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AZ-305 — Azure Solutions Architect Expert

The expert-level certification for professionals who design end-to-end solutions on Azure — compute, network, storage, security, governance and business continuity. The senior step on the Azure path.

Enrol Now — £295
Level
Expert
Format
100% online
Prerequisite
AZ-104 cert
Access
12 months

About this certification

What Is the Microsoft Azure Solutions Architect Expert?

Microsoft’s expert-level certification for professionals who design end-to-end infrastructure solutions on Azure.

The certification explained

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is an expert-level certification for professionals who design and implement solutions that run on Azure — covering compute, networking, storage, security, governance, monitoring and business continuity. This course prepares you for the AZ-305 exam, Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions.

It suits administrators and engineers ready to step up into a design and architecture role, translating business requirements into secure, resilient and cost-effective Azure solutions across an organisation.

To earn the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, Microsoft requires you to hold the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification as well as pass AZ-305. The full path is two exams — AZ-104 then AZ-305 — so we recommend completing AZ-104 first if you have not already.

AZ-305
the design exam this course prepares you for
Expert
level — the senior step on the Azure certification path
Azure
architecture — designing end-to-end infrastructure solutions
Microsoft
awarding body — a globally recognised cloud platform

Is this for me?

This Course Is for You If…

AZ-305 is for experienced Azure professionals ready to move into a design and architecture role.

Azure Administrators Progressing to Architect

Ready to step up from managing Azure to designing the solutions that run on it.

Solution & Cloud Architects

Designing across compute, network, storage and security, and want the Azure expert credential.

Senior Cloud Engineers

Deep hands-on Azure experience and ready to formalise it with an architecture certification.

AZ-104 Holders Advancing

Already certified as an Azure Administrator Associate and ready for the expert step.

Infrastructure Leads

Responsible for infrastructure decisions and want a recognised Azure design qualification.

Designing Enterprise Azure Solutions

Anyone responsible for designing secure, resilient and cost-effective solutions on Azure.

Course structure & curriculum

What You’ll Learn — Module by Module

The course runs across 8 modules built around the four AZ-305 design areas — identity, governance and monitoring; data storage; business continuity; and infrastructure — plus best practices and exam prep. Clear lessons with worked design scenarios throughout.

Introduction to Azure Solution Architecture
The architect’s role · How the AZ-305 exam works · The AZ-104 prerequisite and the path to Expert
~1 hr
Designing Identity, Governance & Monitoring
Microsoft Entra ID and authentication · Governance with management groups and policy · Logging and monitoring solutions
~2 hrs
Designing Data Storage Solutions
Relational and non-relational data · Blob, file and table storage · Data protection and access tiers
~2 hrs
Designing Business Continuity & Disaster Recovery
Backup and recovery · High availability · Replication and failover strategies
~2 hrs
Designing Infrastructure Solutions
Compute solutions · Networking and connectivity · Application architecture and migration
~2 hrs
Designing for Security & Cost
Securing identities, data and networks · Cost optimisation · Balancing security, performance and spend
~1 hr
Architecture Best Practices & the Well-Architected Framework
The five pillars · Reference architectures · Designing resilient, efficient solutions
~1 hr
Exam Preparation & Practice
Case-study practice · Weak-area review · Exam-day readiness
~1 hr

What the course covers

Identity & authentication design

Governance & policy

Monitoring solutions

Relational & non-relational data

Storage accounts & access tiers

Data protection

Backup & recovery design

High availability

Disaster recovery & failover

Compute solutions

Networking & connectivity

Application & migration architecture

Well-Architected Framework

Security & cost optimisation

Reference architectures

Case-study technique

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 case-study practice modelled on the AZ-305 exam, so you build real familiarity with Azure design decisions 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 Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification itself comes from holding AZ-104 and passing the AZ-305 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 exams sorted in one go? You can add the official Microsoft exams (AZ-104 and AZ-305) at checkout with the Include Exams option — sat online or at a Pearson VUE test centre when you’re ready.

In practice

Azure Solution Architecture in the Real World

Organisations rely on well-designed cloud. See where Azure architecture skills make a difference.

Designing Solutions

Turning requirements into Azure architecture

How to translate business and technical requirements into infrastructure, compute, networking and storage designs that fit the organisation. AZ-305 gives you the framework to make and justify those design decisions.

Architecture in action Choosing the right compute and storage options for a workload balances performance, scalability and cost from day one.

