Working Through the Modules

How a zoomcamp’s content rolls out during a live cohort, where to find the videos, and what flexibility you have in pacing. For the technical material (what each module teaches, how to install tools), see the course-specific pages.

Module cadence

Modules are released on a fixed schedule, typically one per week during a live cohort. Each module includes:

  • Pre-recorded lecture videos in the course’s YouTube playlist.
  • Reading material and code in the course’s GitHub repository.
  • A homework assignment due at the end of the module’s window.
  • For some courses, a live session that walks through the module or answers questions.

Where to find this cohort’s videos

Two sources to be aware of:

  • Main course playlist: pre-recorded module videos. Reused across cohorts unless a module was rewritten.
  • Cohort-specific playlist (for example, “Data Engineering Zoomcamp 2026”): live session recordings and any new videos released during the current cohort.

If the cohort-specific playlist only has a few videos at the start, that is expected - new live recordings are added each week. The pre-recorded module material is in the main playlist.

The course’s GitHub repository has the canonical link to the right playlist for each module - check the README in each module folder.

Previous-cohort videos

Most modules use the same video set across cohorts. Differences between cohorts:

  • The cohort folder under cohorts/<year>/ has the homework, deadlines, and any cohort-specific changes.
  • Tools are sometimes swapped (in the Data Engineering Zoomcamp, Mage replaced Prefect, then Kestra replaced Mage).

When in doubt, follow the current cohort folder and the current README. If a video references an old tool or path, check the current cohort folder for the updated version.

Working ahead

You can. Materials are all available from day one.

Caveats:

  • Homework forms only open when the homework is officially released, even if the questions are visible in the repo.
  • Workshop content is sometimes not finalized until close to its scheduled week.
  • You cannot ask the cohort for help on a topic the cohort has not yet reached.

Working behind

You can. The only constraint: homework deadlines are fixed. Being behind on homework does not block certification - that is project-based.

For catching up after joining late, see Joining Mid-Cohort.

Tracking the cohort’s pace

  • Course platform: shows the active module and upcoming deadlines.
  • Slack and Telegram: announcements when each module starts.

Modules vs project

Strictly for certification:

  • Required: project (or required projects) and peer reviews.
  • Optional: homework. Recommended for understanding the material.

The project draws on material from many modules. Skipping modules makes the project harder. Treat the modules as your preparation for the project.

Self-paced after the cohort

Materials remain available. What changes:

  • Homework submission forms close. You can do the homework but cannot submit for points.
  • The leaderboard freezes for that cohort.
  • The Slack channel becomes quieter.
  • You cannot earn a certificate until the next live cohort runs.

If you want a certificate, time your project submission to coincide with a live cohort.