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Cisco CCNA

CCNA is the foundation of a networking career and the most recognised associate-level networking certification in the world. You’ll learn to configure, verify and troubleshoot real networks — routing, switching, IP, wireless, security and automation. No experience required.

Enrol Now — £195
Duration
6–10 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is Cisco CCNA?

The industry-standard associate-level networking certification that launches a career in networking.

The certification explained

Cisco CCNA is the industry-standard associate-level networking certification, from Cisco — the dominant networking vendor whose equipment runs a huge share of the world’s networks. It validates the practical skills to run real networks, on the kit you’ll meet in the field.

It covers the essentials end to end: network fundamentals; network access and switching; IP connectivity and routing; IP services; security fundamentals; and the automation reshaping how networks are run.

CCNA is built around a single exam — the 200-301 (v1.1) — and there are no formal prerequisites. It’s the most recognised entry credential in networking and the natural launchpad into networking, security and cloud-networking careers.

1
exam to pass — the 200-301 (v1.1)
9
topic areas, from network fundamentals to automation
0
prerequisites — no formal experience required
Cisco
the global standard in networking — the skills employers ask for

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

Cisco CCNA suits anyone moving into networking — whether you’re stepping up from IT support or starting a focused networking career.

Aspiring Network Engineers

Want to move into a networking role and need the certification employers ask for first.

IT Support Moving into Networking

Ready to move from general IT support into a dedicated networking role.

Career Changers

Moving into tech and want a credential that opens the door to networking jobs.

Help Desk / Desktop Staff

Want to add real networking skills to your role — and the pay that comes with them.

Future CCNP / Cisco Pros

CCNA is the foundation before professional-level Cisco certifications like CCNP.

Hands-On Learners

Learn best by doing — practise real network configuration and scenarios as you go.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 10 modules covering all of the 200-301 topic areas, from network fundamentals through to automation, plus final exam prep — around 35 hours of video, with hands-on configuration practice throughout.

Network Fundamentals
Network components · Topologies · Cabling · The TCP/IP and OSI models
~4 hrs
Network Device Management
Accessing and managing Cisco devices · The IOS CLI · Device configuration basics
~3 hrs
Switching
Switch operation · VLANs and trunking · Spanning Tree Protocol · EtherChannel
~5 hrs
Internet Protocol (IP)
IPv4 and IPv6 addressing · Subnetting · Configuring IP on interfaces
~5 hrs
Routing
Static and dynamic routing · OSPF fundamentals · Inter-VLAN routing
~5 hrs
IP Services
DHCP · NAT · NTP · DNS · QoS basics
~3 hrs
Wireless
Wireless principles · WLAN architecture · Configuring and securing wireless
~3 hrs
Security Fundamentals
Threats and defences · Access control · Layer 2 security · VPNs and firewalls
~4 hrs
Automation & Programmability
Network automation concepts · APIs · Controller-based networking · JSON/REST basics
~2 hrs
Exam Preparation & Practice Questions
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

Switch operation

VLANs & trunking

Spanning Tree & EtherChannel

IPv4 & IPv6 addressing

Subnetting

Configuring IP on interfaces

Static & dynamic routing

OSPF fundamentals

Inter-VLAN routing

DHCP & NAT

NTP & DNS

QoS basics

WLAN architecture

Configuring & securing wireless

Access control & Layer 2 security

VPNs & firewalls

Network automation & APIs

JSON/REST & controller-based networking

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, hands-on practice, and support you need to learn the skills properly and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

Full access to all course materials and labs for 12 months. Study on any device, online 24/7. Never lose your progress.

Expert Video Lessons

Clear, on-demand video lessons covering every topic on the CCNA 200-301 exam — learn at your own pace and rewatch as often as you like.

Hands-On Activities & Practice Tests

Guided hands-on activities with real Cisco configuration, plus practice questions modelled on the real 200-301 exam, so you build real skills and walk in knowing what to expect.

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to keep you on track, answer your questions, and help you arrange your exam when you’re ready.

Help when you need it →

Certificate & Digital Badge

Complete the course and you’ll receive a Career Smarter certificate of completion and a shareable digital badge for your LinkedIn and CV. The official Cisco CCNA certification itself comes from passing the exam.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Not the right course? If you change your mind within 14 days of enrolling, we’ll refund you — no fuss.

