IT Apprenticeships vs Training Courses: Which is Better in London?

If you want to get into IT in London, you have two main routes: an IT apprenticeship (earn while you learn, takes 12–18 months) or a certification course (faster, more focused, typically 4–16 weeks). Both work — but for different people and different situations.

The key differences

When to choose an apprenticeship

• You are under 25 and have no income obligations
• You can afford to earn apprenticeship wages for 12–18 months
• You have time to search for an employer willing to sponsor you
• You want structured on-the-job training alongside your qualifications

When to choose a certification course

• You need to be in a proper IT role within 3–6 months
• You are currently employed and can study alongside your job
• You are a career changer who cannot afford 12+ months on apprenticeship wages
• You want to choose exactly which qualification to target (not dictated by employer)

The reality of IT apprenticeships in London

IT apprenticeships in London sound appealing but come with real practical challenges. Finding an employer willing to sponsor an apprenticeship takes time — typically 2–6 months of searching. The qualification at the end (typically a Level 3 or Level 4 qualification) may or may not align with the industry certifications employers actually advertise for (CompTIA, Cisco, AWS).

The reality of certification courses

A CompTIA A+ training course at eStudyIT takes 3–4 months and costs £599 (or from £180 with Skills Bootcamp funding for employed adults). After passing, you are immediately competitive for IT support roles at £22k–£32k in London. You can start the course without finding an employer first.

The verdict

For most London adults looking to change careers into IT, a certification course is faster, more flexible and leads to better-recognised qualifications. Apprenticeships make more sense for school leavers who have time and cannot fund their own training. If cost is the barrier, Skills Bootcamp funding makes certification courses nearly as affordable as apprenticeships.

All articles • Free career test