CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development

The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development is a regulated professional qualification for people developing a career in workplace learning, training and organisational development.

It builds the knowledge and practical skills needed to identify learning needs, design development programmes, facilitate group learning, support self-directed development and evaluate the value created by L&D activities.

The qualification sits at Level 5 on the Regulated Qualifications Framework in England and Northern Ireland. It is commonly compared to the academic level of a foundation degree, Higher National Diploma or Diploma of Higher Education.

However, it is a professional L&D qualification rather than a university degree. It sits above Level 3 study but below a full bachelor’s degree, which is Level 6.

The People Management pathway focuses on employee relations, talent management, workforce planning and reward. The Organisational Learning and Development pathway focuses on learning design, informal and self-directed learning, group facilitation and improving workplace performance through development.

Both qualifications include the same three core units and lead to CIPD Associate Membership. Your choice should reflect whether you want to specialise primarily in HR or learning and development.

The course is suitable for L&D coordinators, trainers, facilitators, learning designers, HR professionals with development responsibilities and managers involved in workplace learning.

There are no formal CIPD entry requirements, and you do not have to complete Level 3 first. However, HRC Online will assess your suitability to ensure you are prepared for Level 5 research, written assessment and practical facilitation requirements.

YES! You must maintain active CIPD membership while studying so that HRC Online can submit your unit results to the CIPD and they can count towards your completed qualification.

After HRC Online registers you for the qualification, the CIPD will contact you with instructions for activating or confirming your membership. Any applicable CIPD joining and membership fees are paid separately to the CIPD.

HRC Online study plans are designed around completing the qualification in approximately eight to ten months with regular study. Your actual completion time will depend on your experience, available study time and chosen payment plan.

The CIPD gives a typical completion period of 12–16 months across all study centres and estimates the total qualification time at 420 hours, including learning, research and assessment preparation.

The teaching, learning materials, tutor support and written assessment submissions are delivered online. There are no compulsory classroom lessons or fixed weekly classes.

However, 5LD03 requires you to facilitate a face-to-face group learning and development activity. You will therefore need access to a suitable group for this practical element. HRC Online will provide guidance to help you plan and evidence the activity.

CIPD Bitesize divides the course into manageable 10–15-minute learning activities. Assessment-Focused Learning connects those activities to the relevant CIPD assessment criteria, helping you understand what each question requires, what knowledge you need to demonstrate and where to begin your research.

Every HRC Online payment plan includes unlimited one-to-one support. Sessions can be booked directly through our tutors’ online calendars whenever you need help understanding a question, structuring an answer, approaching your research or interpreting assessment feedback.

If an assessment requires further development, your feedback will identify the areas that need additional work. You can discuss this with a tutor before resubmitting, and HRC Online does not charge an additional fee for standard assessment resubmissions.

You must maintain active CIPD membership while studying so that your results can be submitted and moderated. CIPD joining and membership fees are paid separately to the CIPD.

After completing all seven units, you will receive the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development. The qualification leads to CIPD Associate Membership and the professional designation Assoc CIPD.

The qualification can support progression into roles such as

• L&D Adviser,
• L&D Manager,
• L&D Business Partner,
• L&D Consultant,
• Learning Designer,
• Organisational Development Adviser,
• Employee Experience Manager or Talent Development Specialist.

The next formal CIPD qualification is the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development, which is designed for experienced professionals preparing to lead organisational L&D strategy.