Apple created Swift and Xcode so anyone with an idea can create something incredible. Our developer tools and platforms help higher education institutions empower the next generation of innovators with skills to solve real‑world challenges and code a brighter world.
Apple provides everything faculty and students need to dive right into designing and coding. With Mac — plus Swift, Xcode, and developer tools that Apple offers for free — they have everything they need to build incredible apps.
Swift. A robust, open source programming language that’s both easy to learn and powerful to use. Developers can write safe, reliable code for richer app experiences.
Xcode. An integrated development environment that gives developers at any level a single workflow for UI design, coding, debugging, testing and performance analysis.
MacBook Pro. Superfast processors, next-level graphics and secure storage make MacBook Pro the ideal tool for new and experienced developers alike.
“We use Apple developer tools and platforms to support experiential learning for both coders and designers — Xcode and Swift Playgrounds provide the perfect space to reflect, learn and grow.”
Students are integrating app development with Swift into their work, gaining cutting edge skills to apply in their future careers — while supporting their passions and solving problems they care about today.
Learn how Zoey discovered her passion for technology, and how she’s fulfilling her dreams with the help of Apple Developer Tools.
Studying Mathematics
University of Waterloo, Canada, class of 2024
“I use Swift because it's the industry standard — it's also easy and accessible, even for students.”
At 17, Zoey Vu found herself in a new country, learning a new language and working various part-time jobs. Ontario, Canada was a lot different than her hometown of Tân Phú in rural Vietnam. But the change in scenery allowed for new opportunities. In her first month in Canada, Zoey attended a robotics conference — and it was there that her fascination with technology and app development sparked.
Zoey’s dream of helping her family and community back home is at the core of everything she does. And as she dove into the world of creating apps, she discovered a path that could help her realize it. One of the major keys to Zoey’s journey in tech? Apple. Through the Develop in Swift books and the Swift online community, Zoey taught herself how to code.
“Apple is the industry standard for developers,” says Zoey. “At the same time, the tools Apple creates for developers make it really easy for students like me to learn. Swift is the most intuitive, smooth and easy-to-use platform in the industry. And there are so many resources available to help you create any app you can dream up.”
Dreaming up amazing apps is exactly what Zoey did. Inspiration struck her in math class, while learning about the Flocking Algorithm – a computational model inspired by behaviors observed in nature.
“I was missing home so much, and I would remember how my brother and I would sit together and look out at the sunset and watch the birds flocking back to their homes.”
And with that, Birds of a Feather was born — an app she created using Xcode on Mac that simulates the flocking algorithm of birds and encourages children to learn through play. It won Zoey a Swift Student Challenge award in 2023 — an inspiring experience that led her to new connections in the iOS community.
With several internships at major tech companies under her belt, Zoey remains focused on paying it forward as her budding career takes off. Using her iPhone and Mac — with Calendar, Notes, and iCloud to keep her busy life organized — she leads a mentorship program that helps Vietnamese computer science students in Canada and the U.S. find internships and scholarships in the app development industry. And she still has big plans for those back in Tân Phú.
“My dream is to build an app that will help improve the lives of the people in my hometown. It could be something that helps the workers be safer, or an app that connects people to jobs or educational opportunities. Some way to help my family and community — that’s what I'm trying to do.”
“Swift is easy, intuitive and enables me to create any app that I can dream up.”
Whether students are new to coding or already developing like pros, the free Develop in Swift curriculum provides faculty with the flexibility to support all kinds of learners — even those who want to study on their own.
Download the curriculum guide (PDF)
Apple is proud to support and uplift the next generation of student developers, creators and entrepreneurs with the Swift Student Challenge. When students learn to code with Swift, they join a worldwide community of developers who are creating the next wave of groundbreaking apps.
Apple provides free resources and programs for aspiring developers in your community to take their app development skills to the next level.
Help students earn recognition for their knowledge of Swift and Xcode. The App Development with Swift certifications are based on Develop in Swift Explorations and Develop in Swift Fundamentals courses to help students stand out for high-demand jobs in iOS app development.
Apple Professional Learning offers a free online professional learning course for Develop in Swift Explorations through Canvas by Instructure. Educators will learn the foundational knowledge needed to teach Swift and Xcode directly from Apple, making this an ideal introductory course for teaching Develop in Swift in any educational environment.
Everything you need to start your own coding clubs. Including tips for recruiting members, inspiration for app ideas, and guides to create prototypes using Apple design principles. And the App Showcase Guide helps you host an event to celebrate your creations.
Download the Swift Coding Club for Xcode
It’s never been easier to prepare students for a career in the app economy. Join the Apple Developer program to help students build amazing apps for iPhone, iPad, Mac, Apple Watch and Apple TV. Membership is free through a fee waiver for accredited educational institutions.