BCS Data Protection Foundation Course

Earn a recognised data protection qualification with the exam fee included. Once you pass, you’ll receive a BCS eCertificate and one year of BCS Associate Membership, giving you instant credibility with employers and access to a professional community. 

This course builds practical expertise in UK GDPR, the Data Protection Act 2018, and PECR, helping you understand how the law applies in real-world situations. Whether you’re aiming to step into a compliance role, strengthen your current position, or demonstrate your organisation’s commitment to data protection, this qualification provides the skills and recognition to advance your career.

Pay with Klarna, PayPal, or card – interest-free instalments available, no credit check. Contact us to arrange live training or payment via invoice.

Accredited Excellence You Can Trust

Duco Digital is a BCS-accredited training provider, meaning our courses meet the highest standards in digital and data protection education. Every module is carefully designed to align with the official BCS exam syllabus, giving you the knowledge, confidence, and professional recognition you need to succeed.

Trusted by professionals and organisations worldwide. Certified by BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT.

About the Course

Updated for 2025, this flexible online programme gives you a complete foundation in data protection law and practice

You'll learn:

 • UK GDPR, EU GDPR, Data Protection Act 2018, and PECR
 • Data subject rights, lawful bases, accountability, DPIAs, and enforcement
 • How data protection law applies in practice, across roles and sectors

What you get:

 • Approx. 25.5 hours of online learning with 12 months’ access
 • BCS eCertificate on passing your exam
 • 1-year BCS Associate Membership (worth £92) after passing exam
 • Exam fee included — no hidden extras
 • Pass Assist package with live tutor support, practice exams, and exclusive video guides.
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Course Syllabus
Course Requirements
Career Path
course subjects you will learn

Course Syllabus

History of Data Protection
in the UK 
Principles of Data Protection & Applicable Terminology 
Lawful Bases for Processing Personal Data 
Accountability
Principle
Obligations of Controllers, Joint Controllers and Processors 
International Data Transfers under UK GDPR 
Data Subject
Rights 
Independent Supervisory Authorities and the ICO 
Breaches, Enforcement
and Liability 
Privacy & Electronic Communications Regulations 2003 (PECR)
Exam Preparation, Exercise paper, Specimen Test Paper, Sample Test Paper 
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No previous experience
is needed
A good level of English
is recommended
An internet connection with a mobile/tablet or laptop is required

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career opportunities 

Career Path

While data protection training is valuable across all sectors, given the digital nature of today's world, there are certain sectors where it is particularly critical:

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  • Health
  • Information Technology (IT)
  • Cybersecurity
  • Finance and Banking

  • Retail
  • E-commerce
  • Government
  • Public Services

  • Education
  • Telecommunications
  • Advertising
  • Researchers

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Pass Assist

Your course price isn’t just for learning materials — it includes the complete Pass Assist package, designed to give you the best chance of passing your BCS exam with confidence.

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Two live video calls

Two live video calls with your course trainer for Q&A and a deeper understanding

Practice exam papers

Practice exam papers to test your knowledge and get exam-ready

Exclusive video guides

Exclusive video guides to make a learning plan, maximise the course, and prepare effectively

Tutor support

Tutor support via forum, email, and WhatsApp for help whenever you need it

BCS exam included 

BCS exam fee included — take your exam when you’re ready, at no extra cost
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EMPLOYERS
NEED DATA
 PROTECTION SKILLS

95%

Data Breaches are
Caused by Human Error

90%

Employees Would Comply With Data Policies, if they Received Training

60%

Data Protection Training
Can Reduce the Risk of a Breach 

Learners from These Organisations Choose Us

Meet your instructor

Mandy Hargun 

Legal Counsel and BCS Accredited Data Protection Trainer
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Mandy is Legal Counsel with over 18 years of experience, a qualified solicitor and trainer in the data protection space. She uses her own unique style to simplify privacy, as well as provide real and practical examples to make learning privacy easy.

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is BCS?

Recognised globally by corporations, academics, and IT professionals, BCS is the British Computer Society, more commonly known as the Chartered Institute for IT. They have over 60,000 members in 150 countries, and a wider community of business leaders, educators, practitioners, and policy-makers, all committed to their mission of leading the IT industry through its ethical challenges, to support the people who work in the industry, and to make IT good for society.

Why should I take this course?

The BCS Foundation professional certification in Data Protection will help develop your career if you need to have an understanding of data protection, and the UKGDPR in particular, to do your job, or if knowledge of the law in this area would enhance your effectiveness in your job.

The salary range for UK jobs in data protection is £34,140 - £65,000, so now is a great time to gain a qualification.

Who is this course for?

