Self-Paced Study, Professionally Recognised
Candidates preparing directly with the Institute study online, at their own pace, on the DSI Certifications Platform. This page sets out how that study is organised, the support available, and how candidates work toward the examination.
Study the lessons
In the specification's order, at your own pace, on the DSI Certifications Platform.
Practise and check
Applied practice and a knowledge check after every lesson, with tutor support throughout.
Prove readiness
Unit practices and practice examinations show when you are ready to sit.
Sit the examination
Book it when ready. The certification is awarded on passing the examination.
How self-paced study is organised
Self-paced describes when candidates study. The sequence of the material, the practice that follows each lesson and the checks against it are set by the certification specification.
A fixed sequence
Content follows the order of the published specification. Each lesson assumes the practice from the lesson before it.
Your own schedule
There is no cohort start date and no weekly deadline. Examinations are taken on demand, so candidates set their own pace.
Recorded progress
Completed lessons, practice and knowledge check results are recorded, so candidates can see what is done and what remains.
What a lesson involves
Every lesson on the platform has the same four parts.
Lesson materials
A narrated lesson covering the topic, with slides and the dataset available to download.
Applied practice
Tasks on the lesson dataset, in the tool the certification assesses, with sample answers.
Knowledge check
Five objective questions, marked immediately and recorded against the lesson.
Tutor support
Outstanding questions go to the certification's community channel, where DSI tutors respond.
Making self-paced study work
Candidates who complete tend to work the same way. None of it requires a fixed timetable.
Study in short, regular sessions
Frequent shorter sessions hold material better than occasional long ones. A single lesson is a natural unit of work.
Practise straight after the lesson
Applied practice done while the material is fresh is more useful than practice saved for later.
Treat the check as recall
Answer from memory before looking anything up. Recalling material is what fixes it; recognising it is not the same thing.
Go back over weak topics
A check that needed a second attempt marks a topic to revisit before a later lesson assumes it.
Masterclasses and tutor support
Self-paced study with DSI is supported. Both provisions are included in the certification fee.
Online masterclasses
Live tutor-led sessions on syllabus topics and examination technique. Each is recorded and kept on the platform, so candidates who cannot attend live are not at a disadvantage.
DSI tutors and the community channel
Each certification has its own channel within the DSI community, shared with candidates, holders and DSI staff. Tutors are practising analysts and data scientists who teach on the programme.
Working toward the examination
The certification is awarded on passing the examination, not on completing the learning programme. Four stages indicate readiness to sit.
Knowledge checks
Taken after each lesson. Checks that needed a repeat identify the topics to revisit.
Unit practices
Longer applied work at the end of each unit, closer in scope to the examination.
Practice examinations
Full-length papers in the examination format, marked with explanations.
Book the examination
Examinations are taken on demand and can be booked whenever practice results indicate readiness.
One fee, everything included
Preparing directly with DSI is a single all-inclusive fee — the learning programme, tutor support, masterclasses, the examination, your certificate and badge, and first-year membership. There is no separate examination or certificate fee.
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Registering for a DSI certification is how you join the Institute. Your first year of membership is included, with no separate application.
FAQs
What does the fee cover?
Everything. One fee covers the learning programme on the DSI Certifications Platform, tutor and community support, the masterclass programme, the examination, your digital certificate and verifiable badge on passing, and the first year of DSI membership.
What happens after I register?
You receive confirmation and an invoice by email, access to the DSI Certifications Platform, and an invitation to the community channel for your certification.
How much study time is required?
Study time depends on prior experience. Because examinations are taken on demand, there is no minimum weekly commitment and no deadline to work back from.
Can lessons be taken out of sequence?
They can, but the sequence follows the specification and later lessons assume earlier practice. Candidates who already know a topic can go directly to its knowledge check.
What support is available if I get stuck?
Questions are raised in the certification's community channel, which DSI tutors monitor during published support hours. Topics that recur are covered again in a masterclass.
Is self-paced study accepted for the examination?
Candidates are examined against the specification however and wherever they prepared. The examination and the certification are the same for every preparation route.
Any questions before you register?
Send us an enquiry about entry level, study time or examination arrangements and the team will respond.