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The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development), is a professional body for human resources and learning development professionals. As the only body in the world that awards chartered status for HR and LD professionals, our CIPD courses are well respected and highly sought after by employers.
Begin or advance your HR career with our level 3, 5 and 7 CIPD diplomas, guaranteed to make you stand out from the competition.
CIPD stands for Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development and is a professional qualification designed to build your expertise in human resources and people management. These accreditations provide practical knowledge and skills that are highly respected in the industry, whether you’re just starting out, or are further along in your HR career.
CIPD courses are structured across three levels:
Most suitable for HR newcomers, this course provides a basic understanding, equivalent to A Levels. Opt for a foundation CIPD course if you’re looking to apply for entry-level positions such as HR Assistant.
A level 5 CIPD course is equivalent to an undergraduate university degree and ideal for those seeking mid-level HR roles such as HR Advisor.
This diploma is the most advanced CIPD certificate and should be chosen if you already have considerable HR experience. It’s equivalent to a Master’s degree, so perfect if you’re hoping to qualify for senior roles like HR Director.
Completing a CIPD qualification can improve your prospects in HR:
Anyone working in, or looking to break into, the field of HR and people management would benefit from completing a CIPD course. No matter your background or career plans, these industry-standard qualifications will help you grow as a professional.
We offer a range of qualifications, from entry-level CIPD Foundation Certificates through to CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diplomas that prepare you for strategic HR leadership positions.
For those looking to specialise, our collection also includes diplomas in specific areas such as Strategic People Management or Organisational Learning. These targeted programs help you develop expertise in high-demand areas of HR in 2024.
A CIPD course will provide you with expertise and skills in essential areas such as:
To discover the particular modules covered in a CIPD course in more detail, please see the ‘Course Content’ section of our course pages.
Yes, absolutely. Our CIPD courses can be studied either online - giving you the freedom to learn whenever and wherever suits you best.
Yes, some CIPD qualifications are equivalent to a degree. A Level 5, or Associate, CIPD course is equivalent to an undergraduate degree, and a Level 7 CIPD course is equivalent to a postgraduate degree. Employers across the HR industry view CIPD qualifications of all levels as a mark of expertise and professionalism, often on par with academic achievements in HR.
The advantage of studying HR qualifications online, like our CIPD courses, is you save yourself the huge time and monetary commitment of a traditional university degree.
Yes, it’s possible to secure an HR job without a CIPD diploma, especially entry-level roles like HR assistant or administrator. However, a CIPD qualification significantly increases your chances of landing more competitive positions and advancing your career. Many employers prefer or even require CIPD-certified candidates because it demonstrates your commitment to HR and ensures you have practical, industry-relevant knowledge.
Choosing between Level 5 and Level 7 depends on your experience and career goals.
Level 5 is an intermediate-level course which is great if you have some HR experience or want to move into a management role. It provides a strong foundation in HR practices and strategy. On the other hand, Level 7 is designed for senior professionals or those aiming for leadership roles, and focuses more heavily on strategic HR.
If you need a little more help making your decision on a CIPD course, feel free to contact our education specialists who are more than happy to offer you some advice over the phone.
The time it’ll take you to complete a CIPD qualification comes down to both the level you choose, and your individual pace of study.
Once enrolled on our Level 3 CIPD courses, you will have six months to complete the qualification; for a Level 5, this is extended to 12 months. If studying a Level 7 CIPD course, you will have 24 months to complete the live online option, or 36 months for the on-demand option.
We offer these timeframes to strike the perfect balance between providing structure and motivation, while ensuring you never feel rushed.
We are delighted that you are considering joining us to study and take pleasure in welcoming you to our family.
Open Study College is one of the UK’s leading distance-learning colleges. We provide professionally-recognised CIPD courses that enable you to study at your own pace, in your own environment either online or via printed materials sent to your home.
We understand that choosing a course is a big decision. That’s why we have a team of friendly, knowledgeable education specialists who can help you choose the right CIPD qualifications for you.
Over the past 17 years, we’ve enrolled over 140,000 people on courses that have improved their education and their career prospects!
Our education specialists can answer any questions you may have, talk you through our finance options and get you enrolled over the telephone.
As a family-founded college, we think of our learners as extended members of our family. We’re all here to help you achieve your goals in life, whatever they may be.
If you’d like to speak to an education specialist about our online CIPD courses, simply complete the form here and you’ll get a call back at the requested time.