Cloud Engineer
From computer fundamentals to a job-ready cloud engineer. Master AWS and Azure, build real cloud infrastructure, train live, and graduate with a British certificate. No prior experience required.
- 6 months
- 408 learning hours
- Live
- Small capped cohort
Not ready to enrol? and our team will reach out.
Live every session
Never recorded. Never self-paced.
Small capped cohort
Limited places, kept personal.
Fits your job
Morning, evening, or weekend slots.
British certificate
UKPRN 10101097. Verifiable online.
Pay monthly or in full
Small registration holds your seat.
At a glance
Duration
6 months
Cohort size
Small, focused group
Delivery
Live, instructor-led
Live time each week
7 hours (plus self-study)
Level
Beginner to Job-Ready
Cohort status
Enrolling now
Delivery model: 2 weekday sessions (2 hours each) plus 1 weekend session (3 hours) = 7 hours per week of live, instructor-led teaching.
Overview
A six-month career bootcamp that takes you from zero to a job-ready cloud engineer. Delivered live in small capped cohorts, around your existing job, covering computing foundations, Linux and networking, AWS core services and architecture, plus Azure, containers, and Infrastructure as Code. Graduate with a British certificate you can verify online.
Your journey
From foundations to job-ready
Six months, one clear path, built one stage at a time.
- 1Foundations
- 2Linux and Networking
- 3AWS Core
- 4AWS Architecture
- 5Azure and Automation
- 6Job ready
Curriculum
What you will learn, month by month
Six months of live teaching and guided labs, building from computer basics to a job-ready security engineer.
01Month 01Start from zeroIT and Computing Foundations
We start at the very beginning. Before you can build in the cloud, you need to understand computing. This month builds real confidence with hardware, operating systems, and the command line, and sets up the tools you will use throughout.
What you will learn
- How computers work: hardware, CPU, memory, storage
- Operating systems and how servers work
- The command line and basic scripting
- How the internet and web services work
- Setting up your cloud development environment and accounts
Hands-on labs
- Set up your working environment and free-tier cloud accounts
- Navigate and manage systems from the command line
- Write your first automation script
- Create and connect to your first virtual machine
Aligned with IT and computing foundations
02Month 02Build the baseLinux, Networking and Cloud Basics
Cloud runs on Linux and networks. This month gives you the Linux administration and networking foundations every cloud engineer needs, and introduces core cloud concepts and the shared responsibility model.
What you will learn
- Linux administration: users, permissions, processes, packages
- Networking: IP, DNS, subnets, firewalls, load balancing
- Core cloud concepts: regions, availability, elasticity
- The shared responsibility model and cloud security basics
- Virtual machines, storage, and networking in the cloud
Hands-on labs
- Administer a Linux server
- Design and build a virtual network in the cloud
- Deploy and secure a virtual machine
- Set up storage and a basic load balancer
Aligned with Linux and cloud networking foundations
03Month 03The number one cloudAWS Core Services
AWS is the most requested cloud skill in job adverts. This month takes you deep into the core AWS services every cloud engineer uses: compute, storage, networking, databases, and identity.
What you will learn
- AWS compute: EC2, auto scaling, Lambda
- AWS storage: S3, EBS, lifecycle and backup
- AWS networking: VPC, subnets, security groups, routing
- AWS databases: RDS and DynamoDB basics
- AWS identity and access management (IAM)
Hands-on labs
- Deploy and scale compute on AWS
- Build a secure VPC from scratch
- Set up storage and a managed database
- Configure IAM users, roles, and policies
Aligned with AWS core services (Solutions Architect Associate)
04Month 04Design real systemsAWS Architecture and Cloud Security
This month you learn to architect complete, resilient, secure systems on AWS, the skills the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification tests and employers most want.
