When we launched the Cloud Academy benefit for Visual Studio Professional and Enterprise subscribers back in March 2025, our goal was simple: give you the hands-on, practical learning experience you need to confidently master Azure and cloud technologies — without spending a dime beyond your subscription.
Why? Because in today’s fast-changing tech world, knowing theory isn’t enough. You need to do — to experiment, build, troubleshoot, and grow your skills in a real environment. That’s exactly what Cloud Academy delivers.
From Frustration to Confidence: Learning That Fits Your Style
If you’re like many developers I’ve talked to, finding time to build new skills feels like a constant struggle. Between deadlines, meetings, and firefighting production issues, carving out space to learn something new is tough.
Cloud Academy understands that. Whether you’re the type who likes step-by-step guided labs, jumping straight into hands-on challenges, or tinkering freely in a safe sandbox, this platform adapts to how you learn best.
The result? Visual Studio subscribers are completing labs at a rate 10% higher than other learners on Cloud Academy. That means you’re not just skimming content — you’re gaining meaningful, practical skills that stick.
What’s New? Fresh Content Tailored for Today’s Cloud Challenges
Cloud technology evolves rapidly, and staying ahead means keeping your skills sharp. We’ve added new lessons and labs to make sure you’re ready to tackle the latest Azure capabilities and security challenges, including:
- Automate document processing with Azure AI Document Intelligence Studio — no coding needed, just real impact.
- Strengthen endpoint security with Microsoft Entra ID’s automated password management — because security can’t be an afterthought.
- Streamline device management with Intune device naming templates — save time and reduce errors.
- Dive into Azure OpenAI Service’s prompt engineering — build AI apps that behave reliably.
- …and much more that matches what companies are demanding now.
Hands-On Labs: Where Real Learning Happens
Reading about cloud services is one thing. Building and deploying containerized apps, automating workflows, or managing state in Azure Container Apps — that’s where the real transformation happens.
Cloud Academy’s labs let you roll up your sleeves in real Azure environments, so you:
- Push container images and manage registries.
- Automate file processing with Azure Functions.
- Explore state management with Dapr in container apps.
This kind of hands-on experience turns concepts into capabilities, making you more valuable to your team and your company.
Certification Prep That Works
Many subscribers are also using Cloud Academy to prep for Microsoft certifications, which are a powerful way to validate your skills and open doors in your career. The top courses are aligned to:
- AZ-900: Azure Fundamentals — perfect for getting started.
- AZ-204: Developing Azure Solutions — for building real cloud apps.
- AI-900 and AI-102 — tapping into the future of AI on Azure.
- AZ-400: Azure DevOps Solutions — mastering modern cloud development workflows.
With lessons, labs, quizzes, and exams, Cloud Academy makes certification prep practical and effective — no more cramming or rote memorization.
Meet Ela: Your Personal AI-Powered Learning Coach
Learning alone can be challenging. That’s why Cloud Academy includes Ela, an AI-powered Expert Learning Assistant who’s like having a tutor at your side 24/7.
Ela helps you by:
- Summarizing complex lessons into bite-sized insights.
- Testing your knowledge so you focus on what matters.
- Explaining tricky concepts clearly.
- Guiding you during hands-on labs to troubleshoot and stay on track.
With Ela’s support, you can accelerate your learning, overcome roadblocks, and gain confidence faster than ever before.
How to Activate Your Cloud Academy Access Today
Getting started is fast and easy:
- Log in to visualstudio.com with your Visual Studio subscription.
- Navigate to the Benefits section.
- Activate your Cloud Academy access — no credit card, no trials, just instant access.
- This exclusive benefit is available at no extra cost with select Visual Studio subscription levels.
To see if you’re Professional or Enterprise subscription is eligible, check out this document on MS Learn.
Your Next Step Toward Cloud Mastery
At Microsoft, we’re committed to empowering you with tools, training, and resources that truly move the needle. Based on the incredible feedback we’ve received, Cloud Academy is proving to be more than just another training platform — it’s a catalyst for career growth, innovation, and real-world impact.
Whether you want to build apps that scale, improve your security posture, or prepare for certification, Cloud Academy is here to help you every step of the way. Take advantage of this special benefit today and watch how your Azure skills—and your confidence—soar.
Stay Connected with Visual Studio
Don’t forget to visit the Visual Studio Hub for the latest updates, videos, and community discussions to keep your developer journey vibrant.
Got thoughts on Visual Studio benefits or Cloud Academy? I’d love to hear from you! Connect with me on LinkedIn.
The post Cloud Academy: Unlock Your Azure Skills and Accelerate Your Career appeared first on Visual Studio Blog.
