Introduction
If you’re weighing up a move into strategic HR, you’re probably wondering: is CIPD Level 7 hard to complete and pass?
While Level 7 is undoubtedly the CIPD’s most challenging qualification, the real answer is not a simple “yes” or “no”.
CIPD Level 7 is fundamentally a very different type of course to Levels 3 and 5, and whether or not you find it more difficult is ultimately down to how well you adapt to the format.
Read on as we break down what makes CIPD Level 7 different from the courses before it and what it takes to complete the course successfully, so you can decide whether it’s right for you.
What is CIPD Level 7 equivalent to in academic terms?
According to the Regulated Qualifications Framework, CIPD Level 7 sits at the same academic tier as a postgraduate or Master’s degree.
For context, here’s how that same framework assesses Level 7 vs Level 3 and 5:
CIPD Level 3 is equivalent to an A-level
The CIPD Level 3 is a foundational course aimed at helping learners to develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours required to succeed in entry-level HR roles.
CIPD Level 5 is equivalent to a degree
More specifically, the CIPD Level 5 is considered the equivalent of a Foundation Degree, HND (Higher National Diploma), or completing the second year of an undergraduate degree at college or university.
It bridges the gap between supporting HR operations and shaping strategic business decisions by training the skills, knowledge, and behaviours needed in HR roles at the manager level.
CIPD Level 7 is equivalent to postgraduate study
The CIPD Level is intended to be an indicator of senior-level capability within the people profession, equivalent to a seasoned executive background and designed to develop not just the skills and expertise but the perspective of a senior HR leader.
“How is CIPD Level 7 assessed?” Why it’s different:
The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma is not only comparable to a postgraduate qualification in its advanced nature but also in its assessment.
The Level 7 qualification is less about being able to revise and regurgitate course content and more about developing the perspective of a strategic HR leader.
Here is how that changes the way CIPD Level 7 is assessed:
It involves research, not revision
Unlike Levels 3 and 5, which involve answering written assignments with a more structured question-and-answer-based approach, Level 7 instead presents you with organisational scenarios and asks you to demonstrate your own thinking.
It requires a holistic understanding of HR
For CIPD Levels 3 and 5, you can answer the questions of the different units in isolation. Level 7 requires an in-depth, interconnected, and holistic understanding of HR to answer any of its questions.
Level 7 requires you to understand how everything from finance to leadership to IT connects within an organisation, and how one operational decision affects them all.
It is a highly independent study
Because of this more research-based format, Level 7 requires higher levels of critical analysis, strategic thinking, and self-directed research. While your course provider is always there to offer support, the qualification overall demands much more independence and autonomy.
As well as these differences in assessment style, other aspects that may make the CIPD Level 7 more challenging are:
It is a bigger time commitment
At HRC, we typically start CIPD Level 7 learners on a standardised 19-month plan to complete the qualification, which is relatively quick.
Expect at least an 18-24-month commitment, with roughly 10-15 hours of study per week.
For context, here is a quick recap of the typical completion times for each CIPD qualification level:
Qualification | Typical | Fastest completion time |
CIPD Level 3 | 7 – 9 months | From 3 months |
CIPD Level 5 | 8 – 12 months | From 4 months |
CIPD Level 7 | 18 – 24 months | No express option available |
It takes much deeper research
The Level 7 qualification is a significant step up in the depth of research required, with many of the course assignments requiring upwards of 20-30 references as evidence to support thinking in your answers (vs less than 10 references required in most Level 5 questions).
For learners who have not recently been involved in academic writing and research, this can be a shock to the system.
It’s a much more challenging workload
Level 7 is designed to help you become a strategic HR leader, and the work involved reflects that – one week you’re writing a 1,500-3,000-word essay on HR theory, the next you’re preparing a group business proposal, the next you’re leading a presentation.
While many learners find this work more fulfilling, there is no doubt it is more demanding than completing a Level 3 or Level 5 qualification.
Recap: How CIPD Level 7 differs from Level 5
Factors that make CIPD Level 7 harder (or easier)
Whether Level 7 is difficult can depend as much on your situation as on the qualification itself.
Factor 1: Applying the learning
If you’re already working at a strategic level, the scenarios map onto problems you recognise. You’re not learning strategic thinking from scratch, you are simply formalising what you already do, which makes the work both meaningful and more manageable.
If you’re not in a strategic role, the material will feel more abstract and theoretical, as you’re essentially learning the theory without a place to apply it, which can make it harder to learn.
Factor 2: Committing to study time
For many learners, the challenge of CIPD Level 7 has nothing to do with the difficulty of the assignments themselves, but rather with whether they can commit the time required to complete them.
Balancing Level 7 studies alongside existing work, family, and other life commitments can be tough, and it requires you to develop a disciplined approach to studying as well as some honest reflection on how much time and effort you can dedicate to the study on a long-term basis.
Here’s the TLDR on what makes CIPD Level 7 more manageable vs what makes it tougher:
Learners find Level 7 more manageable when:
– They can apply the learning to real work as they study
– They protect consistent study hours each week
– They have recent experience of studying independently, such as for a CIPD Level 5
Learners find Level 7 tougher when:
– They are not currently in a role where they can apply strategic thinking
– They cannot consistently commit to set study hours each week
– They do not have recent experience in academic research and writing
TLDR: what ultimately determines success
Having said all that, just because your situation makes the qualification harder or easier, it does not mean you are guaranteed success or failure either way.
You can struggle despite having all of the odds in your favour, or you can take the course under challenging circumstances and succeed – as CIPD course providers, we have witnessed both.
The things that will ultimately dictate your success, should you choose to enrol on a CIPD Level 7 course, are taking your study commitment seriously and the time and effort you put in.
Is CIPD Level 7 Difficult: Key Takeaways
- Is CIPD Level 7 difficult?
Level 7 is the most demanding qualification the CIPD offers, but it is a different kind of difficulty, and how hard you find it will ultimately depend on how well you can handle the assessment format. - What makes it different
Level 7 is less about revising and repeating information and more about thinking like a senior HR leader. There are 3 things that set it apart:- It is more research than revision
- It requires a holistic understanding of HR
- It is a highly independent study that requires critical analysis, strategic thinking and self-directed research
- The practical demands
Expect between 18 – 24 months of study, 20-30 academic references per assignment, and a varied workload of essays, business proposals, presentations and more. - Who finds it hardest?
If you can’t apply the learnings to your current role, can’t commit to the study time, or do not have recent experience of academic writing and research, you will likely find CIPD Level 7 harder. But your situation matters less than your attitude towards it and the time and effort you put in.
Learn more about CIPD Level 7
If you want to take a closer look at the CIPD Level 7 qualification, down to the content included, the different modules and units it’s made up of, and the different options we offer our members at HRC Online, click here to view the CIPD Level 7 course page in full.
