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DP-900 — Azure Data Fundamentals

A foundational certification proving you understand core data concepts and how relational, non-relational and analytics data work on Microsoft Azure. The ideal first step into cloud data — for technical and non-technical roles alike. No experience required.

Enrol Now — £295
Duration
4–8 weeks
Format
100% online
Prerequisites
None needed
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900)?

Microsoft’s foundational data certification proving you understand core data concepts and how they work on Azure.

The certification explained

Microsoft Azure Data Fundamentals (DP-900) is Microsoft’s entry-level data certification, proving you grasp core data concepts along with how relational, non-relational and analytics data work on Azure. It’s the recognised starting point for cloud data on the Azure platform.

It suits anyone starting out with data — IT staff moving into data roles, business and analyst staff working with data, students and career changers alike. You don’t need a technical background, just an interest in how data works and where it fits in a modern organisation.

There are no prerequisites, so you can enrol and sit the exam without any prior experience. It’s a recognised first step toward the role-based data certifications that follow, such as Power BI Data Analyst (PL-300) and beyond.

DP-900
Microsoft certification — the entry point to cloud data on Azure
0
prerequisites — no experience needed to enrol or sit the exam
Data
fundamentals — core concepts, relational, non-relational and analytics on Azure
Microsoft
awarding body — a globally recognised cloud platform

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

Azure Data Fundamentals suits anyone starting out with data — whether you’re technical or not, DP-900 is the natural first step.

Anyone Starting in Data

Taking your first step into data and want a recognised, achievable foundation to build on.

IT Staff Moving Into Data Roles

Ready to move your IT experience toward data and the Azure data roles that follow.

Business & Analyst Staff

Working with data day to day and want to understand the concepts and platforms behind it.

Students & Graduates

Add a recognised, in-demand data credential to your CV before you start your career.

Career Changers Entering Cloud Data

Moving into data or cloud and want a credible, achievable first qualification to build on.

Future Data Specialists

Anyone preparing for the role-based data certifications such as PL-300 — DP-900 is the recommended starting point.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules built around the four DP-900 skill areas — core data concepts, relational data on Azure, non-relational data on Azure, and analytics workloads on Azure — plus exam prep. Clear lessons with demonstrations throughout.

Introduction to Data & Azure
What data is and why it matters · An introduction to data on Microsoft Azure · How the DP-900 exam works
~1 hr
Core Data Concepts
Relational vs non-relational data · Transactional vs analytical workloads · Common data roles
~2 hrs
Relational Data on Azure
Azure SQL services · Relational database concepts · Querying with SQL
~2 hrs
Non-Relational Data on Azure
Azure Cosmos DB · Azure Storage · Tables, blobs and files
~2 hrs
Working With Data
Provisioning data services · Data security basics · Managing data in the Azure portal
~2 hrs
Analytics Workloads on Azure
Modern data warehousing · Azure Synapse Analytics · Data ingestion and processing
~2 hrs
Data Visualisation & Insight
Reporting and dashboards · An introduction to Power BI · Turning data into insight
~1 hr
Exam Preparation & Practice
Practice questions · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

What data is and why it matters

Relational vs non-relational data

Transactional vs analytical workloads

Common data roles & responsibilities

Batch vs streaming data

How data is stored & described

Azure SQL services

Relational database concepts

Querying with SQL

Azure Cosmos DB

Azure Storage — blobs, files & tables

Provisioning & managing data services

Modern data warehousing

Azure Synapse Analytics

Data ingestion & processing

Data visualisation & Power BI

Practice questions & weak-area review

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 DP-900 exam, so you build real familiarity with Azure data services 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 DP-900 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 DP-900 exam at checkout — sat online or at a Pearson VUE test centre when you’re ready.

In practice

Azure Data Fundamentals in the Real World

Organisations run on data now. See where understanding Azure data fundamentals makes a difference.

Understanding Data

Knowing what data is and why it matters

The difference between relational and non-relational data, transactional versus analytical workloads, and the common data roles in a modern organisation. DP-900 gives you the vocabulary and the concepts to follow any data conversation.

Azure Data Fundamentals in action Understanding how data is structured helps you explain why a team might choose a relational database for one job and a non-relational store for another.

Data on Azure

Speaking confidently about Azure data services

What Azure offers for relational and non-relational data — from Azure SQL to Cosmos DB and Azure Storage — and how these services fit together. DP-900 means you can navigate the Azure portal and discuss data services with technical teams.

Azure Data Fundamentals in action Knowing the core data services lets business and project staff scope and discuss Azure data work without guessing.

Analytics & Insight

Turning data into insight people can act on

How analytics workloads on Azure work — modern data warehousing, Azure Synapse Analytics, data ingestion and processing — and how tools like Power BI turn that data into reports and dashboards. DP-900 gives you the grounding to ask the right questions.

Azure Data Fundamentals in action Understanding analytics and visualisation helps teams move from raw data to dashboards that drive real decisions.

Exam details

About the Microsoft DP-900 Exam

DP-900 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 four skill areas: core data concepts, relational data on Azure, non-relational data on Azure, and analytics workloads on Azure.

Questions
40–60
Format
MC & other types
Pass mark
700 / 1000
Duration
~45 minutes
Prerequisites
None
Exam
Optional add-on

What to Expect on Exam Day

The DP-900 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 45 minutes and roughly 40 to 60 questions, in a mix of formats — multiple choice along with other question types such as drag-and-drop and case-based items.

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 Data Fundamentals.

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
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.
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!

Career Growth Path

Where This Certification Takes You

DP-900 is the first step from any background into cloud data and Azure data roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

Any background — no experience needed

DP-900

£28k–£38k avg.

You are here

Junior Data Analyst

£32k–£45k avg.

Data Analyst / Data Engineer

£45k–£62k avg.

Senior Data Role

£62k–£85k avg.

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

Recommended next certifications

→ Add cloud fundamentals

AZ-900 Azure Fundamentals

The entry-level Azure cloud credential — a natural companion to DP-900.

£28k–£38kLearn more →
 → Go role-based

PL-300 Power BI Data Analyst

Turn data into reports and dashboards — the natural next data cert.

£35k–£50kLearn more →
 → Manage Azure

AZ-104 Azure Administrator

Administer Azure infrastructure, including the data services you run on it.

£45k–£60kLearn more →
 → Browse more

Microsoft Courses

Explore role-based Azure and data certifications to take after DP-900.

View allLearn more →

Go further for less

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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.

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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 DP-900 exam alongside your course.

DP-900 — Sale Price

£395 £295 inc. VAT Save £100

Everything you need to prepare for the DP-900 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 data services
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 DP-900 / Azure Data Fundamentals?

DP-900 is Microsoft Certified: Azure Data Fundamentals — Microsoft's entry-level data certification. It proves you understand core data concepts and how relational, non-relational and analytics data work on Azure. It's the recognised first step into cloud data on the Azure platform, whatever your background.

How long does the course take?

Most learners complete DP-900 in a few weeks 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 DP-900 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?

No. There are no prerequisites for DP-900. It's designed as a starting point, so you can enrol and sit the exam without any prior data or IT experience — whether you're technical or not.

Who is this course for?

Anyone starting out with data — IT staff moving into data roles, business and analyst staff working with data, students, career changers, and anyone who wants the fundamentals. It's also the recommended first step before the role-based data certifications such as PL-300.

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

Start your data
career today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around Microsoft’s entry-level data certification — the ideal first step into cloud data.

£295inc. VAT

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

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Microsoft Certified
No experience needed
Built-in AI tutor
12 months access