Risk-free enrolment →

In practice

Cisco CCNA in the Real World

Networks underpin everything. See the kind of work CCNA trains you for.

Configuring Networks

Getting a new network up and running

Setting up switches and routers, assigning IP addressing, bringing interfaces online, verifying connectivity. CCNA teaches you to configure real Cisco devices from the CLI and confirm everything works as it should.

Cisco CCNA in action Knowing the IOS CLI and how addressing fits together means you can stand up a working network and prove it end to end.

Routing & Switching

Making traffic go where it should

VLANs, trunking, static and dynamic routing, inter-VLAN routing. CCNA teaches you how switches and routers move traffic, so you can segment a network, connect sites and troubleshoot when packets don’t arrive.

Cisco CCNA in action Understanding switching and OSPF turns “the network’s down” into a clear, methodical fix.

Securing & Automating

Hardening and modernising the network

Locking down access, applying Layer 2 security, configuring VPNs and firewalls — then using automation and APIs to manage it all at scale. CCNA covers the security fundamentals and the automation reshaping how networks are run.

Cisco CCNA in action Knowing both security fundamentals and automation means you can keep a network safe and manage it efficiently as it grows.

Exam details

About the Cisco CCNA Exam

CCNA is a single exam — the 200-301 (v1.1). Cisco exams are booked and sat through Pearson VUE — online with a proctor, or at a test centre. The course doesn’t include the exam itself, but your account manager can help you arrange it when you’re ready.

Exam
One(200-301)
Format
MC + simulations
Questions
~100–120
Duration
120 minutes
Result
Pass / fail
Booking
We help arrange

What to Expect on Exam Day

The CCNA 200-301 exam is booked and sat through Pearson VUE. You can take it online with a remote proctor, or at a local test centre — whenever you’re ready.

Booking

When you feel ready, your account manager helps you arrange the 200-301 exam and book through Pearson VUE — online or at a test centre near you.

Equipment required

For online testing you need a laptop or desktop (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, a quiet private room, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

You have 120 minutes and roughly 100–120 questions, including simulations that ask you to complete real configuration tasks in a simulated environment — not just multiple choice.

Results

You get your result as soon as you finish, with feedback on how you did across the topic areas. Pass and you’re Cisco CCNA certified.

Rescheduling

If something comes up, you can reschedule through Pearson VUE up to 24 hours before your exam. Your account manager can help if you’re not sure how.

Student reviews

What Our Students Say

4.8

1,247 verified reviews

The majority of students pass first time, based on an internal student survey conducted in May 2026.

5★
80%
4★
15%
3★
5%
2★
0%
1★
0%
Review from Trustpilot
Dominic
I have recently booked the PRINCE2 certification. The process was made extremely easy for me with the help of Lanie, who was the account manager I spoke with. My questions were answered within minutes and the process was sped up thanks to Lanie.
Review from Trustpilot
C L WINCOTT
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

I had a fantastic experience with Career Smarter from start to finish. Before enrolling on the CompTIA A+ course, they took the time to explain everything clearly, including what was included in the package and how the learning would work. I never felt rushed or pressured into making a decision, which I really appreciated.

They also showed me another training package that could be useful if I decide to continue my learning in the future, but there was absolutely no hard sell or constant follow-up. They simply gave me the information and left the decision entirely up to me, which made me feel much more comfortable.

To top it off, they offered me a discount, which was a lovely bonus.

The customer service has been excellent, they're knowledgeable, friendly, and genuinely helpful. Based on my experience so far, I would highly recommend Career Smarter to anyone looking to start or develop a career in IT.

Thank you Lanie for top customer service!
Review from Trustpilot
Nicole D
I was 'talking' to my Chatgpt initially about where I could study Prince2 certifications with Agile (without the price tags that come with most learning providers) - funnily enough it was Chatgpt that led me to look at Career Smarter. So I went there ... I was able to chat online with Lanie who was very clear, helpful and because I was buying several certification courses, she helped me with a reasonable price for the whole lot. I really recommend this company and feel like there will be lots of help and support and I can always contact Lanie for any issues I'm having - I feel confident she will be resolving them!

