Academic member grades

Academic member grades are for individuals engaged in teaching, lecturing and research in the field of HR or L&D. It illustrates expertise in the development and progression of ‘thinking and knowledge’ of the HR and L&D profession and your ability to make an impact in the world of work.

Academic member grades

There are three grades of Academic membership. Each carries a professional designation to recognise their significance.

What's in it for you?

Becoming a member means immediate access to a range of benefits. Look at some of our most popular benefits below, or go to our member benefits page to see the full range.

How to join an Academic member grade

To be eligible for Academic membership of the CIPD you need to be an individual working in the field of teaching or research in HRM or an HRM related area.

To be awarded an Academic member grade, you will be formally assessed via an online Microsoft Teams Peer Review discussion with one of our academic assessors who are experienced academics. In addition, we’ll also gain workplace feedback from people you work with, including your line manager, about your work and the impact this has had in your Institution and the HR profession.

How to apply?

1. Decide which Academic member grade is right for you.
   
   To be eligible for any of our Academic member grades of the CIPD you must be an individual working in the field of teaching or research in HRM or an HRM related area. Apply for the Academic member grade (see Academic member grade descriptions above) that best fits your current experience, that is, the one for which you can demonstrate meeting the criteria through evidence from at least the last three years.
   
   
2. Read the How to apply for CIPD Academic membership guidance notes (below).
   
   
3. Return all the below documents to academicassessment@cipd.co.uk
   
   
   • Your up to date CV (review the How to apply for Academic membership guidance notes below for information on what you should include in your CV)
     
     
   • Your completed Academic assessment application form (see below) and we will then contact you for payment. The assessment fee is a non-refundable
     
     
   • A copy of your current job description or role profile
     
     
   • A copy of your highest-level qualification certificate
   
   
4. What happens next?
   
   CIPD will acknowledge receipt of your supporting documents and will contact you within ten working days to take payment. We’ll ask you for the contact details of two people for your workplace feedback and we’ll send them a workplace feedback form to complete and return to us.
   
   When we receive the completed workplace feedback forms, we’ll contact you to book your Peer Review discussion at a convenient date/time. You'll learn the outcome of your assessment within six weeks of your Peer Review discussion and will receive a tailored report to support your continuing professional development.

Download the How to apply for CIPD Academic membership guidelines and Academic assessment application form below.

*Depending on when you join in the year, we offer different membership fee options.

Card payments

Fees are presented in Sterling, and card payments will be charged the exchange rate of your financial services provider.

• For guidance on the euro rate click here to convert currency.

Eurozone Direct Debit

You can set up a SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area) Direct Debit to pay in euros. Please complete our SEPA Direct Debit instruction form and send it with your membership application form.

Direct debit payment amounts are based on our current exchange rate €1.18 = £1 (rate is reviewed annually).

You may also be interested in

• Membership terms and conditions
• All Chartered Members need to be committed to their Continuing Professional Development (CPD) and comply with our Code of Professional Conduct