What you will learn
- Designing resilient, highly available architectures
- Scalability, elasticity, and cost optimisation (FinOps)
- Cloud security: encryption, secrets, security groups, WAF
- Monitoring and logging with CloudWatch
- The AWS Well-Architected Framework
Hands-on labs
- Design and build a resilient multi-tier architecture
- Secure a cloud environment end to end
- Set up monitoring, alerts, and logging
- Run a cost optimisation review
Aligned with AWS Solutions Architect Associate (the core certification this prepares you for)
05Month 05Multi-cloud and IaCAzure, Containers and Automation
Multi-cloud engineers earn more. This month adds Azure for enterprise reach, plus the automation and container skills that define a modern cloud engineer: Infrastructure as Code, Docker, and Kubernetes basics.
What you will learn
- Azure core services and how they map to AWS
- Azure administration foundations (AZ-104 style)
- Infrastructure as Code with Terraform
- Containers with Docker
- Container orchestration with Kubernetes basics
Hands-on labs
- Deploy and manage resources in Azure
- Build infrastructure from code with Terraform
- Containerise an application with Docker
- Deploy a container to a managed Kubernetes service
Aligned with Microsoft AZ-104 foundations, Infrastructure as Code
06Month 06Job readyCapstone, Exam Prep and Career Launch
The final month brings everything together. You build a full cloud capstone, prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam, and launch your job search with full career support.
What you will learn
- Design and build a complete cloud solution (capstone)
- Full AWS Solutions Architect Associate revision and mock exams
- Build a portfolio from your capstone and labs
- Get your CV and LinkedIn profile reviewed
- Practise with technical and competency-based mock interviews
Hands-on labs
- Design and build a complete, production-style cloud solution: a resilient, secure, scalable architecture on AWS with Infrastructure as Code, monitoring, and cost control, plus an Azure component. Reviewed and signed off by a senior practitioner, and the centrepiece of your portfolio.
- Full AWS Solutions Architect Associate revision and mock exams
- Build a portfolio from your capstone and labs
Aligned with AWS Solutions Architect Associate exam readiness
Your week
Designed around your job
Two short weekday sessions and one weekend session. Live, every week.
2 weekday sessions
2 hours each, morning or evening
1 weekend session
3 hours
Total
7 hours of live instruction per week
What you will be able to do
- Build and run real infrastructure on AWS and Azure
- Design resilient, secure, cost-optimised cloud architectures
- Administer Linux and cloud networking with confidence
- Automate infrastructure with Terraform and containers with Docker
- Prepare for the AWS Solutions Architect Associate certification
Learning Hours
408 total learning hours
A substantial programme. Live instruction, guided labs, self-study, and a capstone, aligned with Level 4 practitioner outcomes.
168
Live instruction hours
7 hours per week, every week, live
120
Guided lab hours
Hands-on practice in real tools
78
Self-study hours
Reading, preparation, and review
42
Capstone and assessment
Project work and practical sign-off
Total Learning Time
408 hours
Aligned with
Level 4 practitioner outcomes
UK RQF reference. Not a regulated qualification.
Tools
Hands-on with the tools employers use
- Linux
- AWS EC2
- AWS S3
- AWS VPC
- AWS RDS
- AWS IAM
- AWS Lambda
- CloudWatch
- Microsoft Azure
- Terraform
- Docker
- Kubernetes
- Git
Tools are shown for reference and does not imply endorsement or partnership.
Career outcomes
Where this takes you
- Junior Cloud Engineer£30,000 to £45,000
- Cloud Engineer£45,000 to £65,000
- Cloud Support Engineer£35,000 to £50,000
- DevOps Engineer£50,000 to £75,000
- Cloud Architect£70,000 to £100,000
Cloud is the backbone of modern business and among the best paid tech fields.
Salary ranges are indicative market figures, not a guarantee. Actual pay depends on employer, location, and experience.
Certificate
A British certificate that travels
Issued by a UK-registered company and verifiable by any employer, anywhere.
Xcademia Certified Cloud Engineer
Verifiable at xcademia.com/verify
Xcademia Ltd
UKPRN 10101097
London
Authorised signature
- Verify it online anytime with a unique link
- British-issued and employer-ready
- Add it to your LinkedIn profile and CV
Aligned with
This programme is aligned with the following industry standards and certifications. You receive a British certificate from Xcademia, a UK registered learning provider (UKPRN 10101097).
