Introduction to IT
Take your first steps into the world of IT, or Information Technology! Introduction to IT will teach you about core IT subjects.
Introduction to IT is a beginner-level online course from Codecademy in Networking. It is structured in 8 modules with 3 stated learning outcomes, over 3h. It is free to enrol, and a certificate is available on completion. Learners rate it 4.4/5 from 1.3K ratings on Codecademy.
Part of our Networking courses collection, where we compare it against 11 other courses.
Course highlights
| Provider | Codecademy |
| Duration | 3h |
| Level | Beginner |
| Mode | Self-paced |
| Language | English |
| Certificate | Yes — shareable certificate |
| Rating | 4.4★ (1.3K reviews) |
| Price | Free |
About this course
Introduction to IT is a free beginner course from Codecademy designed for learners taking their first steps into Information Technology. The course runs for three hours and is self-paced, with a rating of 4.4 from 1,282 reviews.
You will learn computer basics and IT essentials, including networking, operating systems, and applications. The syllabus covers Getting Started with IT, Computer Basics, Networks and The Internet, Operating Systems and Applications, Software Development Basics, Databases, and Cybersecurity. By the end you can describe core IT subjects, explain how networks and the internet work, identify operating systems and common applications, outline basic software development concepts, describe how databases store information, and list basic cybersecurity practices.
The course is entirely free, making it a low-risk entry point for anyone curious about IT careers. It does not go deep into any single topic; learners who want hands-on project work or advanced specialisation should consider other courses in the supplied data, such as the Azure networking course or the computer hardware and networking course, both of which are also free and self-paced.
Codecademy hosts the course at https://www.codecademy.com/learn/introduction-to-it.
What you’ll learn
Level and time commitment
What this course covers
8 modulesThe 8-part outline Codecademy publishes for this course, across 3h.
Module 1 · Getting Started with IT
Module 2 · Computer Basics
Module 3 · Networks and The Internet
Module 4 · Operating Systems and Applications
Module 5 · Software Development Basics
Module 6 · Databases
Module 7 · Cybersecurity
Module 8 · Next Steps
What learners rate it
Rated 4.4/5 by 1.3K learners on Codecademy (checked 11 Aug 2026).
This rating is collected by Codecademy from its own enrolled learners. We reproduce it as reported and do not accept paid or incentivised reviews. See it on Codecademy →
Compiled by the CoursesGlobal editorial desk. Fees, ratings, duration and certificate details for the 1 course shown are read directly from Codecademy course pages — we never estimate a price or a rating. Last verified 11 August 2026.
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Compare with alternatives
Same topic, different trade-offs — here's who runs each one and what it's best at.
| Course | Provider | Rating | Price | Duration | Why pick this one |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Introduction to IT This | Codecademy | 4.4★ | Free | 3h | Quickest to finish (3h) |
| How does the Internet work & Networking Crash Course |
 Udemy
|
4.7★ | Free | Free — certificate included | |
| The Bits and Bytes of Computer Networking |
 Coursera
|
4.7★ | Check price | 21h 49m | Highest rated (4.7★ from 52.7K reviews) |
| AZ-700:Designing and Implementing Azure Networking Solutions |
Udemy
|
4.6★ | Free | Free — and still gives a certificate |
Common questions
Is Introduction to IT free?
Yes. Codecademy lists it as free to enrol. A certificate is available on completion — providers often charge separately for the certificate even when the course itself is free, so check the fee on the provider page before you count on it.
Does Introduction to IT come with a certificate?
Yes — Codecademy lists a certificate on completion. It is a course certificate, not a formal qualification or university credit.
How long does Introduction to IT take?
Codecademy lists it at 3h. It is self-paced, so that is the volume of material rather than a deadline — how long it actually takes depends on the hours you put in each week.
Is Introduction to IT suitable for beginners?
Yes. Codecademy lists it at Beginner level, so no prior experience in the subject is assumed.
What does Introduction to IT cover?
It is organised into 8 modules, starting with Getting Started with IT and going on to Computer Basics, Networks and The Internet, Operating Systems and Applications, Software Development Basics, among others. The full outline is on this page.