Continuity & Resilience

Keeping critical workloads available

How to design backup, high availability and disaster recovery so services survive failures and meet recovery targets. AZ-305 means you can design for resilience across regions and availability zones.

Architecture in action A well-designed replication and failover strategy keeps a critical application running through a regional outage.

Security & Cost

Designing secure, cost-effective solutions

How to secure identities, data and networks while keeping spend under control, guided by the Azure Well-Architected Framework. AZ-305 gives you the grounding to balance security, performance and cost.

Architecture in action Applying governance, identity controls and cost optimisation together keeps an Azure estate both compliant and affordable.

Exam details

About the Microsoft AZ-305 Exam

AZ-305, Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, is sat through Pearson VUE — online with a remote proctor, or at a test centre. To achieve the Azure Solutions Architect Expert badge you must also hold the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification, so the full path is two exams. Both official exams are an optional add-on here via the Include Exams option, and we’ll provide everything you need to book them when you’re ready. AZ-305 covers four design areas: identity, governance and monitoring; data storage; business continuity; and infrastructure solutions.

Exam
AZ-305
Questions
40–60
Format
MC, case studies & labs
Pass mark
700 / 1000
Prerequisite
AZ-104 certification
Exams
Optional add-on (both)

To achieve the Expert badge you must hold the AZ-104 Azure Administrator Associate certification and pass AZ-305. The optional Include Exams add-on covers both official exams — AZ-104 and AZ-305.

What to Expect on Exam Day

The AZ-305 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 lab or scenario-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 AZ-305 — and once you also hold AZ-104, you earn Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert.

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

AZ-305 is the senior step on the Azure path, taking experienced professionals into architecture roles. See where it leads — and the certifications that take you further.

Where You Are Now

AZ-104 / Azure experience

AZ-305 (Architect Expert)

£65k–£85k avg.

You are here

Azure Solutions Architect

£75k–£95k avg.

Senior / Lead Architect

£90k–£115k avg.

Head of Cloud / Principal Architect

£110k–£140k avg.

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

Recommended next certifications

→ Prerequisite — start here

AZ-104 Azure Administrator

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£45k–£60kLearn more →
 → Add security

AZ-500 Azure Security Engineer

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AZ-204 Azure Developer

Build and deploy the cloud applications that run on Azure.

£50k–£70kLearn more →
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AZ-800/AZ-801 Windows Server Hybrid Administrator

Manage hybrid Windows Server environments across on-prem and Azure.

£45k–£65kLearn 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 official exams at checkout when you’re ready.

Course only — right for you if…

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

Course & exam — right for you if…

You want everything sorted in one go. Choose the Include Exams option below to add both official Microsoft exams (AZ-104 and AZ-305) alongside your course.

AZ-305 — Sale Price

£495 £295 inc. VAT Save £200

Everything you need to prepare for the AZ-305 exam. Add both official Microsoft exams (AZ-104 and AZ-305) 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 Exams
Optional — add AZ-104 & AZ-305 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 the Azure Solutions Architect Expert / AZ-305?

Microsoft Certified: Azure Solutions Architect Expert is an expert-level certification for professionals who design end-to-end solutions on Azure — compute, networking, storage, security, governance and business continuity. This course prepares you for the AZ-305 exam, Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions, which is the design exam at the heart of the certification.

Do I need AZ-104 first?

Yes. To earn the Azure Solutions Architect Expert certification, Microsoft requires you to hold the Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104) certification as well as pass AZ-305. The full path is two exams — AZ-104 then AZ-305. If you don't already hold AZ-104, we recommend taking it first; you can still study AZ-305 in parallel.

Are the exams included?

No — the exams are an optional add-on. Choose Include Exams at checkout to add both official Microsoft exams (AZ-104 and AZ-305) to your order, or buy the course now and add them later when you're ready. Both exams are booked and sat through Pearson VUE, online with a proctor or at a test centre.

Who is this course for?

Experienced Azure professionals ready to step into a design and architecture role — Azure administrators progressing to architect, solution and cloud architects, senior cloud engineers, AZ-104 holders advancing, and infrastructure leads designing enterprise Azure solutions.

How long does the course take?

Most learners work through AZ-305 over 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.

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

Become an Azure
architect today.

Join the UK professionals who chose Career Smarter. Flexible, affordable, and built around Microsoft’s expert-level Azure architecture certification — the senior step on the Azure path.

£295inc. VAT

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

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