Porto’s 42 Programming School Ranks Among World’s Most Innovative Universities

In a remarkable achievement that puts Portugal firmly on the global innovation map, 42 Porto, a tuition-free programming school, has been ranked the third most innovative university in the world by the 2025 WURI (World University Rankings for Innovation).

By Paulo Lopes, in Education · 13 Aug 2025, 09:31 · 0 Comments

The school has outpaced some of the world’s most elite institutions, including MIT, Stanford, Harvard, and Cambridge.

Launched in Porto in 2022, 42 quickly made a name for itself as a disruptive and inclusive educational model. With no traditional classes, teachers, or tuition fees, the school offers an alternative learning environment centered on autonomy, collaboration, and firsthand problem-solving. Students’ progress through real-world coding challenges and peer-to-peer review, learning by doing rather than by listening.

This radical reimagining of education is precisely what the WURI rankings aim to highlight. Rather than focusing on academic prestige or research output, WURI evaluates institutions based on their ability to foster innovation, social responsibility, and real-world impact.

The fact that 42 Porto has climbed to third place globally in just a few years speaks volumes not only about its model but also about the city of Porto’s commitment to forward-thinking education.

In recognition of the school’s rapid growth and societal contribution, the Municipality of Porto has renewed its support for the project, signing a new contract with Associação 101010 Portugal, the entity that operates 42 Porto, worth €250,000. The funding will help support the school's ongoing development and accessibility, ensuring that high-quality digital education remains open to all, regardless of background or previous academic qualifications.

Mayor Rui Moreira has repeatedly voiced support for 42, viewing it as a crucial piece of Porto’s digital transformation strategy. By nurturing local talent in areas like programming, cybersecurity, and data science, 42 Porto is helping to build a future-ready workforce that can contribute to both national and international tech ecosystems.

What makes the success of 42 even more compelling is its strong emphasis on inclusion. There are no academic prerequisites or age limits, and students are selected based on their problem-solving aptitude and determination, not evaluating scores or diplomas. It is an environment where people from all occupations, whether they are recent high school graduates, career changers, or self-taught coders, can thrive.

With campuses in over thirty countries, the 42 network is known for producing highly skilled tech professionals. The Porto campus is no exception. Its students have already begun contributing to local startups, open-source projects, and larger tech firms, reinforcing Portugal’s reputation as a rising hub for innovation and digital entrepreneurship.

This recognition by WURI is not just a win for 42 Porto, it is a win for a new kind of education. One that values creativity, grit, and collaboration over rote learning and conventional metrics.

As Portugal continues to invest in tech and innovation, institutions like 42 Porto offer a blueprint for how cities and communities can rethink education to meet the challenges and opportunities of tomorrow.

Paulo Lopes is a multi-talent Portuguese citizen who made his Master of Economics in Switzerland and studied law at Lusófona in Lisbon - CEO of Casaiberia in Lisbon and Algarve.