CIPD Levels and Qualifications

With innovation and the world of work changing really fast, the future is bound to raise new problems as well as new opportunities. For these reasons, CIPD launched a new Professional Map which provides a stronger foundation that gives professionals more confidence and capacities to not only guide their professional decision making but also their behaviours and actions. The new 2021 CIPD qualifications are the core of the Professional Map.

What Does the New CIPD Qualifications Mean for You?

The present and the future CIPD qualifications are up to date and designed to fit their purpose. Every CIPD qualification conveys the CIPD stamp of approval. As such, any qualification you enrol and attain will not only enhance but also prove your capabilities as a professional.

If you are presently pursuing your CIPD qualification, regardless of the level, you will still attain one of the most respected and valued qualifications in the field of professionalism. Moreover, the new CIPD qualifications won’t affect the outcome of your present ongoing studies.

If you are intending to pursue CIPD qualifications, the CIPD Study Centers are all equipped with the new qualifications across the UK and the Middle East where you can research and consider your own criteria to settles on the qualification you want to pursue.

CIPD Level 3: CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice

The CIPD -Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice offers a pragmatic introduction that entails Human Resource (HR) and Learning and Development (L&D) practice. This level is ideal if you are working as an HR or L&D officer or want to pursue this professional field.

With the new CIPD Level 3, you will be able to get an understanding of how the People Profession sits within an organization and the external and commercial influences you require to work within. The CIPD Level 3 equips you with skills in areas of talent management, recruitment, reward and people management. You will also get to learn how to use different data and evidence to make informed decisions.

What Has Changed with the New Qualification?

Unlike the previous qualification where HR and Learning & Development were different qualifications, the new qualification has merged them into a single qualification. For this reason, the more detailed focus n topics like designing and delivering training experienced in the foregone qualification are not available in the 2021 CIPD qualifications.

CIPD Foundation Certificate in People and Practice: Content and Exemptions

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice qualification requires Four Core Modules for its completion and attainment of the qualification. These are:

• Business, Culture and Change Context – 3CO01
• Principles of Analytics – 3CO02
• Core Behaviours for People Professionals – 3CO03
• Essentials of People Practice – 3CO04

If you have completed the two modules below from now the old Level 3 qualifications, you will be exempted from enrolling for the 3CO01 module.

• Understanding organisations and the role of human resources
• Supporting change within organisations

Who is CIPD Level 3 Qualification Ideal for?

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is designed for those looking to gain a comprehensive merger of practical human resource, learning & development and organization development skills in people practice. The qualification is equivalent to an A-level qualification and provides you with a globally recognized CIPD qualification and the relevant knowledge required to attain your CIPD Foundation Level Membership.

 

CIPD Level 5: Associate Diploma in People Management/ Organisational Learning and Development

The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma is designed for those who already have experience and are ready to progress in their HR and L&D careers. So, if you have attained the CIPD Level 3 Qualifications, then this level could be your next pursuit.

However, if you have little relevant work experience within your organization but you have a degree, then you can jump the Level 3 qualification and come straight to the Level 5 Qualification. Here, you will have a better and deeper understanding of management in either the HR or L&D function within your company or organisation. Moreover, the assignments at this level will ensure you are evaluating models, practices and thinking strategically to support the performance of your organization.

For successful completion and attainment of the CIPD Level 5 Qualification, you will have to choose your path either in People Management or Organisational Learning. In either option, you will require to complete 3 core modules, 3 specialist modules and one optional module.

What Has Changed in CIPD Level 5 Qualification?

Unlike the CIPD Level 3 where HR and L&D qualifications have been merged, the CIPD Level 5 has kept these two qualifications separate. However, two qualifications overlap even more than in the old Level 5.

Both the HR and L&D have 3 common core modules before separating to cover specialist subject areas.  These two career paths are then offered the same optional modules to choose from. For the first time, these modules include topics like diversity and inclusion, well-being and international people management. As such, you only have space to take just one optional module, thus you have limited freedom in the new 2021 CIPD qualifications to take what you are most interested in.

CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management: Content and Exemptions

Core Modules

• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice – 5CO01
• Evidence-Based Practice – 5CO02
• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People – 5CO03

Specialist Human Resource Units

• Employment Relationship Management – 5HR01
• Talent Management and Workforce Planning – 5HR02
• The reward for Performance and Contribution – 5HR03

Optional Units

• Specialist Employment Law – 5OS01
• Advances in Digital Learning and Development – 5OS02
• Learning and Development Essentials – 5OS03
• People Management in an International Context – 5OS04
• Diversity and Inclusion – 5OS05
• Leadership and Management Development – 5OS05
• Well-being at Work – 5OS07

 

What are the Exemptions from the Old Level 5 Qualifications?

