Cloud Computing - First Steps (Preparation for AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner)

Understand AWS Cloud — Your First Step into Cloud Careers

Cloud computing skills are in high demand—but where do you start? This beginner-friendly course introduces you to Amazon Web Services (AWS), giving you a clear and practical understanding of how the cloud works in real businesses.

Designed for complete beginners, this course breaks down complex cloud concepts into simple, relatable examples. You’ll learn not just what AWS services are, but why they matter and how organisations use them to scale, innovate, and save costs.

Throughout the course, you’ll explore:

• Core cloud concepts and the real value of moving to the cloud
• Key AWS services and how they fit together
• Cloud security and the shared responsibility model
• Billing, pricing, and how organisations manage cloud costs
• AWS support and how businesses keep systems running smoothly

Aligned to the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner exam, this course helps you build confidence in cloud fundamentals while preparing for further AWS study and certification.

By the end, you’ll understand how AWS works in the real world—and be ready to earn the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification (not included in this course) and take your next step into a career in cloud computing.

• Explain cloud benefits such as scalability, availability, pay-as-you-go and global reach
• Understand core AWS services at beginner level, including EC2, S3, VPC, IAM and RDS
• Describe the AWS shared responsibility model and basic cloud security practices
• Compare common cloud deployment and service models using simple examples
• Read basic AWS pricing, billing tools and support plan options
• Recognise how AWS Regions, Availability Zones and edge locations support reliability

You will need to be eligible to study in the UK. Upon enrolment, you will be asked to upload residency and income documents for college funding purposes.

This course is for adults aged 19+ who are GLA residents.

FREE unless earning over £28,860.00pa (then £90)

You will be ready to take the AWS Certified Cloud Practitioner certification (not included in this courses) and progress into further study in this area.