As a training provider, we're asked many questions about the best qualifications to take as a professional in HR, L&D, or Business Management. These are the questions that are important in deciding what qualification is best for your personal and professional development.
Here we list the most commonly asked questions and our answers. If you have a question that's not answered here, please do get in touch.
DPG has over 30 years of experience as a training provider, helping thousands of professionals achieve their career goals with our innovative learning approach and commitment to excellence.
Our no-nonsense approach offers maximum flexibility so you can get qualified as easily as possible and our excellent customer support ensures a smooth and successful learning journey.
Learn more about what makes the DPG Difference.
Yes, we offer payment plans that can be spread, interest-free*, for up to 30 months dependent on your qualification.
We enrol students all through the year, so you can join a programme with us at any time.
Everyone studying a CIPD qualification must be a member of the CIPD, so you'll pay an annual student membership fee. Student membership gives you access to a range of benefits to help with your studies and career. Membership fees vary, so for further details, visit the CIPD website.
Anyone studying a Project Management qualification will only incur extra fees if exam resits are required.
Most of DPG’s courses are 100% online, allowing you to study whenever and wherever you want.
For CIPD courses only, we offer two ways to study – 100% online or a blended learning approach. Find out more in the question below.
At DPG we offer both 100% online and blended workshop-based CIPD programmes, so you can choose which format is best for you.
Our self-paced online CIPD programmes give you a truly flexible experience to help you fit the qualification around your lifestyle while still receiving the same exceptional quality as a traditional workshop-based qualification. You’ll learn through our innovative e-learning platform with interactive learning activities, resources and webinars.
Our blended learning CIPD programmes offer a unique blend of virtual workshops, webinars, e-learning and community collaboration. The workshops are a totally immersive, interactive and collaborative learning experience delivered by a CIPD-approved tutor with a wealth of industry expertise. Throughout the workshop, you’ll receive expert subject and assessment guidance whilst having the opportunity to share best practice and network with your fellow learners.
Chat to our CIPD advisors to learn more about which option is right for you.
It’s the name of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development, the professional body for HR and people development. It's a trusted career partner for more than 140,000 members around the world.
A CIPD qualification demonstrates a level of understanding and competence in HR and L&D at the level of qualification that you attain. It opens up career opportunities – helping you to start a career in HR, to progress to the next level or to make the move into a different area of HR or L&D.
More than 70% of employers ask for candidates to be CIPD qualified. Therefore, this qualification is essential for all HR and L&D professionals.
There are three levels within CIPD qualifications.
There is the Level 3 Foundation qualification in People Practice, which is an introductory qualification for those entering the HR or L&D profession for the first time or those with only a little experience.
There are the two Level 5 Associate qualifications in HR or L&D, which are at undergraduate level. These are ideal if you have some experience already and want to aim for management roles.
Then there are the two Level 7 Advanced qualifications in HR or L&D, which are at postgraduate level (although you don't need a previous qualification in order to study them). They're the right choice if you have lots of HR or L&D experience and are ready to take on senior roles.
MCIPD stands for Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.
If you have completed a CIPD Level 7 qualification and have the relevant work experience, you can apply for a membership assessment (assessing your workplace activities and behaviours) and if successful, you will be upgraded to Chartered Member (MCIPD).
It can also be awarded after a number of years’ experience in the field.
It’s important to employers, as it gives them the confidence that they are recruiting the best talent. This is evident from the number of job adverts that state that applicants must have a CIPD qualification or be working towards one.
By gaining CIPD membership, you've achieved professional recognition from the most prestigious HR and people development body in the world, enhancing your CV and your professional credibility.
You also have access to the wealth of CIPD research, which keeps your professional knowledge up to date, and CIPD branch membership provides great networking and development opportunities.
You'll find all the details on the CIPD website , or you can call them on 020 8612 6208.
Yes, you should join CIPD as a Student Member before you submit your first assignment. 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.
Gaining a CIPD qualification will:
On top of your experience, having a CIPD qualification gives you added status and credibility - particularly if you choose to study at Level 7.
A CIPD qualification increases your employability, helping you move to a role in another organisation, progress upwards in your current company, or jump sideways into a different part of HR or L&D.
