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

	IT Apprenticeship	Certification Course
Duration	12–18 months	4–16 weeks
Cost to learner	Free (funded by employer/government)	£599–£1,500 (or from £180 with Skills Bootcamp)
Income during training	Apprenticeship wage (£6.40/hr minimum)	No income (unless studying while working)
Speed to qualification	Slow (12–18 months)	Fast (4–16 weeks)
Work experience	Built-in (1 year+)	None included
Employer demand	Requires employer sponsor	No employer needed

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.

Skills Bootcamp funding removes the biggest barrier to certification courses — cost. If you are employed in England, government funding can cover 70% of your training. Check if you qualify →

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.

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