By Quick answer: What are the best online certifications in the UK?
- Cloud — AWS, Azure.
- Security — Security+, CISSP.
- IT service — ITIL 4.
- Funding — check Skills Bootcamps on gov.uk.
Key takeaways
- ITIL is especially common in UK IT service roles.
- Microsoft environments are widespread in UK organisations.
- Government-funded bootcamps can cut costs.
UK employers recognise the same global vendor certifications as elsewhere, with a few local patterns: ITIL is particularly common in IT service roles, and many public-sector organisations run Microsoft. These ten fit the UK market.
Ten certifications UK employers recognise
Ranked for this reader. Costs and formats come from each issuer's own page, checked on 3 November 2026; prices change, so confirm before you book.
| # | Certification | Cost | Time | Prove it free |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateAmazon Web Services | $1501 | 130 minutes, 65 questions | Free test |
| 2 | Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft | Exam priced by country2 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 3 | CompTIA Security+CompTIA | Voucher price on the CompTIA store3 | V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk | Free test |
| 4 | CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security ProfessionalISC2 | See ISC2 page4 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 5 | PMP – Project Management ProfessionalPMI | $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5 | 240 minutes, 180 questions | Free test |
| 6 | ITIL 4 FoundationPeopleCert / AXELOS | Check the official page6 | Check issuer | Free test |
| 7 | Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)Microsoft | Exam priced by country7 | 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months | Free test |
| 8 | Google Data Analytics Professional CertificateGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan8 | 6 months at 10 hours a week | Free test |
| 9 | Salesforce Certified AdministratorSalesforce | Exam fee on Trailhead9 | Self-paced | Free test |
| 10 | Google AI EssentialsGoogle / Coursera | $49/mo Coursera plan10 | Under 10 hours (per course page) | Free test |
Prove it free before you pay for an exam
Take the free test first. Pay for an exam only when you pass.
Every pick above has a matching free practice test on Science of Apps, one of the world's largest libraries of free certification tests (1,200+). Check your level before you pay for an exam, or add a verifiable credential to LinkedIn while you study. (Disclosure: we publish these tests; the certifications above earn us nothing.)
- AWS Solutions Architect Associate Practice ExamPractise for AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate before you pay.Start free test →
- Azure Administrator AZ-104 Practice TestPractise for Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104) before you pay.Start free test →
- CompTIA Security+ Practice TestPractise for CompTIA Security+ before you pay.Start free test →
- CISSP Practice TestPractise for CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional before you pay.Start free test →
Each certification, and its UK job market
- AWSAWS Certified Solutions Architect – AssociateCloud$150
- MicrosoftMicrosoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)Microsoft shopsExam priced by country
- CompTIACompTIA Security+SecurityVoucher price on the CompTIA store
AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate
- Cost
- $1501
- Format
- 130 minutes, 65 questions
Cloud architecture; $150 (billed in USD). AWS's associate exam tests designing secure, resilient, high-performing and cost-aware systems on AWS. It's 130 minutes with 65 questions and costs $150, and it's the cloud credential most often named in job posts.
Best forcloud
Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country2
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Azure admin; priced in local currency. Microsoft's associate exam proves you can manage Azure identity, storage, compute and networking. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, and renews free online every 12 months, which keeps long-term cost low.
Best forMicrosoft shops
CompTIA Security+
- Cost
- Voucher price on the CompTIA store3
- Format
- V7 retiring; V8 adds AI-related risk
Entry security credential. CompTIA's vendor-neutral security exam covers threats, architecture, operations and governance, and the new version adds AI-related risk. It's listed in ANAB's ISO/IEC 17024 directory; voucher prices vary by country.
Best forsecurity
CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional
- Cost
- See ISC2 page4
- Entry
- 5 years of paid security work experience
Senior security credential. ISC2's senior credential covers eight broad security domains and requires five years of paid security experience. It's ANAB-accredited, and US holders averaged $168,060 in Skillsoft's 2025 survey, the highest of any IT certification there.
Best forsenior security
PMP – Project Management Professional
- Cost
- $425 PMI members / $675 non-members5
- Format
- 240 minutes, 180 questions
- Entry
- 3–5 years leading projects (by education) plus 35 hours of training
Global PM credential; PRINCE2 is also common in the UK. PMI's Project Management Professional is a 240-minute, 180-question exam covering predictive, agile and hybrid approaches. It needs 3–5 years leading projects plus 35 hours of training and costs $425 for PMI members or $675.
Best forprojects
ITIL 4 Foundation
- Cost
- Check the official page6
IT service management; developed in the UK. PeopleCert's ITIL 4 Foundation covers the core concepts of IT service management and continual improvement. It's foundation-level, quick to prepare for and especially common in IT service roles in the UK and Australia.
Best forIT service
Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300)
- Cost
- Exam priced by country7
- Format
- 100 minutes; renew free every 12 months
Power BI proof. Microsoft's Power BI Data Analyst exam proves you can prepare, model and visualise data and share reports securely. It's 100 minutes, priced by country, with free Microsoft Learn training and free online renewal every 12 months.
Best forBI
Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan8
- Time
- 6 months at 10 hours a week
Analyst toolkit. Google's professional certificate teaches spreadsheets, SQL, Tableau and R through case studies and ends with a portfolio capstone. It's designed for beginners, takes about six months at ten hours a week and offers financial aid on Coursera.
Best forentry analyst
Salesforce Certified Administrator
- Cost
- Exam fee on Trailhead9
Salesforce admin. Salesforce's Certified Administrator proves you can configure, secure and maintain a Salesforce org. Training is free on Trailhead and the exam fee is listed there, making it a common route into CRM and RevOps careers.
Best forCRM
Google AI Essentials
- Cost
- $49/mo Coursera plan10
- Time
- Under 10 hours (per course page)
Practical AI. Google's short course teaches practical generative AI for everyday work: drafting, research, analysis and using AI responsibly. It needs no technical background and takes under ten hours, so it suits almost any professional who wants to use AI tools with more confidence.
Best forany role
UK-specific notes
- Skills Bootcamps — government-funded training; check gov.uk for current courses.
- PRINCE2 — common in UK project roles alongside PMP.
- Public sector — Microsoft and ITIL skills are widely used.
How we ranked these picks
We chose global certifications widely recognised by UK employers. Fees come from official pages, checked 3 November 2026.
Frequently asked questions
What is the best certification in the UK?
Depends on field: AWS or Azure for cloud, Security+ for security, PMP or PRINCE2 for projects.
Is ITIL useful in the UK?
Yes; it's common in IT service roles.
Is there free training in the UK?
Government-funded Skills Bootcamps exist; check gov.uk.
PMP or PRINCE2 in the UK?
Both are recognised; PRINCE2 is common in the public sector.
Is there a free test?
Yes. Science of Apps offers 1,200+ free certification tests.
Sources
- Amazon Web Services — AWS Certified Solutions Architect – Associate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Azure Administrator (AZ-104), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- CompTIA — CompTIA Security+, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- ISC2 — CISSP – Certified Information Systems Security Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PMI — PMP – Project Management Professional, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- PeopleCert — ITIL 4 Foundation, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Microsoft — Microsoft Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300), official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google Data Analytics Professional Certificate, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Salesforce — Salesforce Certified Administrator, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Google — Google AI Essentials, official page (checked 3 Nov 2026)
- Checked November 4, 2026. Figures that change — fees, salaries, prices — are reviewed every six months; if something is out of date, tell us.
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