Introduction
Whether you’re forecasting your next funding round or keeping track of sales, Excel remains a startup staple.
If your Excel skills are lacking there are so many options to choose from that finding the right can feel harder than a tricky pivot table!
In this guide we’ve compared nine of the UK’s most reputable Excel training providers to help you make a confident choice.
How We Compared Providers
We reviewed public information from provider websites, training directories, and online feedback for the best power bi training providers available in London.
We focused on four key criteria relevant to startups:
- Training format and flexibility: How is the course delivered in a classroom, online, or hybrid
- Practical Application: Does the training have real-world relevance and what does it cost?
- Support & Accreditation: Do they offer things like post-course support, CPD and / or Microsoft accreditation?
- Value for Money: No-one has an unlimited budget so we think what you get for your money is good value.
Quick Comparison Table
| Provider | Delivery | Accreditation/Support | Best For | Typical Cost* |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Acuity Training | Classroom + Live Online | CPD, 6-month support | Hands-on team workshops | £275–£495 |
| City St Georges | Classroom (London) | Certificate of Completion | Structured learning paths | £250–£450 |
| London Academy of IT | Classroom + Online | Accredited Trainer Network | One-day intensives | £120–£250 |
| WeAreExcel | Classroom + Online | CPD, 8-week support | Flexible scheduling | £295–£395 |
| Future Savvy | Hybrid / Online | Digital Skills Accreditation | Excel-to-Power BI transition | £350–£550 |
| Happy | Classroom + Live Online | CPD, follow-up resources | Collaborative learning style | £250–£450 |
| Media Training | Classroom + Online | CPD Certified | Marketing & Admin teams | £295–£495 |
| Udemy | Self-paced Online | Certificate of Completion | Solo learners / founders | £15–£50 |
| Coursera | Online (University-partnered) | Verified Certificates | Structured academic training | £35 p.m. (subscription) |
*Typical UK retail price per day / module (approx., Oct 2025)
The 9 Best Excel Training Providers
#1 – Acuity Training — Best for small-team workshops
Acuity’s CPD-accredited Excel courses run in London and combine small class sizes (max 8 delegates) with practical, hands-on training.
- Strengths: Expert trainers, 6-months post-course support, clear beginner → VBA pathway.
- Limitations: No weekend sessions. Expensive compared to on demand options.
#2 – City St Georges: Best for structured progression
City St Georges offers a full set of Microsoft Office courses from Level 1 through to Advanced.
- Strengths: Clear, consistent curriculum and completion certificates.
- Limitations: London-only delivery. Few bespoke options.
#3 – London Academy of IT: Best for short-format learning
London Academy of IT delivers intensive one-day and weekend courses ideal for quick upskilling.
- Strengths: Affordable for live training. live instructor feedback.
- Limitations: Training centre isn’t in central London
#4 – WeAreExcel: Best for flexibility and post-course support
Weareexcel is a focused provider of Excel training in central London.
- Strengths: Excel specialists.
- Limitations: Limited course calendar and only offers 8 weeks of post-course support.
#5 – Future Savvy: Best for data-driven startups
Future Savvy Bridges Excel with Power Query and Power BI, teaching automation and dashboards.
- Strengths: Clear learning page to Power BI and business intelligence.
- Limitations: No schedule of classroom courses.
#6 – Happy: Best for collaborative team training
Happy prioritises confidence-building Excel courses.
- Strengths: Interactive style and CPD-certified trainers.
- Limitations: Not Excel specialists.
#7 – Media Training: Best for marketing and operations teams
Media Training is based in central London and offers a range of Excel courses.
- Strengths: Attractive, well-located facilities.
- Limitations: Premium pricing compared to smaller providers and lack of post-course support.
#8 – Udemy: Best budget option for self-learners
Udemy offers over 2,000 on-demand Excel courses from a wide variety of instructors.
- Strengths: Low cost, lifetime access, variety of courses.
- Limitations: Quality is variable and lack of live support.
#9 – Coursera: Best for certified remote learning learning
Coursera has partnered with Microsoft and some top universities to provide specialist Excel training.
- Strengths: Microsoft certified learning paths.
- Limitations: Lack of support and far fewer options than Udemy.
Choosing the Right Provider
When deciding, weigh your startup’s priorities:
| Priority | Choose a Provider Like… |
|---|---|
| Fast upskilling | London Academy of IT or Udemy |
| Team collaboration | Happy or Acuity Training |
| Data & Automation focus | Future Savvy or Coursera |
| Budget-friendly flexibility | Udemy or WeAreExcel |
| Accredited credentials | Acuity Training or Media Training |
Summary
All nine providers deliver solid Excel learning, the key is to find that one that best fits your specific needs.
For most startups, Acuity Training would be our top choice. It offers quality training, hands-on skills, and long-term support.
If you need asynchronous learning or global access, Udemy and Coursera remain affordable, credible alternatives.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Not at all. Tools like Power BI and Google Sheets are getting more popular but Excel is still the standard for business data. Its combination of flexibility, power and ease of integration with other M365 apps mean that it is likely to remain so for some time. It is the foundation for most data and trend analysis.
Some studies show people spending 30% of their working day using Excel. For someone like that improving their efficiency by 10% (less than many studies have found) would save an hour a week. Improving by 20% would mean 2 hours per week so the payback on a course is often just a matter of weeks.
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