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

CCNA takes you from any background into dedicated networking roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Any background

Cisco CCNA

£30k–£42k avg.

You are here

Network Engineer

£38k–£52k avg.

Senior Network Engineer

£50k–£68k avg.

Network Architect

£65k–£90k avg.

Cisco powers a huge share of the world’s networks — CCNA is the standard entry credential
CCNA opens the door to networking, security and cloud-networking careers

Recommended next certifications

→ Natural next step

Cisco CCNP

Step up to professional-level networking — the natural progression from CCNA.

£45k–£65kLearn more →
 → Add security

CompTIA Security+

Pair your networking with the baseline security certification.

£35k–£55kLearn more →
 → Go cloud

CompTIA Cloud+

Networks are moving to the cloud — add cloud infrastructure skills.

£40k–£60kLearn more →
 → Broaden the basics

CompTIA Network+

A vendor-neutral networking grounding that complements CCNA.

£30k–£45kLearn more →

Go further for less

Why stop here? Get our entire IT library.

Upgrade to the IT Certification Training Bundle and unlock 12 months’ access to our full range of CompTIA, Cisco and Microsoft certification courses — dozens of certifications for one price. Add the upgrade in one click in the enrolment form below.

Explore the Bundle

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. Add the CCNP pathway at checkout if you want to keep going.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to focus on CCNA first and get certified at the associate level before deciding on your next step.

Course + CCNP pathway — right for you if…

You already know you want to go further. Add the Cisco CCNP course below for £100 — the professional-level step up from CCNA, at a big saving on buying it on its own.

Cisco CCNA — Sale Price

£295 £195 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the 200-301 exam. The exam itself is arranged separately — your account manager helps you book it through Pearson VUE.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Expert Video Lessons
Covering every 200-301 topic area
Hands-On Activities & Practice Questions
Real Cisco configuration & exam-style questions
Exam Arranged Separately
We help you book with Pearson VUE
14-Day Money-Back Guarantee
Change your mind, get a refund
Certificate & Digital Badge
On course completion — shareable & verifiable

Finance available at checkout · 14-day money-back guarantee

Pay Monthly

From £12.4/month

CAREER SMARTER LTD is an Introducer Appointed Representative of Social Money Limited t/a Payl8r who is authorised by the FCA under Ref. Number 675283. Credit is subject to creditworthiness and affordability assessments. Missed payments may affect your credit file, future borrowing and incur fees. Representative Example: £440.00 over 12 months at 2.50% fixed per month. Rep APR 65.5%. Monthly: £47.67. Total repayable: £572.04. 0% interest rate applies only where the loan is repaid in full within 3 months.

Team & Corporate

Bulk discounts available

Training 3 or more employees? Get volume pricing, a dedicated account manager, and custom reporting.

Talk to Our Team

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions

Everything you need to know before you enrol.

Is Cisco CCNA recognised by employers?

Yes — CCNA is the standard networking certification and one of the most recognised IT certifications in the world. Cisco equipment runs a huge share of the world's networks, so the skills CCNA proves are exactly what networking employers look for.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete it in 6–10 weeks at around 1–2 hours a day — roughly 35 hours in total. There's no time limit: you have 12 months' access, so you can study at whatever pace suits you.

How do I take the exam?

CCNA is a single exam — the 200-301 — booked and sat through Pearson VUE, online with a proctor or at a test centre. The course doesn't include the exam voucher, but your account manager helps you arrange it when you're ready.

Do I need any prior experience?

No. There are no formal prerequisites for CCNA. The course starts from network fundamentals and builds up, so you can take it even if you're completely new to networking.

What comes after CCNA?

The natural next step is Cisco CCNP — the professional-level certification that builds on everything you learn in CCNA. You can add the CCNP course here at checkout for a saving, or come back to it once you're CCNA certified.

How does finance at checkout work?

At checkout you can choose flexible finance options to spread the cost. You'll gain immediate full access to all course materials and activities as soon as your first payment is confirmed.

Start Today

Build networks
that work today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around the world’s leading networking certification.

£195inc. VAT

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