Which CIPD Level Should I Choose? Level 3, 5 and 7 Explained
No matter where you are in your HR or L&D career, there's a CIPD qualification that can help you take your professional journey to the next level.
When you begin your research on which CIPD qualification is right for you, it's easy to feel overwhelmed by the many options available. You might wonder: What do CIPD Levels 3, 5, and 7 mean? Should you start at Foundation or Associate level if you're new to HR? And is the CIPD Advanced Diploma really equivalent to postgraduate-level study? (Yes, it is!)
Choosing the right CIPD course depends on a variety of factors, including:
- Your current level of industry experience
- Your previous education
- Your career goals and where you want to go next
This guide breaks down everything you need to know about choosing the best CIPD qualification for your career path.
Which CIPD Qualification Should You Choose?
When selecting the right CIPD qualification for your career, there are two key factors to consider:
- The Subject: Would you prefer to study Human Resources (HR) or Learning & Development (L&D)?
- The Level of Advancement: Are you looking to pursue a Foundation (Level 3), Associate (Level 5), or Advanced (Level 7) qualification?
Choose Your Subject
CIPD qualifications are available in two main areas:
Human Resources (HR): , also known as People Practice or People Management, covers a broad range of generalist and specialist HR skills, including recruitment, reward management, employment law, and managing the employer-employee relationship.
Learning & Development (L&D): qualifications focus on planning, designing, delivering, and evaluating employee training, as well as driving organisational development.
Choose Your Level of Advancement
CIPD qualifications are organised into three levels, which reflect the complexity and depth of the material:
CIPD Level 3 Foundation: qualifications are perfect if you're starting your HR or L&D career and aiming for entry-level or operational roles, such as HR Assistant, L&D Practitioner, or Trainer.
CIPD Level 5 Associate: qualifications are ideal if you already have some HR or L&D experience or hold a university degree. These qualifications will prepare you for mid-level positions, like HR/L&D Manager or HR/L&D Advisor.
CIPD Level 7 Advanced: qualifications are designed for experienced HR or L&D professionals or HR graduates seeking to advance into senior strategic roles, such as Business Partner, Consultant, Department Head, or Director.
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is the only qualification at Foundation Level and covers both Human Resources (HR) and Learning & Development (L&D).
This Foundation Certificate is designed to equip you with the essential operational skills to start your HR or L&D career and step into entry-level roles. As the entry-level qualification from CIPD, the Level 3 Foundation Certificate is similar in difficulty to A Levels, making it an ideal starting point for newcomers to the profession.
Entry Requirements for CIPD Level 3
One of the key advantages of the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is that no prior HR or L&D experience is required. This makes the course perfect for those new to the field and looking to get started in HR or L&D.
Typical CIPD Level 3 Job Roles
With this certification you'll be prepared for a range of entry-level positions, such as:
- HR Assistant
- HR Administrator
- HR Officer
- HR Coordinator
- Trainer
- L&D Assistant
- Training/L&D Coordinator
- L&D Practitioner
Average CIPD Level 3 Salary
According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals holding a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in the private sector is around £28,000.
How Long Does CIPD Level 3 Take?
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate typically takes between 7 to 9 months to complete, assuming part-time study alongside work.
CIPD Level 3 Course Content
The certification covers four key modules:
- Essentials of People Practice
- Core Behaviours for People Professionals
- Business, Culture, and Change in Context
- Principles of Analytics
CIPD Membership at Level 3
Upon completing this qualification, you will be eligible to become a CIPD Foundation Member, which offers additional professional recognition and networking opportunities.
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma
CIPD Associate Diploma qualifications are classed as Level 5 qualifications, meaning they're roughly equivalent in difficulty to a foundation degree. There are two CIPD qualifications at this level:
- CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management (HR)
- CIPD Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development (L&D)
They're designed to give you the skills you need to take on mid-level managerial or advisory HR/L&D roles.
