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AZ-104 — Microsoft Azure Administrator

The core certification for Azure administrators — managing identities, storage, compute, networking and monitoring across Azure. The natural next step after Azure Fundamentals and the foundation for higher Azure roles.

Enrol Now — £295
Duration
6–10 weeks
Format
100% online
Level
Associate level
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is the Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)?

Microsoft’s core certification for Azure administrators — the operational skills to manage Azure environments day to day.

The certification explained

Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) is the core operations certification for Azure. It proves you can manage Azure identities and governance, implement and manage storage, deploy and manage compute resources, configure virtual networking, and monitor and maintain Azure resources.

It suits IT professionals already working with Azure or moving into it — administrators, sysadmins and cloud support engineers who keep cloud infrastructure running. The focus is hands-on: the everyday tasks an Azure administrator performs across a live environment.

There’s no formal prerequisite, but around six months of Azure administration experience — or the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification — is recommended. It’s the natural next step after Fundamentals and the foundation for higher Azure architect and engineer roles.

AZ-104
Microsoft certification — the core Azure operations credential
Associate
level — a role-based certification for working Azure administrators
Azure
administration — identities, storage, compute, networking and monitoring
Microsoft
awarding body — a globally recognised cloud platform

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

AZ-104 suits IT professionals working with — or moving into — Azure who want to prove they can run cloud environments day to day.

Azure Administrators

Already managing Azure and ready to validate your skills with the core role-based certification.

IT Pros Managing Cloud Infrastructure

Responsible for cloud environments and want to formalise your Azure operations expertise.

Sysadmins Moving to Azure

Bringing on-premises administration experience across to the Azure cloud platform.

AZ-900 Holders Progressing

Took Azure Fundamentals and ready for the role-based certification that comes next.

Cloud Support Engineers

Supporting Azure environments and want deeper, certified administration skills.

Future Architects & Engineers

Targeting Azure architect or engineer roles — AZ-104 is the foundation those build on.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules built around the five AZ-104 skill areas — identities and governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, and monitoring — plus automation and exam prep. Clear lessons with hands-on demonstrations throughout.

Introduction to Azure Administration
The Azure administrator role · Portal, CLI & PowerShell · How the AZ-104 exam works
~1 hr
Managing Identities & Governance
Microsoft Entra ID objects · Role-based access control (RBAC) · Subscriptions and governance
~3 hrs
Implementing & Managing Storage
Secure storage · Storage accounts & management · Azure Files and Blob Storage
~3 hrs
Deploying & Managing Compute
Virtual machines & availability · Containers · Azure App Service
~3 hrs
Configuring & Managing Virtual Networking
Virtual networks & access security · Load balancing · On-premises connectivity
~3 hrs
Monitoring & Backup
Azure Monitor · Alerts and metrics · Backup and recovery
~2 hrs
Automation & Governance
ARM templates · Azure Policy · Tags and resource organisation
~2 hrs
Exam Preparation & Practice
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

Microsoft Entra ID objects

Role-based access control (RBAC)

Subscriptions & governance

Storage accounts & security

Azure Files

Azure Blob Storage

Virtual machines

High availability & scaling

Containers & App Service

Virtual networks

Load balancing & access security

On-premises connectivity

Azure Monitor

Alerts & metrics

Backup & recovery

Automation & Azure Policy

Practice questions

Exam-day readiness

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.

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 →

Hands-On Practice & Labs

Guided hands-on labs and practice questions modelled on the AZ-104 exam, so you build real familiarity administering Azure 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 Microsoft AZ-104 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 →

Want your certification sorted in one go? You can add your official Microsoft AZ-104 exam at checkout — sat online or at a Pearson VUE test centre when you’re ready.

In practice

Azure Administration in the Real World

Organisations run on Azure now. See where the skills of a certified Azure administrator make a difference.

Identity & Access

Controlling who can access what in Azure

Managing Microsoft Entra ID users and groups, assigning role-based access control so people have exactly the permissions they need, and organising subscriptions and governance. AZ-104 gives you the skills to keep an Azure tenant secure and well-managed.

Azure administration in action Using RBAC to grant a contractor access to a single resource group keeps the rest of the environment locked down.

Compute & Networking

Deploying and connecting Azure workloads

Provisioning virtual machines, containers and App Service apps, then wiring them together with virtual networks, load balancers and secure access. AZ-104 means you can stand up and connect the infrastructure an organisation runs on.

Azure administration in action Placing VMs behind a load balancer across availability zones keeps an application online even if one zone fails.

Monitoring & Resilience

Keeping Azure environments healthy and recoverable

Using Azure Monitor to track metrics and raise alerts, configuring backup and recovery, and automating routine tasks with policy and templates. AZ-104 gives you the tools to spot problems early and recover quickly.

