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The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is perfect if you want to launch your career in HR or L&D – and getting CIPD qualified with DPG is the no-nonsense way to achieve your goals!
Developed by The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), this career-boosting qualification is designed to give you the practical, job-ready skills employers value.
The CIPD Level 3 course is right for you if you're looking to:
Don't just take our word for it though, 92% of our students recommend studying a CIPD course to take your HR or L&D career to the next level.†
Choose 100% online or blended learning
Enjoy low deposits and 0% finance options*
Ask about our CIPD Student Bursaries*
Kickstart your HR or L&D career
Gain dedicated tutor support while you study
Become a CIPD Foundation Member
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is an entry-level qualification designed for those new to HR or L&D with little experience in the people profession. This means that you don't need any previous HR or L&D experience to get started!
As long as you're 16+ and have good literacy and numeracy skills, you're good to go.
Please note that once you enrol, you'll need to pay a CIPD Student Registration fee separate from the cost of your course. For more details, contact our Course Advisors today.
When you enrol on the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, you'll study four core units, which include:
For more details on what you’ll learn, download your free CIPD Level 3 course brochure!
For each module you study, you’ll complete written assignments designed to showcase the knowledge you’ve gained and the skills you’ve developed on your CIPD Level 3 course.
For your final unit of study, you'll also be asked to conduct a Recruitment Interview, and this must be recorded for submission and assessment.
All of your assignments are submitted online, marked by our expert tutors and moderated by CIPD.
Please note that CIPD updates their Assessment Briefs annually as part of their Assessment Change Cycle.
We find it takes most students around 7 to 8 months to complete the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate. To give you plenty of flexibility, we offer a support period of 9 months.
However, everyone is different, so keep in mind that this might vary depending on your circumstances, the learning method you choose, and how much time you can dedicate to studying each week.
We’re committed to keeping our courses as accessible as possible, with flexible, interest-free* payment plans to help make studying manageable.
Enrol online today or contact our course advisors to chat through deposit options and monthly payments. You can also check out our budget calculator to see what works for you!
£58,000+
HR senior-level salary‡
£32,000+
HR associate-level salary‡
£22,000+
HR entry-level salary‡
HR Assistant
People & Culture Assistant
HR Administrator
Recruitment Coordinator
L&D Training Assistant
Learning Administrator
Learn more about why our students chose DPG and how we’ve helped them progress in their careers.
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The CIPD Level 3 Foundation in People Practice is right for you if:
Our CIPD Level 3 course is designed to give you the practical knowledge and skills you need to find your first job in HR or L&D and stand out as part of the next generation of people professionals.
If, however, you have some experience in HR or a related field, you might want to consider the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma instead.
As the CIPD Foundation course is designed for newcomers to the people profession, you don't need any previous HR or L&D experience to get started, and there are no formal entry requirements.
As long as you're 16+ and have good literacy and numeracy skills, you're good to go.
Yes, you can! DPG is a distance learning provider, which means that we offer you the choice to study our CIPD courses either 100% online or through blended learning.
Online learning with us is a flexible way to earn your CIPD qualification, allowing you to work through course materials at your own pace and on your own schedule. With everything available on our virtual learning platform, mystudyspace, you’ll have the tools, resources and expert tutor support to help you succeed.
Alternatively, if you prefer a slightly more structured approach, our blended learning programmes offer a combination of online and in-person learning, including engaging online workshops led by expert tutors for each unit of study.
No matter your commitments – whether it’s a full-time job, caring responsibilities, or other priorities – we give you the flexibility to control how and when you study. That's the DPG Difference.
For more info, give us a ring or shoot us an email. Our friendly course advisors would be happy to talk you through which option will work best for you!
We give you two options, so you can choose a style of learning that suits you.
Our 100% online self-led programme gives you a totally flexible experience that helps you fit your CIPD course seamlessly into your life. You can access your course materials from anywhere and at any time, helping you cut out the chaos and learn at your own pace.
Prefer face-to-face learning? Our blended learning programme offers a unique combination of online and tutor-led learning, including engaging online workshops for each unit of study.
With this option, you'll enjoy the perfect mix of community, collaboration, and flexibility.
For more info on how blended or online learning works, give us a ring or shoot us an email. Our friendly course advisors would be happy to chat you through the process!
We find it takes most students around 7 to 9 months to complete the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate.
However, everyone is different, so bear in mind this might change depending on your circumstances and how much time you have to study each week.
*Terms & Conditions apply. Any offer of credit is made by DPG and is subject to your status and eligibility. Please also note that CIPD Bursaries are subject to availability.
†Statistics from a survey of 37 CIPD students who graduated between 2018 and 2022.
‡ Averages shown were taken from the Hays UK & Salary & Recruiting Guide (2025).