Entry Requirements for CIPD Level 5
If you want to study this qualification, then you should generally have at least one of the following:
- Some experience in an entry-level HR or L&D role
- Work experience that has involved elements of HR or L&D
- A CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate
This certification is also ideal for career changers with transferable work experience looking to start their learning journey at a higher level.
Typical CIPD Level 5 Job Roles
- HR Manager
- HR Advisor
- People & Culture Manager
- People Advisor
- Training/L&D Officer
- Training/L&D Manager
- Training/L&D Advisor
Average CIPD Level 5 Salary
According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals at this level would be on average £42,000.
How Long Does CIPD Level 5 Take?
A CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma generally takes 9 to 12 months to complete when studying part-time alongside a full-time job.
CIPD Level 5 Course Content (HR)
If you study this qualification, you'll complete seven modules:
Core modules:
- Professional Behaviours and Valuing People
- Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
- Evidence-Based Practice
- Employment Relationship Management
- Talent Management and Workforce Planning
- Reward for Performance and Contribution
Elective modules (choose one):
- Specialist Employment Law
- Diversity and Inclusion
- People Management in an International Context
- Leadership and Management Development
- Wellbeing at Work
CIPD Membership at Level 5
On completion of a Level 5 Associate Diploma, you can become an Associate Member of the CIPD and use Assoc. CIPD after your name.
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma
CIPD Advanced qualifications are classed at Level 7, meaning they're equivalent in difficulty to postgraduate/Master's degree qualifications. CIPD Level 7 qualifications give you the high-level strategic knowledge you need for senior strategic HR or L&D roles. There are two CIPD qualifications at this level:
- CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management (HR)
- CIPD Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development
Entry Requirements for CIPD Level 7
To enrol on a course of this calibre, you should generally have one of the following:
- Significant experience working in HR or L&D
- An HR-focused university degree
- A CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma
You should also be prepared to take on postgraduate-level study.
Typical CIPD Level 7 Job Roles
- HR Business Partner
- HR Consultant
- Head of HR
- Head of People and Culture
- HR Director
- Training/L&D Director
- Head of Training/L&D
- L&D Consultant
Average CIPD Level 7 Salary
According to the Hays UK Salary & Recruiting Trends (2025), the average annual salary for professionals at this level would be on average £65,000 but it can vary dramatically depending on the seniority of your role.
How Long Does CIPD Level 7 Take?
A CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma generally takes 18 to 24 months to complete while studying part-time alongside working full-time.
CIPD Level 7 Course Content (HR)
If you study this qualification, you'll complete four core modules plus your choice of elective modules:
Core modules:
- 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
Additional core modules:
- Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
- Strategic Reward Management
- Strategic Employment Relations
Elective modules (choose one):
- Advanced Employment Law in Practice
- Learning and Development Practice
- Managing People in an International Context
- Technology-Enhanced Learning
- Advanced Diversity and Inclusion
CIPD Membership at Level 7
Once you have the requisite professional experience, you could become a Chartered Member of the CIPD.
Quick Comparison: CIPD Level 3 vs Level 5 vs Level 7
Which CIPD Qualification is Right For You?
Choosing the right CIPD qualification comes down to two key factors: subject (HR or L&D) and level (Foundation, Associate, or Advanced). Once you've decided on these, you'll be on the right track for your career goals.
Choose Level 3 if:
- You're completely new to HR or L&D
- You want to test if the profession is right for you
- You need a qualification quickly
- You're looking for entry-level roles
Choose Level 5 if:
- You have 1-2+ years of HR or L&D experience
- You're already in an HR role and want to progress
- You're a career changer with transferable skills
- You want mid-level management positions
Choose Level 7 if:
- You have significant HR or L&D experience
- You hold an HR-related degree
- You're targeting senior strategic roles
- You want Chartered CIPD membership
Whatever level you choose, a CIPD qualification is a valuable investment in your HR or L&D career. The skills and knowledge you gain will serve you throughout your professional journey.