It will develop your hands-on skills, giving you a more thorough and strategic understanding of HR, L&D and business.
Plus, most HR job adverts stipulate that candidates have to be CIPD qualified – without it, you may not be considered, even if you have plenty of experience.
Our recommendation is that you take the CIPD Level 5 Diploma in People Management.
This programme is designed for current or aspiring HR managers, and will give you the wide range of skills you need to lead your own HR team.
Being CIPD qualified is a must for aspiring HR and L&D professionals, and for many roles it's mandatory. Because it opens so many doors, it can also help you increase your salary - whether that's by an internal promotion, a raise within your current role, or by moving to a new organisation.
Why not try out our salary calculator to see how much you could earn?
A PRINCE ® qualification is the gold standard when it comes to project management qualifications and is recognised in over 100 countries.
The PRINCE2® project management framework is used in a huge range of settings by both private and public sector organisations. As a result, professionals skilled in using it are highly sought after by employers.
Offered at both Foundation and Practitioner level there is a PRINCE2® course to suit people at any stage of their career.
PRINCE2® qualifications are highly valued by employers, as it gives them real confidence that they are recruiting qualified, highly capable talent. Used by leading employers around the world, the PRINCE2® project management method forms a key part of the operations of many organisations, making knowledge of it very much in demand.
Adding the PRINCE2® qualification to your CV will no doubt enhance your career progression.
To be a registered PRINCE2® Practitioner you must successfully pass the Practitioner exam by either completing the Practitioner or Combined course.
A management and leadership qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is one of the best ways that you can develop a career in leadership or management positions.
As one of the only organisations that can award Chartered Manager status – the ultimate management award – qualifications from the CMI are globally recognised and sought after by employers.
Offered at both Level 5 and Level 7 there is a Management & Leadership course to suit people at any stage of their career.
CMI qualifications are highly valued and recognised worldwide, as they give employers real confidence that they are recruiting qualified highly capable talent.
Adding a CMI qualification to your CV will no doubt enhance your career progression. You may also wish to gain prestigious Chartered Management status, which is only available through the Chartered Management Institute and will add credibility to your role.
To gain prestigious Chartered Manager status, you must successfully complete either the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management & Leadership or the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice, accompanied by 3+ years of management experience.
To become CIPD qualified, you need to successfully gain a CIPD qualification at either Foundation, Associate, or Advanced level.
You can do this by enrolling on and completing a CIPD qualification with an accredited CIPD provider such as DPG. You can study CIPD fully online, in a virtual classroom, or a mix of both (known as blended learning).
You can become CIPD qualified through any CIPD centre that delivers the qualification, including us! We've qualified over 25,000 learners through our online and blended learning programmes.
This varies according to which programme you're doing and how much time you have to study each week.
Typically, it will take six months to complete a Level 3 Foundation programme, eight months to gain a Level 5 Associate qualification, and eighteen months to two years to gain a Level 7 Advanced qualification.
With all of our programmes, you also have the option to fast-track your progress if you have more time to dedicate to your course.
To become qualified, you need to successfully gain a PRINCE2® qualification at either Foundation or Practitioner level.
You can do this by enrolling on and completing a PRINCE2 course with an accredited provider such as DPG. You can study PRINCE2® fully online and at your own pace.
At DPG we give you a flexible amount of time to complete your course, so this will vary for each person.
On average, the PRINCE2® Foundation takes around 12 hours to complete.
The PRINCE2® Practitioner generally takes around 32 hours to complete.
The PRINCE2® Combined usually takes around 44 hours to complete (Foundation: 12 hours, Professional: 32)
To become qualified in Management & Leadership, you need to successfully gain a CMI qualification at either Level 5 or Level 7.
You can do this by enrolling on and completing a CMI qualification with an accredited provider such as DPG. You can study CMI courses fully online and at your own pace.
On average, we find it usually takes students around 3 to 6 months to complete the CMI Certificates, and around 8 to 12 months to complete the CMI Diplomas.
However, everyone is different and the time taken to complete the course will vary based on how much time you have to spend studying.
Give our friendly advisors a call. They'll tell you everything you need to know – no nonsense!
Contact Us
Career Hub