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Training Courses - 'Classroom-based' FAQs
Training Courses - eLearning
In-House Training - FAQs
Qualification 'Classroom-based' - FAQs
Qualification 'Residential-based' - FAQs
Qualification 'Distance-Learning' / 'eLearning' - FAQs
Training Courses - 'Classroom-based' FAQs
Where are the courses held?
Each course is held in a high quality central city hotel/venue. In London, the courses will always take place in hotel venues that are within a short distance of a major Central London tube station. In other cities the courses take place within a short distance of a major mainline railway station.
Is lunch included?
Yes, lunch is included for delegates on all courses that span the lunch period.
What types of payment do you accept?
We accept payment by cheques and bank transfers.
Can we pay for the training course by credit/debit card?
PDP does not currently accept payments by card.
Is a discount available for multiple delegates attending the same course?
Yes, discounts are available for multiple delegates attending from your organisation on the same course, on the same date, when booked at the same time. 10% discount is available for additional delegates booked at the same time.
Can I reserve a place while I wait for a Purchase Order number to be raised that I need you to include on the invoice?
PDP does not accept provisional bookings. Your booking is confirmed when we send you an invoice. If you need us to include a PO number on your invoice, please supply us with this information at the time of booking.
Are your courses available on an in-house basis?
Yes, each of the courses can be supplied to your staff at your own premises or at a venue of your choosing. We can also tailor a course, or create a new course, to suit the needs of your staff. Please contact us for more information and see the In-House Training FAQs below.
What happens if I need to cancel my course?
Please see the Terms & Conditions for information on course cancellations.
What happens if PDP cancels a course?
PDP rarely cancels courses. Where we do so it is due to circumstances beyond our control. Where this happens you will be given as much notice as we can supply (usually at least 10 days), and you will be able to choose between re-booking the course for a later date or a full refund.
I have already attended one or more of the courses that comprise the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection or the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. Can I use these courses as credit towards gaining the Certificate?
Yes, please see the Qualifications section below for more details.
Training Courses - eLearning FAQs
Is a discount available for multiple delegates for the same course?
Yes, 20% discount is available for additional delegates (2 to 5) from your organisation on the same course when booked at the same time. Higher discounts are available for group licences for between 6 and 999 delegates – please contact us for more information.
What does an eLearning course consist of?
Each eLearning course consist of video presentations, written materials and self-assessment multiple-choice questions (so that you can test your knowledge as you progress through the materials).
Do I have to attend an eLearning course on a particular date/time?
No. All eLearning courses are available ‘on demand’. From the date of enrolment, you have four weeks to complete the training, allowing you to study the course at your own pace (with no restrictions or fixed schedules to adhere to). You can log in and out of the course and study around your existing commitments.
Is there a test at the end of each part?
There is a set of multiple choice questions at the end of each part. These can be used to test your understanding of the materials as you progress through the course. You can go back and re-answer the questions as many times as you wish. Although your ‘score’ is not recorded by default, your employer can request to be informed as to whether you have completed the course. Qualified practitioners who are attending an eLearning course for CPD purposes should ensure that the entire course is completed (including answering the self-assessment MCQs) so that your attendance/completion is registered as part of your educational record (PDP does not record your ‘score’ on the MCQs).
Can I get a discount for each eLearning course attended when later undertaking a qualification?
Yes, a discount of £250 is available for each relevant eLearning course you have completed within the two years prior to enrolling on a qualification programme (this applies to the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information, and the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management). This applies to all types of enrollments, i.e. face-to-face, residential and eLearning.
Can I get a hard copy of the written materials of the course?
Yes, once you have completed the eLearning course, please send us an
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requesting a hard copy of the materials. These will be sent to you by post within two weeks of your request. There is no additional charge for the hard copy materials.
In-House Training FAQs
Are your courses available on an in-house basis?
