CIPD Level 7

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in People Management is right for you if:

• You want to reach the highest level in your career in the people profession
• You have lots of HR experience, an HR degree, or a CIPD Level 5 qualification
• You're working in, or aiming for, a senior people practice position
• You want to shape HR strategy and policy in your organisation

The Advanced Diploma is designed to give you the skills and knowledge you need to reach the top of the career ladder in HR. You'll gain a high-level understanding of people practice, develop your strategic leadership abilities, and learn how to create real change at work.

Technically, yes, as there there are no entry requirements. However, if you have less than three years of experience working in HR at a senior level, and are not at a 'Head of' Level, then you may be better suited to the CIPD Level 5.

There are no formal entry requirements for the CIPD Level 7 Diploma, but it's designed for learners who have plenty of experience in HR.

The Advanced Diploma is a postgraduate-level qualification, so you should be ready to study at this level. (You don't need a degree or university experience to enrol, however!)

You should also be 21+ and have good literacy and numeracy skills.

Yes, you should join CIPD as a Student Member before you submit your first assignment for your Level 7 Diploma. You need to be a member so CIPD can moderate your assignments, award your grades, and give you your qualification – so it’s pretty important!

We’ll explain how to join as a Student Member once you enrol. Bear in mind you’ll pay an annual Student Membership fee to CIPD too.

Learn more about CIPD Membership.

We find it takes most students around 18 to 24 months to complete the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma.

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.

At DPG, we pride ourselves on helping you get CIPD Level 7 qualified without breaking the bank.

If you’re paying for your course yourself, you can spread the cost over up to 30 months, and you won’t pay any extra – all our payment plans are totally interest-free*.

We also offer low deposits, so it's easy and affordable to get ahead in your career.

If your employer is paying for your course (or if you’d like them to!), our advisors can help you put together a business case showing the benefits of studying CIPD.

Give us a ring on 0330 660 0220 to find out more.

We give you two options, so you can choose a style of learning that suits you.

Our 100% online programme gives you a totally flexible experience that helps you fit your CIPD Level 7 into your life. You can access your course, resources, and webinars online anytime.

Prefer a more traditional learning experience? Our blended programmes combine our online learning elements with a unique combination of virtual workshops, webinars, and community collaboration. The live workshops are a totally immersive, interactive, and collaborative learning experience delivered by an expert HR tutor. Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive expert guidance whilst having the opportunity to share best practices and network with your fellow learners.

For more info on how blended or online learning works, give us a ring or shoot us an email. Our friendly advisors would be happy to chat you through the process!

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management covers four core units and three specialist units:

• Work and working lives in a changing business environment
• People management and development strategies for performance
• Personal effectiveness, ethics and business acumen
• Business research in people practice
• Strategic employment relations
• Resourcing and talent management to sustain success
• Strategic reward management

You'll also get to pick one optional unit from the following list:

• Advanced employment law in practice
• Learning and development in practice
• Technology enhanced learning
• Advanced diversity and inclusion
• Managing people in an international context

For more details on what you'll learn, download your free CIPD Level 7 brochure.

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma is the highest level of CIPD HR qualification you can take. It has been designed specifically for HR professionals who are strategically working to both structure and guide the future of their organisation and HR profession. 

Additionally, when studying the Level 7 Advanced Diploma you will have the option to pick one of five elective modules, and upon completion you'll have a base layer of knowledge to be able to specialise in either HR and Law, HR and Technology or HR and Diversity and Inclusion.

The elective modules are:

• Advanced employment law in practice
• Learning and development in practice
• Technology enhanced learning
• Advanced diversity and inclusion
• Managing people in an international context

For every module you study, you'll complete a written assignment. You'll hand these in online where they'll be marked by our assessors and moderated by CIPD.

And don't worry – if you don't pass an assignment first time, you'll be able to have another go with feedback and advice from your tutor. We’ve got your back!

Studying a Level 7 Advanced Diploma qualification will only cement your credibility within the field or HR, ensuring you stand out as a leader in your profession. The CIPD qualification acts as a badge of commitment to HR, and is fully respected and recognised by employers.

Completing this qualification will also enable you to apply for roles such as Head of HR, Director People, Head of Talent and People and Head of Diversity and Inclusion.

In terms of improving your professional standing, upon completion you will also become an Associate Member of CIPD (Assoc CIPD), with the opportunity to upgrade to Chartered Member (MCIPD) or Chartered Fellow (CFIPD) depending on your experience.

There are currently no research or dissertation requirements at CIPD Level 7.

However, for each module that you study, you will submit a written assessment online that will be marked by our assessors and moderated by CIPD themselves.

Yes, with the Level 7 Advanced Diploma you will become a CIPD Associate Member, and be able to upgrade to a Chartered Member post qualification, depending on experience.

Additionally CIPD recognise exceptional leaders with the Chartered Companion Grade, which is the highest level of recognition that the CIPD award. However, there is a nomination process before the CIPD board individually selects the qualifying professionals.