CIPD qualifications are one of the most sought-after Human Resources and Learning & Development qualifications. Widely regarded as ‘the’ qualification to have when it comes to the people profession, having studied a CIPD qualification can open up a whole range of career and development opportunities.
As a result, it’s no surprise that most reputable professional learning providers will offer some type of CIPD qualification as part of their product offering.
Having such a wide choice of providers comes with its own problems though, especially if you’re trying to navigate the market and find a general cost for your qualification.
So, how much do CIPD qualifications actually cost? And what are you really getting for your money? We explore these questions below.
What affects the cost of CIPD qualifications?
Your provider
One of the main things that can affect the price of the CIPD qualification you’re studying is the provider that you’ve chosen. That’s because many providers offer extra services and support on top of the initial cost of the qualification which is set by the CIPD.
For example, some providers will offer longer support periods – the length of time that you’ll be able to access dedicated help and advice from a tutor or access specific resources – or support periods that provide enhanced levels of support.
Generally, you get what you pay for when it comes to qualifications like this. Like anything in our world, if the cost of a qualification seems too good to be true, there’s a strong likelihood that it is.
It makes sense to shop around and do your research when deciding which learning provider to study with. Compare courses and their various support periods, fees and other features across different providers and see which one offers a realistic deal that’s good value for money.
The format you study
There are a variety of different ways that you can study a CIPD qualification. As a result, they come with a variety of different costs too, depending on the exact format that you study. When it comes to studying a CIPD qualification, the two traditional options are:
Classroom-based study
This type of study will see you attend a physical classroom in a bricks-and-mortar learning establishment, like a college or school, a set period of times a month, at a particular day and time. You’ll be in a class with other students and your learning will be directed by a tutor. You’ll study at the same pace as everyone else.
Generally, reflecting the higher level of resources it calls for on the part of the learning provider, classroom-based study is more expensive.
Online study
With online learning, you complete your course online, by studying the course digitally, using a device like a laptop, tablet or smartphone and an internet connection. This type of learning is self-paced and self-directed: you’ll set the speed at which you study and work through modules and you can study anywhere, any time.
In most cases, online study is more affordable than classroom-based study, making it a good option for students on a budget.
At Acacia, we offer a special type of learning that blends the best elements of classroom-based learning, with the best elements of online learning. We call it LiveOnline. You can find out more about how it works here.
How much do CIPD qualifications cost?
Human Resources
Content
This qualification is designed to give you a grounding in the core principles, skills and knowledge that you’ll need to start a career in Human Resources and Learning & Development: known as the ‘People Professions’.
Made up of 4 modules, the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate explores everything from the context of HR and L&D in an organisation, the core behaviours you need, the principles that define the people profession and how analytics are used to inform approaches.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the right blend of expertise to be able to apply for your first HR or L&D position and qualify for entry-level roles in both fields.
Duration
Generally, this CIPD qualification will take you about 4 months to complete, if you’re studying it part-time. If you’re studying it full-time, you’re likely to be able to complete it faster.
Cost
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice will normally cost around £2,200. Depending on your learning provider, and your financial circumstances, you might be able to spread your payments over a particular period of time.
At Acacia, our CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate costs £2,199.
Content
The next step up from the Level 3 Foundation Certificate, the Level 5 Associate Diploma is an intermediate qualification that’s designed to prepare you for the demands of more specialised, and advanced, HR roles at an organisation.
It’s made up of 6 core modules that explore the basics of talent management and workforce planning, rewards, valuing people, organisation culture and performance and employment relationship management.
By the end of the course, you’ll be able to apply for intermediate, management-focused HR roles, and be able to apply for the Level 7 Advanced Diploma: the highest CIPD HR qualificaiton.
Duration
This CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma will take you around 8 to 10 months to complete, if you’re studying part-time.
Cost
The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management normally costs £3,700.
At Acacia, you can study the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma for £3,699.
Content
The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management is the highest HR qualification that you can study with CIPD. Focused on developing the skills and expertise you need for senior HR roles, it’s focused on the strategic impact that HR can have in an organisation.
It’s composed of 8 modules which explore resourcing and talent management, strategies for success, HR in changing business environments, ethics and behaviour, strategic reward management and strategic employment relations.
When you’ve completed the Level 7 Associate Diploma, you’ll have the right skills to be able to apply for senior HR roles, like Head of HR or Director of HR, along with other management positions. You’ll also be eligible to apply for prestigious, ‘Chartered’ membership status of the CIPD: a prestigious industry title.
Duration
The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma will normally take you about 2 years to complete, if you’re studying part-time.
Cost
The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management normally costs around £7,000.
At Acacia, you can study the CIPD Level 5 Advanced Diploma for £6,999.
Learning and Development
Content
The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma is a mid-level L&D qualifications. It’s aimed at professionals who have a few years of L&D experience already and who are looking to progress to more senior positions, like management roles.
Made up of seven modules, 6 core ones and 1 elective one, you’ll study professional behaviour and valuing employees, organisational performance and culture, evidence-based practice, self-directed and social learning, L&D design and personalised, performance-focused learning.
By the end of the module, you’ll have an excellent understanding of complex L&D frameworks and issues and be able to apply for the next qualification up: the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development which is the highest qualification that CIPD offer.
Duration
The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development will take you around 8 to 10 months to study part-time.
Cost
The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development will normally cost you about £3,700.
With Acacia, you can study this qualification for £3,699.
Content
The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development is the most advanced L&D qualification that you can study with the CIPD. Designed for professionals looking to take that next big leap with their career, the CIPD Level 7 will give you the strategic skills, expertise and insight to propel yourself forward into the top L&D roles at an organisation.
Comprised of eight modules (7 core and 1 elective), you’ll cover L&D topics with a focus on strategy and planning. You’ll explore ideas such as work in a changing business environment, people management and development strategies, ethics, effectiveness and business acumen, the role of research in L&D, organisational design and development, leadership and management development and how to design learning to improve performance.
Duration
It will take you around 2 years to complete the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development if you’re studying part-time.
Cost
As it’s one of the most advanced L&D qualifications that you can study, the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development will normally cost you about £7,000 to study.
At Acacia, you can study this qualification for £6,999.
Take your HR or L&D career forward with a CIPD Qualification
In reality, there isn’t one fixed price for a CIPD qualification: prices can vary between different providers based on a number of factors. We hope we’ve given you a rough overview of the factors that can affect the cost of a CIPD qualification, along with an idea of the average price of one too. Happy hunting for your qualification!
Learn to grow with Acacia by studying an online CIPD qualification. Download your free course guide here.
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