Learning and Development Courses
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Develop your L&D career with CIPD training employers trust.
For over 30 years, we’ve helped current and aspiring Learning and Development professionals gain recognised CIPD qualifications through flexible, online learning.
Our experience has shown us what really makes a difference to our learners, which is why we offer three distinct tiers of support – each designed to give you the flexibility and guidance that feels right for you.
Learn 100% online at your own pace
Start anytime with no fixed enrolment dates
From £84/month interest-free* with our flexible payment plans
Study your way with tailored support
CIPD Support Options
One recognised qualification. Three tailored learning experiences.
Self-led pathway
Structured pathway
Personalised pathway
Self-led pathway
Structured pathway
Personalised pathway
Online L&D courses for where you’re headed next.
Flexibility is at the heart of our online CIPD L&D courses, but they're about more than fitting around your life – they're designed to move your career forward.
Whether you're breaking into Learning and Development, working towards your next promotion, or looking to formalise the expertise you've already built, a globally recognised CIPD qualification gives you the strategic knowledge and skills top employers are looking for.
Don't just take our word for it – here's the proof:
- 73% of our students are earning more with L&D training
- 97% say CIPD has helped them stand out to employers
- 90% feel more confident and capable in their roles
- 82% have secured jobs where CIPD is now preferred or essential
Many of our students land their ideal training and development role before even completing their qualification! That's why 95% recommend studying an online CIPD course.‡
CIPD L&D Student Reviews
"It compliments my work schedule perfectly, and from the first unit I was able to put my learning into practice in my team!"
Vanessa Deroo
"The tutors are highly experienced – some practically and others academically. The online classrooms were insightful."
Adam Currie
"It has provided me with confidence within my L&D practice and I have also been able to network with other like-minded people."
Jennifer Thomas
Questions about your L&D course?
Our Course Advisors are here to help.
Learning and Development FAQs
Learning and Development (L&D) is the process of improving the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of employees within an organisation.
The main goal of L&D is to enhance both individual and organisational performance by providing training, educational opportunities, and professional development programmes.
L&D professionals are responsible for designing and implementing learning programmes that can range from technical skills training to leadership development. This might include:
- On-the-job learning
- Formal courses
- Workshops
- e-Learning
- Mentorship & coaching
In short, L&D focuses on empowering employees to grow which, in turn, helps businesses adapt to changes, increase productivity, and improve employee satisfaction and retention.
Interested in launching your L&D career? Get in touch with our course advisors for more info.
The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the world’s leading professional body for Human Resources (HR) and Learning & Development (L&D), setting the global standard for people management and workplace excellence.
With 160,000+ members worldwide, CIPD is the only organisation that grants Chartered status to HR and L&D professionals. Every year, over 25,000 learners study a CIPD HR or L&D course to advance their careers. Employers also highly value CIPD accreditation, with the majority of roles in the people profession requiring CIPD training.
Whether you're starting out or aiming for leadership, a CIPD-accredited qualification can help you:
- Boost your CV and stand out to top employers
- Unlock new career opportunities and promotions
- Increase your earning potential
- Gain confidence and credibility in your HR expertise
Start your CIPD journey today and study at your own pace, 100% online.
Every learner is different, so you should always talk to an experienced CIPD advisor before committing to a course, but here’s a rough guide to CIPD's three levels:
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CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate: Ideal for beginners, this qualification is perfect if you're new to HR or Learning & Development (L&D) and looking to start your journey in the people profession.
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CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational L&D: Designed for those with some HR/L&D experience or a university degree, this course is a great option if you’re aiming for a mid-level L&D management or advisory role. It’s also suitable if you’re new to L&D but want to begin your studies at a higher level.
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CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic L&D: This qualification is perfect if you have significant HR or L&D experience or hold an HR degree. You'll gain the strategic skills needed to manage L&D functions at a senior level and make a genuine impact in your organisation.
If your focus is more on HR than L&D, you might want to consider our CIPD Human Resources qualifications, which are equally recognized and respected within the industry.
Before you enrol, our expert CIPD advisors will discuss your experience, qualifications, and career goals to ensure you’re selecting the right qualification for your future.
With 10,000+ independent reviews rating us 'Excellent' on Trustpilot, we think our students say it best! 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 expert academic 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.
Yes! If you’re not ready to commit to a full L&D qualification but you'd like to focus on 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. It costs £3,449 which can be paid in interest-free monthly instalments.
Our Core programmes won’t give you a CIPD Learning and Development qualification though, just the essential skills you need to succeed in an L&D role.
For more information, get in touch with our course advisors today!
At ICS Learn, your CIPD study support is designed around how you learn best – with three tailored study pathways to choose from:
- Essential Support: ideal if you prefer independent online study
- Enhanced Support: perfect if you enjoy structured guidance
- Elite Support: great if you’d like a more personalised experience
Whichever pathway you choose, you’ll get full access to our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace, as well as:
- Access to all your interactive online course materials
- Expert academic guidance to support your progress
- FREE online study planners
- Your Programme Hub, full of useful tools, tips, and guidance
- Live biannual Employment Law updates to keep you informed
- Our friendly Student Services team for any non-academic questions
Progress with purpose – enrol on a CIPD L&D course today!
Enrol online or get in touch with our CIPD Advisors on 0330 828 2414.
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.
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