CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist

About this qualification

What Is CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist?

A vendor-neutral, globally recognised developer certification in modern front-end web development.

The qualification explained

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist is a vendor-neutral, globally recognised developer certification in modern front-end development. It covers HTML5 structure and APIs — including canvas, geolocation, storage, audio/video and forms — together with advanced CSS3 for layouts, transitions, animations and responsive design, plus JavaScript integration.

You’ll learn to build responsive, interactive, standards-based sites and web apps using current web technologies. The course combines interactive course materials, lessons, exercises and practice tests so you build real, job-ready skills rather than just theory.

It’s part of the CIW Web Development Professional pathway. A working grounding in HTML and CSS is recommended before you start, making this an ideal step up for those who already know the basics and want to develop professional front-end skills.

1D0-720

the official CIW exam for this specialist certification

HTML5 + CSS3

modern front-end development with JavaScript integration

CIW

a globally recognised, vendor-neutral awarding body

Specialist

a professional-level front-end developer credential

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

This specialist certification suits anyone building modern front-end skills — whether you’re formalising experience or levelling up from the basics.

Front-End Developers

Building websites and web apps and want a recognised credential that proves your modern HTML5 and CSS3 skills.

Web Designers Going Pro

Already designing for the web and ready to move into professional, standards-based front-end development.

CIW JavaScript Specialist Holders

Already hold the JavaScript Specialist credential and want to round out your front-end skills with advanced HTML5 and CSS3.

Site Development Associate Holders

Built your foundation with the Site Development Associate qualification and want to progress to specialist level.

Career Changers Into Web Dev

Moving into web development from another field and want a recognised credential to open the door.

Self-Taught Front-Enders

Learned HTML and CSS on your own and want a formal, vendor-neutral certification to validate your skills.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course is structured across 7 modules, building your skills progressively — from modern web standards through HTML5 APIs and advanced CSS3 to exam preparation. Total study time is approximately 25–30 hours.

Introduction & Modern Web Standards

The modern web · Standards-based development · How HTML5, CSS3 & JavaScript fit together · The CIW Web Development Professional path

~3 hrs

HTML5 Structure & Semantics

Semantic markup · Document structure · Accessibility · Best practices for clean, standards-based HTML5

~4 hrs

HTML5 APIs

Forms & validation · Audio & video media · Canvas · Web storage · Geolocation

~5 hrs

CSS3 Styling & Selectors

Advanced CSS3 techniques · Selectors · Typography · Colour, backgrounds & visual effects

~4 hrs

CSS3 Layout, Responsive Design & Animation

Modern layouts · Responsive & mobile-first design · Transitions · Animations

~5 hrs

Integrating JavaScript & APIs

Introduction to JavaScript · Events, functions & methods · Connecting JavaScript to HTML5 APIs · Interactivity

~5 hrs

Exam Preparation & Practice

Exam technique · Full-length practice tests · Weak-area review · Final revision checklist

~4 hrs

All learning outcomes covered

HTML5 Structure & APIs

Semantic HTML5 structure and markup

Developing and validating HTML5 forms

Audio and video media APIs

The HTML5 canvas API

Web storage

Geolocation

Completing, submitting and validating user input

Advanced CSS3 & Responsive Design

CSS3 technology and the CSS3 specification

Advanced CSS3 techniques and selectors

Modern CSS3 layouts

Responsive, mobile-first design

CSS3 transitions

CSS3 animation

Typography, colour and visual effects

Integration & Practice

Introduction to JavaScript

JavaScript events, functions and methods

Integrating JavaScript with HTML5 APIs

Building interactive, standards-based web apps

Copyright, ethics and legal considerations

Project management and critical thinking

Exam preparation and practice tests

What’s included

Everything You Need to Succeed

Each course includes the materials, practice, and support you need to build real front-end skills and walk into the exam ready.

12 Months Course Access

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

Full Exam Preparation

Your course fully prepares you for the official CIW Advanced HTML5 and CSS3 Specialist exam (1D0-720), which is sat separately with CIW — currently around US$175. We arrange the booking for you when you’re ready.

Exam details →

Built-In AI Tutor

An AI-powered tutor built right into your course — ask it anything, any time, and get clear, instant explanations of tricky topics 24/7.

Meet your AI tutor →

Account Manager Support

A dedicated account manager to help with your studies, exam booking, and any questions along the way.

Certificate & Digital Badge

On completion, receive a verifiable certificate and digital badge to share directly on LinkedIn and your CV.

Shareable & verifiable →

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Enrol with confidence. If the course isn’t right for you, you’re covered by our 14-day money-back guarantee.

In practice

HTML5 & CSS3 in the Real World

Modern front-end skills power the web across every kind of project. See how HTML5 and CSS3 apply in practice.

Responsive Websites

Rebuilding a fixed-width site as a responsive, mobile-first experience

A business site that looked great on desktop fell apart on phones, where most of its traffic came from. Using advanced CSS3 — modern layouts, media queries and a mobile-first approach — the front-end team rebuilt the interface to adapt fluidly to any screen. Semantic HTML5 structure improved both accessibility and search visibility, while CSS3 transitions added polish without heavy scripts.

HTML5 & CSS3 in action Switching to a responsive, mobile-first build improved usability on phones and tablets, reducing bounce rates and making the site easier for everyone to use.

Exam details

About the CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist Exam

The official CIW exam (1D0-720) is sat separately online with CIW — currently around US$175 — and we arrange the booking when you’re ready. Simply contact your account manager and we’ll take care of it.

