Data & network

You can get into this job through:

• a university course
• an apprenticeship
• working towards this role
• training with a professional body

University

You would normally move into a data protection role after working with an organisation in a related area, like:

• information management
• media and communications
• legal advice
• digital security

Employers will accept most university subjects, for example:

• business administration
• law
• marketing
• English
• modern languages
• public administration

You could also apply to do a postgraduate course in data protection after completing a first degree.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree
• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Apprenticeship

You could apply to do an apprenticeship that covers data protection, for example:

• Business Administrator Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Paralegal Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship
• Data Protection and Information Governance Practitioner Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship

These can take up to 2 years to complete. You'll do on-the-job training and spend time with a learning provider.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths, for an advanced apprenticeship
• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

For more information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide
• find an apprenticeship|https://www.gov.uk/apply-apprenticeship

Work

You could work with an organisation as an administrator or data protection assistant and become a data protection officer through training and promotion.

Other routes

You could do training with a professional body to get industry-recognised data protection certification, for instance:

• Certified Information Privacy Professional Europe (CIPPE)
• Certified Information Privacy Manager (CIPM)
• Practitioner Certificate in Data Protection

More information

Career tips

You will need a good working knowledge of General Data Protection Regulations (GDPR), the Data Protection Act (DPA) and Privacy and Electronic Communications Regulations (PECR).

Professional and industry bodies

You could join the Information & Records Management Society for access to training, resources and latest developments in data protection regulations.

Further information

You can find more details about a career in data protection from the Information Commissioner’s Office.

View all vacancies in this region

With experience you could become a:senior data protection officer; data protection manager; compliance manager

With further training, you could work as a consultant, advising UK and international organisations on global privacy and data protection regulations.