Introduction
A CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma is the gold standard for senior leadership roles in HR and beyond, and a common requirement for Director and VP-level positions.
If you’re considering pursuing a CIPD Level 7 qualification, you’re in the right place, but there are many things to consider before you enrol – one of the biggest being the time commitment.
Read on for how long Level 7 really takes, why it is such a big commitment, the factors that can slow you down (or speed you up), and what a realistic month-by-month study plan looks like.
How long does CIPD Level 7 take? Typical completion time
So, how long does CIPD Level 7 take? The standard completion time is between 19 and 26 months, with roughly 10 hours of study per week.
This is a significant step up from other CIPD qualifications:
CIPD level | Standard completion time |
Level 3 (Foundation Certificate) | 6–9 months |
Level 5 (Associate Diploma) | 9–12 months |
Level 7 (Advanced Diploma) | 19–26 months |
There are several different reasons why the CIPD Level 7 takes so much longer than the Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications – let’s dive into them.
Why does the CIPD Level 7 take so much longer than Levels 3 and 5?
A CIPD Level 7 qualification takes significantly more time than Levels 3 and 5, and this is mostly down to the differences in how it is delivered and assessed.
Here are the 5 ways Level 7 is different from the Level 3 and 5 qualifications:
1) It is the most advanced CIPD qualification
Level 7 sits at the top of the CIPD qualification framework. Academically speaking, it’s the equivalent of a postgraduate or master’s degree.
2) It is primarily research-based
So, what is CIPD Level 7? If Levels 3 and 5 are like coursework assignments, Level 7 is like a dissertation, but divided into multiple units. You are given example scenarios and must respond to them in detail with your own evidence, analysis, and strategic perspective.
3) It looks holistically at organisational change
Rather than a standard “Q&A” format, Level 7 develops your strategic thinking by examining how organisations are structured and designed, and how a single decision affects the organisation as a whole. This requires you to gain a much deeper understanding of HR.
4) It requires an interconnected knowledge of HR
For each assessment unit, you are given 4 out of 16 potential questions. The only way to be fully ready for each unit is to understand in detail all of these questions and how they connect. This depth of understanding takes time to achieve.
5) It is built to develop independent, strategic thinking
While Levels 3 and 5 require you to retain new information, Level 7 requires you to hone and develop new ways of thinking by applying a strategic HR approach to solve complex people management problems. Again, this takes time.
In short, the more research-led, independent nature of Level 7 is the main reason why it takes longer than the qualifications that come before it.
The 8 course units (and how they shape your study plan)
The CIPD Level 7 qualification is made up of eight units in total:
– 4 core units
– 3 pathway units
– And 1 optional unit.
Core units:
These are the main units of the qualification, designed to develop the strategic HR perspective you need to shape organisational strategy and drive meaningful change.
– Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
– People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
– Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen
– Business Research in People Practice
Pathway units:
These units are specific to your chosen CIPD pathway. If you study via the General HR pathway, these units will be HR focused. If you study via the L&D Pathway, these units will be L&D-focused.
– Strategic Employment Relations
– Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
– Strategic Reward Management
Optional unit:
Optional units are chosen by your course provider to complement your specialist knowledge. At HRC, we have chosen the one we feel is most valuable to senior leadership teams.
– Organisational Design and Development
Learners typically spend around two to three months on each unit, which is why the overall timeline is as long as it is.
What a Level 7 Study Plan Actually Looks Like
At HRC, we start by laying out your Level 7 study plan as a standardised 19-month plan, with five distinct stages for each unit of the course:
1. Start
You begin the unit.
2. Study
You work through the content and prepare your answer.
3. Submit
You submit your assessment by the end of the month.
4. Space
A deliberate gap before your moderation deadline to resubmit, reword, or restructure your answer before you finally submit it for moderation.
5. Moderate
Your work is assessed by your course provider before being submitted to the CIPD.
Here’s what that standardised 19-month plan looks like:
At HRC, your Learning Engagement Mentor helps you shape your study plan around your individual commitments and works alongside you to ensure you progress through the qualification in a timely manner, with a structure that suits you.
Having said that, we understand that life will happen.
That’s why we offer 30-36 months of access to our learning portal, so you have plenty of flexibility if needed to complete the course on an extended timeline.
Factors that affect how long CIPD Level 7 takes
There are several factors that affect how long it takes learners to complete Level 7.
Be sure to take note of these if you want to progress through the qualification as quickly and efficiently as possible:
Your current job role
If you already work in a senior leadership role or an HR position, you can apply the course concepts more quickly.
How good are you at studying
You may not have studied independently for years, or you might have recently completed a Level 5 qualification, and therefore know how to study effectively for a CIPD qualification.
Hours spent studying
Students who commit to a set amount of study hours each week and gradually chip away at the course finish faster than those who approach it inconsistently.
Your life outside of study
Busy periods at work, family commitments, and extenuating circumstances such as holidays, illness, etc., will all extend your study timeline (but they are to be expected).
Missing moderation deadlines
Each unit of the CIPD Level 7 must be completed before the moderation deadline. Assignments can not be submitted once this deadline has passed. If you miss a moderation deadline, you will be given a new set of questions to answer in time for the next moderation window.
When it comes to balancing study with your other commitments and plans, be brutally honest with yourself – underestimating the commitment is the main reason students stall or have to extend their study.
Key Takeaways
To recap, here is what you need to know about how long it takes to complete a CIPD Level 7 qualification, and the factors to consider before you start:
How long does a CIPD Level 7 take to complete?
19 to 26 months part-time, at around 10 hours of study a week.
Why does a CIPD Level 7 take longer than a CIPD Level 3 and a CIPD Level 5?
It is made up of very thorough, research-led units that require you to develop an in-depth, holistic understanding of HR, and then answer sets of questions you cannot choose or predict.
What affects your timeline:
Your previous HR or leadership experience, your study skills, commitment to your weekly study hours, ability to submit assignments within the moderation, and the demands of other commitments outside study all affect how long it will take you to earn the qualification.
How it is structured:
The course comprises eight units in total. At HRC, we like to plan each one out with 5 distinct stages: Start, Study, Submit, Space, and Moderate. This is how we keep you on track.
Flexible options:
While our standard study plan is designed to take 19 months in total, we offer flexible packages that give students 30 to 36 months of access, allowing more flexibility when life inevitably gets in the way.
Is Level 7 the right next step for you?
The benefits of CIPD Level 7 go far beyond a certificate and an extra bullet point on your CV.
If you’ve already worked at a strategic level (e.g. as an HR Manager or Business partner) and are aspiring to move up to the senior rungs of the HR profession, the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management is just the thing to support your progression.
We offer CIPD Level 7 packages from as little as £275 per month, and you can sign up for a free 14-day trial of the course right now.
Head to our CIPD Level 7 course page for more information, and if you have any questions, don’t hesitate to Contact us.
