The tech and IT industry has continued to grow in recent years, making it a fantastic time to be starting your career in IT. The UK government has committed to more investment into the UK tech sector, with more unicorn-status companies than anywhere in Europe, and the Digital Skills Council created to address the growing and changing need for skills in the UK tech sector.
And crucial to taking advantage of the growth of the tech industry, is earning the certifications that will help you land your first IT role.
What are the Best Entry-Level IT Certifications in 2024?
Looking for the “best IT certifications for 2024”? We’ve got you covered. We’ve used Skillsoft’s 2022 IT Skills and Salary Report released earlier this year, and analysed which IT certifications our clients are asking us for to give you a data supported view of the best entry-level IT certifications for your career in 2024.
Just some of the criteria we’ve taken into consideration for making our list:
- Which are the most widely held certifications by IT professionals.
- Which certifications are currently the most-pursued by IT professionals.
- The certifications that give you hands-on experience.
- And which certifications would be best for someone with little to no IT experience.
10 of the Best Entry-Level IT Certifications and Qualifications
Which IT certification is best for you depends on your specific circumstance, which we’ll get into later. But here, we’ve got 10 of the best entry-level IT certifications for 2024, covering networks, infrastructure, and cloud infrastructure.
1. CompTIA A+
CompTIA’s A+ certification is one of the best entry-level IT certifications and vendor neutral, making it a great starting point for almost any career in IT. The CompTIA A+ consists of two exams you must pass that qualifies you to solve basic issues in hardware, networking, operating systems, security mobile devices and cloud.
The CompTIA A+ is the typical entry point for a career in IT, before IT professionals choose to specialise in a specific field like networks, cyber security, cloud computing etc.
Typical roles for a CompTIA A+ holder:
- Help Desk Engineer.
- Help Desk Technician.
- Technical Support Engineer.
- IT Support Engineer.
- 1st/ 2nd Line Support Engineer.
Requirements: The CompTIA A+ certification requires passing two exams. Other than that, it requires no prerequisites to earn the certification: Although CompTIA recommends having around a year of hands-on experience.
CompTIA A+ Exam Cost UK: £146.
Which Certification Next: After you have earned your CompTIA A+, other CompTIA certifications like the Security+ or Network+ are a great step for specialising in Cyber Security and Networks and Infrastructure. Or you may choose to earn certifications from other vendors, like Cisco or Juniper.
2. CompTIA Network+
2. CompTIA Network+CompTIA’s Network+ certification is another great entry-level IT certification from CompTIA, and the next step after the CompTIA A+ for someone looking to work in networks and infrastructure.
Like its predecessor, the CompTIA Network+ is vendor neutral, making it great if you aren’t sure which technology you want to specialise in.
It teaches the fundamentals of networking cloud connectivity, network operations, networking implementations, networking security and networking troubleshooting.
Typical roles for a CompTIA Network+ holder:
- Network Administrator.
- Network Technician.
- IT Support Manager.
- Network or Infrastructure Engineer.
Requirements: Again, there are no strict prerequisites for earning your CompTIA Network+, other than passing the one exam. CompTIA does recommend having around a year’s worth of networking experience, or the CompTIA A+ certification.
CompTIA Network+ Exam Cost UK: £212.
Which Certification Next: The next steps for someone who has earned their CompTIA Network+ would be earning further specialist vendor specific certifications, like Cisco’s CCNA or Juniper’s JNCIA.
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals
3. Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals The Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals certification is a great starting point for someone who is new to Azure and Cloud computing, and provides a foundational understanding of cloud platforms.
Microsoft certifications are the most popular certifications on the market, being the most commonly held and most commonly pursued certifications.
This exam will test you on your knowledge of understanding foundational concepts of Azure services such as computing, networking and storage, as well as the tools and software to secure, govern and administer Azure.
Typical roles for a Microsoft Certified: Azure Fundamentals holder:
- Azure Support Engineer.
- IT Support Specialist.
- Cloud Administrator.
