Data Protection Officer Apprenticeship
The only government-funded route to a formal Data Protection Officer qualification. One Zoom session per month, no exams, portfolio-based assessment, up to £10,000 government funding.
The eligibility criteria.
No prior compliance background needed. This is designed for support staff, paralegals and project managers already handling data protection at work.
You need a legal role to start. Browse live paralegal apprentice vacancies. Most firms hire quickly if you're keen to train.
See our recruitment pageUp to 100% funded. You pay nothing.
If you're under 25 and work for a small organisation (under £3m annual payroll) the Department for Education covers 100% of your apprenticeship. You and your organisation pay nothing.
Small firms (under 50 employees) also receive a £1,000 incentive payment when they hire an apprentice aged 16–24.
If your organisation has a payroll over £3m they will pay 0.5% of their monthly payroll into the apprenticeship levy pot, and will be able to use this accumulated pot directly towards apprenticeships , see employer funding for more information.
Your programme, module by module.
Fifteen data protection modules covering UK GDPR, risk, cybersecurity, breach management and stakeholder engagement. Delivered as monthly Zoom workshops with 1-to-1 coaching.
Qualified Data Protection Officer.
Level 4 Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner awarded. The only official government-funded DPO certification.
Progress in your compliance or governance career, or explore Datalaw's other apprenticeship routes.
See next apprenticeshipsSupported at every step.
The programme is built for people completely new to law. From day one you have a Progress Tutor, structured feedback and a clear path to the end-point assessment.
A dedicated Progress Tutor
The same expert Progress Tutor from onboarding to end-point discussion. One-to-one Zoom coaching between the monthly workshops.
Live learning
Face-to-face one-to-one sessions with an expert tutor, plus live group workshops with your cohort. Never a recording playing at you. Real conversations, real questions answered on the spot.
The Datalaw Learning Platform
All your workshop recordings, module notes and portfolio in one place. Accessible for 12 months after you qualify.
Portfolio review before EPA
In the final months we work with you and your line manager to make sure your evidence meets every standard.
Best-practice legal training
Every workshop, tutorial and assignment is grounded in current ICO guidance and UK GDPR practice. How good organisations actually run compliance today. You leave modelling how senior DPOs work, not textbook theory.
Off-the-job training built in
Off-the-job training hours are tracked and evidenced for you against your standard's minimum. Live workshops, private tutorials, self-study and reflection all count. No spreadsheets to keep, no last-minute scramble at EPA.
Reviews from
learners.
“Our experience with Datalaw has been transformational for our first apprentice. I would unhesitatingly recommend Datalaw for those who want to advance their home grown talented team members.”
“Madi is doing so well and I am very proud of her achievements to date. Thank you to Alex and Datalaw for all the encouragement and training that you have given to Madi in her apprenticeship.”
“We are very proud of how far Danni has come with her course. We think this has aided her confidence and developed her skills. It was great to hear about Danni's progress and I look forward to our review meetings.”
Hear it in their own words.
A current apprentice, her line manager, and a graduate who progressed all the way to CILEx. Recorded with them at their firms, unscripted.
Everything applicants ask us.
How does work and study fit together?
Only 1 session per month via Zoom, plus 1-to-1 coaching. Designed to fit around busy schedules. No exams, just portfolio and discussion at the end.
Who is this for?
Support staff, paralegals and project managers who handle data protection daily, or anyone looking to formally qualify as a Data Protection Officer.
How long is the apprenticeship?
12 to 16 months training time plus up to 4 months to complete your final assessment.
What does it cost me and my employer?
£0 to you. Up to £10,000 in government funding is available. Co-funded employers pay no more than £500. Levy-paying employers use their apprenticeship levy pot at no extra cost.
Are there exams?
No exams. Assessment is via portfolio and end-point discussion. Practical, evidence-based and stress-free.
What qualification do I get?
Level 4 Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner. The sole official government-funded certification that formally qualifies someone as a Data Protection Officer.
Four steps from day one to qualified.
You're on payroll, we get you funded
You're already employed by a UK organisation. As a government-approved provider, we draw down the funding so there's nothing for you or your employer to pay upfront.
One Zoom session per month
Deliberately spaced. Monthly workshops plus 1-to-1 coaching, so you can build the qualification around busy schedules without disruption.
Master data protection & compliance
From UK GDPR and DPIAs through to breach management, cybersecurity, auditing and stakeholder engagement. Applied on real cases at your organisation.
Qualify as a Data Protection Officer
Complete a portfolio and end-point discussion. No exams. And finish as a Level 4 Data Protection & Information Governance Practitioner.
Your data protection career starts here.
Register your interest and our team will walk you through funding, eligibility and your start date. It takes two minutes.