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Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Protection

  • Data Protection
Next Intake: 31 Dec 2025 (Wed)
  • Advanced
  • SkillsFuture
  • Full Certificates

This Industry Graduate Diploma has replaced the previous Advanced Diploma, offering a more structured and flexible learning pathway at SMU Academy. Find out more here.

Fee
SGD26,160* (as low as SGD3,048 after maximum funding) Learn More
Duration

30 days
Weekdays (9am - 6pm)

Level
Advanced

Who Should Attend

  • Data Protection Officers, Compliance Managers
  • Working professionals with data protection responsibilities

Admission requirements

  • A Bachelor’s Degree with at least 5 years of working experience; or
  • A Diploma from a local polytechnic with at least 10 years of relevant work experience

Overview

Comprising the Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Operational Excellence and Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Principles, this Industry Graduate Diploma programme provides a detailed introduction to the PDPA, data protection principles in Asian countries and the EU General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR), and a full overview regarding how to plan and implement a continuous compliance programme. It enables course participants to fulfil the knowledge requirements of a Data Protection Officer (DPO) – a position that is now a legal requirement in organisations.

Participants will be awarded the Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Protection upon successful completion of both Advanced Certificate programmes within 3 years. 

Programme Partner

Learning Objectives

The Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Protection aims to provide learners with an overview of the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA) and an understanding of the relationship between information and security.

Through this programme, learners will:

  • Understand and develop a practical approach to the Personal Data Protection Act (PDPA).
  • Understand the relationship between information and security — including the concept, value, importance, and reliability of information.
  • Learn the key principles and implementation of Data Protection by Design in various scenarios, including Data Protection Trustmark (DPTM) considerations and principles.
  • Develop and implement universal data protection frameworks, principles, and standards into a Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP).
  • Understand what drives data privacy — the “why” of privacy — as well as the emerging role of the Data Protection Officer (DPO).
  • Understand data protection laws and practices in Singapore, Hong Kong, and India.
  • Understand privacy laws and practices in the Philippines and Malaysia.
  • Understand the new data protection laws and practices in Indonesia and Thailand.

Topic/Structure

Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Operational Excellence

  • Module 1: A Practical Approach to Data Protection for DPOs
  • Module 2: Information & Cyber Security for Managers - EXIN Certification
  • Module 3: Advanced Data Protection Techniques: Data Protection by Design, DPIA & DPTM
  • Module 4: Data Protection Management Programme (DPMP)
  • Module 5: Data Protection Trends & the Role of the DPO
     

Advanced Certificate in Data Protection Principles

  • Module 1: Data Protection Principles in Asia Part 1 - Singapore, Hong Kong, India
  • Module 2: Data Protection Principles in Asia Part 2 - Philippines, Malaysia
  • Module 3: Data Protection Principles in Asia Part 3 - Indonesia, Thailand, Rest of the World
  • Module 4: Data Protection Principles in Asia Part 4 - Taiwan, China
  • Module 5: General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) & Application on Asia
  • Module 6: Data Protection Framework and Standards. ISO 29100, Nymity Accountability and APEC Privacy Framework

Assessment

As part of the requirement for SkillsFuture Singapore, there will be an assessment conducted at the end of every module as well as an overall Industry Graduate Diploma exam. The mode of assessment, which is up to the trainer’s discretion, may be an online quiz, a presentation or based on classroom exercises.

CERTIFICATION

Upon completion of all the required modules within 2 years and passing the overall IGD exam, participants will be awarded an Industry Graduate Diploma in Data Protection.

Calculate Programme Fee

Click here for more infomation about SkillsFuture Credits (Not applicable for Company-sponsored participants)
For PSEA - Available only for Singapore Citizen below 31 (Not applicable for Company-sponsored participants)

Total Program Fee: SGD0.00

Fee Table

 COMPANY-SPONSORED

PARTICIPANT PROFILE

SELF-SPONSORED

SME

NON-SME

Singapore Citizen < 40 years old

Permanent Resident

LTVP+

$7,848

(After SSG Funding 70%)

$3,048

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$7,848

(After SSG Funding 70%)

Singapore Citizen ≥ 40 years old

$3,048

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

$3,048

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ ETSS Funding 20%)

$3,048

(After SSG Funding 70%
+ MCES Funding 20%)

International Participant

$26,160

(No Funding)

$26,160

(No Funding)

$26,160

(No Funding)

*The course fees are exclusive of the following: $272.50 registration fee, $109 application fee, and $545 exam fees.
*All prices include 9% GST

Please note that the programme fees are subject to change without prior notice.

SkillsFuture Level-Up Programme for Mid-Career Individuals
A SkillsFuture Credit (Mid-Career) top-up of $4,000 will be provided to Singaporeans aged 40 years and above to further offset out-of-pocket course fees for this programme.

Post Secondary Education Account (PSEA)
PSEA can be utilised for subsidised programmes eligible for SkillsFuture Credit support. Click here to find out more.

Self Sponsored

SkillsFuture Credit

Singapore Citizens aged 25 and above may use their SkillsFuture Credits to pay for the course fees. The credits may be used on top of existing course fee funding.

This is only applicable to self-sponsored participants. Application to utilise SkillsFuture Credits can be submitted when making payment for the course via the SMU Academy TMS Portal, and can only be made within 60 days of course start date.

Please click here for more information on the SkillsFuture Credit. For help in submitting an SFC claim, you may wish to refer to our step-by-step guide on claiming SkillsFuture Credits (Individual).

Workfare Skills Support Scheme

From 1 July 2023, the Workfare Skills Support (WSS) scheme has been enhanced. Please click here for more details.

Company Sponsored

Enhanced Training Support for SMEs (ETSS)

  • Organisation must be registered or incorporated in Singapore
  • Employment size of not more than 200 or with annual sales turnover of not more than $100 million
  • Trainees must be hired in accordance with the Employment Act and fully sponsored by their employers for the course
  • Trainees must be Singapore Citizens or Singapore Permanent Residents
  • Trainees must not be a full-time national serviceman
  • Trainees are eligible for ETSS funding only if their company's SME status is approved prior to the course commencement date. To verify your SME's status, please click here. 

Please click here for more information on ETSS.

Absentee Payroll

Companies who sponsor their employees for the course may apply for Absentee Payroll here. For more information, please refer to:

AP Guide (Non-SME Companies)
Declaration Guide (SME Companies)

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