- Microsoft Support Technician.
Requirements: The Microsoft Azure Fundamentals exam has no prerequisites, however Microsoft does recommend having skills and experience working with an area of IT, such as infrastructure management, database management, or software development.
Microsoft Azure Fundamentals Exam Cost UK: £69.
Which Certification Next: After earning a Microsoft Fundamentals certification, you will likely choose to go on to earn an Associate level certification and further specialise in one of the many avenues of Microsoft technology such as Azure, Dynamics, Microsoft 365.
4. Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals
4. Microsoft 365 Certified: FundamentalsMicrosoft 365 Fundamentals is a great certification for someone just beginning in their IT career, and wants to advance in a Microsoft 365 environment.
To earn this certification will require passing the MS-900: Microsoft 365 Fundamentals exam, which will test you on the basics of cloud services, the software solutions offered by Microsoft 365, as well as Microsoft 365 specific cloud services.
Typical roles for a Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals holder:
- 1st Line Support Engineer.
- IT Helpdesk Support.
- Microsoft Systems Administrator.
- Microsoft Technician.
Requirements: There are no prerequisites to earning the Microsoft 365 Fundamentals, although some familiarity with IT is recommended.
Microsoft 365 Fundamentals Exam Cost UK: £69.
Which Certification Next: After earning the Microsoft 365 Certified: Fundamentals, it’s typical to continue further down the Microsoft 365 route with one of the many Associate or Administrator level certifications, such as Microsoft 365 Modern Desktop Administrator or Microsoft 365 Teams Administrator.
5. Cisco Certified Network Associate – CCNA
5. Cisco Certified Network Associate – CCNA The Cisco Certified Network Associate, or CCNA, is one of the first, and biggest steps in the career of a network professional working with Cisco systems. It requires passing the 200-301 CCNA: Implementing and Administering Cisco Solutions exam.
A CCNA certification shows that you understand the fundamentals of networking, IP services and connectivity, security, automation and programmability: And is a necessity for those looking to progress further in a career working with Cisco systems.
Typical roles for a CCNA holder:
- Network Engineer.
- Infrastructure Consultant.
- Network Security Team Lead.
- Network Support Engineer.
Requirements: Earning a CCNA requires passing one exam, with no prerequisites. Though Cisco advises at least one year of experience working with Cisco systems.
CCNA Exam Cost UK: £246 + VAT.
Which Certification Next: After earning the generalist CCNA, it is typical for an IT Professional to specialise further in Cisco systems, with a CCNP Enterprise, or CCNP Security, for example.
6. Juniper Network Certified Associate – JNCIA-Junos
6. Juniper Network Certified Associate – JNCIA-JunosThe Juniper Network Certified Associate certification is one of the slightly more senior entry-level certifications on our list: Meaning you’ll likely have earned one of the earlier certifications on our list first.
The JNCIA is Juniper’s equivalent of the CCNA, and is not as popularly held or pursued as the Cisco version, due to Cisco systems being more dominant in the networking industry: Which is worth considering before you make any decisions.
The JNCIA-Junos provides an understanding of the fundamentals of: Networking, routing, firewalls, Junos OS and configuration.
Typical roles for a JNCIA holder:
- Network Engineer.
- Infrastructure Consultant.
- Network Security Team Lead.
- Network Support Engineer.
Requirements: There are no prerequisites for the JNCIA-Junos exam. Juniper does however state that the exam is for those with a beginner-intermediate level of networking: So you are likely to need a year or two of professional IT experience.
JNCIA Exam Cost UK: £160.
Which Certification Next: After earning the Associate level Juniper certification, it’s typical to continue down the Enterprise or Service Provider route with a specialist level certification, such as JNCIS-ENT or JNCIA-SP. Or, to earn a complimentary Associate level certification in Data Center or Security: such as JNCIA-DC or JNCIA-SEC.
