CIPD levels explained

What is CIPD?

CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) is an independent professional body committed to improving working lives by providing the best guidance and training for those working in HR (Human Resources) or L&D (Learning and Development) roles.

How many CIPD Levels are there?

CIPD offer professional qualifications at 3 levels to suit all ability levels at different points in their career: Level 3, Level 5, and Level 7.

Changes to CIPD Levels

This year, the CIPD introduced their new Foundation Certificate, Associate Diploma and Advanced Diploma qualifications. Existing CIPD qualifications will run alongside the new CIPD study programmes until summer 2023, when the current qualifications will come to an end. All learners studying current CIPD qualifications will be able to continue and complete their study programme.

Benefits of CIPD Qualifications

While a CIPD qualification is not a legal requirement to get a job in HR or L&D, many employers will not consider candidates who don’t have (or aren’t working towards) CIPD accreditation. CIPD qualifications significantly improve your chances of advancing your career and taking on more senior roles requiring more advanced levels of knowledge and skill.

CIPD Level 3

CIPD Level 3 – often referred to as Foundation Level - provides you with a basic understanding of the skills needed in an HR and/or L&D role.

Who should study CIPD Level 3?

The CIPD Level 3 qualification is perfect if you’re in the early stages of your career in HR or L&D where your day-to-day duties will include delivering on short term goals for your line manager and customers.

What CIPD level 3 courses are available?

CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (Level 3) – provides a solid and practical foundation in HR and L&D skills including Recruitment, Performance Management and Coaching and Mentoring.

How long does the CIPD level 3 qualification take?

A CIPD Level 3 qualification will take you 6 months – or with our self-paced On Demand programme you’ll have up to 12 months to complete.

How much does CIPD level 3 cost?

Our prices for CIPD Level 3 start from £1,620 depending on your chosen learning mode.

CIPD Level 5

CIPD Level 5 leads to a CIPD Associate membership and allows you to focus on specific aspects of HR and L&D in more detail.

Who should study CIPD Level 5? CIPD Level 5 is ideal if you’re already working in a HR and L&D role and want to broaden your knowledge or support your experience with a qualification to improve your career prospects.

What CIPD level 5 courses are available?

CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management (Level 5) – this course will teach you how to manage relationships, foster talent, guide strategic planning and reward performance in employees.

CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (Level 5) – focuses on how to organise different forms of learning across your organisation to boost colleague confidence and improve their performance and development.

How long does CIPD level 5 take?

A CIPD Level 5 qualification will take you 12 months – or with our self-paced On Demand programme you’ll have up to 24 months to complete. How much does CIPD level 5 cost? Our prices for CIPD Level 5 start from £2,995 depending on your chosen learning mode.

CIPD Level 7

CIPD Level 7 is the most prestigious qualification you can attain as a HR or L&D professional. Equivalent to a postgraduate/masters degree and the only level where you can apply for Chartered CIPD membership.

Who should study CIPD Level 7?

CIPD Level 7 is best suited to senior professionals who need to develop and implement high level workplace strategies to deliver long term results for stakeholders.

What CIPD level 7 courses are available?

CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management – this course will develop your knowledge and skills and confidence in employment relations, recruitment and talent retention to support your organisation’s success.

CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development (Level 7) – this course will teach you how to create a learning culture within your organisation enabling growth of leaders from within who will thrive in management positions.

How long does CIPD level 7 take?

A CIPD Level 7 qualification will take you 24 months – or with our self-paced On Demand programme you’ll have up to 36 months to complete.

How much does CIPD Level 7 cost?

Our prices for CIPD Level 7 start from £5,995 depending on your chosen learning mode. 

If you’re considering a career in HR & L&D, or want to advance your career in your current role, a CIPD qualification is one of the best options to explore. MOL understands the HR & L&D professions like no other training provider. That’s what makes our courses great. Our tutors are industry experts and use a wealth of experience to bring your learning to life. 

CIPD Membership Levels 

There are 5 levels of CIPD membership:

• Student membership – anyone completing their CIPD qualification will need to apply for this membership level
• Foundation membership – you achieve this CIPD membership level after completing a Level 3 qualification
• Associate membership – you achieve this CIPD membership level after completing a Level 5 or Level 7 qualification 
• Chartered membership – you can apply for this CIPD membership after completing a Level 7 qualification and having at least a year of experience at chartered member level
• Chartered fellowship – you can apply for this CIPD membership after completing a Level 7 qualification and having at least a year of experience at chartered fellow level

f you’re considering a career in HR and L&D, or want to advance your career in your current role, a CIPD qualification is one of the best options to explore. MOL understands the HR and L&D professions like no other training provider. That’s what makes our courses great. Our tutors are industry experts and use a wealth of experience to bring your learning to life. 

Interested in doing a CIPD course? Whether you want to do an Learning and Development course, or a Human Resources course, we are sure to have the right CIPD course for you! Enrol today.  

*Prices correct at the time of writing