Which CIPD Course Should I Take? Level 3, 5 and 7 Explained

No matter where you are in your HR (Human Resources) or L&D (Learning & Development) career, there’s a CIPD qualification that can help you take your professional journey to the next level.

When you begin your research on which CIPD qualification is right for you, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the many options available. You might wonder: What do CIPD levels 3, 5, and 7 mean? Should you start at Foundation or Associate level if you're new to HR? And is the CIPD Advanced Diploma really equivalent to postgraduate-level study? (Yes, it is!)

Choosing the right CIPD course depends on a variety of factors, including:

• Your current level of industry experience
• Your previous education
• Your career goals and where you want to go next

We’re here to break down everything you need to know about choosing the best CIPD qualification for your career path, so you can start your CIPD journey with confidence.

Which CIPD Qualification Should You Choose?

When selecting the right CIPD qualification for your career, there are two key factors to consider:

The Subject: Would you prefer to study Human Resources (HR) or Learning & Development (L&D)?

The Level of Advancement: Are you looking to pursue a Foundation (Level 3), Associate (Level 5), or Advanced (Level 7) qualification?

1. Choose Your Subject

CIPD qualifications are available in two main areas:

• Human Resources (HR), also known as People Practice or People Management, covers a broad range of generalist and specialist HR skills, including recruitment, reward management, employment law, and managing the employer-employee relationship.
• Learning & Development (L&D) qualifications focus on planning, designing, delivering, and evaluating employee training, as well as driving organisational development.

2. Choose Your Level of Advancement

CIPD qualifications are organised into three levels, which reflect the complexity and depth of the material:

• CIPD Level 3 Foundation qualifications are perfect if you're starting your HR or L&D career and aiming for entry-level or operational roles, such as HR Assistant, L&D Practitioner, or Trainer.
• CIPD Level 5 Associate qualifications are ideal if you already have some HR or L&D experience or hold a university degree. These qualifications will prepare you for mid-level positions, like HR/L&D Manager or HR/L&D Advisor.
• CIPD Level 7 Advanced qualifications are designed for experienced HR or L&D professionals or HR graduates seeking to advance into senior strategic roles, such as Business Partner, Consultant, Department Head, or Director.

Once you've answered these two questions—subject and level—you’ll have a clearer idea of which CIPD qualification best suits your career goals. Next, we’ll dive into the details of each CIPD qualification to help you make an informed decision.

What is the Best CIPD Qualification to Have?

A Guide to CIPD Level 3 Foundation Qualifications

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is the only qualification at Foundation Level and covers both Human Resources (HR) and Learning & Development (L&D).

This Foundation Certificate is designed to equip you with the essential operational skills to start your HR or L&D career and step into entry-level roles.

As the entry-level qualification from CIPD, the Level 3 Foundation Certificate is similar in difficulty to A Levels, making it an ideal starting point for newcomers to the profession.

What Experience Do You Need to Study CIPD Level 3?

One of the key advantages of the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is that no prior HR or L&D experience is required. This makes the course perfect for those new to the field and looking to get started in HR or L&D.

Typical CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate Job Roles

With this certification you’ll be prepared for a range of entry-level positions, such as:

• HR Assistant
• HR Administrator
• HR Officer
• HR Coordinator
• Trainer
• L&D Assistant
• Training/L&D Coordinator
• Training/L&D Officer
• L&D Practitioner

Average CIPD Level 3 Salary

According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals holding a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in the private sector is around £28,000.

How Long Does it Take to Complete a CIPD Level 3 Qualification?

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate typically takes between 7 to 9 months to complete, assuming part-time study alongside work.

CIPD Level 3 Course Content

The certification covers four key modules:

1. Essentials of People Practice
2. Core Behaviours for People Professionals
3. Business, Culture, and Change in Context
4. Principles of Analytics

CIPD Membership at Level 3

Upon completing this qualification, you will be eligible to become a CIPD Foundation Member, which offers additional professional recognition and networking opportunities.

A Guide to CIPD Level 5 Associate Qualifications

CIPD Associate Diploma qualifications are classed as Level 5 qualifications, meaning they're roughly equivalent in difficulty to a foundation degree. There are two CIPD qualifications at this level:

• CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management (HR)
• CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development (L&D)

They're designed to give you the skills you need to take on mid-level managerial or advisory HR/L&D roles.

What Experience Do You Need to Study CIPD Level 5?

