Choose CIPD Level 3 if you are new to HR or work in a support role. Choose Level 5 if you already have some HR grounding and want to move into more senior, independent work. Experience is usually a better guide than ambition: starting at the right level makes the course more useful.
Level 3 and Level 5 side by side
Full name: Level 3 is the Foundation Certificate in People Practice. Level 5 is the Associate Qualification in People Management, or in Organisational Learning and Development.
Who it suits: Level 3 suits people new to the profession or in support roles. Level 5 suits people aiming for more senior roles.
Units: Level 3 has four mandatory core units. Level 5 has seven units.
Guided learning: about 120 hours at Level 3 and 175 hours at Level 5.
Total qualification time: about 240 hours at Level 3 and 420 hours at Level 5.
CIPD membership: Level 3 leads to Foundation membership. Level 5 leads to Associate membership.
Check the current specification with CIPD or your centre, as details can be updated.
Which should you choose?
You are moving into HR, or are an HR assistant or administrator: Level 3.
You handle day-to-day people tasks but have no formal HR training: usually Level 3.
You advise managers or run HR work with some independence: Level 5 may suit you.
You focus on training and staff development: look at the Level 5 route in Organisational Learning and Development.
Do you have to take Level 3 first?
Not always. Completing Level 3 allows you to progress to Level 5, and Level 5 builds on it, but it is not the only way in. CIPD says of the Organisational Learning and Development qualification that there are no formal entry requirements, and that centres should check suitability themselves. Ask your centre how it assesses people who want to start at Level 5.
Looking further ahead
Neither level makes you a Chartered member on its own. Level 7 and experience are part of that longer path, and CIPD also has an Experience Assessment for people who want membership without further study. If you are comparing CIPD with other HR credentials, read CIPD vs SHRM vs HRCI.
Studying CIPD in Doha
Leaders Training Centre is a CIPD Approved Centre. Our course page covers CIPD Level 3. Level 5 does not have its own course page at the moment, so ask an advisor what is available now and which level fits your experience. See also our other HR courses.
Sources
- CIPD
- Human resources
