Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information

  eLearning Programme


 

The UK's Leading Practical Qualification for the FOI Professional...

 

"I am thrilled to have passed PDP's Practitioner Certificate in FOI... My knowledge of FOI, DPA and EIRs has increased immensely and I feel so much more confident in dealing with requests..."

The Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information ("PC.foi") is the practical qualification for those that work in the field of FOI.

Successful completion of the Programme demonstrates to employers and others that the candidate possesses a solid knowledge of Freedom of Information law (and the Environmental Information Regulations), as well as an understanding of the practical implications for organisations of the legal requirements, including how to manage an FOI request from inception to completion.

 

The Qualificaton can be undertaken on the following basis:

  • eLearning Programme (also known as "Distance Learning")
  • Classroom / Virtual-LIVE Programme

 

Outlined below is further information the 'eLearning Programme'. Individuals looking to complete the in-person/Virtual-LIVE option should view Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information - Classroom / Virtual-LIVE Programme.

 

PC.dp GDPR Conversion online exam

The Programme is entirely "on-demand" enabling you to study at your own pace whether at home, in the office or on the move

The eLearning Programme

The eLearning Programme (also known as the 'Distance Learning Programme') provides candidates with the ability to study the material 'on-demand' in their own time and at their own pace, either at home or in the office.

The comprehensive materials consist of video presentations, written materials and self-assessment multiple choice questions (‘MCQs’). The MCQs allow candidates to test their knowledge and understanding as they progress through the materials, and to prepare for the online examination.

 

The Exam

When candidates are ready, they can proceed to take the online examination. The examination is ‘open book’, meaning that candidates can refer to their materials, books and notes during the examination.

 

The Fee

The fee for the Distance Learning Programme is £1,750 plus VAT .

A discount of 15% is available for each additional candidate from your organisation enrolling at the same time.

Group Licenses with additional discounts are also available.

 

Syllabus and Examination Board

The Syllabus for the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information Programme is available for download here

Information on the Members of the Examination Board is available here

 

Register of Qualified FOI Practitioners

The online register of those who have gained the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information can viewed here
 

Further Information

If you have a query about the Programme, please:

  • visit the online FAQs
  • telephone PDP on +44 (0)207 014 3399
  • contact us by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it

 

Application

Three easy ways to enrol onto the Programme:

  • apply online
  • telephone PDP on +44 (0)207 014 3399
  • contact us by This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it
 
 

BOOK NOWV2

Sign up for PDP's Email Newsletter

 

"I thought the distance learning worked really well. The material was great and the videos were very good quality and easy to follow. The ability to pick it as and when I wanted/could was really useful as well because it allowed me to work it in around my work and personal time."
Jonathan Drysdale
Freedom of Information Manager
National Highways


"I much preferred the Distance Learning option as I could not only watch the videos at my leisure when I was available, and I could watch them repeatedly. I could also rewind instantly to try to review/understand the points being made. I could also pause and reaffirm the information in the written version (I had requested hard copies be sent to my home). This was particularly useful to me."
Tony Finlay
Information Management
Department for Communities (NI)


"I thought the on-demand element worked well. It meant I could go back easily when I was revising. The self-assessment questions were really useful. Overall I learned a lot. For me long distance was definitely the preferred option as it fit well within my work."
Rebekah Taylor
Archive Manager
Independent Office for Police Conduct

 

"Very positive feedback from me. I found the eLearning qualification programme to be equally challenging and equally informative. I liked the way the training was structured into chapters/bite sized chunks which allowed me to dip in and out of the training but not lose any sense/momentum. I have already revised CCEA’s FOI Customer templates based on the wording and advice I picked up in the training."
David Wilson
Business Assurance Manager
Council for the Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment

 

"Overall I really enjoyed the course and found it really stretching (which is the way a course should be!). I liked the video/reading/test aspect. I think that worked really well."
Carl Bird
Senior Manager
HS2

 

"I found the qualification programme very easy to navigate and work through, and was thankful for the advantages of the distance learning format – i.e. being able to re-visit the materials whenever wished."
Eleanor Johnson Ward
FOI Assessor
The National Archives

 

"The eLearning programme was intense, challenging and there was a lot to get through, but I enjoyed it. The materials were excellent and very detailed - to university standard. The speakers were extremely knowledgeable, their expertise coupled with the written material made each section of the course easy to comprehend."
Dawn Pelle
Solicitor
London Borough of Islington

 

"I am very pleased to have achieved the Practitioner Certificate in Freedom of Information. The programme provides excellent knowledge and understanding on the practical applications of handling requests for information"
Louise Smith
Information Rights Officer
Financial Ombudsman Service

 

"Overall, I was greatly impressed with the training. I sought the distance learning programme as I wanted to be able to self-pace the training and work through it on my own schedule - which this very much allowed for. An unexpected benefit was also being able to go back and revisit modules or chapters that I perhaps failed test questions on, to give myself a second opportunity to cover the materials."
Clare Hillis
Senior Manager
ICO

 

"I was delighted to have added an important feather to my professional hat. I felt at ease with the distance eLearning as I could revisit the modules in my own time. The training materials were comprehensive and of excellent standard. I highly recommend this qualification programme."
Sarah Otto
Data Protection Officer
Oasis Community Learning