Study Mode Comparison
City Centre
Online Live
Residential
3 study modes to get up to speed.
Our award-winning Lecture | Lab | Review method has saved businesses more than one million hours of training time.
Whether you study at the training centre, online, or in major UK cities, our accelerated training gets you certified at twice the speed, every time!
Which study mode is right for you?
Let's take a look.
Professional growth during work hours.
Our City Centre study mode helps you balance work with personal commitments.
This non-residential program is offered in London and Manchester, in the modern facilities of our parent company, BPP.
These courses run from 9am to 5pm, the same as most workdays, and enable you to acquire advanced skills and qualifications without sacrificing your evenings.
Who is City Centre for?
- Working professionals who want to enhance their skills and qualifications without disrupting their work schedule;
- Parents who need to balance professional development with family time;
- Commuters who live or work in London or Manchester and prefer to study close to home or office;
- Career changers looking to transition into a new field without quitting their current job;
- Lifelong learners committed to developing their skills during regular work hours;
- Employers who want to upskill their team without overnight stays or weekend courses;
- Freelancers and contractors who need to manage their own schedules;
- University students who want to gain additional qualifications to enhance their CVs.
What are the benefits of City Centre study?
- Flexibility: Running from 9am to 5pm, our courses are designed for professionals with commitments beyond work;
- Accessibility and convenience: Located in the heart of major cities, our convenient locations are easy to get to and reduce travel time;
- Work-life balance: As these courses only take place during working hours, you can keep up with your daily routine and family commitments while still advancing your career;
- Cost-effectiveness: These courses are non-residential, enabling you to save on accommodations, meals, and travel;
- Quality instruction: Learn the latest course curriculum from expert instructors with decades of experience in the field;
- Direct workplace application: Acquire skills that you can immediately apply at work;
- Manageable schedule: A less intense study model, City Centre delivery provides an effective learning pace without extended sessions;
- Daytime focus: Make the most of daytime learning designed for peak concentration and effective knowledge retention.
Which City Centre courses do we offer?
We offer City Centre study for many of our most popular courses, including:
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect
- Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect – Professional
- AXELOS PRINCE2®7 Foundation & Practitioner 7th Edition
- CompTIA Network+
- CompTIA Security+
- IAPP CIPP/E and CIPM
- ISACA Certified Information Systems Auditor® (CISA®)
- ISACA Certified Information Security Manager® (CISM®)
- ISACA Certified in Risk and Information Systems Control® (CRISC®)
- ISC2 Certified Information Systems Security Professional® (CISSP®)
- Microsoft Azure Administrator Associate (AZ-104)
- Microsoft Cybersecurity Architect (SC-100)
- Microsoft Designing Microsoft Azure Infrastructure Solutions (AZ-305)
- Microsoft Security Operations Analyst Associate (SC-200)
- PMI Project Management Professional® (PMP®)
- TOGAF® Enterprise Architecture Combined 10th Edition
Is City Centre right for you?
Get in touch with our advisors.
Watch instructors live, wherever you are.
Instructors use Microsoft Teams to deliver an interactive virtual classroom experience and immerse students in learning, emulating the physical experience as closely as possible.
The platform allows for multimedia lectures and a hands-on training experience.
Which courses can I attend Online Live?
All our courses, including:
- Cyber Security
- Artificial Intelligence (AI)
- Machine Learning (ML)
- Data Science
- Coding & Programming
- Software Testing
- Project Management
Who is Online Live for?
- Remote workers who prefer online learning to avoid commuting;
- People from different geographic locations who want to access quality training without travelling;
- Parents who need to balance professional development with family commitments;
- Career changers looking to acquire new skills without leaving their current job;
- Freelancers and Contractors who manage their own time and prefer the flexibility of online courses;
- Companies looking to train their staff in a cost-effective and flexible manner
How does Online Live work?
Simply book your course as usual and our training experts will set you up on Microsoft Teams. Once that is done, you'll just need to dial in and join the Virtual Classroom.
From your dashboard, you'll also be able to access:
- Live instructor view on camera, including whiteboard
- Course slides and demonstrations straight from the instructor's computer
- Classroom audio including onsite questions from fellow students
- Online tools to ask and answer questions, follow demonstrations, and create annotations
- Group chat to discuss topics in real-time
What equipment or software do I need?
There are no special requirements.
You just need:
- A desktop or laptop capable of running Microsoft Teams (See specs here.)
- A headset and microphone (We recommend webcams, but they're not mandatory)
- A stable broadband connection
Will I still receive the courseware?
Most of our courseware is digital, so you'll receive all course materials in your inbox. If your course requires physical materials, these will be mailed to you before the course.
What are labs? Why are they important?
All Firebrand accelerated IT training courses follow our trademark, award-winning Lecture | Lab | Review method.
Our labs are virtual environments that run on a virtual machine. They contain specific challenges and exercises related to course modules.
Labs are essential to study because they give learners hands-on experience that helps cement the knowledge they've absorbed.
