Take your HR career to the next level with an online CIPD qualification.
24 July 2025 - 3 min read
If you’re looking to build a career in HR or Learning & Development (L&D), you’ve probably heard of the CIPD, otherwise known as the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. They’re the go-to body for professional development in the HR industry, and their qualifications are recognised around the world.
But let’s be honest – there’s a lot of information out there about CIPD qualifications and membership. So, to keep things simple, we’ve broken it all down for you.
In this guide, we’ll walk you through each CIPD qualification level, explain what they involve, and how they link to different CIPD membership levels, helping you choose the right path with confidence.
Now, first things first! When you enrol on any CIPD qualification, you’ll apply for Student Membership with the CIPD. This allows for CIPD to moderate your assessments while you learn.
However, CIPD offers qualifications at Levels 3, 5, and 7, depending on where you're at in your HR or L&D career – with each qualification corresponding to a specific CIPD membership level, giving you access to a whole range of professional perks.
We're talking high-quality learning resources, exclusive networking events, career-boosting opportunities, member-only discounts, and that all-important boost to your industry credibility.
Let's take a closer look.
The CIPD Level 3 course is your gateway qualification to the people profession, whether you’re looking to kickstart your career in HR or L&D, or hoping to formalise your current industry skills.
This CIPD qualification is perfect if you’re looking to:
You’ll study the key areas of the people profession, including the essentials of people practice and analytics, and upon completion, be well on your way to advancing your budding career.
There are no prerequisites for studying this course.
Once you’ve completed the CIPD Level 3 Certificate, you’ll become a CIPD Foundation Member.
This membership level demonstrates to employers that you have a strong understanding of fundamental HR and L&D practices and principles, and that you can apply your knowledge at work with strength and tact.
When you're a Foundation Member, you can use the designation 'Foundation CIPD' after your name on your CV and LinkedIn to showcase your progress and credibility. 
The CIPD Level 5 HR Diploma (roughly equivalent to undergraduate degree study), offers you the knowledge and skills you need to stand out in mid-level HR roles, such as HR Advisor, HR Manager or HR Business Partner. It’s the ideal qualification if you're:
This course is designed to give you everything you need to deliver real results at work and forge ahead in your career. As you study, you’ll learn about a broad range of key HR areas, including employment law and talent management, while building on your analytical and problem-solving skills.
Similar to CIPD Level 5 Diploma in HR, the CIPD Level 5 Diploma in L&D gives you the knowledge and skills you need to excel in mid-level L&D roles. This course is right for you if you're:
This course will cover everything from social learning to organisational performance and transform you into becoming a next-generation L&D professional; one who will truly make an impact in their organisational development.
While there are no formal entry requirements to enrol on CIPD Level 5 courses, we recommend having some prior experience in entry-level HR or L&D roles.
The next step up from Foundation Membership is becoming a CIPD Associate Member.
Once you've completed either the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma or a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in either HR or L&D, you'll be eligble to apply. Alternatively, you can achieve this membership grade via CIPD's Experience Assessment route.
Once you’ve reached this point in your CIPD journey, you’ll be exhibiting your high-level understanding of the essential skills, behaviours and functions of the people profession, while also calling attention to your tight grasp on diversity, inclusion, ethics, and employee wellbeing (among many other things).
Another added benefit of achieving this level of membership is that you can add the professional designation ‘Assoc. CIPD’ to your name on your CV and LinkedIn, demonstrating your specialist knowledge of HR or L&D and what you can bring to the table.
Pretty cool, right? 
Roughly equivalent to a master’s degree in difficulty, the CIPD Level 7 Diploma in HR is designed for HR professionals who have already completed a CIPD Level 5 Diploma (or equivalent), or those who already have a significant amount of HR experience, or an HR degree.
You'll gain valuable insights into the more advanced areas of HR, including business research and analysis and key stakeholder relationships. This advanced qualification is perfect for you if you’re hoping to:
You'll be at the top of your career game in no time!
Also roughly equivalent to a master’s degree is the CIPD Level 7 Diploma in L&D.
This advanced CIPD qualification is ideal for those looking to develop their career to a senior L&D position and who want to develop their knowledge of strategic L&D elements, including organisational design and development and business research.
This qualification will be a good fit for you if you’re:
You'll also develop your strategic leadership skills, empowering you to advance your L&D capabilities to their highest potential.
While there are no formal entry requirements to enrol on CIPD Level 7 courses, we recommend having significant experience in entry-level HR or L&D roles.
Once you’ve completed a CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma, you’ll be eligible for CIPD Associate Membership; however, at this level, you’re also eligible to apply to become a CIPD Chartered Member. This means usingt he professional designation ‘Chartered MCIPD’ after your name – demonstrating your strategic and operational expertise.
To achieve Chartered status, you’ll need to have worked consistently in a strategic HR or L&D role at this level for at least one year within the last five years.
At this level you can also work towards CIPD Chartered Fellow Membership (‘Chartered FCIPD’). This membership level is undoubtedly the most sought-after and prestigious CIPD designation.
To achieve this status, you’ll need to have completed an Advanced Diploma (or equivalent) and gain the relevant experience before applying to upgrade. If you're already an MCIPD, you can also apply to upgrade. There is also an Exeperience Assessment route.
While achieving Chartered or Chartered Fellow status isn’t detrimental to your success, it can take you far and beyond your initial career goals. It illustrates to employers and peers alike that you have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to be a positive, long-lasting influence in your organisation and the people profession as a whole.
One of the best things about CIPD qualifications is how flexible they are! You can choose how, when, and where you'd like to study, depending on what works best for you.
With over 30 years as a CIPD-approved provider, we know what it takes to help HR and L&D professionals succeed. Whether you're just starting out or ready to take your skills to the next level, our flexible online and blended learning options are designed around you!
That means no rigid schedules, no unnecessary pressure; just self-paced study, with dedicated support from expert tutors. Plus, when you study with DPG, you’re not just gaining a CIPD qualification, you’re joining a profession of passionate, like-minded professionals who are all working towards something bigger.
That's the DPG Difference.
If you're ready to give your career the glow-up it deserves, enrol on a fully accredited online CIPD qualfiication today!
Get more information about our CIPD courses
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