Introduction to GDPR: General Data Protection Regulation Course - UCL (University College London)

Learn how to handle data in the digital economy safely, securely and respectfully.

Learn how to handle data responsibly

The General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) is designed to balance the need for businesses’ and customers’ data information to flow freely, and the need to protect the rights of the individual.

As a professional, you need to be aware of the legal requirements of the GDPR so you can ensure your organisation is compliant.

In this course, you will get a thorough introduction to GDPR so you can grow your understanding of protecting personal data and be able to handle data in the digital economy appropriately.

When would you like to start?

Most FutureLearn courses run multiple times. Every run of a course has a set start date but you can join it and work through it after it starts.

• Date to be announced

Who will you learn with?

Who developed the course?

UCL (University College London)

UCL was founded in 1826. It was the first English university established after Oxford and Cambridge, and the first to open up university education to those previously excluded from it.

UCL Consultants

We connect you with the best of UCL: We help you access critical specialist knowledge and first-class research facilities across 11 faculties and 100+ departments.

PA Consulting

An independent firm of over 2,600 people, we operate globally from offices across the Americas, Europe, the Nordics, the Gulf and the Asia Pacific.

Who is the course for

This course is for anyone handling customer data, whether you work with customers in person, over the phone, or through digital or paper correspondence. You don’t need any previous experience.

If you are an employer, you can invite your staff to this course, with the ability to track their progress and evidence completion with digital and downloadable certificates.

What topics will you cover?

Week 1 - Law and history

• The purpose and history of data regulation in relation to the new legislation
• The principles of General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR)
• Key concepts, including (but not limited to) the natural person, personal data, controllers and processors, and legitimate interests

Week 2 - The Natural Person

• Legal bases for processing, including consent, legitimate interests and contracts
• The rights of the individual, including (but not limited to) erasure, access and automated decision-making
• Identifying how the implementation of GDPR could help to prevent particular breaches of data

Week 3 - The organisation and the data lifecycle

• Implications of GDPR for workers, their places of work and their customers
• Mitigating risks associated with the handling and processing of data
• Third-party contracts and transfers
• Roles and responsibilities regarding Data Protection in the workplace

What will you achieve

By the end of the course, you‘ll be able to:

• Explain the history and principles of data regulation which resulted in the GDPR.
• Explain legal bases for processing personal data, including the performance of contracts and how consent is obtained.
• Identify the ways in which the GDPR can help to avoid confidentiality breaches.
• Explain actions you and your workplace can take to mitigate risks.
• Identify the key concepts and purpose of the GDPR.
• Describe the rights of the individual under the regulations.
• Identify the implications of GDPR for you and your workplace.
• Describe the role and responsibilities of Data Protection Officers.