How Long Does It Take to Get CIPD Qualified?

Qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Personnel Development (CIPD) have long been considered the global benchmark for HR and L&D training.

While these qualifications are known for being flexible, affordable, and top tier, most potential CIPD learners want to know how long it will take them to complete a course.

To give you a rundown, below we go over how long it takes to get CIPD qualified at Level 3, Level 5, and Level 7 so you know just how much of your valuable time a CIPD qualification will take up while working full-time.

CIPD Level 3 Qualification 

If you’re currently an aspiring people professional or have minimal HR or L&D experience, then the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is the perfect CIPD starting point for you.

This qualification typically takes learners anywhere from 7 to 9 months while working full-time, and is designed to arm you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to kickstart your HR or L&D career and stand out from other people professionals.

CIPD Level 5 Qualifications

Depending on your desired career path, you can enrol on a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management or a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Operational Learning and Development.

These qualifications are ideal if you’re a people professional who already has some experience in HR or L&D and you’re looking to get your foot in the door and qualify for mid-level managerial positions.

If you decided on a CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma, you should expect that it will take you about 9 to 12 months to complete while working full-time.

CIPD Level 7 Qualifications

If you already have significant experience as an HR or L&D professional, the CIPD offers two advanced qualifications that will help you gain the skills you need to tackle strategic senior roles specific to your goals. These qualifications are the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management and the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development. 

Being that these courses are suitable for those who have been in the people profession for some time, depending on your current workload and other responsibilities, they tend to take anywhere from 18 to 24 months while working full-time. 

Factors That Might Affect Your CIPD Completion Time 

The estimates we’ve outlined above are in alignment with how long it takes the majority of our students to complete their respective CIPD qualifications while studying online.

While other CIPD providers have specific and set timetables that determine how long it takes to gain your qualification, how long it will take you to complete a CIPD qualification will be entirely dependent on your circumstances when you study with DPG.

If you’re busy working full-time and also have a number of external family and life obligations, you might take a little longer to complete your qualification. On the other hand, if you find yourself with a lot of spare time in between your working hours, then you may have more time to sit down and concentrate on milling through your units faster, ultimately cutting down your completion time.

To add, right now (especially as we emerge from a pandemic) we feel that it’s also important to consider the likelihood that your commitments and level of motivation may change from day to day, week to week - and that’s entirely okay!

Online learning with us gives you the flexibility to pick up your studies where you left off, whenever the time is right for you - something that can’t be done with set class times and teaching schedules. With DPG, you create your own preferred learning environment through our flexible framework, giving everyone the opportunity to excel.

We even offer live Q&A webinars for additional support should you need them, as well as free access to our award-winning online DPG Community, which connects you with more than 12,000 HR, L&D, and Leadership professionals who are or have been in your shoes.

Fast-Tracking Your CIPD Course with DPG 

We know that some of you out there are overachievers or simply just eager to get your career on the go, so remember that when you study CIPD online with us, you have the advantage of studying at your own pace, on your own time.

This means that if you find yourself with some extra time after work, on weekends, or over your holidays, then you can work towards fast-tracking your qualification if you so choose.

If your circumstances change, however, there’s no harm in taking a breather and slowing down a short time should you need to.

That’s the beauty of online learning - having the flexibility to learn when it’s most convenient for you and getting CIPD qualified on your own terms.



Whether you want to work in HR or L&D, enrolling on a CIPD certificate or diploma is sure to get you to where you need to be sooner than any other professional qualification - meaning you’re spending your money and your time wisely while working your way toward becoming a more dynamic and impactful people professional.


Unlock your potential and enhance your career today when you enrol on an flexible, affordable, online CIPD qualification with us!