Data Management & Governance

Delivery type Study 100% online
Start November 2026, May 2027
Length 8 weeks (150 hours)
Price £995

About this course

Understand how data works across your organisation, strengthen your data governance and information governance practices, make better decisions, and lead responsibly in a data-driven world.

This fully online CPD course is designed for professionals who work with data - or are accountable for it - but don’t come from a technical background. You’ll develop knowledge of data management and data governance, oversee information governance, and collaborate effectively with technical teams.

Organisations today rely on data for everything - from daily operations to AI-driven innovation. Effective data governance, information management and responsible AI practices help organisations protect data, meet compliance requirements and unlock new opportunities. As part of the whole data lifecycle, you will see how data moves and transforms, and when managed correctly, creates value across an organisation.

Get course guide

You’ll explore the key components of modern data systems, building a practical understanding of how data is managed and used in real-world settings. You’ll learn about the full data lifecycle, from collection and storage through to processing and analysis, as well as the platforms and architectures that support it, including cloud, hybrid, and on-premises environments.

The course also covers data pipelines, workflows, and transformation processes. In addition, you’ll be introduced to the concepts of AI, machine learning, and modern analytics systems, while developing fundamental knowledge of essential governance, ethics, security, and regulatory considerations, including GDPR.

We’ve ensured every concept is tied to real-world scenarios, providing you with a highly relevant and applied learning that you can transfer directly into your current or future roles.

This fully-online 15-credit course is delivered by a world top 100 (QS 2027) Russell Group university and is designed to build your confidence week by week.

Why study with Leeds

World Top 100 University

Study at an internationally renowned Russell Group university, ranked 77th in the QS World University Rankings 2027.

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100% online study

Study completely online and part-time, fitting your studies around your existing work and life commitments.

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Connected learning

Enjoy your studies in a world-class online learning environment, with regular live interactive sessions and global peer networking.

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Industry leader

This course is taught in conjunction with the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA), a leading research institute dedicated to data-driven innovation.

Advance with purpose

This course provides recognised postgraduate credits that you'll be able to use to support your professional development. It’s designed to help you grow your expertise with purpose and continuity.

Entry requirements

At least 6 months of relevant professional experience in a role involving data-informed decision-making, or a 2:2 honours degree in any subject.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.

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Learning outcomes

On completion of this 8-week course, you will be able to:

Explain

Explain how data systems and platforms operate.
Describe

Describe the full data lifecycle - from collection to insight.
Evaluate

Evaluate different data architectures and tools.
Appreciate

Appreciate how data is processed, analysed, and visualised.
Identify

Identify where AI and machine learning fit into real systems.
Apply

Apply data governance, information governance, ethics, and security principles to data use.

Your course leader

Paul Baxter is Professor of Biostatistics & Education at the University of Leeds and Director of Education & Training for the Leeds Institute for Data Analytics (LIDA).

"I am delighted to be leading this module that introduced the key principles of data management and governance in a non-technical and user-friendly way"

Paul Baxter, Professor of Biostatistics & Education, Leeds Institute for Data Analytics.

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Explore the curriculum

Explore the six, in-depth units that make up the curriculum of our Data Management & Governance CPD course.

Unit 1: Understanding Data Management and Governance Foundations

Explore how data engineering roles, tools, and data governance frameworks connect within modern organisations. Using examples from retail, finance, and healthcare, you'll trace data from raw ingestion through to governed assets, identifying responsibilities and actions across teams.

Unit 2: Designing Data Platforms for Effective Governance

Examine how platform architecture and deployment models influence what data teams can build and how governance must be applied. Through a fintech case study, you'll assess trade-offs between control, cost, scalability, security, and compliance to support real-world platform decisions.

Unit 3: Classifying Data and Building Information Management Practices

Develop the ability to classify data by type, sensitivity, and structure, and align these classifications with suitable storage technologies. You'll also explore data stewardship responsibilities and how organisations create effective information management practices. In a retail case study, you'll construct a data inventory and apply governance requirements from the ground up.

Unit 4: Managing Data Workflows from Ingestion to Reporting

Understand how raw data progresses through transformation pipelines, from initial ingestion to final reporting outputs. Using a consumer spending case study, you'll map an end-to-end workflow and pinpoint governance obligations at each stage.

Unit 5: Understanding AI, Analytics and Responsible Data Use

Differentiate between machine learning, deep learning, and generative AI, and when each approach is most appropriate. Through a financial services case study, you'll match analytical tasks to the right architectures and evaluate platform trade-offs while exploring the role of AI governance and responsible AI in modern organisations.

Unit 6: Applying Data Governance in Real-World Contexts

Synthesize the module content by examining how legal, regulatory, and ethical frameworks shape data use in practice. Explore information governance, data compliance and responsible AI approaches, and develop confidence in making effective governance decisions in complex situations. Drawing on real-world legislation and case law, you'll work through governance decisions and build confidence in handling complex, ambiguous scenarios.

Your professional development, continued

Explore additional courses that build on the skills you’ve gained here and support your ongoing professional development.

Contact us

If you have any questions about online study with Leeds, entry requirements or how to apply, you can contact our friendly Admissions Team at:

Email: onlineadmissions@leeds.ac.uk
Telephone: +44 113 519 8809