Yes, each of the courses can be supplied to your staff at your own premises or at a venue of your choosing. We can also tailor a course, or create a new course, to suit the needs of your staff. Please contact us for more information.
Can the course be tailored to suits the needs of my organisation?
Yes, we can tailor a public course to suit the particular needs of your organisation. We can also design a new course to meet the specifications that you require.
What are the fees for in-house training?
Please contact us so that we can give you a quotation. We will need to know your location, the type of course that you require, the preferred duration for the course (e.g. half-day, full day) and the approximate number of delegates.
Qualifications 'Classroom-based' - FAQs
Does the fee include entry into the Examination?
Yes, the fee is fully inclusive of tuition, all study materials and the Examination.
I have attended some of the required courses before. Will I be able to use those towards gaining the qualification?
Yes, any of the courses that you have attended in the relevant period prior to your enrolment on the Practitioner Certificate Programmes can be used towards completion of the Programme. The relevant period for each of the qualifications is as follows:
- Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection - two years
- Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information - three years
- Practitioner Certificate in Records Management - four years
Is there a time period within which the courses must be taken?
Yes, the courses and examination must be completed within two years of enrolment.
Do I have to take the courses in a specific order?
Although it is not necessary to attend the courses in any particular order, you may find it helpful to attend the Level 1 course before attending the Level 2 course. If you are new to the area of study, it is strongly suggested that you attend the Levels 1 & 2 courses before attending the remaining courses.
Can I get a discount on the Programme Fee if I have attended any of the courses before?
Yes, a discount of £300 / €325 / $400 will be applied to your Programme Fee for each relevant course that you have attended previously. Please let us know, at the time of your enrolment, that you have already attended relevant training courses.
If I have attended all of the courses, but not yet enrolled on the Programme, can I sit the Exam?
Yes, where you have already completed all relevant courses, you can enrol on the Programme for the fee of £695 / €755 / $895 plus VAT for the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection and the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information, and £495 / €555 / $655 for the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management. You will then be sent the additional reading materials, and you can proceed to take the Exam when you are ready.
Is a discount available for multiple delegates enrolling on the Programme?
A discount of 10% on the Programme Fees is available for each additional candidate from your organisation enrolling at the same time.
How can I be exempted from attending the Data Protection Essential Knowledge – Level 1 course?
Candidates who have worked in the field of data protection for at least two years are not required to attend the 'Data Protection Essential Knowledge – Level 1' course when completing the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme. Candidates wishing to apply for the exemption must submit a letter signed by their current or previous employer attesting to their having worked in the field of data protection for at least two years.
How long is the exam, and what is the format of the exam?
On the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (Standard and Residential Programmes), the exam is 3 hours in duration. On the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme, the exam is 2.5 hours in duration. Each exam is composed of two parts: a paper consisting of multiple choice questions and a paper containing longer form questions which require written answers.
On the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management, the exam is undertaken online and comprises of multiple choice questions and an assignment.
On the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection (Distance Learning) Programme, the exam is undertaken online and comprises of multiple choice questions.
Can the Programme be taken as an in-house course?
Yes, organisations with several candidates (a minimum of 6) to enrol on the Programme can have the training courses take place at their own premises. Please contact the In-House Team for further information.
What does "PC.dp.", "PC.rm." and "PC.foi." mean?
The designation “PC.dp.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme and passed the examination. The designation “PC.rm.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management Programme and passed with the examination.The designation “PC.foi.” can be used after your name to show that you have completed the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme and passed with the examination.
Is there a requirement to keep my qualification up to date?
The GDPR requires that data protection practitioners update their knowledge on a regular basis. Therefore as part of your obligations as a data protection professional, the Examination Board has determined that, as a holder of the Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection, you are required to keep your PC.dp. qualification up to date ('Continuing Professional Development'). From the first anniversary of your being awarded the qualification, you are required to attend at least one ‘designated course’ per annum. For further information on the annual requirements, as well as a full list of the designated training courses, visit the dedicated Continuing Professional Development webpage.
