Cisco Courses
Build the networking skills employers actually hire for. Study Cisco CCNA to break into networking, then progress to CCNP — online, at your own pace, with full preparation for the official Cisco exams.
Online Cisco Training
Choose Your Cisco Course
Both courses include the official Cisco exam and are studied entirely online. New to networking? Start with CCNA — it’s the foundation CCNP builds on.
Entry Level
Cisco Certified Network Associate (CCNA)
The certification that gets you into networking. CCNA covers network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security basics and automation — the skills behind IT support and junior network roles.
Advanced Level
Cisco Certified Network Professional (CCNP)
The next step for working network professionals. CCNP goes deeper into enterprise networking, security and infrastructure — the level that moves you into senior network engineer roles.
Side-by-side comparison
CCNA vs CCNP — What’s the Difference?
Not sure which Cisco course is right for you? This comparison covers the key differences to help you choose.
| Feature | CCNA | CCNP | CCNA & CCNP Bundle |
|---|---|---|---|
| Level | Associate — entry level | Professional | Associate then Professional |
| Who it’s for | Anyone new to networking | Those with CCNA-level knowledge or experience | Anyone wanting the full pathway |
| Prerequisites | None | CCNA or equivalent experience recommended | None — start at the beginning |
| Exam(s) | Single exam (200-301) | Core exam plus one concentration exam | Covers both certifications |
| Focus | Network fundamentals, IP connectivity, security basics, automation | Enterprise networking, security, infrastructure | Fundamentals through to professional level |
| Study mode | Online · self-paced | Online · self-paced | Online · self-paced |
| Official exam | Booked separately via Pearson VUE | Booked separately via Pearson VUE | Booked separately via Pearson VUE |
| Current price (sale) | £195 was £295 | £195 was £295 | £345 was £490 |
In every Cisco course
What’s Included in Every Cisco Course
Every Cisco course at Career Smarter comes with a full suite of study tools and support to get you exam-ready.
Full Exam Preparation
Comprehensive coverage of the exam objectives with practice questions, so you sit the official Cisco exam ready. The exam itself is booked separately through Pearson VUE.
Online & Self-Paced Learning
Access your full course online, 24 hours a day — on desktop or mobile. Study around work and family with no fixed schedule or classroom to attend.
Hands-On Lab Practice
Networking sticks when you configure it yourself. Practise switching, routing and troubleshooting in a lab environment, not just from the page.
Dedicated Account Manager
A dedicated Account Manager is on hand to help you plan your study, answer questions and keep you on track from enrolment through to exam day.
Payl8r Payment Plans
Spread the cost over several months with Payl8r finance, so you can start studying now and pay in manageable instalments.
Digital Badge & Certificate
On passing your official Cisco exam, you receive a verifiable digital badge and certificate you can add directly to your LinkedIn profile and CV.
Is Cisco right for me?
Who Should Study Cisco?
Cisco certifications are the industry standard for networking. They suit anyone who wants a hands-on, infrastructure-focused IT career.
Career Changers Into IT
CCNA is one of the clearest routes into a networking career, with no formal prerequisites and skills that map straight to entry-level jobs.
IT Support Technicians
Support staff who want to specialise in networks and move into network administration or engineering roles.
Network Engineers
Working network professionals ready to formalise their experience and progress from associate to professional level with CCNP.
Career Changers
People moving into IT from another field. CCNA has no formal prerequisites and its skills map straight to entry-level networking roles.
Help Desk & Junior IT Staff
Those in first-line or desktop support who want to move up into networking and demonstrate real, configuration-level skill.
Aspiring Cloud & Security Specialists
Cloud and security both sit on top of networks. A solid Cisco foundation makes the move into those specialisms far easier later on.
Everything you need to know
Cisco Exam Details
Cisco exams are delivered through Pearson VUE, either online with remote proctoring or at a test centre.
CCNA (200-301)
CCNP Enterprise
Exam Preparation Tips
Why Cisco Certifications Matter
Cisco builds much of the networking hardware the internet runs on, and its certifications are the most widely recognised proof of networking skill in the industry. When an employer sees CCNA on a CV, they know exactly what you can do — configure switches and routers, troubleshoot connectivity, and understand how a network actually fits together.
Networking is also one of the more durable IT skills. Cloud, security and automation all sit on top of networks, so the fundamentals you learn for CCNA stay relevant even as the tools around them change.
CCNA or CCNP — Which First?
If you’re new to networking, start with CCNA. It’s the foundation, it has no prerequisites, and it’s the certification most entry-level networking adverts ask for. Only move to CCNP once you have CCNA-level knowledge or real networking experience — it goes considerably deeper and assumes the basics are already second nature.
How It Compares to CompTIA Network+
People often weigh CCNA against CompTIA Network+. Network+ is vendor-neutral and slightly broader at an introductory level; CCNA is Cisco-specific and goes deeper into real configuration. Many people do Network+ first for the concepts, then CCNA for the job-ready Cisco skills. You can compare the vendor-neutral option on our CompTIA courses page.
Choosing a Cisco Course Provider
Career Smarter is a UK Registered Learning Provider. Both Cisco courses are studied entirely online and come with full exam preparation and the practice material you need to prepare with confidence. The official Cisco exams are sat separately through Pearson VUE.
How Much Does Cisco Certification Cost?
There are two costs to plan for: your training and the official exam. At Career Smarter both Cisco courses are £195 during the current sale, and the combined CCNA and CCNP bundle is £345. The official Cisco exam fee is separate and paid to Cisco through Pearson VUE when you book. If you’d rather spread the training cost, Payl8r payment plans let you pay in instalments.
Cisco Careers — Where It Can Take You
CCNA opens the door to roles such as network technician, network administrator and junior network engineer, and it strengthens any IT support CV. With experience and CCNP behind you, the natural progression is towards network engineer, network architect and infrastructure roles. Because networking underpins cloud, security and automation, Cisco skills also give you a solid platform to specialise further down the line.
Related Courses
Networking pairs naturally with broader IT and service management skills. You may also want to explore:
- CompTIA courses — including Network+, Security+ and A+
- ITIL® courses — IT service management for networked environments
Need advice?
Not sure whether to start with CCNA or Network+? Our team can help you choose.
020 3130 4909Common questions
Cisco Courses — Frequently Asked Questions
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Ready to Start Your Networking Career?
Begin with CCNA and gain the Cisco skills UK employers ask for. Full exam preparation. Study at your pace.
Career Smarter is a United Kingdom Registered Learning Provider, reference 10092087. Cisco® and CCNA® are registered trademarks of Cisco Systems, Inc.