The verdict in 60 seconds
Truly free IT certifications — where both training AND the exam cost nothing — are rare. Google Career Certificates cost ~£35/month on Coursera but financial aid removes that charge for most applicants. IBM SkillsBuild issues free digital badges. Cisco NetAcad provides free courses with a completion badge. Microsoft and AWS offer excellent free learning paths, but their exams run £85–£150 unless you claim a free voucher at a virtual training day. The honest picture: most recognisable IT certs will cost you at the exam stage. Plan for £0–£150 total, not zero — but there are genuine ways to get there for nothing.
Search “free IT certifications online” and you’ll find pages confidently promising CompTIA A+ or AWS certification at zero cost. Most of them are misleading. The IT certification world divides cleanly into two things that rarely overlap: free learning and free credentials. You can absolutely learn everything needed for a certification exam without spending money. The exam itself is where the cost usually hits.
That said, free paths genuinely exist. Some platforms issue digital badges and certificates of completion that carry real employer weight. A handful of vendor programmes — particularly Google, IBM, and Cisco — have built routes where financial aid, scholarships, or outright free pathways eliminate cost entirely. And both Microsoft and AWS run periodic virtual training days where attendees receive a complimentary exam voucher.
This guide explains which is which, so you can plan your time and budget realistically. Prices are in GBP and verified as of June 2026. We flag clearly where a “certificate” differs from a vendor-recognised certification.
How we chose these
Four criteria shaped this list. First, learning content must be available free — not just a taster, but the full curriculum. Second, the credential must either be free or have a genuinely accessible free pathway via financial aid, scholarship, or employer voucher. Third, the certification must be recognised by UK employers — we checked recent job postings on Indeed and LinkedIn to confirm. Fourth, the programme must have been updated in 2025 or 2026; outdated certifications waste your time regardless of cost.
The best free IT certifications available in 2026
1. Google IT Support Professional Certificate — Coursera with Financial Aid
Built by Google and delivered through Coursera, this five-course programme covers troubleshooting, networking, operating systems, system administration, and security basics. It’s one of the most recognised entry-level IT credentials in the UK — major employers including BT, Accenture, and Deloitte list it as a relevant qualification for helpdesk and support roles. The programme totals roughly 180 hours, typically six months at five hours per week.
The standard cost is £35/month on Coursera, but financial aid is broadly available. You apply online, approval takes about 15 days, and the bar is genuinely accessible — most applicants with a real financial need are approved. If you’re on Universal Credit, between jobs, or a student, apply before paying. The credential is a Google Professional Certificate, not a CompTIA or Microsoft certification, but it has meaningful weight for entry-level IT support roles. Free with financial aid.
2. IBM SkillsBuild — IT Fundamentals and Cybersecurity Badges
IBM SkillsBuild offers completely free courses and digital badges covering IT fundamentals, cloud computing, cybersecurity, and AI basics. The platform is aimed at early-career learners and career changers, and each badge involves completing learning modules plus a short graded assessment. No exam fees, no subscription.
IBM SkillsBuild badges are issued through Credly and carry weight with IBM-affiliated employers, though they’re less recognised than CompTIA or Cisco in most UK job postings. Their real value is as preparation stepping stones: the cybersecurity and cloud modules give solid grounding before you invest in a paid exam like AZ-900 or CompTIA Security+. Individual badges typically take 8–20 hours. Completely free, no strings.
3. Cisco Networking Academy — Introduction to Cybersecurity
Cisco’s Networking Academy has offered free courses since 1997. In 2026 its free self-study tier includes Introduction to Cybersecurity (15 hours), Introduction to Networks, and JavaScript Essentials. These are proper courses, not tasters — the Cybersecurity Introduction is used by colleges and universities globally. Cisco issues a digital badge on completion.
The full CCNA-track courses require a NetAcad instructor, usually accessed through a college or employer. The self-study free courses stand alone and are well-respected in UK IT support and security hiring. Cisco also periodically offers discounted exam vouchers (up to 50% off) to NetAcad completers via the Skills for All platform. No cost for the free-tier courses. Completion gives you a Cisco badge, not a full CCNA.
4. Microsoft Learn — AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals (Free Path, Voucher Available)
Microsoft Learn provides the complete official learning path for every Microsoft certification exam at no charge. The AZ-900 (Azure Fundamentals) path is six modules, approximately 10–15 hours, covering cloud concepts, Azure services, and basic security and compliance. The content quality is high — this is the official Microsoft preparation material.
The AZ-900 exam costs £95 (excl. VAT). However, Microsoft regularly runs free Virtual Training Days where attendees receive a complimentary exam voucher. In 2026, these are running monthly for UK-eligible participants. Search “Microsoft Virtual Training Day AZ-900” to find upcoming events. Attend one, claim your voucher, and the full certification pathway — learning plus exam — costs nothing. Without the voucher, budget £95 for the exam sitting.
5. AWS Skill Builder — Cloud Practitioner Essentials
Amazon Web Services provides Cloud Practitioner Essentials as a free course on AWS Skill Builder. The six-hour course covers core AWS services, security fundamentals, pricing models, and cloud architecture basics. It’s the official preparation content for the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam and genuinely sufficient as a study base.
The exam costs around £90. Like Microsoft, AWS runs promotional free voucher events, particularly through AWS re/Start (for career changers and unemployed people) and AWS Educate (for full-time students). If you qualify for either programme, you can access the exam for free. Without a voucher or programme membership, budget £90 for the exam. The learning content itself is free on the Skill Builder free tier.
