Udacity Azure Administrator Nanodegree Review (2026): AZ-104 Prep Path

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

What is the Azure Administrator Nanodegree?

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.

Enroll →

Related: AZ-305 cert guide · AWS vs Azure · Udacity Cloud Architect (AWS + Azure)