• Contemporary Developments in Employment Relations = 5HR01 Employment Relationship Management
• Resourcing and Talent Planning = 5HR02 Talent Management and Workforce Planning
• Reward Management = 5HR03 Reward for Performance and Contribution
• Employment Law = 5OS01 Specialist Employment Law
• Designing and Development Digital and Blended Learning Solutions = 5OS02 Advances in Digital Learning and Development

CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development: Content and Exemptions

Core Modules

• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice – 5CO01
• Evidence-based Practice – 5CO02
• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People – 5CO03

Specialist Learning & Development Units

• Supporting Self-directed and Social Learning – 5LD01
• Learning and Development Design to Create Value – 5LD02
• Facilitate Personalised and Performance Focused Learning – 5LD03

Optional Units

• Specialist Employment Law – 5OS01
• Advances in Digital Learning and Development – 5OS02
• People Management in an International Context – 5OS02
• Diversity and Inclusion – 5OS05
• Leadership and Management Development – 5OS06
• Well-being at Work – 5OS07

What are the Exemptions from the Old Level 5 Qualifications?

• Employment Law = 5OS01 Specialist Employment Law
• Designing and Developing Digital and Blended Learning Solutions = 5OS02 Advances in Digital Learning and Development

Level 7: CIPD Advanced Diplomas in Strategic People Management and Strategic Learning and Development

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diplomas are the highest level offered by the CIPD. The Level 7 qualifications are equivalent to postgraduate study. The qualifications in this level are designed to provide the learner with the knowledge required to develop and implement strategic and innovative solutions to offer maximum support to organizational growth and performance as an HR or L&D professional.

The learner will gain skills in business leadership and leading and managing people. Moreover, they will be able to analyse the external environment and write business reports to convince and influence stakeholders. The CIPD Level 7 Diplomas are designed to prepare you for Chartered Membership of the CIPD.

What Has Changed at CIPD Level 7?

Like in Level 5, the CIPD Level 7 come with two pathways. You can either choose to specialize in HR or L&D. Level 7 has maintained the 4 core modules that are required for the attainment of the qualification regardless of the route you choose to pursue, although there are no more exams.

However, there are new options such as diversity and inclusion, well-being and working in an international context, the learner will only be able to choose one optional module within this level.

CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management: Content and Exemptions

Core Modules

• Work and Working Lives in Changing Business Environment – 7CO01
• People Management and Development Strategies for Performance – 7CO02
• Personal Effectiveness. Ethics and Business Acumen – 7CO03
• Business Research in People Practice – 7CO04

Specialist HR Units

• Strategic Employment Relations – 7HR01
• Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success – 7HR02
• Strategic Reward Management – 7HR03

Optional Units

• Organisational Design and Development – 7LD01
• Advanced Employment Law in Practice – 7OS01
• Learning and Development Practice – 7OS02
• Technology Enhanced Learning 7OS03
• Advanced Diversity and Inclusion – 7OS04
• Managing People in an International Context – 7OS05
• Well-being at Work -7OS06

What are the Exemptions from the Previous Level 7?

• Completions of both 7HRC Human Resource Management in Context and 7LMP Leading, Managing and Developing People = 7CO01 Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment and 7CO02 People Management and Development Strategies for Performance Investigating a Business Issue from a Human Resources Perspective = 7CO04 Business Research in People Practice
• 7MER Managing Employment Relations = 7HR01 Strategic Employment Relations
• 7RTM Resource and Talent Management = 7HR02 Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
• 7RWM Reward Management = 7HR03 Strategic Reward Management
• 7ODD Organisation Design and Development = 7LD01 Organisation Design and Development
• 7ELW Employment Law = 7OS01 Advanced Employment Law in Practice

CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development: Content and Exemptions

Core Modules

• Work and Working Lives in Changing Business Environment – 7CO01
• People Management and Development Strategies for Performance – 7CO02
• Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen – 7CO03
• Business Research in People Practice – 7CO04

Specialist Learning & Development Modules

• Organisational Design and Development – 7LD01
• Leadership and Management Development in Context – 7LD03
• Designing Learning to Improve Performance – 7 LD03

Optional Learning & Development Modules

• Advanced Employment Law in Practice – 7OS01
• Technology Enhanced Learning – 7OS03
• Advanced Diversity and Inclusion – 7OS04
• Managing People in an International Context – 7OS05
• Well-being at Work – 7OS06

 

 

What are the Exemptions from the Previous Level 7 Qualification?