If you want to study this qualification, then you should generally have at least one of the following:

• Some experience in an entry-level HR or L&D role
• Work experience that has involved elements of HR or L&D
• A CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate

This certification is also ideal for career changers with transferrable work experience looking to start their learning journey at a higher level.

Typical CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma Job Roles

• HR Manager
• HR Advisor
• People & Culture Manager
• People Advisor
• Training/L&D Officer
• Training/L&D Manager
• Training/L&D Advisor

Average CIPD Associate Diploma Salary

According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals at this level would be on average £42,000.

How Long Does it Take to Complete a CIPD Level 5 Qualification?

A CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma generally takes our students 9 to 12 months to complete when studying part-time alongside a full-time job.

CIPD Level 5 Course Content (HR)

If you study this qualification, you'll complete seven of the modules below:

Core modules:

1. Professionals Behaviours and Valuing People
2. Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
3. Evidence-Based Practice
4. Employment Relationship Management
5. Talent Management and Workforce Planning
6. Reward for Performance and Contribution

Elective modules (choose one):

1. Specialist Employment Law
2. Diversity and Inclusion
3. People Management in an International Context
4. Leadership and Management Development
5. Wellbeing at Work

CIPD Level 5 Course Content (L&D)

If you study this qualification, you'll complete seven of the modules listed below:

Core modules:

1. Professionals Behaviours and Valuing People
2. Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
3. Evidence-Based Practice
4. Support Self-Directed and Social Learning
5. Learning and Development Design to Create Value
6. Facilitate Personalised and Performance-Focused Learning

Elective modules (choose one):

1. Leadership and Management Development
2. Wellbeing at Work
3. Diversity and Inclusion
4. People Management in an International Context
5. Specialist Employment Law

CIPD Membership at Level 5

On completion of a Level 5 Associate Diploma, you can become an Associate Member of the CIPD and use Assoc. CIPD after your name.

A Guide to CIPD Level 7 Advanced Qualifications

CIPD Advanced qualifications are classed at Level 7, meaning they're equivalent in difficulty to postgraduate/Master's degree qualifications. CIPD Level 7 qualifications give you the high-level strategic knowledge you need for senior strategic HR or L&D roles. There are two CIPD qualifications at this level, one in HR and one in L&D:

• CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management (HR)
• CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development

What Experience Do You Need to Study CIPD Level 7?

To enrol on a course of this calibre, you should generally have one of the following:

• Significant experience working in HR or L&D
• An HR focused university degree
• A CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma

You should also be prepared to take on postgraduate-level study.

Typical CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma Job Roles

• HR Business Partner
• HR Consultant
• Head of HR
• Head of People and Culture
• HR Director
• Training/L&D Director
• Head of Training/L&D
• L&D Consultant 

Average CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma Salary

According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals at this level would be on average £65,000 but it can vary dramatically depending on the seniority of your role.

How Long Does it Take to Complete a CIPD Level 7 Qualification?

A CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma generally takes students around 18 to 24 months to complete while studying part-time alongside working full-time.

CIPD Level 7 Course Content (HR)

If you study this qualification, you'll complete four core modules plus your choice of four elective modules:

Core modules:

1. Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
2. People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
3. Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen
4. Business Research in People Practice
5. Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
6. Strategic Reward Management
7. Strategic Employment Relations

Elective modules (choose one):

1. Advanced Employment Law in Practice
2. Learning and Development Practice
3. Managing People in an International Context
4. Technology-Enhanced Learning
5. Advanced Diversity and Inclusion

CIPD Level 7 Course Content (L&D)

If you study this qualification, you'll complete four core modules plus your choice of four elective modules:

Core modules:

1. Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
2. People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
3. Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen
4. Business Research in People Practice
5. Organisational Design and Development
6. Leadership and Management Development in Context
7. Designing Learning to Improve Performance

Elective modules (choose one):

1. Technology-Enhanced Learning
2. Advanced Diversity and Inclusion
3. Advanced Employment Law in Practice
4. Managing People in an International Context

CIPD Membership at Level 7

Once you have the requisite professional experience, you could become a Chartered Member of the CIPD.

Which CIPD Qualification is Right For You?

Choosing the right CIPD qualification comes down to two key factors: subject (HR or L&D) and level (Foundation, Associate, or Advanced). Once you’ve decided on these, you’ll be on the right track for your career goals.

Still unsure? Our expert CIPD Advisors are here to help. Reach out via email, chat, or phone to get personalised guidance on the best course for you.

Take you career further with an online CIPD qualification!