CIPD Intermediate Award: Business Issues and the Contexts of Human Resources

CIPD Intermediate Award: Business Issues and the Contexts of Human Resources

The new Intermediate Level Awards in Human Resources from CIPD are set at undergraduate level and will develop your ability to evaluate the effectiveness of different HR models and practices and increase your understanding of the external factors that impact upon HR activities and organisations. Whilst building expertise on your chosen subject, you will also develop your planning, analytical and problem solving skills. The CIPD Intermediate Level Awards offer the perfect platform to further develop your HR, L&D or other specialist knowledge after studying a CIPD Foundation level qualification. Alternatively if you're working in HR, but have no professionally-recognised HR qualifications, you can choose to study CIPD Intermediate level qualifications. 

Human resources (HR) professionals need to understand key developments in the business and external contexts within which HR operates. This unit enables learners to identify and review the business and external contextual factors affecting organisations and to assess the impacts of these factors on the HR function. The unit also examines HR's role in strategy formulation and implementation. The unit is designed to encourage learners to adopt a critical perspective of these contexts and to provide workable organisational and HR solutions to address them.

Entry Requirements

This is a Level 5 programme and is equivalent in level to the second year of an undergraduate degree programme.

The Intermediate Level Awards in Human Resources are for those who:

  • Aspire to work in HR or already work in HR and want to study a recognised undergraduate level qualification
  • Work in an HR support role and want to formalise their experience and progress their career by developing their knowledge and skills at a higher level

Where will I go from here?

As all the units form part of the Intermediate Certificate / Diploma in Human Resource Management, you can also use your Award to work towards meeting the knowledge requirements for CIPD professional membership by taking additional units to achieve the full Intermediate Certificate or Diploma. 

What will I gain?

On completion, you'll receive a CIPD Intermediate Award in Human Resources.

Awarding Body

The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is Europe's largest HR and development professional body. They are a globally recognised brand with over 135,000 members, and pride themselves on supporting and developing those responsible for the management and development of people within organisations.

Assessment

Assessment for this unit is by way of a 3000 word written report.

What will I get?

Because we're experts in home learning, ICS knows about and offers all the support you need along the way. You'll receive study materials that have been specially designed for distance learning, and have access to both your tutors and mentor online and over the phone.

You'll also be part of the ICS Online Student Community, where you'll have access to library materials and your account information, as well as vital links with your fellow students.

It's an essential part of your studies to keep up to date with recent research in Human Resources so you will also have access to 'InfoTrac' - an online source of access to thousands of journals.
You will also receive the following textbook: Kew, J and Stredwick, J (2010) Human Resource Management in a Business Context,

Hours of study

30 guided learning hours plus further self study.

Support period

6 months

Course code

Q25

Course cost

£749.00

Additional fees

CIPD membership is not necessary when studying for an Award in Human Resources, although there is a one-off payment of £30 to CIPD.

An integral part of your Intermediate Level Award in Business Issues and the Context of Human Resources programme is your attendance at a residential workshop.

Workshop tuition costs are included in the cost of your course but there are additional fees payable to the hotel for use of hotel services, accommodation, meals, etc.  However ICS has negotiated reduced rates with the hotels on your behalf.

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Structure of Qualification

To achieve an Intermediate Award in Human Resources, you need a total of between 3 and 12 credits. The Intermediate Award in Business Issues and the Contexts of Human Resources has 6 credits.

Key Topics

The learning outcomes for this unit are shown below. By the end of the unit, you will be able to:

  • Understand key contemporary business issues affecting the HR function within private, public and third sector organisations
  • Understand the main external contextual factors impacting on organisations and the HR function
  • Understand the role of HR in the managing of contemporary business issues and external contexts
  • Understand how organisational and HR strategies and practices are shaped and developed
  • Know how to identify and respond to short-term changes in the business and external contexts.

You can either pay for your course in full or opt for a monthly payment plan.

The price for this Intermediate Award is: £749.00

Speak to one of our course advisors now for payment plans.

 

Please note that CIPD fees and workshop* fees are additional to course fees.


* An integral part of your Intermediate Level Award in Business Issues and the Context of Human Resources programme is your attendance at a residential workshop.

Workshop tuition costs are included in the cost of your course but there are additional fees payable to the hotel for use of hotel services, accommodation, meals, etc.  However ICS has negotiated reduced rates with the hotels on your behalf.