7. GIAC Information Security Fundamentals – GISF
7. GIAC Information Security Fundamentals – GISF This certification from the Global Information Assurance Certification is an absolutely entry-level certification, for anyone new to cyber security who needs help with the fundamentals.
This will cover the basics of computer networks, security policies, incident response, as well as an introduction to cryptography and cyber security terminology.
The GISF is a good idea for people moving into a career in cyber security and entry-level cyber security positions.
Typical roles for a GISF holder:
- Security Engineer.
- Cybersecurity Analyst.
- Security Administrator.
- Network Administrator.
- Help Desk Manager.
Requirements: The GISF requires no previous cyber security experience, although familiarity with basic computer and technical knowledge is necessary.
GISF Exam Cost UK: £750.
Which Certification Next: As GIAC’s most entry-level certification, this is typically followed by the GIAC Security Essentials Certification (GSEC).
8. CompTIA Security+
8.Another great entry-level cyber security for someone choose to specialise is the CompTIA Security+. Like CompTIA’s other certifications, this is vendor-neutral, making it a great choice if you don’t know which technology you want to work with.
It certifies that you have the essential skills necessary to perform core security functions, such as: install and configure systems to secure applications, networks, and devices, participate in risk management, perform threat analysis and possess an awareness of laws and policies.
Typical roles for a CompTIA Security+ holder:
- Security Engineer.
- Cybersecurity Analyst.
- Security Administrator.
- Network Administrator.
- Help Desk Manager.
Requirements: The CompTIA Security+ exam has no strict entry requirements. CompTIA does, however, recommend having two years of IT security experience, or the CompTIA Network+ certification.
CompTIA Security+ Exam Cost UK: £233.
Which Certification Next: After earning the CompTIA Security+, you will look to gain more experience and skills, and aim to work towards more difficult and senior certifications, such as ISC2’s Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) or ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
9. Associate Cloud Engineer – Google Cloud Certification
9. Associate Cloud Engineer – Google Cloud CertificationThis Google Cloud certification is the lowest and entry-level certification for Google Cloud, designed to showcase your skills in deploying, managing and operating Google Cloud Platform solutions and systems.
It demonstrates your ability to plan, set-up, and configure cloud solutions, as well as managing and the security of the cloud system once deployed.
Typical roles for an Associate Cloud Engineer holder:
- Cloud Engineer.
- Google Cloud Consultant.
- Infrastructure Engineer.
- DevOps Engineer.
Requirements: There are no prerequisites for the Associate Cloud Engineer exam, although Google does recommend having 6+ months of hands-on experience of working with Google Cloud.
Associate Cloud Engineer Exam Cost UK: £100.
Which Certification Next: After earning the CompTIA Security+, you will look to gain more experience and skills, and aim to work towards more difficult and senior certifications, such as ISC2’s Systems Security Certified Practitioner (SSCP) or ISACA’s Certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA).
10. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Cloud Practitioner
10. Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Cloud PractitionerThe AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification is a great entry-level certification for someone who is just starting out in IT, and looking to enter the rapidly growing cloud computing industry.
The AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner will test you on your knowledge of AWS Cloud concepts, AWS service, security, architecture and support.
Typical roles for an AWS Cloud Practitioner holder:
- Cloud Engineer.
- Infrastructure Engineer.
- Cloud Consultant.
- Data Engineer.
- AWS Engineer.
Requirements: The AWS Certified Cloud practitioner has no prerequisites and requires only general IT business and technical knowledge, making it a true entry-level IT certification into the cloud industry.
AWS Cloud Practitioner Exam Cost UK: £80.
Which Certification Next: As this is the most basic level certification for AWS, it’s a good idea to aim for a more advanced certification like the AWS Certified Developer with the eventual aim for an AWS Certified Solutions Architect.
So, Which IT Certification is Best For You?
So, Which IT Certification is Best For You?As we’ve mentioned, the IT certifications and qualifications that are best for you, may be different than is best for someone else. The certifications on our list aren’t one size fits all, so there are a few different factors to consider before you choose your certification, such as: Your experience, the cost of the certification, how long it takes to earn, and your desired career path.
