Last updated: May 2026. Written by Josh Hutcheson. See our review methodology.
By Josh Hutcheson · E-Learning Specialist
Reviewing online learning platforms since 2019. Review methodology
The 60-second verdict: The Udacity Azure Administrator Nanodegree (nd991) is an intermediate program designed to prep you for the AZ-104: Microsoft Azure Administrator certification. 64 hours covering compute, storage, networking, identity, governance, and monitoring on Azure. Best for: IT pros transitioning into Azure operations, Microsoft-shop sysadmins, anyone targeting AZ-104 cert.
Our rating: 4.4/5 | Cost: $399/mo + ~$30-80/mo Azure costs | Length: 64 hrs | Enroll →
What is the Azure Administrator Nanodegree?
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The Azure Administrator role is the operations backbone of Microsoft cloud environments. AZ-104 is Microsoft’s flagship Associate-level cert for the role — covering compute, storage, networking, identity, security, governance, and monitoring. This Nanodegree explicitly prepares you for the AZ-104 exam through hands-on labs in real Azure trial environments.
Curriculum (64 hours)
Module 1: Compute and Storage
Azure VMs (sizing, scaling, availability sets/zones), Azure Storage (blob, file, queue, table), Storage Accounts, Disk types.
Module 2: Networking and Resilience
Virtual Networks (VNets), subnets, NSGs, peering, hybrid connectivity (VPN, ExpressRoute), Load Balancer, Application Gateway. Backup and Site Recovery.
Module 3: Security, Governance, Monitoring
Microsoft Entra ID basics, RBAC, Azure Policy, management groups, Azure Monitor, Log Analytics, alerts.
Module 4: Automation and IaC
ARM templates, Bicep (modern declarative IaC), PowerShell + Azure CLI for automation, basic Azure Automation runbooks.
Capstone
Build a real-world enterprise Azure solution covering all AZ-104 domains.
Prerequisites
- 1+ year IT operations or sysadmin experience.
- Basic networking + Windows Server familiarity.
- Some scripting comfort (PowerShell or Bash).
Pros
- Explicitly designed for AZ-104 exam prep — closest curriculum match available online.
- Bicep coverage is modern (replaces older ARM template-only programs).
- Hands-on labs in real Azure trial environments.
- $200 Azure trial credit covers most of the program’s costs.
Cons
- $399/month is steep when Microsoft Learn AZ-104 path is free (though less project-driven).
- Requires you to maintain an Azure account post-trial.
- Cert exam is a separate $165 cost.
Who should take this
Take it if: IT pro committed to Azure career, sysadmin transitioning to cloud, working toward AZ-104 cert with portfolio. Skip if: tight budget (use free Microsoft Learn AZ-104 path), or you target AWS instead (use AWS Cloud Practitioner).
FAQ
Does this prep me directly for AZ-104?
Yes — the curriculum maps to AZ-104 domains. Combine with practice tests (MeasureUp or Whizlabs) for full prep.
What jobs can I get after this?
Azure Administrator, Cloud Operations Engineer, IT Operations (Azure focus). Median: $90K-$140K base US.
Should I take this or jump to AZ-305?
AZ-104 first — it’s a prerequisite for AZ-305 Solutions Architect Expert credential. Take this Nanodegree, pass AZ-104, then study for AZ-305.
Final verdict: 4.4/5
Strong AZ-104 prep program with portfolio component. Best for IT pros committed to Microsoft cloud careers. Pair with practice tests for exam-day confidence.
Related: AZ-305 cert guide · AWS vs Azure · Udacity Cloud Architect (AWS + Azure)