{"id":256925,"date":"2026-08-04T07:00:38","date_gmt":"2026-08-04T14:00:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/?p=256925"},"modified":"2026-08-04T13:42:09","modified_gmt":"2026-08-04T20:42:09","slug":"build-azure-skills-faster-with-cloud-academy-a-visual-studio-subscriber-benefit","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/build-azure-skills-faster-with-cloud-academy-a-visual-studio-subscriber-benefit\/","title":{"rendered":"Build Azure Skills Faster with Cloud Academy, a Visual Studio Subscriber Benefit"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2.webp\"><img decoding=\"async\" class=\"alignnone size-full wp-image-256933\" src=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2.webp\" alt=\"VS CloudAcademy blog banner v2 image\" width=\"1920\" height=\"480\" srcset=\"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2.webp 1920w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2-300x75.webp 300w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2-1024x256.webp 1024w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2-768x192.webp 768w, https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-content\/uploads\/sites\/4\/2026\/08\/VS_CloudAcademy_blog-banner_v2-1536x384.webp 1536w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1920px) 100vw, 1920px\" \/><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If\u00a0you&#8217;ve\u00a0been looking for a practical way to build Azure\u00a0skills,\u00a0Cloud Academy\u00a0(a QA company)\u00a0gives Visual Studio subscribers hands-on learning that fits into busy schedules.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Whether\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0new to Azure, expanding your cloud\u00a0expertise,\u00a0working towards\u00a0certifications\u00a0or preparing for more advanced projects, this benefit helps you learn by doing.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">What\u00a0you&#8217;ll\u00a0find in Cloud Academy<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">The Cloud Academy benefit gives Visual Studio subscribers a flexible learning experience that adapts to different learning styles and schedules,\u00a0providing:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Hands-on Azure labs that reinforce real-world skills<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Certification-focused learning paths<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"3\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Interactive assessments to\u00a0validate\u00a0your understanding<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Structured learning paths alongside open sandbox environments for experimentation<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"2\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AI-powered on-demand guidance and\u00a0assistance<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">With\u00a0the\u00a0Cloud Academy benefit,\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0not just consuming content.\u00a0You&#8217;re\u00a0practicing in environments that help prepare you for the work\u00a0you&#8217;ll\u00a0be doing every day.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Prepare for Azure certifications<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If certification is one of your goals, Cloud Academy brings together lessons, hands-on labs, and assessments into a single learning experience.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">One example is the AZ-104\u00a0Exam Preparation: Microsoft Azure Administrator course.\u00a0It&#8217;s\u00a0specifically designed to help you prepare for the AZ-104 Microsoft Azure Administrator certification exam while strengthening the practical Azure administration skills\u00a0you&#8217;ll\u00a0use on the job.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Learning resources available through Cloud Academy that will ready you for Azure certifications include:<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"1\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AI-900:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Microsoft Azure AI Fundamentals<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"2\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AZ-104:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Microsoft Azure Administrator<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"4\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AZ-400:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Designing and Implementing Microsoft DevOps Solutions<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<ul>\n<li aria-setsize=\"-1\" data-leveltext=\"\uf0b7\" data-font=\"Symbol\" data-listid=\"8\" data-list-defn-props=\"{&quot;335552541&quot;:1,&quot;335559683&quot;:0,&quot;335559684&quot;:-2,&quot;335559685&quot;:720,&quot;335559991&quot;:360,&quot;469769226&quot;:&quot;Symbol&quot;,&quot;469769242&quot;:[8226],&quot;469777803&quot;:&quot;left&quot;,&quot;469777804&quot;:&quot;\uf0b7&quot;,&quot;469777815&quot;:&quot;hybridMultilevel&quot;}\" data-aria-posinset=\"5\" data-aria-level=\"1\"><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">AZ-305:<\/span><\/b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">By combining guided instruction with hands-on practice, you can build both the knowledge and confidence to apply these skills in production environments.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Cloud Academy can also help you focus on real-world Azure scenarios that build skills you can apply immediately. Examples include c<\/span><span data-contrast=\"auto\">ontainerized application deployment and management, Azure Functions and workflow automation, Azure Container Registry, storage cost optimization, Microsoft Entra ID security improvements, Azure AI,\u00a0prompt\u00a0engineering, and more.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;201341983&quot;:0,&quot;335559739&quot;:0,&quot;335559740&quot;:300}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">As Azure continues to evolve, Cloud Academy helps you stay current while building confidence that carries over to real projects.\u00a0Whether\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0exploring Azure AI, building cloud-native applications, improving your DevOps skills, or preparing for your next certification, you can make steady progress without stepping away from your day-to-day responsibilities.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3><b><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Activate your benefit today<\/span><\/b><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">If\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0an eligible Visual Studio subscriber,\u00a0don&#8217;t\u00a0overlook this valuable learning resource already included with your Visual Studio Subscription.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span data-contrast=\"auto\">Visit\u00a0the\u00a0<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/aka.ms\/myvs\"><span data-contrast=\"none\">Visual Studio Subscriptions\u00a0portal<\/span><\/a><span data-contrast=\"auto\">\u00a0to\u00a0access your Visual Studio Subscription benefits and activate your Cloud Academy benefit today.<\/span><span data-ccp-props=\"{&quot;335559738&quot;:240,&quot;335559739&quot;:240}\">\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>If\u00a0you&#8217;ve\u00a0been looking for a practical way to build Azure\u00a0skills,\u00a0Cloud Academy\u00a0(a QA company)\u00a0gives Visual Studio subscribers hands-on learning that fits into busy schedules.\u00a0 Whether\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0new to Azure, expanding your cloud\u00a0expertise,\u00a0working towards\u00a0certifications\u00a0or preparing for more advanced projects, this benefit helps you learn by doing.\u00a0 What\u00a0you&#8217;ll\u00a0find in Cloud Academy\u00a0 The Cloud Academy benefit gives Visual Studio subscribers a flexible [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":216051,"featured_media":256927,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[6925],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-256925","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-visual-studio-subscriptions"],"acf":[],"blog_post_summary":"<p>If\u00a0you&#8217;ve\u00a0been looking for a practical way to build Azure\u00a0skills,\u00a0Cloud Academy\u00a0(a QA company)\u00a0gives Visual Studio subscribers hands-on learning that fits into busy schedules.\u00a0 Whether\u00a0you&#8217;re\u00a0new to Azure, expanding your cloud\u00a0expertise,\u00a0working towards\u00a0certifications\u00a0or preparing for more advanced projects, this benefit helps you learn by doing.\u00a0 What\u00a0you&#8217;ll\u00a0find in Cloud Academy\u00a0 The Cloud Academy benefit gives Visual Studio subscribers a flexible [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256925","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/216051"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=256925"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256925\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":256954,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/256925\/revisions\/256954"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/256927"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=256925"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=256925"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/devblogs.microsoft.com\/visualstudio\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=256925"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}