A Complete Guide to CIPD Qualifications

CIPD offers a clear pathway of qualifications for people professionals, from those just starting out to senior strategic leaders. This guide explains the levels, what each involves, and how they fit together.

The three levels

CIPD qualifications are structured into three levels, each building on the last. All are awarded by the CIPD and taught through approved study centres, and all are assessed by written assignments.

• Level 3 Foundation Certificate: the entry point, roughly equivalent to A-level, for those new to people practice.
• Level 5 Associate Diploma: undergraduate-level study for practising HR professionals, the most popular qualification.
• Level 7 Advanced Diploma: postgraduate-level study for senior and strategic roles.

How they are assessed

Rather than exams, CIPD uses written assignments marked against learning outcomes and assessment criteria. Higher levels expect greater depth: description at Level 3, analysis and application at Level 5, and critical evaluation at Level 7.

Membership and progression

CIPD qualifications link to professional membership. Completing Level 5 supports Associate membership, while Level 7 can lead towards Chartered membership, the profession's senior standard. You do not have to complete every level in sequence, but each builds useful foundations for the next.

Not sure which level fits your stage? Our guide on choosing a qualification can help, and our support is tailored to the depth each level demands.