Applications for the class of 2021

Apple Developer Academy

The Apple Developer Academy is now welcoming applications for the class of 2021


Applications are now open for the Apple Developer Academy in Naples with over 370 places available for a new generation of app developers and entrepreneurs.

The unique program, conceived by Apple and the Federico II University of Naples, offers an incredible opportunity to aspiring app developers. Selected students undertake a nine-month study program, entirely in English, on topics such as software development, app design, startup creation and digital economy.

Students will have the opportunity to develop their skills and create their own app using the most advanced and creative tech ecosystem in the world.

The Academy is based at the new campus in San Giovanni a Teduccio. Last year, participants from 32 different countries, with diverse educational and professional backgrounds, developed over 140 projects. Almost 50 of which are available on the App Store today, including Sermo Avenue, an app designed to help parents of deaf children to assist with vocabulary acquisition, by bringing the unique vibrations of spoken word to the palm of kids’ hand and Chinegraphy, an app for learning Chinese glyphs.

The Academy allows each student to personalise their learning path through joint efforts with tech partners, and with the other companies located in the Campus.

At the end of the year, the students’ apps are showcased in front of hundreds of companies and investors from Italy and around the world. This connects the graduates to opportunities within the tech industry and provides them with an innovative placement platform. Last year 60% of the participating companies directly recruited between three and five graduates.

Since its opening in October 2016, the Apple Developer Academy has trained more than 1,500 students in its state of the art facility.

"This is one of the most engaging training courses I’ve attended. I gained both theoretical and practical skills, along with soft skills, much needed for the jobs of the future.” says Emilio Di Leone, student.

"Staying abroad, studying in a totally international environment, and seeing other points of view, helps you to grow as a student and as an individual, and enriches your life.” says Ekaterina Akchurina from Russia.

“The opening of the call for applications at the Apple Developer Academy is always an important moment for the Federico II University, but it obviously takes on an even stronger significance this year, conveying a sense of optimism and restart. Our goal is to keep attracting the best talent from Italy and from all over the world, to involve them in a digital training program that is unique across the world in terms of diversity and learning innovation,” stated Dean Arturo de Vivo. “All of this takes place inside a campus that is internationally regarded as a success story, for its ability to incubate startups and to host joint initiatives with companies with the most open mindset towards research and technological evolution.”

The call for students will be open until September 30, 2020.

The selection process consists of an online evaluation test and a motivational interview conducted via remote video conference. The tests will take place in Naples or online, while activities are scheduled to start in January 2021. Students selected will receive scholarships from the Campania Region as in previous years.

Since the App Store launched in 2008, the iOS app economy has become one of the fastest-growing sectors of the economy. Despite the pandemic, the App Store continues to provide economic opportunities for entrepreneurs of all sizes, helping anyone with an idea reach customers around the world and take advantage of new opportunities that would never be possible without it.