Exam

1D0-720

Questions

56

Format

Multiple choice

Pass mark

75%

Duration

75 minutes

Mode

Online(via CIW)

Exam

Sat separately

What to Expect on Exam Day

You sit the exam online through CIW’s remote proctoring platform. Here’s the full process, from booking to results.

Booking

When you feel ready, contact your account manager. We handle the booking with CIW and confirm your exam date, time, and joining instructions — usually within 5–10 working days.

Equipment required

You need a laptop or desktop computer (not a mobile or tablet), a working webcam and microphone, and a stable internet connection.

On the day

Log in 15 minutes before your scheduled start. The invigilator will verify your identity using photo ID and ask you to scan your room. The 75-minute timer then begins. No notes or materials are permitted.

Results

You get a provisional pass or fail result as soon as you finish. Your official CIW certification follows within a few working days, confirming your specialist credential.

Rescheduling

If you need to reschedule, contact us at least 48 hours before your exam time. We will arrange a new date at no additional charge.

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%

Kira

Lanie has been amazing. She talked me through all the different courses that can help me get into the IT world and now I’m doing my second course with Career Smarter I would highly recommend them if you want to get into IT they always get back to you on the same day when you make your enquiries and they are very helpful.

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.

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!

Career Growth Path

Where This Qualification Takes You

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist is your launchpad into professional front-end work. See the roles it unlocks — and the qualifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

HTML/CSS basics

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist

£30k–£45k avg.

You are here

Front-End Developer

£35k–£52k avg.

Senior Front-End Developer

£52k–£70k avg.

Lead / UI Engineer

£65k–£90k avg.

HTML5 and CSS3 are core skills for virtually every front-end role

Demand for modern front-end developers remains strong across industries

Recommended next certifications

→ Add scripting

CIW JavaScript Specialist

Add programming to your front-end skills — master JavaScript to build dynamic, interactive web applications.

→ Design interfaces

CIW User Interface Designer

Design effective, user-centred interfaces and apply UX principles to create better web experiences.

→ Web build foundation

CIW Site Development Associate

Build a solid foundation in web development fundamentals — the entry point to the CIW web series.

→ Add multimedia

CIW Multimedia Specialist

Bring audio, video and rich media into your sites — round out your front-end skillset with multimedia.

Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course. Everything included. No hidden extras.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to focus on advanced HTML5 and CSS3, gain the specialist certification, and master modern, standards-based front-end development.

Add JavaScript Specialist (£150)

Add our full CIW JavaScript Specialist course for just £150. Advanced HTML5/CSS3 plus JavaScript takes you toward the CIW Web Development Professional pathway.

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist — Sale Price

£295 £195 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to gain your CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist certification — with full preparation for the official exam (sat separately).

Full Exam Preparation

1D0-720 sat separately — we arrange the booking

12 Months Course Access

Study anytime, on any device, 24/7

Built-In AI Tutor

24/7 AI help while you study

Account Manager Support

A dedicated contact for your studies and exam

Certificate & Digital Badge

Share on LinkedIn immediately on completion

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

Enrol with complete confidence

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 the CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist certification recognised?

Yes — CIW is a globally recognised, vendor-neutral certification body for web and IT skills. When you pass, you earn an official CIW certification that's recognised by employers worldwide and demonstrates professional-level, standards-based front-end development skills.

Is the exam included?

No. The course covers your full training and exam preparation. The official CIW exam (1D0-720) is sat separately with CIW and paid for directly — it’s not included in the course price. We’ll help you arrange the booking when you’re ready.

Do I need to know HTML and CSS first?

A working grounding in HTML and CSS is recommended before you start. This is an advanced, specialist-level certification that builds on the fundamentals — so if you're brand new to the web, the CIW Site Development Associate course is a better starting point.

How long does it take?

Most students complete the course in around 4–6 weeks studying 1–2 hours per day. There is no time limit — you have 12 months access, so you can study at whatever pace suits your lifestyle.

What is the CIW Web Development Professional pathway?

The CIW Web Development Professional is a series of complementary specialist certifications covering modern web development. Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist sits alongside the CIW JavaScript Specialist — together they take you toward professional, full front-end capability.

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 as soon as your first payment is confirmed.

CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist

What Is CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist?

The qualification explained

This Course Is for You If…

Front-End Developers

Web Designers Going Pro

CIW JavaScript Specialist Holders

Site Development Associate Holders

Career Changers Into Web Dev

Self-Taught Front-Enders

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

All learning outcomes covered

Everything You Need to Succeed

12 Months Course Access

Full Exam Preparation

Built-In AI Tutor

Account Manager Support

Certificate & Digital Badge

14-Day Money-Back Guarantee

HTML5 & CSS3 in the Real World

Rebuilding a fixed-width site as a responsive, mobile-first experience

Adding rich interactivity with HTML5 APIs and JavaScript

Building a fast, standards-based checkout front-end

About the CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist Exam

What to Expect on Exam Day

Booking

Equipment required

On the day

Results

Rescheduling

What Our Students Say

Where This Qualification Takes You

CIW JavaScript Specialist

CIW User Interface Designer

CIW Site Development Associate

CIW Multimedia Specialist

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Frequently Asked Questions

Is the CIW Advanced HTML5 & CSS3 Specialist certification recognised?

Is the exam included?

Do I need to know HTML and CSS first?

How long does it take?

What is the CIW Web Development Professional pathway?

How does finance at checkout work?

Master modernfront-end today.

Master modern
front-end today.