people around you. No teachers, no lectures. You figure things out, and you figure them out together.
It’s intense on purpose. The Sprint runs full-time and includes weekends, with no breaks in between. You’ll spend your days working through programming projects, reviewing each other’s work, and learning by doing. Some of it you won’t know how to handle yet. That’s the point.
By the end, you’ll have a real sense of whether this way of learning fits you. And we’ll have a real sense of whether Hive fits you.
WHERE
On campus in Helsinki, in person
WHEN
Full-time, including weekends
WHAT YOU NEED
Nothing technical. Computers are provided; no laptop required
COST
Free
EXPERIENCE REQUIRED
None
Try, fail, and try again
Rewire your brain to think of failures as experiments.
The Sprint is designed to put you in situations you don’t know how to handle yet. That’s how you build the persistence and problem-solving skills that are key to becoming a great software engineer.
If you notice that this way of learning is not right for you, you can step away at any point in the process.
How to apply
Applying to Hive Helsinki is different from other schools. In summary, it goes like this:
- Try our online game.
- Attend a Check-in event to learn more about Hive and the application process.
- Participate in the Selection Sprint at the Hive campus.
You need to be at least 18 and either an EU citizen or hold a residence permit that allows you to study in Finland.
Hive does not provide student visas.
Coming up next:
CHECK-IN
– Next Check-ins are in Autumn 2026, dates announced later
2026 SUMMER SPRINT REGISTRATION
– 15.6.2026 at 12:00
2026 SUMMER SPRINTS
– August (10.8. – 28.8.)
– September (7.9. – 25.9.)
START OF STUDIES
The cohort from the 2026 Summer Sprints will start their studies on 26.10.2026.
Follow our website, Linkedin and Instagram for further updates!