BCS Foundation Course in IT Ethics

Understanding Ethical Principles in the IT Profession

Ethical decision-making is now a core professional skill — not a “nice to have”.


As digital systems, data, and AI increasingly influence people’s lives, IT professionals are under growing pressure to act responsibly, transparently, and in the public interest. High-profile failures around data misuse, biased systems, and poor governance have shown that legal compliance alone is not enough.


This course equips professionals with the ethical understanding required to operate confidently and responsibly in modern digital and AI-enabled organisations, and aligns with SFIA Plus Levels 2 and 3. For organisations, it supports a culture of responsible technology use, clearer accountability, and better risk management.

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, offering courses that uphold the highest standards in learning artificial intelligence. Each module aligns with the official BCS syllabus, giving you the knowledge, confidence, and credentials to excel.

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

About the Course

The BCS Foundation Award in Understanding Ethical Principles in the IT Profession provides a structured introduction to ethics as a professional responsibility, and is co-authored by Darren Winter, Company Director and PhD candidate in AI Ethics.

Based on the latest syllabus (v2.0), the course explores how ethical principles apply to real workplace situations, including the use of data, digital systems, and AI. It examines the role of professional conduct, governance, and legislation, and helps learners recognise ethical dilemmas before they become organisational risks.

Rather than abstract philosophy, the focus is on practical ethical judgement, aligned with professional standards and expectations set by BCS.

You'll learn:

By completing this course, you’ll gain the ability to:
 • Understand core ethical principles and what professional conduct means in practice
 • Apply ethical reasoning to real workplace and technology scenarios
 • Recognise ethical dilemmas and identify appropriate safeguards
 • Understand the role of governance, accountability, and corporate responsibility
 • Navigate key legislation and standards, including data protection and emerging AI regulation
 • Appreciate the difference between what is legal and what is ethical

This gives you a foundation for making defensible, responsible decisions in complex digital environments.

What you get:

 • Approx. 16 hours of online learning with 12 months’ access
 • BCS eCertificate on passing your exam
 • 1 year access to the BCS eLibrary of over 100 ebooks in business and technology and includes the recommended BCS books for this course
 • 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.
Write your awesome label here.
Course Syllabus
Course Requirements
Career Path
course subjects you will learn

Course Syllabus

Impact of Ethical Principles on Organisations
Key Points of the Ethical Standard ISO 26000
Elements of Data Privacy Laws Organisations Must Operate Within
Role of Corporate Governance in an Organisation
Triple Bottom Line and IT
Ethical Dilemmas and Safeguards for  IT Professionals
Sustainability in IT
Ethical Behaviours Required of Professionals
Business Laws and Standards
Impact of Ethical Principles on Society
Impact of Ethical Principles on People
Eligibility for the course

Course Requirements

No mandatory pre-requisites.
A good level of English
is recommended
An internet connection with a mobile/tablet or laptop is required

Not sure if this course is right for you?
Contact us to check your suitability before starting.

career opportunities 

Career Path

This course is ideal for:
 • IT, digital, and data professionals at any career stage
 • AI practitioners, product owners, and system designers
 • Managers and decision-makers responsible for technology use
 • Professionals working with personal data or automated systems
 • Anyone expected to act in line with professional codes of conduct.

No prior ethics training is required.

Organisations increasingly expect professionals to demonstrate ethical awareness, accountability, and judgement — particularly when working with data, AI, and automated systems.

This course helps you to:
 • Build professional credibility and trust
 • Reduce ethical, legal, and reputational risk
 • Strengthen decision-making in ambiguous or high-risk situations
 • Align your practice with recognised professional standards
 • Prepare for wider responsibilities in AI, governance, and leadership roles

For organisations, it supports a culture of responsible technology use, clearer accountability, and better risk management.
  • Health
  • Robotics
  • Engineering & Manufacturing

  • Finance
  • Government
  • Consulting

  • Retail
  • IT & Telecommunications
It's important to note that virtually all sectors can benefit from artificial intelligence (AI) training, as AI is becoming crucial to understand in nearly every industry.

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.

Empty space, drag to resize

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

BCS
Books

1 year access to over 100 BCS books in buisness and technology, including the essential BCS business analysis books to help you pass this course
Empty space, drag to resize

EMPLOYERS
NEED ETHICAL PROFESSIONALS IN THE IT SECTOR

35%

Organisations with ethical frameworks are 30% more trusted by customers

1 in 3

IT professionals report facing ethical dilemmas related to digital systems

40%

Professional ethics failures account for over 40% of major IT governance incidents

DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS AND KNOWLEDGE IN ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE

Explore the BCS Diploma in Artificial Intelligence

If you’re looking to build deeper, career-focused expertise across multiple aspects of Artificial Intelligence, the BCS Foundation Pathway in Artificial Intelligence (AI Diploma) may be a better fit. The AI Diploma allows you to explore AI from multiple perspectives — including data, ethics, machine learning, risk, governance, and real-world organisational use — rather than focusing on a single course. Learners select 8 accredited AI awards from a wider suite of options, creating a personalised pathway that reflects their role, interests, or career goals.