Although there is no Continuing Professional Development requirement on either the Practitioner Certificate in Records Management or the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programmes, successful candidates are advised to maintain their knowledge by attending relevant training courses and events from time to time.
Can I re-sit the Exam if I do not pass it?
Yes, you can apply to sit the Exam a further two times (three times in total). After this, the Programme will need to be taken again. The fee for re-sitting the Exam is £290 / €375 plus VAT.
How can I enrol on the Programme?
Applications can be made by telephoning PDP Training on: +44 (0)207 014 3399 or via the online booking form for the Practitioner's Certificate in Data Protection or the online booking form for the Practitioner's Certificate in Records Management or the online booking form for the Practitioner's Certificate in Freedom of Information
Will I receive a certificate?
Yes, all candidates who pass the Examination will be sent a certificate by post within two months of being notified of their result.
Can I change the exam date once I have booked?
Yes, you can defer the date of the Examination that you have booked any time up to three weeks prior to the Examination date free of charge. Requests for changes received after that date incur a fee. For a list of fees, see the Terms page. Online examinations can be taken whenever the candidate is ready.
If I lose my certificate, can I obtain a replacement?
Yes, there is an administrative charge of £25 plus VAT for a replacement certificate.
Qualification 'Residential-based' - FAQs
Is there any difference between the tuition on the Residential Programme and the regular one-day training courses?
There is no difference in the tuition. Having the courses taught only to qualification candidates in a residential setting allows the whole Programme to be taught over four days.
Is there any difference in the trainers?
No. The trainers that teach the one-day courses at various locations throughout the UK will also teach the candidates on the Residential Programme.
How many days will I need to take off work?
The tuition portion of the Programme runs from Wednesday to Saturday inclusive, so you will need to plan to be away from work for three standard working days.
If I have attended any of the courses before, can I be exempt from parts of the Residential Programme?
No. The Residential Programme is designed as an intensive training package, which must be attended in full. Candidates are not permitted to select parts of the Programme to attend.
Cancellations by the Delegate / Refunds – Residential Programme
Any candidate that has booked onto the Residential Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection Programme may cancel that booking at any time up to eight weeks before the date of the commencement of that Residential Programme – such cancellations will incur an administration charge of £250 plus VAT. No refunds are available for a cancellation that is received by PDP after eight weeks prior to the first day of the Residential Programme on which the candidate is booked to attend, and any invoice that is outstanding remains payable in full – however, the candidate may transfer to a future date for the Residential Programme for the transfer fee of £500 plus VAT, if more than two weeks’ notice is given. Within the two weeks prior to the start of the Residential Programme, no transfer will be available.
Qualification 'Distance-Learning' / 'eLearning' - FAQs
Is there a deadline to enrol?
There is no deadline to enrol.
What is the recommended timeframe for taking the Exam after enrolling?
The time that you take to study the materials will depend on how much time you have available, bearing in mind your other commitments. In many cases a period of three months might be sufficient to study the materials and prepare for the exam.
Do I have to attend a particular place to take the Exam?
No. You can take the exam from your home, office or wherever (and whenever) you wish. You will be given secure access to the exam through a dedicated online portal.
How long is the Exam?
You can choose a suitable time to take the exam. Once you have commenced the exam, you will have 2 hours of total online time in which to answer the questions.
How many times can I re-sit the Exam?
Should any candidate fail the examination, the examination can be re-taken twice more (a total of three times).
Can I start the learning process as soon as I have enrolled on the Distance Learning Programme?
As soon as you enrol, we will send you an invoice for the Programme. Your study materials will be sent you as soon as payment is received.
After enrolment, is there a time limit for taking the exam?
Most candidates choose to take the exam after they have completed study of the materials, which is usually within a few weeks of enrolment. However, you must take the examination within six months from your date of enrolment.
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