Depending on the course, we use Skillable or GoDeploy.
Will I have access to labs when taking an Online Live course?
Of course!
How do labs work when taking an Online Live course?
Simple:
- Your instructor provides a link and login credentials;
- You can log in via your regular web browser while still participating in the live class on Teams;
- On the lab page, you might see a countdown; don't worry, you can reset and pause the counter as many times as you wish;
- You have full access to labs for 180 days after your course, so you can continue to practice!
Do Live Online courses include certification exams?
With a few exceptions, online testing is included. Get in touch for more specific information.
How do I sign up for Online Live courses?
Please contact us so we can help.
What are people saying about Firebrand Online Live?
"We have trained during the coronavirus outbreak and the firebrand team really deserve a massive amount of recognition for remaining focused and in good spirits during a difficult time. Course content is on point as I have seen on previous courses. I have extended the training out to my teams within my organisation as it is a trusted brand throughout our departments. The offsite approach works really well. This is my second course with a 3rd booked in 8 weeks."
DM, Freshfields. (20/03/2020)
"The instructor, Dimitrios, was very knowledgeable, professional and simply brilliant with the explanations and demonstrations of the various testing tools including troubleshooting any student installation issues. We used the remote OIL service and it was like being in the classroom with regards to using the labs and viewing the course presentation slides. The course went ahead despite the UK Gov lockdown guidance on COVID-19, Firebrand provided access via the Online Instructor-Led OIL service. I didn’t have to rearrange leave and could study as planned - fantastic service, well done Firebrand!"
Mark Grover, Infosec Consulting ltd. (27/03/2020)
"Due to COVID-19, the course was done online via Microsoft Teams, so couldn’t get the full experience. However, was still very interesting and insightful. The person running the online course, Sam Owen, was fantastic. Delivering the course brilliantly, remaining entertaining throughout, and overcoming unforeseen issues as and when they occurred." Jamie Bunce, CGI. (03/04/2020)
"Even in this time of unknown and constant change, Firebrand were still able to put on a competent course virtually with an equal amount of freedom and support we would have in a normal classroom."
Craig Gillet, Virgin Media. (03/04/2020)
"My experience with Firebrand training has been incredibly positive. Although I feel I may have had a better experience attending training on premises, I feel the trainer made the best of a very unique situation we are all faced with. The delivery of the content was on point and covered everything we needed to know. If there were any additional questions, the trainer was always available to talk and answer anything we raised through demonstration and screen share. At the start of this course, I felt I had a very low level of general and Azure networking knowledge. Thanks to the support of the trainer, I now feel empowered to not only explore this further but also to take the certified exam shortly. Thank you for a great experience, I will certainly be taking a firebrand course again."
Gavin Reynolds, Cambridge Judge Business School. (09/04/2020)
Is Online Live right for you?
Get in touch with our advisors.
All-inclusive study at our training centres.
Train at our purpose-built centres in the UK, Germany, the Netherlands, and Northern Europe.
Whether you live nearby or are travelling, our distraction-free environments help you immerse yourself in the curriculum and achieve your exams.
What does Residential study include?
- Hotel accommodations from the night before your course starts, as well as meals, unlimited snacks, beverages, and tea and coffee;
- Up to 12 hours of in-person training every day with certified instructors, following the latest official courseware and curriculum;
- Instructor-led exam preparation, including practice tests, that leaves no question unanswered;
- 24-hour lab access so you can study for as long as you wish;
- For most courses, the exam and/or exam voucher are included in the course fee—one less thing for you to deal with!
- And, finally, our Firebrand Certification Guarantee: Pass your exam the first time or train again for free for as many times as it takes, unlimited, for one year after your course, paying just for accommodations, exams, and incidental costs.
Why choose Residential study?
This time-tested study mode helps you make time just for you and your professional development. It’s like a business trip without the hassle and with the added benefit of achieving a certification.
The study locations are accessible but remote, creating a boundary between your studies and your professional and personal commitments. They are located in nature, which has been shown to increase focus and improve learner retention.
Also, we keep our classes small, encouraging you to ask questions and network with your peers, whether from your own company or external. Our Lecture | Lab | Review method leaves no stone unturned as our instructors with decades of experience can answer all your questions!
In your spare time, you're free to get some fresh air and decompress; depending on location, facilities such as fitness centres, spas, golf, and fishing may be available. Of course, you'll also have 24/7 access to labs to practice at your own pace.
Who is Residential study for?
- Professionals who want to get certified quickly and return to work with new skills;
- Companies who need to upskill their employees efficiently in a focused, distraction-free environment;
- Learners who prefer an immersive, concentrated learning experience away from daily distractions;
- Professionals travelling for business who want to maximise their time in the UK, Germany, and the Netherlands;
- Professionals looking to switch careers swiftly by gaining necessary certifications in an intensive program;
- Freelancers and contractors who want to quickly gain new certifications and return to their projects;
- Recent university graduates seeking intensive training to enhance their qualifications before entering the job market