What does CIPD stand for?
Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. It is the UK-based professional body for Human Resources and Learning and Development, and one of the most respected people-profession organisations in the world, with over 160,000 members across more than 120 countries.
You may also see it written as CIPD, or occasionally as the chartered institute of personnel development. They all refer to the same body. Founded in its earliest form over a century ago, the CIPD defines its purpose as championing better work and working lives, and it sets the CIPD Profession Map that underpins its qualifications and membership.
What is a CIPD qualification?
A CIPD qualification is a professional qualification in HR or L&D, awarded through CIPD-approved centres and based on the CIPD Profession Map. It proves your knowledge and competence to employers, and each level leads to a tier of CIPD membership: Foundation, Associate or Chartered.
CIPD qualifications are globally recognised and highly respected because they set the standard for the people profession. Whether you are starting out or already experienced, a CIPD qualification gives you the practical skills, credibility and membership status that employers look for when hiring and promoting HR and L&D professionals.
Is a CIPD qualification worth it?
Yes. Alongside professional recognition, CIPD-qualified professionals tend to earn more: research cited by the CIPD suggests people with a CIPD qualification earn 12% more than those without one. And senior roles requesting Chartered membership can pay significantly more. Read more about how a CIPD qualification can affect your salary.
CIPD qualification levels explained
There are three CIPD qualification levels. Level 3 is the entry point (equivalent to A Levels), Level 5 suits those with some experience (equivalent to an undergraduate degree), and Level 7 is for senior professionals (equivalent to a master’s degree). Each maps to a tier of CIPD membership.
Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice: the entry-level qualification, equivalent to A Levels. It covers both HR and L&D, needs no prior experience, and leads to CIPD Foundation Membership.
Level 5 Associate Diploma: equivalent to an undergraduate degree, for those with some experience. Choose People Management for an HR route or Organisational Learning & Development for an L&D route. Leads to CIPD Associate Membership.
Level 7 Advanced Diploma: a master’s-level qualification for senior and strategic roles, in Strategic People Management (HR) or Strategic Learning & Development (L&D). Provides eligibility for Chartered Membership.
Which CIPD level should I choose?
Choose your level based on your experience: Level 3 if you are new to the profession, Level 5 if you have some experience or want to specialise, and Level 7 if you are moving into a senior or strategic role. Our guide to which CIPD level is right for you walks through it in detail, or explore our human resources courses and learning and development courses.
What is the difference between CIPD HR and L&D qualifications?
At Level 3, the Foundation Certificate covers both HR and L&D, so you do not have to choose yet. From Level 5 upwards you pick a route: HR (people management) focuses on the full employee lifecycle, while L&D focuses on training, learning design and organisational development. Both lead to the same CIPD membership tiers.
How to become CIPD qualified
To become CIPD qualified, choose whether to specialise in HR or L&D, pick the right level for your experience, choose a study method that fits your life, and enrol with a CIPD-approved centre. You then complete your assessments unit by unit and gain your CIPD membership on completion.
Step 1, choose HR or L&D: decide whether you want to specialise in human resources or learning and development. At Level 3 you can keep your options open, as the Foundation Certificate covers both.
Step 2, choose your level: pick Level 3, 5 or 7 based on your experience and career goals.
Step 3, choose how to study: select a study method that fits around your work and life, from fully online and on-demand to live online, classroom or residential.
Step 4, enrol with a CIPD-approved centre: choose an approved centre to study with and enrol on your chosen qualification.
Step 5, complete your assessments: work through each unit, applying what you learn to real workplace situations, with support from your tutor.
Step 6, gain your CIPD membership: on completion you gain the CIPD membership tier for your level, from Foundation to Associate to Chartered.
Do I need experience or qualifications to start?
Not for Level 3. The Foundation Certificate in People Practice has no formal entry requirements, so it is open to anyone starting out. Do not worry if you are not yet in an HR or L&D role: many learners begin their CIPD journey before their first people-profession job. For Level 5 and 7, some relevant experience is helpful.
How long does it take to become CIPD qualified?
It depends on the level and how you study. As a guide, Level 3 typically takes around 6 to 12 months, Level 5 up to around 16 months, and Level 7 between 18 and 24 months. Flexible online study lets you work at a pace that suits you.
What HR skills will a CIPD qualification give you?
A CIPD qualification builds the core skills of the people profession: employee relations, talent management, reward and benefits, employment law, HR data and analytics, organisational culture and change, and (for L&D) designing and evaluating learning. You also develop the professional behaviours and ethics that underpin the CIPD Profession Map.
Why become CIPD qualified?
Becoming CIPD qualified gives you professional recognition, stronger career prospects and higher earning potential. Research cited by the CIPD indicates that qualified people professionals tend to earn more on average than those without a qualification, and it signals to employers that you meet the profession’s standards. You can read more on how a CIPD qualification affects your salary and how much a CIPD qualification costs.
Study your CIPD qualification with Reed Business School
As a CIPD-approved centre with more than 20 years’ experience, Reed Business School has helped thousands of people become CIPD qualified. You get a dedicated personal tutor, a 99% pass rate, and the choice to study online, live online, in the classroom, or residentially at Reed Business School in the Cotswolds. Explore our CIPD human resources courses and CIPD learning and development courses, or speak to a learning adviser to find the right level for you.