Selecting the appropriate CIPD qualification may initially seem daunting, given the differences between Levels 3, 5, and 7. It is important to understand which level best suits your needs and whether the courses should be taken sequentially or based on your current experience. Answering these questions is crucial, and having the necessary information will help you make an informed decision about the right qualification for your specific requirements. Let’s explore each level in detail.

 Level 3 Foundation Qualification

Overview of CIPD Level 3 Foundation Qualifications: CIPD offers the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate, which covers HR and L&D and serves as the sole qualification at the Foundation Level. The primary objective of this qualification is to develop learners’ knowledge and skills, enabling them to undertake tactical tasks that deliver value.

Objective of the qualification: This qualification provides learners with a broad range of relevant knowledge and expertise in people practice. It is suitable for individuals who:

• Are studying, aspiring to, or beginning a career in people practice.
• Work in a support role within the people practice field and wish to enhance their knowledge and provide immediate value to their organization.
• Desire to cultivate specialist knowledge, skills, and understanding required to be a proficient people professional. This qualification represents the entry-level offering by CIPD and is roughly equivalent in difficulty to A Levels.

Prerequisites and qualifications for CIPD Level 3 study: No prior experience or qualifications are required to start the CIPD Foundation Certificate, making it ideal for newcomers to the profession.

Typical job roles for CIPD Foundation Certificate holders:

• HR Assistant
• HR Administrator
• HR Officer
• HR Coordinator
• Trainer
• L&D Assistant
• Training/L&D Coordinator
• Training/L&D Officer
• L&D Practitioner

Average salary for CIPD Foundation Certificate holders: According to the Frazer Jones HR Salary Survey, individuals with qualifications equivalent to the CIPD Foundation Certificate in the private sector earn an average annual salary ranging from £25,000 to £35,000, depending on their level of experience.

Duration of CIPD Foundation Certificate: Typically, it takes approximately 7 to 9 months of part-time study alongside work commitments to complete the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate.

Course content for CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice: The course comprises four modules:

• Essentials of People Practice
• Core Behaviours for People Professionals
• Business, Culture, and Change in Context
• Principles of Analytics

CIPD membership at Level 3: Upon completing a CIPD Foundation Certificate, you become eligible to become a CIPD Foundation Member.

 Level 5 Associate Qualifications

Overview of CIPD Level 5 Associate Qualifications: CIPD Associate Diploma qualifications fall under the Level 5 category, which is equivalent in difficulty to a foundation degree. At this level, there are two CIPD qualifications available: one in HR and another in L&D.

Prerequisites and qualifications for CIPD Level 5 study: To pursue a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma qualification, you should generally meet at least one of the following criteria:

• Possess some experience in an entry-level HR or L&D role.
• Have work experience involving elements of HR or L&D.
• Hold a university degree and wish to study at an advanced level (beyond Level 3).
• Hold a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate.

Typical job roles for CIPD Associate Diploma holders:

• HR Manager
• HR Advisor
• People & Culture Manager
• People Advisor
• Training/L&D Officer
• Training/L&D Manager
• Training/L&D Advisor

Average salary for CIPD Associate Diploma holders: If you secure a position typical of this level, your average annual salary is estimated to be around £40,000 – £50,000.

Duration of CIPD Associate Diploma: Typically, students take 8 to 12 months to complete a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma while studying part-time alongside a full-time job.

Course content for CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management: For the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management, you will cover seven core modules and choose one elective module.

Core modules:

• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Employment Relationship Management
• Talent Management and Workforce Planning
• Reward for Performance and Contribution

Elective module options:

• Specialist Employment Law
• Diversity and Inclusion
• People Management in an International Context
• Leadership and Management Development
• Wellbeing at Work

Course content for CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development: For the CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development, you will cover seven core modules and choose one elective module.

Core modules:

• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Support Self-Directed and Social Learning
• Learning and Development Design to Create Value
• Facilitate Personalised and Performance-Focused Learning

Elective module options:

• Leadership and Management Development
• Wellbeing at Work
• Diversity and Inclusion
• People Management in an International Context
• Specialist Employment Law

CIPD membership at associate level: Upon completing a Level 5 Associate Diploma, you are eligible to become an Associate Member of the CIPD, denoted by Assoc. CIPD after your name.

 Level 7 Advanced Qualifications

Overview of CIPD Level 7 Advanced Qualifications: CIPD Advanced qualifications are classified as Level 7, equivalent in difficulty to postgraduate/Master’s degree qualifications. These qualifications, available in HR and L&D, provide high-level strategic knowledge necessary for senior strategic roles in HR or L&D.

The two CIPD qualifications at this level are:

• CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management (HR)
• CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development

Prerequisites and qualifications for CIPD Level 7 study: To enroll in a Level 7 course, you generally need one of the following:

• Significant experience working in HR or L&D
• An HR degree
• A CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma Additionally, you should be prepared for postgraduate-level study.

 Typical job roles for CIPD Advanced Diploma holders:

• HR Business Partner
• HR Consultant
• Head of HR
• Head of People and Culture
• HR Director
• Training/L&D Director
• Head of Training/L&D
• L&D Consultant

Average salary for CIPD Advanced Diploma holders: The average annual salary for these senior roles is approximately £65,000 – £90,000, but it can vary significantly based on the seniority of your position.

Duration of CIPD Advanced Diploma: Completing a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma typically takes around 18 to 24 months for part-time students who are also working full-time.

Course content for CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management: For the CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, you will complete four core modules and choose four elective modules.

Core modules:

• 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

Elective module options:

• Advanced Employment Law in Practice
• Learning and Development Practice
• Managing People in an International Context
• Technology-Enhanced Learning
• Advanced Diversity and Inclusion

Course content for CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development: For the CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development, you will complete four core modules and choose four elective modules.

Core modules:

• 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

Elective module options:

• Organisational Design and Development
• Leadership and Management Development in Context
• Designing Learning to Improve Performance
• Technology-Enhanced Learning
• Advanced Diversity and Inclusion

CIPD membership at Level 7: Upon completing the CIPD Level 7 Diploma and gaining the required professional experience, you have the opportunity to become a Chartered Member of the CIPD.