Get started in IT support & cyber for free

You don't need to pay thousands for a course. These free resources cover what UK entry-level interviews actually ask about.

A simple 8-week plan

  1. Weeks 1-2: Networking basics (IP addressing, DNS, DHCP) with Cisco Networking Academy, plus OverTheWire Bandit levels 0-10.
  2. Weeks 3-4: Windows, Active Directory and Microsoft 365 admin on Microsoft Learn. Most UK service desks use these tools every day.
  3. Weeks 5-6: TryHackMe's free beginner rooms. Write up what you did: it's great CV and interview material.
  4. Weeks 7-8: Pick a lane (service desk or SOC), apply to the roles on this site and set alerts for apprenticeships.

Be careful with "job guarantee" training schemes. Some companies advertise "trainee" IT jobs that are really paid courses. Genuine employers don't charge you to apply. We filter these out of our listings.

Hands-on labs (start here)

TryHackMe

UK-based hands-on platform with hundreds of free beginner rooms, laid out in sensible paths for entry-level roles.

Hack The Box

Hands-on labs and HTB Academy modules (including free Tier 0 content). Harder than TryHackMe; great once you know the basics.

OverTheWire: Bandit

Free Linux command-line wargame over SSH. Brilliant for 1st-line and SOC fundamentals.

picoCTF

Free, beginner-friendly capture-the-flag challenges from Carnegie Mellon University.

Free courses for IT support & networking

Microsoft Learn

Free Microsoft 365, Entra ID and Azure modules: the tools most UK service desks use daily.

UK schemes and careers info