IT Career Guide

How Long Does It Actually Take to Get an IT Job?

An honest, realistic timeline for how long it genuinely takes to move from zero IT experience to a first IT job in the UK.

The honest answer is roughly 3 to 6 months for most people: 3 months of structured training plus certification, then typically 1 to 3 months of applying and interviewing, depending on your CV, location, and how many roles you apply for. It is rarely instant, and it is rarely a multi-year process either.

What you need to know

Structured training and CompTIA A+ exam preparation typically takes 3 months, done on weekends alongside a current job
The course is designed so you can start applying as soon as training finishes, sometimes before
How long it takes to get an offer after that depends heavily on application volume, location and how tailored each application is
Applying to more roles, and tailoring each application, is the biggest lever you actually control
A realistic total timeline start to finish: around 4 to 6 months from decision to first day in an IT role
Weekend only
Sat & Sun schedule
Small cohorts
Max 8 students
20 AI tools
Included free

Ready to start?

The October 2026 cohort is now enrolling. Small cohorts fill fast.

See the IT Career Programme
Read more IT career guides