This course will help your career if you are:

  • An individual looking to up-skill
  • Pursuing further education in IT or computing at the University level
  • Thinking of changing career
  • Project Managers, middle and senior managers, and Directors who need to understand more details about data protection


Specifically, the following roles could benefit from this course (as well as good examples of career opportunities):

  • Data Protection and Privacy
  • Information Governance, risk, and compliance
  • Data Management
  • Project Management
  • Directors/Senior Managers with Data Protection responsibilities.

What does the course include?

  • Online access to structured modules and lessons that follow the official BCS syllabus
  • Pass Assist support package (tutor calls, practice papers, video guides, discussion forum, email/WhatsApp support)
  • A personal course login that saves your progress
  • Exam booking guidance and support
  • A BCS eCertificate and 1-year Associate Membership* when you pass
  • VAT.


*New BCS members only

What is Pass Assist?

Pass Assist is our unique support package designed to give you the knowledge, skills, and confidence to pass your BCS exam.

When you enroll in this course, Pass Assist gives you:
  • Two live video calls with your course trainer to ask questions and deepen your understanding
  • Practice exam papers to test your knowledge and get familiar with the exam format
  • Exclusive video guides to help you make a learning plan, get the most from the course, and prepare effectively for the exam
  • Ongoing tutor support via discussion forum, email, and WhatsApp for guidance whenever you need it


With Pass Assist, you’re never learning alone—you have the tools and support to succeed.

When is the start date of the course?

Self-study: start immediately after enrolment — anytime, anywhere. Schedule a 15 minute welcome call and a 15 minute exam preparation call with your trainer online from the booking link in the course

Live training: scheduled on agreed dates (contact us for availability).

How to start the course?

Enrol online now with card, PayPal, or Klarna — or contact us for invoice/bank transfer.

If you prefer live training, please contact us or message us on WhatsApp with a date you would like the training and any requirements, for example, the number of people. 

We train individuals and support teams with their training needs in organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments in different countries. Contact us if you have any questions.

What happens after I enroll?

  1. Click on the enrolment email to gain access.
  2. Complete your study
  3. Book your BCS exam using the link in the BCS email sent to you 14 days after enrolment
  4. Take your exam
  5. Download your BCS certificate from your BCS exam account when you pass
  6. Access your free* 1-year BCS Associate membership from the link in your BCS exam account when you pass
  7. Create a BCS professional profile, access further learning, build networks, and access career tools with a BCS membership

*New BCS members only

What is studying with Duco Digital Training like?


  • Self-paced learning that fits around your schedule

  • Step-by-step modules aligned with the syllabus

  • Our unique Pass Assist package of tutor support, BCS recommended Books* discussion forums, and exam preparation resources

  • Accredited courses trusted by organisations worldwide

  • BCS certification and membership** that add real career value.


*BCS eBooks as receommended on your syllabus
** Pass the BCS exam to claim your certification. Membership for new BCS members only.

I prefer live training — how can I book this?

If you’d rather learn with a trainer in real time, we also deliver live online training. This option is available for groups of two or more people — so if you’re an individual, you could invite a friend or colleague to join you.
To arrange live training, simply contact us with your preferred dates and group size, and we’ll confirm availability and tailor the session to your needs.

Can organisations buy this course for teams?

Yes. Duco Digital Training works with organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments worldwide. We can enrol teams of any size, providing each learner with their own login, progress tracking, and Pass Assist support.Payment can be made by invoice or bank transfer, and self-study makes it easy to train groups consistently, at their own pace, while keeping costs low.

How long will I have access to the course? 

On all BCS courses and career pathways, you have 12 months to complete the study and attempt the exam.  Because career pathways include multiple courses, if you think you will need more time, just let us know.

Live Training for Companies

Looking to train a team?* We deliver bespoke live training for organisations worldwide – online or onsite. Tailored sessions, group discounts, and the same exam-ready Pass Assist package.
*minimum of two people
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What People Say About Us

The course is really thorough about AI in general, and it covers all of the basic knowledge about AI. As a lecturer myself, I will teach this to my students.
Cholid
The training provided will assist me to conduct AI research projects in a more professional and systematic way. The knowledge provided will be incredibly valuable for my future study in the field of computer vision.
Muhammad
Good training materials for remote learning, and the most impressive part was the speed at which they responded to questions. I also had issues with the exam (through the exam platform, not Duco) and they were really helpful in resolving it.
Tom
The course is really thorough about AI in general, and it covers all of the basic knowledge about AI. As a lecturer myself, I will teach this to my students.
Cholid
The training provided will assist me to conduct AI research projects in a more professional and systematic way. The knowledge provided will be incredibly valuable for my future study in the field of computer vision.
Muhammad
Good training materials for remote learning, and the most impressive part was the speed at which they responded to questions. I also had issues with the exam (through the exam platform, not Duco) and they were really helpful in resolving it.
Tom

Get in touch today to discuss enrolment, team training, or payment options.

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