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CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development

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Essential

Enhanced

Elite

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£179/month interest-free*

Payments
30 months

Deposit
£129

Total Price
£5,499

Price Match Guarantee
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£212/month interest-free*

Payments
30 months

Deposit
£139

Total Price
£6,499

Price Match Guarantee
price tag icon

£234/month interest-free*

Payments
30 months

Deposit
£129

Total Price
£7,149

Price Match Guarantee
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Study any time At your own pace

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Support period 30 months

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Average completion time 18-24 months

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CIPD Registration Additional fees

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Learn 100% online at your own pace

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Start anytime with no fixed enrol dates

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Average completion time 18-24 months

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Support period 30 months

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Additional fees CIPD Student Membership

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Learn 100% online at your own pace

Icon Book Fill Gradient

Start anytime with no fixed enrol dates

Icon History Fill Gradient

Average completion time 18-24 months

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Support period 30 months

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Additional fees CIPD Student Membership

  • Study CIPD independently online, on your terms
  • Gain the fundamental HR skills organisations and employers value
  • Advance to strategic senior L&D roles, including Head of L&D and Training Consultant
  • Study online with structured support to keep you on track
  • Gain the fundamental L&D skills organisations and employers value
  • Advance to strategic senior L&D roles, including Head of L&D and Training Consultant
  • Study online with access to personalised tutor support
  • Gain the fundamental L&D skills organisations and employers value
  • Advance to strategic senior L&D roles, including Head of L&D and Training Consultant

Why is this CIPD course right for you?

Take the next step in your career and shape the future of learning with the online CIPD Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development.

Designed for experienced L&D professionals, this advanced qualification helps you build the strategic thinking, leadership capability, and business insights you need to design impactful learning strategies that drive performance, culture, and organisational growth.

You’ll explore complex, real-world L&D challenges, develop the confidence to influence organisational training and development, and position yourself for senior roles or Chartered Member (MCIPD) status – all while studying on your own terms.

Whether you want to future-proof your career, gain industry recognition, or make a lasting impact through learning, this is the CIPD qualification to help you get there.

CIPD Level 7 L&D Course Details

To study this CIPD Advanced Level 7 Diploma, you should generally have at least one of the following:

  • Significant L&D experience in an L&D or HR role
  • Senior management experience that involved elements of L&D 
  • An HR or other related degree

If English is your second language, we recommend you have achieved one of the following, or an equivalent:

  • IELTS: 6.5 overall score with a minimum of 6.0 in each category
  • TOEFL: 90 overall score with a minimum of 19 in each category
  • Cambridge: Grade C or above

However, this isn't mandatory, and we're happy to review your case on an individual basis.

When you enrol on a CIPD course with ICS Learn, you'll choose from three tiers of tailored study support, depending on the pathway that best suits your needs.

All three pathways lead to the same recognised CIPD qualification; the only difference is in the level of structure and personalisation you receive throughout your course. Here's a quick breakdown:

Essential – self-led study for those who prefer complete independence
Enhanced – structured guidance to keep you on track (our most popular option)
Elite – a personalised experience with dedicated tutor support

Whichever pathway you choose, your CIPD Level 7 L&D Diploma covers eight modules, including seven core modules and your choice of one elective module:

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
  • Organisational Design and Development
  • Leadership and Management Development in Context
  • Designing Learning to Improve Performance

Elective modules (choose one) 

  • Technology-Enhanced Learning
  • Advanced Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
  • Wellbeing at Work
  • Advanced Employment Law in Practice
  • Managing People in an International Context

For full details of what you’ll learn on each module, download our CIPD Level 7 L&D course guide.

You’ll complete written assignments for each module that you study. These allow you to demonstrate the knowledge you’ve gained and the skills you’ve mastered.

You’ll submit your assignments online, and they’ll be marked by our assessors and moderated by CIPD.

Please keep in mind that Assessment Briefs will be updated each year as part of the CIPD’s Assessment Change Cycle. 

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Spread the cost with our flexible 0% interest* payment plans

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Get started right away with a low deposit

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Company funding – we can invoice your employer directly

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Ensure your qualification is budget friendly before you enrol

Check out our affordability calculator

CIPD Support Options

One recognised qualification. Three tailored learning experiences.

