Joining Mid-Cohort

Discovering a zoomcamp after the cohort has already started is common.

You can still:

  • Join the cohort.
  • Get the certificate.
  • Work through missed modules.

The main thing you may lose is leaderboard points for past homework.

You can still join

These rules apply if you join late:

  • Optional registration for course updates usually stays open the whole cohort.
  • Past homework deadlines are missed (no individual extensions).
  • The project window is at the end of the cohort - that determines the certificate.
  • Homework is not required for certification.

Catch-up steps

Use this order:

  1. Open the course on the course management platform - it has the current schedule and deadlines.
  2. Open the course’s GitHub repo and find the cohorts/<year>/ folder - it has the homework files and cohort-specific materials.
  3. Register for email updates if you want them (see Joining a Cohort).
  4. Watch the videos for the modules you missed.
  5. Catch up on the homework even if a deadline has passed. It solidifies the material and you can include it in your portfolio.

Catch-up window

A typical cohort runs for 9 to 10 weeks.

Rough guide:

  • First 2 weeks: easy catch-up. Plan an extra 5 to 10 hours in your first week.
  • Weeks 3 to 5: doable with the recommended 10 to 15 hours per week plus extra catch-up time.
  • Second half: focus on understanding the material and completing the project. Some homework deadlines will be missed. That is fine.
  • After all module deadlines: you can still submit the project if it is open. Otherwise, take it self-paced and submit during the next live cohort.

Self-paced or wait for the next cohort

If a cohort is more than halfway through, you have two reasonable options.

Choose one:

  • Join now, work through materials self-paced, submit the project during the next live cohort.
  • Wait for the next cohort and start fresh.

Materials do not change drastically between cohorts, so anything you study now will still be valid.

After deadlines pass

The submission form on the course platform closes when the deadline passes.

After that:

  • You can no longer submit the homework for leaderboard points.
  • Your existing submissions stay.
  • You can still do the homework on your own and push it to your repo.

For the homework deadline mechanics, see Homework.

The kickoff session

The kickoff is recorded and uploaded to YouTube the same day or next day. Look in the course’s YouTube playlist for the cohort year. The kickoff usually covers the schedule, expectations, and how the course works.