Can I Do Level 7 CIPD Without CIPD Level 5?

A Level 7 CIPD is a very prestigious qualification to have, and it is one of the best indicators of your knowledge and experience in HR and Learning & Development. 

A Level 7 CIPD is equivalent to a post-graduate degree. As such, the road to a Level 7 CIPD requires a significant amount of experience, knowledge and skills in the field of people development. 

The exact experience and knowledge required differs per Level 7 qualification. The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management requires more experience and focus on HR, where the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development is more for those looking to lead their company’s Learning & Development strategy. 

However, whilst a Level 7 CIPD is the highest form of qualification, there are other levels of CIPD qualifications as well. 

One question we often receive is: “Can I do Level 7 CIPD without Level 5?”, and we’re answering that and other questions about the requirements in this article. 

What is CIPD Level 7? 

A CIPD level is a tier of qualification and professional status, given by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (the CIPD). 

The CIPD levels are the gold standard for HR and L&D. Internationally recognised and highly respected, these qualifications are evidence of your skills and knowledge. They prove your level of expertise, which helps with securing new jobs, promotions and salary increases. 

There are 3 different tiers of CIPD qualification, each for a different level of experience and job requirements: 

• Level 3 – Foundation 

• Level 5 – Associate 

• Level 7 – Advanced 

What you need to know about the CIPD Level 3, is that it is aimed at those at entry and junior level in HR or people management. It is equivalent to A-levels. It gives you the foundation and provides a base level of the skills needed to thrive in this career path. 

CIPD Level 5 is right for those with some experience in these fields. This certification is equal to an undergraduate degree. This means it helps people gain more of an understanding of employee management, people performance and strategy and even how to foster an organisational culture. 

CIPD Level 7 is the highest available qualification that exists. CIPD Level 7 is right for those with experience working at a strategic level, and equivalent to a postgraduate degree. It teaches essential leadership skills, how to deal with difficult people challenges, and organisation-wide strategies. 

A level 7 CIPD certificate is the most prestigious qualification you can get, proving your skills have developed to expert levels. 

For those looking to build on this further, some professionals choose to progress onto a Master's degree in HR Management Top-Up. This allows learners who have completed a Level 7 qualification to top up their studies to a full MSc, gaining an internationally recognised academic degree alongside their professional CIPD expertise. 

Can you do level 7 CIPD without Level 5? 

In short: yes, you can. 

The CIPD Levels are not required to reach the next Level on. The most important thing is that you can demonstrate the required experience and that you can study at master’s degree level. 

This means that you can go into a Level 7 without any previous qualification, as long as your experience matches the strategic level required for this study. 

However, you will not be able get a Level 7 qualification without prior experience in this field, as you need to demonstrate your knowledge and skill to succeed in the course. 

CIPD Level 7 qualification requirements 

There are no formal entry requirements for CIPD Level 7.  

However, the course is aimed at those with at least 3 years of HR or L&D experience at a strategic or directorial level, or those with a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management or a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational L&D. 

If you are lacking in this experience, you might be better off starting with a CIPD Level 5 to help prepare you for a Level 7. 

The qualifications are each designed as a stepping stone for the next level, so if you are lacking the required experience, gaining the prior qualification can be right move. 

CIPD Level 5 vs CIPD Level 7 

The main differences between a CIPD Level 5 and CIPD Level 7 are related to type of work activity they prepare you for, as well as the level of depth applied in the study itself. 

As we mentioned before, from an academic point of view, a CIPD Level 5 is the same as an undergraduate degree. You could therefore say that a CIPD Level 5 is the same as a bachelor’s degree 

A level 7 is more like a master’s degree, and will therefore be more focused on analysis, research and essays aimed at helping the HR and L&D industry on a bigger scale. 

A Level 5 is aimed at those who are currently at mid-level stages of their career, aiming at preparing them for the next step on the career ladder. Some examples of these roles are HR advisors or people managers. 

Meanwhile a Level 7 is for those currently in or ready for a more senior or strategic position within HR or Learning & Development. These are HR managers or Heads of people-related divisions. 

CIPD Level 7 course 

The contents of the Level 7 courses depend on whether you are following a course in Strategic People Management or Strategic Learning & Development. 

Strategic People Management 

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management includes the following core modules: 

Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment 

Explore how globalisation, technology and social change are reshaping work, and what this means for how people are managed. 

Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen 

Develop your personal impact as a strategic practitioner, with a strong focus on ethical decision-making and building the business acumen needed at senior level. 

Business Research in People Practice 

Build the skills to carry out robust business research, using appropriate methodologies and analytical techniques to inform strategic decisions. 

Strategic Reward Management 

Learn how to design and manage reward frameworks that genuinely motivate employees and align with organisational objectives. 

People Management and Development Strategies for Performance 

Create people and development strategies that maximise performance and drive organisational success. 

Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success 

Discover how to attract, develop and retain talent, with best-practice approaches to workforce planning and talent management. 

Strategic Employment Relations 

Tackle complex employment relations issues, including negotiation, conflict resolution and building a positive, productive workplace culture. 

Strategic Learning & Development 

For those studying the CIPD Level 7 in Strategic Learning & Development, the core modules include: 

Designing Learning to Improve Performance 

Learn how to design impactful learning interventions that deliver measurable improvements in organisational performance. 

Leadership and Management Development in Context

Examine different leadership approaches and how to develop them in ways that meet the needs of diverse organisational environments. 

Start your Level 5 of Level 7 qualification with MOL 

If you are unsure if a Level 7 qualification is right for you, or if you would rather secure a Level 5 qualification first, MOL can assist you. 

We offer CIPD certifications across all the different levels to match your career level and future goals. No matter your current level of expertise, we can help you grow and succeed. 

Explore MOL’s courses now and enrol today to get your career moving in the direction you want, or get in touch with us today and let us help you make your next move.