6. Professor Messer — Free CompTIA Study Materials
Professor Messer (professormesser.com) provides completely free video courses, study notes, and practice exam questions for CompTIA ITF+, A+, Network+, and Security+. These aren’t stripped-down samples — they’re full course curricula used by hundreds of thousands of students preparing for CompTIA exams. The A+ and Security+ materials in particular are comprehensive and kept up to date with current exam objectives.
The catch: CompTIA exams are not free. ITF+ costs around £110. A+ requires two exams, roughly £220 combined. Network+ and Security+ run approximately £330 each. Professor Messer does sell optional paid study groups and practice exams, but the free materials are sufficient. This is the most direct route to vendor-recognised CompTIA credentials using £0 in study costs — you only pay for the exam itself.
7. Google Cybersecurity Certificate — Coursera with Financial Aid
Google’s Cybersecurity Certificate is a newer addition to the Google Career Certificate stable on Coursera. Eight courses covering threat analysis, Python for security automation, SIEM tools, and intrusion detection fundamentals. It’s built for entry-level security analyst roles with no prior security experience required.
Like the IT Support certificate, it runs £35/month on Coursera with financial aid available. Google reports strong employment outcomes for completers — though these figures come from Google’s own surveys and should be read critically. UK employers in financial services and government IT do recognise it. The programme takes roughly six months at the recommended pace. With financial aid, effectively free.
8. Alison — IT Diploma Programmes
Alison is an Irish e-learning platform offering over 4,000 free courses and digital certificates of completion. Its IT diploma programmes cover networking basics, hardware, software troubleshooting, and operating systems. The courses are free to access; Alison charges for printed diplomas (£30–£50) but the digital certificate costs nothing.
A clear limitation: Alison certificates are not vendor-recognised certifications. A hiring manager won’t equate an Alison diploma with CompTIA A+. They do, however, demonstrate initiative and foundational knowledge, and are worth including on a CV alongside practical projects. For someone completely new to IT, an Alison diploma is a useful starting point before investing in a paid exam. Courses take 8–30 hours. Digital credentials are completely free.
Four mistakes to avoid
- Confusing completion certificates with vendor certifications. A Coursera certificate from Google or an Alison diploma is not the same as a CompTIA A+ or Microsoft Azure certification. Both can appear on a CV and are worth earning, but they carry different weight in different hiring contexts. Know what you’re actually earning before investing your time.
- Assuming you won’t qualify for financial aid. Coursera’s financial aid is broadly granted. The application takes 15 minutes, approval takes about 15 days, and most people with a genuine financial need are approved. Many people pay £35/month who didn’t need to.
- Missing Microsoft and AWS free voucher events. Both companies run regular Virtual Training Days specifically to distribute complimentary exam vouchers. Missing them means paying £90–£95 for an exam you could have sat for nothing. Google “Microsoft Virtual Training Day” or “AWS free exam voucher 2026” to find upcoming events.
- Studying outdated materials. IT certification exam objectives change regularly. CompTIA A+ was revised in 2024. Always verify your study materials align with the current exam version before booking a sitting. Professor Messer and official vendor learning paths update when exams change — stick to those sources.
Frequently asked questions
Are there IT certifications where both the course and exam are completely free?
Yes, but they’re limited. IBM SkillsBuild badges and Alison diplomas are end-to-end free, though not vendor-recognised certifications. Google Career Certificates via Coursera financial aid are free for qualifying applicants and are recognised by major employers. Microsoft AZ-900 and AWS Cloud Practitioner can be fully free if you claim exam vouchers through their virtual training day programmes. Cisco NetAcad’s free courses come with a Cisco digital badge at no cost.
Which free IT certification is best for a helpdesk job in the UK?
The Google IT Support Professional Certificate (via Coursera financial aid) is the strongest free-accessible option for helpdesk roles. UK employers recognise it specifically for first-line support positions. If you want a vendor certification, CompTIA A+ is the industry standard for helpdesk work — use Professor Messer’s free materials and budget around £220 for the two exam papers.
How long does it take to earn a free IT certification?
IBM SkillsBuild badges take 8–20 hours each. The Google IT Support Certificate takes around 180 hours — six months at five hours per week. Cisco’s Introduction to Cybersecurity is 15 hours. Microsoft AZ-900’s learning path runs 10–15 hours, with a few weeks between booking and sitting the exam. AWS Cloud Practitioner Essentials is six hours of study; exam readiness typically requires an additional 10–20 hours of practice.
Do UK employers take free online IT certifications seriously?
Vendor-recognised certifications from Google, Microsoft, Cisco, CompTIA, and AWS are taken seriously regardless of how you studied. The certificate doesn’t indicate whether you used free or paid materials — only that you passed the official assessment. Non-vendor certificates (Alison, generic Coursera courses) carry less weight but still demonstrate effort. For entry-level roles, a Google Career Certificate plus a practical project portfolio is a solid combination.
Can I get CompTIA certified for free?
The study materials can be completely free — Professor Messer’s courses for ITF+, A+, Network+, and Security+ are comprehensive and cost nothing. The exams themselves are not free: ITF+ costs ~£110, A+ ~£220 (two exams), Security+ ~£330. CompTIA doesn’t run free voucher programmes in the same way Microsoft and AWS do, though some employers provide exam vouchers as a hiring or training benefit — worth asking about during job interviews.