Designed by BCS, the Diploma provides a structured, recognised route for professionals who want to demonstrate broad AI competence, not just awareness.
The AI Diploma is ideal if you want to:
 • Develop expertise across multiple AI disciplines, not just the basics
 • Build a strong, evidence-based AI skillset for career progression
 • Support roles in leadership, consultancy, data, IT, governance, or transformation
 • Show employers you understand AI holistically, including risk and ethics
 • Create a flexible, accredited learning pathway aligned to your career.
Write your awesome label here.

Many learners start with the BCS Foundation Certificate in Artificial Intelligence and then progress into the Diploma to broaden their knowledge and strengthen their professional credibility. 
Explore the BCS AI Diploma Pathway or contact us to discuss which pathway best suits your goals.

Learners from These Organisations Choose Us

Meet Your Instructors

Darren Winter

Company Director and BCS Trainer
I’m Darren, BCS Accredited Trainer and Company Director of Duco Digital Training. I've been teaching AI for over 7 years and am completing my PhD in AI Ethics at Cordoba University.
If you have any questions about choosing the right course for your career, please contact me.

James Mc Connell

Accredited BCS  AI Trainer
James has more than forty years’ experience in technical, management and digital roles across a range of sectors including manufacturing, defence, social enterprise and public services.  He is an engineering graduate and postgraduate in education, business and risk.  James is an experienced speaker, lecturer and instructor and is passionate about empowering people to harness their digital superpowers for good.

Sign up for our newsletter

Exclusive Offers, New Courses, and Industry Insights

Thank you!

Frequently Asked Questions

Who is BCS?

BCS, The Chartered Institute for IT, is an internationally respected professional organisation, recognised and trusted by businesses, academic institutions, and IT professionals around the world. Representing over 60,000 members across 150 countries,

BCS brings together a global community of technology experts, educators, industry leaders, and policy-makers. Its purpose is to steer the IT profession through ethical and societal challenges, nurture the skills and careers of those within the field, and champion the use of technology for the greater good. Through its qualifications, events, and professional networks, BCS promotes continuous learning, thought leadership, and responsible innovation across the global tech landscape.

What is SFIA Plus?

SFIA Plus is a comprehensive, BCS-developed enhancement of the SFIA framework,  a globally recognised, seven-level framework that provides a common language for defining skills, competencies, and responsibilities in the digital world.

SFIA Plus provides detailed competency, training, and development resources for over 120 IT skills. It serves as a 3D, 7-level career roadmap to help organisations and individuals benchmark skills, define roles, and map career progression. 

Why should I take this course?

Organisations increasingly expect professionals to demonstrate ethical awareness, accountability, and judgement — particularly when working with data, AI, and automated systems.

This course helps you to:
 • Build professional credibility and trust
 • Reduce ethical, legal, and reputational risk
 • Strengthen decision-making in ambiguous or high-risk situations
 • Align your practice with recognised professional standards
 • Prepare for wider responsibilities in AI, governance, and leadership roles

For organisations, it supports a culture of responsible technology use, clearer accountability, and better risk management.

Who is this course for?

This course is ideal for:
 • IT, digital, and data professionals at any career stage
 • AI practitioners, product owners, and system designers
 • Managers and decision-makers responsible for technology use
 • Professionals working with personal data or automated systems
 • Anyone expected to act in line with professional codes of conduct

No prior ethics training is required.

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)
  • 1 year access to the BCS eLibrary of over 100 ebooks in business and technology and includes the recommended BCS books for this course
  • 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: Begin right after enrolment — learn anytime, anywhere. Book a 15-minute welcome call and a 15-minute exam prep session with your trainer directly via the course link.

Live training: Held on mutually agreed dates. Contact us to check 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 recommended 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?

Prefer learning in real time with a trainer? We offer live online training for groups of two or more. If you’re learning solo, you can invite a friend or colleague to join. To book, just contact us with your preferred dates and group size, and we’ll confirm availability and customise the session to your needs.

Can organisations buy this course for teams?

Yes. Duco Digital Training partners with organisations, colleges, universities, and government departments around the world. We can enrol teams of any size, giving each learner their own login, progress tracking, and Pass Assist support. Payment is available by invoice or bank transfer, and our self-study approach allows groups to learn consistently, at their own pace, while keeping costs manageable.

How long will I have access to the course? 

You have 12 months to complete all BCS courses and take the exam. For career pathways that include multiple courses, simply contact us if you need extra time.

Live Training for Companies

Looking to train a team?* We deliver bespoke live training in AI for organisations worldwide – online or onsite.
Tailored sessions, group discounts, and the same exam-ready Pass Assist package. Ideal for teams adopting AI tools, developing AI strategies, or needing confidence around ethical and responsible use.
*minimum of two people
Write your awesome label here.

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.

Created with