• Completion of both 7HRC Human Resource Management in Context and 7LMP Leading, Managing and Developing People = 7CO01 Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment and 7CO02 People Management and Development Strategies for Performance Investigating a Business Issues from a Human Resources Perspective = 7CO04 Business Research in People Practice
• 7ODD Organisations Design and Development = 7LD01 Organisational Design and Development
• 7LMD Leadership and Management Development = 7LD02 Leadership and Management Development in Context
• 7DDE Designing, Delivering and Evaluating Learning and Development Provision = 7LD03 Designing Learning to Improve Performance
• 7ELW Employment Law = 7OS01 Advanced Employment Law in Practice

Assessment of the New CIPD Qualifications

Still, the new CIPD qualifications require written assessments at every level. The assessments are set by CIPD, often in the form of a report. Ideally, the assessment tests look more like a document that a learner submits to senior leadership to put advance a recommendation on a new idea or system.

At CIPD Level 3 and 5 the written assessments are based on the learning objectives for the module while at Level 7, the learning objectives are intertwined throughout the assessment.

However, the CIPD Leve 3 no longer has the practice in-class assessments. At Level 7, the learner will no longer have to complete the two national exams, as the content is now covered through assignment work. Regardless, the learner will still complete a 7000-word research project on an aspect concerning HR or L&D of your choice.

 

Previous Versions of the CIPD Qualifications

Until now, there have been two iterations of the CIPD levels and qualifications. The first was designed in 2010, one year after the original CIPD profession map was inaugurated. The new 2021 changes have come to effect two years after the update of the CIPD professional map. Regardless, all the previous versions of the CIPD qualifications are no less valuable. Without much ado, here is how they compare!

Pre-2021 CIPD Qualifications

Overview: 17 Qualifications to choose from

CIPD Level 3: Foundation

• Six possible qualifications
• Awards, Certificate or Diploma size qualifications in both Human Resource Practice and Learning and Development
• Associate Membership Outcome

CIPD Level 5: Intermediate

• Seven possible qualifications
• The award, Certificate or Diploma size qualifications in Human Resources Practice, Learning and Development and or Applied Human Resources
• Associate Membership Outcome

CIPD Level 7: Advanced

• Four possible qualifications are available
• Award, Certificate or Diploma size qualifications in Human Resources
• Diploma size qualification in Learning and Development
• Associate Membership Outcome. However, upon successful completion, candidates with relevant professional experience and competencies can apply to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow.

New 2021 CIPD Qualifications

Overview: Five key qualifications available

CIPD Level 3: Foundation

• One certificate size qualification
• A comprehensive foundation in People Practice incorporating HR and L&D
• Foundation Membership Outcome

CIPD Level 5: Associate

• Two Diploma size qualifications
• Each has a common core module

+ a block of specialist units in either People Management or Learning and Development

+ a further specialist unit to choose from a list of possible options

• Associate Membership Outcome

CIPD Level 7: Advanced

• Two Advanced diploma size qualifications
• Each has a common core module

+ a block of specialist units in either People Management or Learning and Development

+ a further specialist unit to choose from a list of possible options

• Associate Membership Outcome. On successful completion, candidates with relevant professional experience and competencies can apply to upgrade to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow

CIPD Membership from 2021

The CIPD qualification is arguably the leading professional body in HR and People Development. The CIPD qualification has different membership options and benefits for those starting their careers or as already seasoned professionals.

CIPD membership offers learners and alumni alike access to some fantastic resources, knowledge hubs, community forums and local events. Moreover, depending on your membership level, you may also use the designation CIPD after your name. So, what are the other key benefits of CIPD membership?

People Management

Members will receive digital and print versions of the CIPD award-winning People Management magazine and daily insight email newsletters. These are exceptional sources of information and case studies for students at all CIPD levels. For instance, the case studies come in handy in supporting students in engaging with the theory and relating it to practice-based examples.

Knowledge Hub

Access to a knowledge hub is a great deal as it provides students and professionals with resources such as HR or L&D journals, research, policies, podcasts, factsheets and blogs.

Networking and CPD

CIPD membership actively encourages all students to join their local CIPD branch network to get direct access to local events and opportunities to support their CPD and future careers.

Wellbeing and Employment Law

CIPD members will receive free access to employment law, legal advice and wellbeing services helpline for support and guidance to help them at work in their roles or at home.

 

For more information about the new 2021 CIPD Levels and Qualifications, speak to our course advisor. We’ll offer you the most informed advice on which is the best qualification to pursue to get you where you want in your career or professional ladder.