Your Experience
Not all entry-level certifications require the same level of experience, although all the certifications on our list require less than a year of experience.
But you need to consider whether you have the experience and knowledge necessary to attempt your certification of choice: Or whether you should consider earning an earlier certification.
For example, if you don’t have the year of experience recommended for the CCNA, then you may wish to consider the Cisco Certified Support Technician (CCST) Networking.
The Cost of the Certification
Entry-level certifications are generally a lot cheaper than certifications you will earn later in your career: But they can still be quite expensive. So it’s important to make sure that the certification of choice is worth committing to.
Certifications will increase the salary you can earn, and sometimes significantly. But they should be balanced against if the certification is worth it in your career, and if you can financially afford the exam in the first place: As the price we have listed is per attempt of the exam, and if you fail multiple times, the costs quickly add up.
How Long it Takes to Earn
Some of these certifications can take significantly longer to study for and work towards than others. So make sure you consider whether you have the time to commit to studying for and passing the exam before you start.
Your Desired Career Path
The certifications you choose will be greatly influenced by your career goals. For example, for someone working in infrastructure, a new certification in cyber security isn’t going to help them progress, and won’t be worth the time, cost, or effort.
Additionally, specialising in certifications from certain vendors can be more worthwhile than a generalist certification. So while a CompTIA Network+ would be helpful in any networking role, a CCNA would be a better choice if you know you want to work with Cisco systems.
How to Get Started in Your IT Career
Earn a degree in IT or computer science.
Earning a degree in IT is no small undertaking and can take years of your life. It is, however, one of the best and most typical starting points for a career in IT. As a degree gives you a comprehensive and foundational experience in IT.
A degree is by no means an absolute necessity, as there is nothing stopping you from earning certifications and gaining experience that can outstrip how much expertise you would gain from an IT degree… But a degree is still helpful in starting your IT career, with 75% of IT Professionals possessing an IT degree of some form.
Earn an entry-level certification
Earning some relevant entry-level certifications is perhaps the best thing you can do to get started in your IT career. The best entry-level certification for you, may be different than for someone else: Which is why we’re giving you a few different top picks for the very best entry level certification.
The 3 best entry-level certifications for your IT career
So, here’s our personal top three entry-level certifications for your IT career:
- Our top pick for very entry-level IT certification would have to be CompTIA A+. It’s an absolute beginner certification, from the industry-recognised and well-regarded CompTIA and is vendor neutral, meaning you will be able to apply for more entry-level positions.
- Our second choice would have to be the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner. The cloud industry is one of the fastest-growing IT industries in the UK, and Amazon certifications are the most popularly held and pursued IT certifications worldwide: Making this certification a great starting point for your cloud career.
- And lastly is Cisco’s CCNA. One of the more senior certifications on our list, the CCNA is also one of the biggest steps in a career working in networks and infrastructure. Earning your CCNA massively increases your employability, and helps you to earn a larger salary. It’s so good in fact, we’ve written a guide on earning your CCNA here.
Speak to an IT professional or recruitment consultant
If you’re just starting in your IT career, it may be helpful to talk with someone who can give some advice.
Talking with an IT Professional in the industry you work in is a great way to understand the certifications that will actually be a benefit to your career.
Meanwhile a recruiter in your market will be able to give you an overview of the current job market, tell you which certifications are currently the most desired, and point you in the direction of some entry-level IT jobs.
Start with an entry-level job in IT
Of course the best (although sometimes the most difficult) thing you can do is to get some hands-on IT experience in an entry-level IT role.
This could be an entry-level IT Support Engineer, 1st Line Support Technician or Help Desk Engineer role.
Entry-Level Jobs in the IT Industry
The majority of IT jobs require some level of experience, or certifications in lieu of this, as they are widely considered a measurement of your level of expertise. If you are looking to get started in the industry, you can have a look here at the open IT roles we’re currently recruiting for.