Working Through the Modules

Use this page to understand how modules are released during a live cohort. It also covers where to find videos and how much pacing flexibility you have. See the course-specific pages for technical material.

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.

Cohort 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 and any cohort-specific changes.
  • The course management platform has the current schedule and deadlines.
  • 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

Use these channels to track the current cohort:

  • Course platform: shows the active module and upcoming deadlines.
  • Slack and Telegram: the course team announces each module there.

Modules vs project

For certification, the requirements are simple:

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

The project draws on material from many modules, so 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.