Azure administration in action An alert on CPU spikes plus a tested backup means issues are caught and recovered before they hit users.

Exam details

About the Microsoft AZ-104 Exam

AZ-104 is a single exam, sat through Pearson VUE — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre. It’s an optional add-on here: add your official Microsoft exam at checkout, and we’ll provide everything you need to book it when you’re ready. The exam covers five skill areas: managing identities and governance, implementing and managing storage, deploying and managing compute, configuring virtual networking, and monitoring and maintaining Azure resources.

Exam
AZ-104
Questions
40–60
Format
MC, case studies & labs
Pass mark
700 / 1000
Recommended
~6 mths Azure / AZ-900
Exam
Optional add-on

What to Expect on Exam Day

The AZ-104 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 add the exam and feel ready, your account manager helps you get set up 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 around 120 minutes and roughly 40 to 60 questions, in a mix of formats — multiple choice along with case studies and hands-on lab tasks performed in a live Azure environment.

Results

You get your score on a 1–1000 scale as soon as you finish. Score 700 or above and you’ve passed — you’ll be Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate.

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
Taylor Kane sheeran
I was very unsure about what i was doing and didnt have any understanding of the course i was enrolling. Sandy has been very helpful in talking me through the process and putting at ease.
Review from Trustpilot
Rj
Sandy has been extremely helpful, even before purchasing the course. She answered all my questions and helped me make a decidion and even after the purchase, she has continued to help me.
She is speedy with response and a pleasure to speak with.
Review from Trustpilot
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.

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

AZ-104 is the core credential that moves you into Azure administration and beyond. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

AZ-900 or an IT background

AZ-104

£40k–£55k avg.

You are here

Azure Administrator

£48k–£62k avg.

Cloud Engineer

£58k–£75k avg.

Cloud Architect

£75k–£95k avg.

Cloud skills are among the most sought-after in IT
Azure is one of the leading cloud platforms used by organisations worldwide

Recommended next certifications

→ Start here

AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals

New to Azure? The entry-level certification to take before AZ-104.

£28k–£38kLearn more →
 → Step up to architect

AZ-305 Azure Solutions Architect Expert

Design Azure solutions — the expert-level step after administration.

£75k–£95kLearn more →
 → Specialise in security

AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer

Secure Azure environments — a natural specialism for administrators.

£60k–£80kLearn more →
 → Move into development

AZ-204 Azure Developer

Build and deploy cloud apps — the developer route across Azure.

£55k–£75kLearn more →

Go further for less

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Pricing

Simple, Transparent Pricing

One course, no hidden extras. Add your exam voucher at checkout when you’re ready.

Course only — right for you if…

You want to study first and buy your exam voucher later, or you already have a way to fund the exam (for example through an employer).

Course & exam — right for you if…

You want everything sorted in one go. Choose the Include Exam option below to add your official Microsoft AZ-104 exam alongside your course.

AZ-104 — Sale Price

£395 £295 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the AZ-104 exam. Add your official Microsoft exam at checkout when you’re ready.

12 Months Course Access
Study anytime, on any device, 24/7
Built-In AI Tutor
24/7 AI help while you study
Hands-On Practice & Labs
Build real familiarity with Azure
Official Exam
Optional — add at checkout, sat via 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 £18.75/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.

What is AZ-104 / Azure Administrator?

AZ-104 is Microsoft Certified: Azure Administrator Associate — Microsoft's core role-based certification for Azure administrators. It proves you can manage Azure identities and governance, storage, compute, virtual networking, and monitoring across a live Azure environment.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete AZ-104 in a couple of months alongside other commitments. There's no time limit: you have 12 months' access, so you can study at whatever pace suits you.

Is the exam included?

The course doesn't include the exam by default — it's an optional add-on. Choose Include Exam at checkout to add your official Microsoft AZ-104 exam, or buy the course now and add it later when you're ready. You book and sit the exam through Pearson VUE, online with a proctor or at a test centre.

Do I need any prior experience?

There's no formal prerequisite for AZ-104, but Microsoft recommends around six months of hands-on Azure administration experience, or the AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals certification, before you sit it. The course is built to take you from those foundations to exam-ready.

Who is this course for?

IT professionals working with — or moving into — Azure: Azure administrators, sysadmins making the move to the cloud, cloud support engineers, and AZ-900 holders ready for a role-based certification. It's also the foundation for those targeting Azure architect or engineer roles.

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.

Start Today

Advance your Azure
career today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around Microsoft’s core Azure administrator certification — the foundation for higher Azure roles.

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

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Microsoft Certified
Associate level
Built-in AI tutor
12 months access