Step 1: Choose a qualification to suit your goals
Our qualifications offer varying levels of complexity and different study modules.
Join through studying a qualification
Develop your knowledge and abilities and support your future professional ambitions
Is studying for me?
Completing a CIPD qualification will advance your learning in HR or L&D and is the most frequent route into CIPD membership. When you study a CIPD qualification, you’ll be invited to become a Student Member and at the end of your studies, you’ll move up the membership grades.
The rewards of study
Our HR and L&D qualifications help you to develop the knowledge and abilities that employers look for. We currently have more than 25,000 professionals studying a CIPD qualification to show they’ve achieved recognised industry standards.
- Increases your career prospects and earning potential.
- Builds your confidence and professional credibility to handle your organisation’s people management and development issues.
- Extends your learning and supports your future ambitions.
See what our members say
'I absolutely believe that the CIPD qualification has increased my confidence at work…and given me recognition in the industry and the organisation that I am working in.'
Emma Smart, Chartered MCIPD
What does it involve?
There are four straightforward steps to studying a CIPD qualification and gaining membership.
Step 2: Find a Study Centre
Locate a Study Centre that works for you, including digital learning centres.
Step 3: Join as a Student Member
Once you’ve registered for a qualification, join the CIPD as a Student Member and benefit from extensive member resources and support.
Step 4: Complete your qualification
Once you finish your studies, you’ll be awarded Foundation or Associate Member grade, depending on your qualification. Renew your membership each year, upgrade as your career progresses and keep the CIPD as your lifelong career partner.
Find a qualification
The CIPD offers a number of qualifications which lead to Foundation or Associate Membership. Some of our qualifications could take you to Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow grade if you have the right experience to upgrade.
When registering for a qualification you’ll initially join the CIPD as a Student Member.
If you want to become a Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow
New qualifications
- CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
- CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development
Pre-2021 qualifications
- CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Management
- CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Human Resource Development
Whether you choose a new or pre-2021 qualification, you’ll become an Associate Member on successful completion. If you have at least one year’s experience working at Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow level, you can then apply to upgrade your membership.
If you want to become an Associate member
New qualifications leading to Associate Member grade
- CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
- CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development
Pre-2021 qualifications leading to Associate Member grade
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Human Resources Practice
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Diploma in Learning and Development
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Human Resources Practice
- CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Learning and Development
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Human Resource Management
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Learning and Development
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Diploma in Applied Human Resources
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in Human Resource Management
- CIPD Level 5 Intermediate Certificate in Learning and Development
- CIPD Level 7 Advanced Certificate in Human Resources
If you want to become a Foundation Member
Our new CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is the only qualification leading to Foundation Member grade, upon successful completion.
We also offer pre-2021 Award qualifications that focus on specific HR or L&D subjects. These offer the opportunity to become a Student Member for the duration of your study, but do not lead to CIPD membership at any grade.
How much does it cost?
| Study a qualification | Fee |
|---|---|
| Qualification fee | Set by individual study centres |
| 12-month Student Member fee* | £98 |
| Joining fee | £40 |
| Total | Qualification fee and £138 |
For an idea of what you can expect to pay for your CIPD qualification, please contact your chosen Study Centre.
Once you finish your qualification, you’ll start paying the Foundation or Associate Member fee at your next renewal on 1 July.
*Depending on when you join in the year, we offer different membership fee options.
Interested in studying a CIPD qualification?
See frequently asked questions about studying a CIPD qualification including how to gain exemptions
Are you already studying a CIPD qualification?
CIPD membership can offer vital support for your studies
Studying not for you?
Explore Experience Assessment, our direct route into membership. It’s designed to assess your professional experience and skills, and involves no studying or exams.
Ask about membership through qualification
Call +353 1 513 6796 *
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* Calls are routed through to the UK