- AWS-first cloud roadmap
- AWS core and architecture
- Azure, Terraform and Docker
- Hands-on labs
Xcademia training is aligned with and prepares you for these certifications. AWS and Microsoft are independent certification bodies. Xcademia is not affiliated with or endorsed by them. Certification exams are booked and funded separately by the learner. Salary ranges are indicative market figures, not a guarantee. Outcome language is job ready, never a guarantee of employment.
Investment
Pay monthly
$899/mo
$349 registration secures your seat and holds your place while the batch forms. Then pay $899 before each month. No lock-in beyond the current month.
Pay in full
$5,394
Pay the full course today and the $349 registration is waived. One payment covers the whole programme, with nothing more to pay each month.
Prices shown in USD for United States, based on your location. On the monthly plan the registration fee is additional to the figures above and is refunded only if the batch never runs. It is waived when you pay in full.
Career+
Go beyond the certificate with one month of focused career support after your bootcamp, when the job search actually happens.
After weeks of coaching and interview practice, you are ready to start applying, and you will not be doing it alone. Our team supports you through the job search: refining your CV, preparing you for real interviews, and keeping you accountable while you go after roles. We cannot promise an offer, but we make sure you walk into every interview as prepared as you can be.
- Job Search Group, during your support month
- Live Interview Support, during your support month
- Technical and Soft Skills Interview Prep, during your support month
- Plus 1 more, see the full breakdown.
$1,299
$1,049
Launch offer
You can join the bootcamp without it.
Ways to book
Three ways to join
Open Batch
Join a forming cohort. Pick your slot. Pay your first month to confirm.
Private Batch
Bring your team. 8 to 20 seats, your organisation only. Single invoice.
Bespoke Programme
Universities, NHS, government, large employers. Custom curriculum. RM6219 Direct Award eligible.
FAQ
Common questions
Do I need any experience?
No. We start from the very beginning, with computing foundations, and take you to job ready. No IT or cloud background is needed.
Which cloud do you teach, AWS or Azure?
Both, AWS first because it is the most requested in job adverts, then Azure for enterprise and government reach. Multi-cloud engineers are in the strongest position and often earn more.
How much time does it take each week?
Seven hours of live instruction: two weekday sessions of two hours and one weekend session of three hours. Plus guided labs and self-study, around fifteen hours a week in total.
Which certification does it prepare me for?
The core certification is the AWS Solutions Architect Associate, the most requested cloud credential. You also get hands-on foundations in Microsoft Azure AZ-104. Exams are booked and funded separately by you.
Will the cloud accounts cost me money?
We use free-tier accounts and show you how to stay within them and control costs. Cost management is part of what you learn as a cloud engineer.
What is the registration fee for?
It secures your seat and holds your place while your batch forms. It is a one-time, non-refundable fee, separate from your course payments. If your batch never runs, it is refunded in full or moved to another batch. It is waived if you pay in full.
Is it recorded?
No. Every session is live with your trainer. Live is how you learn best and how you stay part of a cohort.
Do I get a certificate?
Yes. You graduate as an Xcademia Certified Cloud Engineer, verifiable online at xcademia.com/verify, issued by a UK-registered company.
Can my employer pay?
Yes. We can invoice your company directly with a purchase order. Some UK employers may be eligible to contribute under the Government Skills Bootcamps route.
What is Career+?
Career+ is an optional premium add-on that gives you one month of focused career support after your bootcamp: a job search group, live interview support, and interview prep, plus a one-time repeat seat in a future batch. It is one month of support, not lifetime access, and not a job guarantee. Launch offer 799, normally 999.
Ready to join the next cohort?
Cohorts are kept small and focused so every learner gets live instructor time. Pay $349 registration to confirm your seat, or arrange a private batch for your team.
Xcademia Ltd. Company No. 12322710 · UKPRN 10101097