You Don’t Need HR Experience to Start a CIPD Qualification

Credibility and recognition. Better job opportunities and a sharper competitive edge. Greater earning potential and professional growth. These are just some of the benefits of earning your CIPD qualification.

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development — that is, CIPD for short — is the professional body for Human Resources (HR) and organisational effectiveness in the UK. It has two roles: a membership body and an awarding body. And the best bit is, you get yourself a CIPD qualification, and you’re prospects go up here in the UK and overseas. Yep. CIPD qualifications are internationally recognised.

You’ll learn all things HR and people management as you move through structured levels and earn credentials that align with your experience. Sounds great, right?

But I don’t have a job in HR, so I can’t start a CIPD qualification, right?

We hear you. Loud and clear. But guess what? This thought couldn’t be further from the truth.

You DO NOT need an HR job to jump into a CIPD qualification. You don’t even need experience. It surprises a lot of people.

But in reality, you can crack on with your career ambitions whether you’re chasing a mid-level role, the top spot, or just curious.

Just Starting Out? Go with Level 3
CIPD Level 3 is an introductory course in people practice. It was made for people who are totally new to HR and just learning how the profession works. Zero experience required.

So, this course could be your best bet if you’re:

• Starting your career
• Exploring HR or Learning and Development (L&D) for the first time
• Gaining a recognised qualification before applying for entry-level roles
• Building confidence with professional education

You can think of Level 3 as the foundation. It covers all the essentials you need to know without assuming any prior experience. During the course, you’ll unpack must-know topics like:

• Recruitment and onboarding
• The employee lifecycle
• Wellbeing and working practices
• Responsibilities in people teams

By the end, you’ll pretty much be a pro in the structure, language, and day-to-day skills of HR. You’ll have the bread and butter down pat.

Once you’ve completed it, you can enter the workforce with rock-solid knowledge behind you. And, you can continue your professional development journey with the next CIPD course: Level 5.

Reach Your Career Goals with Level 5
It’s time to ditch the training wheels for good and equip yourself with a shiny new HR tool kit.

Level 5 is for people with experience.

You’ll work with evidence-based content, which means you’ll learn how to make decisions using data and research. You’ll apply that knowledge to topics like:

• Workforce planning
• Hiring decisions
• Wellbeing and reward strategies
• Talent management practices

You’ll walk away with an informed HR judgement and credibility to match. That dream HR role you’ve always wanted just landed firmly in your future.

How do you know whether Level 5 is right for you?

• You’ve got HR experience, but you’ve never actually studied it.
• You’re moving from the operations side over to people management.
• You’re keen to skip entry-level content.
• You’re getting ready to take on a senior role in an HR team.

So, Can You Skip Level 3?

Short answer: Yes.

Longer answer: It depends.

If you already work with people (think hiring, managing, resolving issues, or leading change), you might not technically need Level 3.

The same goes if you’ve studied business, psychology, or HR at university. A relevant degree or work experience means you can start at Level 5 if you really want to.

When you jump ahead, you won’t need to work through lessons that rehash the basics. The course assumes that you’re well and truly familiar with things like how recruitment works or what a disciplinary meeting looks like. It goes deeper. It shows you how to actually apply that knowledge to big picture questions, like workforce planning or long-term development.

Even if you’re already managing those types of things, Level 5 gives you the structure and qualification to back it all up.

That said, if you want to complete Level 3 before moving to Level 5, even though you have experience or a degree, that’s fine, too. It’s about how YOU like to learn.

If you prefer step-by-step content and learning from the ground up, go on and do Level 3 first.
If you are confident in your abilities and feel as though Level 3 couldn’t offer you much value, Level 5 may be the best starting point.
Find the Right Starting Point
Do you want to start in HR or step up into a more senior role? Do you learn best with structure or more independence?

These are the questions that will point you toward the right course.

If you’re starting out, Level 3 offers a straightforward path into the profession. It gives you the structure and practical knowledge you need to apply for entry-level roles.

On the flip side, if you’re already managing people or working closely with HR, Level 5 lets you build on that experience. You’ll strengthen your decision-making and gain a recognised qualification that supports career growth.

Both routes are available online. That means you can study around your job, family, and other commitments. HRC Online offers flexible study options that let you learn at your own pace, in short sessions that fit into your life. You’ll have access to accurate and insightful materials, plus 100% student support from your Learning Engagement Mentor.

You don’t have to figure it all out on your own. The supportive team will work with you to map out a personalised study plan.

You might be starting fresh. You might be bringing years of experience to the table. Either way, you can find a course that works with your schedule and gets you one step closer to that dream role.

Make Your First Move
You don’t have to wait until you “belong” in HR to start learning how it works. That’s a myth.

You can start right here, right now. With or without experience. And, you can do it all on YOUR terms.

At HRC Online, we take an assessment-first approach. That means you’re working toward that final submission from day one. No wasting time on theory you don’t really need to know.

You’re building your future in HR, and our team is with you through every step, every question, and every win.

Got questions? Get in touch today.