Human Resources Courses

Switching to a career in HR? The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is the perfect starting point – and there's no prior HR experience or knowledge required! It’s designed to help career changers build essential skills and break into the HR or L&D industry with confidence.

If you already have a bachelor's or master's degree, you may be eligible to fast-track your studies and start at the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management instead. 

To explore the best route for you, speak with one of our expert CIPD Course Advisors today.

Yes! At ICS Learn, our HR courses are designed to be completed around your schedule, with many of our students holding down full-time jobs during their studies.

With maximum completion times for each course, we allow for full flexibility, offering either On Demand Learning or Live Online learning options for CIPD students. 

With 10,000+ independent reviews rating us 'Excellent' on Trustpilot, we think our students say it best – and we’re proud to be the UK’s most trusted CIPD centre! We're the most experienced too. Backed by 130 years in flexible distance learning, we know what it takes to help you succeed.

We’re committed to flexible, career-focused learning that fits your life. With self-paced learning, extended study periods, and unlimited expert support, we make it easy to gain your CIPD qualification, no matter what life throws at you! 

That’s why thousands of HR professionals choose us every year: to develop the skills they need for the careers they want.  

The best study mode for you depends on your learning style, schedule, and preference for structure:

• On Demand learning is ideal if you want complete flexibility. You’ll study at your own pace, with 24/7 course access, recorded lessons, and unlimited tutor support whenever you need it. This is perfect if you have a busy or unpredictable schedule.

• Live Online learning suits those who prefer structured learning with scheduled workshops. You'll join an expert-led virtual workshop per unit of study, interact with tutors and classmates in real time, and study at your own pace in-between.

Both options give you the same globally respected CIPD qualification, expert tutor support, and access to our online learning platform, mystudyspace – so you can choose the approach that fits your lifestyle best.

If you’re not ready to commit to a full human resources qualification and would like to focus on only the essential modules, you could study one of our CIPD Core programmes.

The CIPD Level 5 Core programme covers 3 modules:

• Organisational Performance and Culture in Practice
• Evidence-Based Practice
• Professional Behaviours and Valuing People

It has an average completion time of 6 months and a support period of 9 months. It costs £1,529 which can be paid in interest-free monthly instalments.

The CIPD Level 7 Core programme covers 4 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

It has an average completion time of 9 months and a support period of 12 months and can be paid in flexible monthly instalments.

Please keep in mind that the Core programme won't make you CIPD-qualified, it only offers you the basic skills for particular HR roles. However, if you complete a Core programme and then decide to move on to the full CIPD Diploma at that level, you can simply complete the remaining modules to achieve your CIPD qualification!

For more information on our CIPD Core programmes, get in touch with our course advisors today.

We currently offer a CIPD fast-track option for the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management. This is a great course for those looking to progress into Human Resource Management or who want to advance in mid-level HR roles.

If you enrol on our fast-track programme, you'll cover the same content on an accelerated timeline of 10 months, and be expected to study for 8 to 10 hours each week. This includes attending classes, reading, working through content and completing writing assessments.  

This type of accelerated study may be ideal for students who are balancing study with work or family commitments, or those achieving a CIPD qualification for a performance review or appraisal. 

For more information on our CIPD fast-track programmes, get in touch with our course advisors by webchat, email or phone.

Yes, there are mentorship programmes available for HR students in the UK, and many of these are offered through professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). These programmes connect students with experienced HR professionals who can provide guidance, career advice, and industry insights.

At ICS Learn, we understand the value of mentorship in your career journey. While we don't directly offer a mentorship programme, we provide extensive support through our expert tutors and dedicated advisors to help guide you throughout your HR studies.

Additionally, we encourage students to tap into networking opportunities within professional organisations and local HR communities to build valuable relationships with industry leaders.

Mentorship can be a powerful tool in boosting your HR career, helping you gain practical knowledge and stand out to potential employers.

Yes! As long as you have access to a laptop, phone or tablet and have a reliable internet connection, you can study an HR course with ICS Learn from 100+ countries in the world, with the exception of Belarus, Crimean Region of Ukraine, Cuba, Iran, Moldova, North Korea, Russia, Syria, Ukraine, Venezuela. 

A career in human resources management typically starts with gaining the right qualifications and experience. One of the most recognised pathways is earning a CIPD qualification, as it’s the industry gold standard for HR professionals in the UK and beyond.

If you're new to HR, the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is a great starting point, offering you the fundamental HR skills and knowledge you need.

For those with some experience or a relevant degree, the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management can help you step into mid-level HR roles like HR Advisor or HR Manager.

If you're aiming for senior or strategic HR management positions, the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management prepares you for leadership roles such as HR Director or Business Partner.

Alongside qualifications, gaining practical experience through internships, entry-level HR roles, or transferable experience from management positions can help you break into the field.

Yes! Interdisciplinary HR courses are typically available at the undergraduate and master's levels. These programmes combine HR with fields like psychology and business management to provide a broader skill set. Examples include:

• BSc (Hons) Business Management with Human Resource Management – University of Surrey
• BA (Hons) Human Resource Management with Psychology – University of Strathclyde
• BSc Business and Management (Human Resources & Organisational Behaviour) – University of Reading
• MSc Business Psychology with Human Resource Management – Heriot-Watt University
• BA (Hons) Business and Human Resource Management – Northumbria University
• BA (Hons) Human Resource Management and Psychology – Arden University

If you're looking for a more flexible route into HR, a CIPD qualification could be a great alternative, offering globally recognised accreditation without the time commitment of a degree.

CIPD HR courses are designed to give you the knowledge and skills needed to thrive in a rapidly evolving workplace. As technology continues to transform HR, CIPD qualifications ensure you stay ahead of the curve by covering key trends such as AI-driven recruitment, HR analytics, digital HR systems, and the future of work.

You'll learn how to adapt to automation, leverage data for strategic decision-making, and implement digital tools that enhance employee experience. With a strong focus on real-world application, these courses help you develop future-proof HR strategies that align with modern business needs.

By earning a CIPD qualification, you’ll not only gain expertise in core HR functions but also the digital skills and strategic mindset you need to succeed in the next era of human resources.

As an ICS Learn student, you'll always have the support you need to succeed. From the moment you enrol, you'll gain access to:

• Our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace
• Access to all of your interactive online course materials
• Online Induction Programme, Live Induction Session and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised tutor support
• Access to our Resource Library, full of tools, tips and guidance
• Live biannual Employment Law updates to keep you informed
• Our friendly Student Services team to help you with non-academic questions

You'll also have lifetime access to our Career Hub, which offers you thousands of resources to help you impress employers, master critical business skills, and build your dream career. This includes:

• A CV and cover letter builder
• An interview simulator
• An elevator pitch builder
• Career and work psychology assessments
• In-depth industry and employer profiles
• 350+ employer films with practical advice from hiring managers
• 1000+ short courses, articles and videos on key career skills like negotiating a raise and leading a team

You can take a sneak peek at the Career Hub and sign up for free today.

Enrol online or get in touch with our CIPD Advisors on 0333 920 1614.

They’ll talk through your experience, education and ambitions to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with an interest-free payment plan. You can also verify that your course is budget-friendly when you use our handy affordability calculator. 

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.