Frequently Asked Questions
What career paths are available after completing PBA?
The Polkadot Blockchain Academy is the largest attractor of talent to the Polkadot ecosystem. Many graduates of PBA Campus have found full or part time work within the Polkadot community. In fact, according to our last census which was taken in August 2024, 59% of graduating alumni are contributing as software developers; full time work, part time work, open source contribution or project founding. With the new PBA-X course which is open to everyone, career paths post completion are limitless.
How is PBA different from other education programs?
Perhaps most importantly, this course is created and delivered by the people who are building this technology. PBA courses are academic in nature. Unlike a bootcamp, PBA provides a solid academic understanding of the underlying principles of blockchain, without having to enroll at a University. Moreover, PBA provides cohort based learning, introducing participants to peers who they can learn and eventually collaborate with. A major part of our mission is to grow the Polkadot community overall.
What happens after the Academy?
The Academy has a thriving Alumni program which aims to help people find purpose in the Polkadot ecosystem once they complete the course. This initiative encourages cooperation between past students, highlights opportunities, curates exclusive offers and aims to foster a real sense of community long after the course has finished.
Should aspiring or actual company/organisation Founders apply to PBA-X or PBA Campus?
Yes, aspiring founders are encouraged to apply, however PBA Campus in particular requires in depth programming experience. This is not a programming course, it is a blockchain course – you need to be a developer already.
PBA-X serves as an introductory course which covers foundational blockchain concepts and requires no technical knowledge, it would suit a non technical person who is interested in exploring using blockchain tech for a venture, it also works well as a primer for developers who are interested in PBA Campus.
What certification will Academy graduates receive?
People who complete PBA-X will get a certificate of completion. People who graduate PBA Campus will get the more prestigious PBA Graduation certificate and NFT which represents reaching the pinnacle of learning that the PBA currently offers.
PBA-X
Does completing PBA-X guarantee a place in PBA Campus?
While PBA-X is a standalone foundational course, it also serves as a pipeline for selection into the in-person PBA program. However, completing PBA-X does not guarantee a spot in the in-person program. Successful applicants for PBA Campus will need to get through our entrance interview, our economics, cryptography and blockchain entrance exam and will need to prove programming skills for each track by completing our entrance assignments;
- Protocol On-Chain track: advanced rust skills + basic knowledge of solidity
- DApps Off-chain track: advanced typescript skills + basic rust + basic solidity
We do, though highly recommend that people who want to get into PBA Campus do sign up for PBA-X as knowledge of PBA-X content helps with the PBA Campus admissions process.
What kind of student experience does PBA-X offer?
While we cannot fully replicate the in-person experience online, we are though committed to building a supportive and engaging online community. Students will be invited to join an online forum to ask questions and collaborate with peers. Additionally, we will host online social events during the program, culminating in an online completion ceremony. After completing PBA-X, learners will join an alumni community to further guide their journey into the Polkadot ecosystem and support their continued learning.
How do I know if I am eligible to apply for PBA-X?
You are! PBA-X is designed for people at or near the start of their blockchain journey, there are no specific requirements that one needs to fulfill to enter the course program, if you sign up in time, you are in!
PBA Campus
What is PBA Campus?
PBA Campus is the in-person flagship program of the Academy. The program is 2.5 weeks long and offer two tracks: the Protocol (on-chain) and dApps (off-chain) tracks. PBA Campus is free to those who are selected – this represents a large investment in community growth and improvement from the Polkadot Treasury and voting DOT holders.
Where can I find more details about the programming languages required by the PBA Campus tracks?
If I graduate the PBA Campus Protocol, On Chain track, can I come back and apply for DApps, Off Chain in the future?
In short, yes, but you still need to get through what are different code based entrance assignments.
Do I need to complete PBA-X to be considered for PBA Campus?
No, completing PBA-X is not a prerequisite for the in-person PBA Campus. However, PBA-X is a great pathway for developers to be considered for the in-person program. If you pass PBA-X, you should be able to pass the blockchain entrance quiz for PBA Campus.