Self-led

Most popular

Structured

Personalised

Features
Features
Programme Hub
Digital Learning Content
Submission Hub
Community Access
Structured Progress Support
Live Induction Session
Assessment Masterclasses
Q&A Drop-In Sessions
Topic Workshops
Personal Tutor
1:1 Tutorials
Marking SLA
Academic Query SLA
Essential

Self-led

Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Not included
Not included
Not included
Not included
Not included
Not included
10 Working Days
3 Working Days
Enhanced
Most popular

Structured

Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Not included
Not included
Not included
7 Working Days
2 Working Days
Elite

Personalised

Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
Included
5 Working Days
1 Working Day
Total Price £5,499
Total Price £6,499
Total Price £7,149

CIPD Student Reviews

Sarah Watts Lvl7
'Working full-time and having two young children, it was important that I could work at my own pace. My HR Director encouraged me to take this route rather than do an MA, as she felt CIPD was more about applying the theory in practice.’
— Sarah Watts
85X85 Warren
‘I doubt I would have found my current role had it not been for ICS Learn. I am learning with the aid of comprehensive course notes and material and supported by excellent tutors who still work in the HR/L&D field, so they know the challenges and pressures we face.’
— Warren Fellows
Jen Fryer
‘All of the tutors I have had an experience with are highly knowledgeable and experts in their field. I feel confident that I am receiving teaching from the best in the industry.’
— Jen Fryer

Questions about your CIPD course?

Our friendly Course Advisors are here to help. 

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CIPD Level 7 L&D Course FAQs

Yes! We’ve been a leading CIPD provider for 30 years. We're also the world's most experienced distance learning provider, with 130+ years of helping people achieve their career goals. 

Rated 'Excellent' from more than 10,000 independent student reviews, we're the online learning experts you can trust. 

There are three CIPD learning and development qualifications to choose from in total, and you can study them 100% online with us - either On Demand or Live Online:

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is designed for those with no or minimal HR or L&D experience. It’s perfect if you’re looking for your first role in the people profession.

The CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning & Development is designed for those with some L&D experience who are looking for a mid-level L&D role. It’s also suitable if you have some experience of training and development duties in a non-HL&D role (for example, as a manager), or if you're new to L&D but have a degree and want to begin your studies at a higher level.

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development is designed for those with considerable HR experience or an HR degree who are ready to take on postgraduate-level study. This course will prepare you for strategic senior HR roles and allow you to apply for CIPD Chartered Membership once you have professional experience.

If you’d like to specialise in HR instead of L&D, you can also study one of our online CIPD HR courses.

Still not sure which CIPD course is right for you? Contact our CIPD course advisors and they'll be happy to help! 

At ICS Learn, your CIPD study support is designed around how you learn best, with three tailored pathways to choose from:

  • Essential: ideal if you prefer independent, self-led online study. You get full access to your Programme Hub, digital learning content, submission hub, and community access; everything you need to study at your own pace.

  • Enhanced: our most popular option, perfect if you'd like a bit more structure to keep you on track. Alongside everything in Essential, you'll get a live induction session, assessment masterclasses, and Q&A drop-in sessions, plus faster marking and academic query turnaround times.

  • Elite: great if you'd like a fully personalised experience. Alongside everything in Enhanced, you get your own personal tutor, 1:1 tutorials, and the fastest marking and query response times of the three pathways.

Whichever pathway you choose, you'll study the same recognised CIPD qualification and get full access to our virtual learning platform, mystudyspace. The difference between the tiers comes down to the level of structure, virtual engagement, accountability, and personalisation you want to support your learning journey.

How long it takes you to complete a CIPD Level 7 learning and development qualification depends on how much time you can dedicate to studying, and whether you choose the On Demand or Live Online study option.

However, for most of our students, the online CIPD Level 7 L&D course typically takes 18 to 24 months to complete while working full-time.

To give you complete flexibility, we offer a generous 30-month support period, allowing you to study at your own pace and balance your learning with work and other commitments.

Technically, yes! However, we don't advise enroling on the CIPD Level 7 learning and development course without previous experience. 

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development is one of the most prestigious L&D training qualifications that you can study. Globally recognised by employers, it commands a great deal of respect and credibility in the HR and L&D industry.

As the CIPD Level 7 course is equivalent to a post-graduate degree in difficulty, we recommend that you have at least one of the following to study the qualification:

As well as meeting any of the above criteria, you'll need to be able to demonstrate that you can speak and write in English to a high level. 

If English is your second language, we recommend that you have an IELTS 6.0/TOEFL 79/Cambridge Grade C or equivalent. We're happy to review your case on an individual basis if you're unsure though. 

If you have questions or need more information, contact one of our course advisors today. 

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Developmnt is equivalent to post-graduate study in difficulty. Being that it's the most challenging and prestigious L&D qualification that the CIPD offers, it's also one of the most fulfilling! 

The CIPD Level 7 is the most advanced L&D training qualification, focusing on strategic, high-level training practices.

Unlike CIPD Level 3, which introduces foundational concepts, and CIPD Level 5 in L&D, which develops intermediate skills and strategic awareness, CIPD Level 7 delves into complex topics like organisational design, advanced employment law, and global people management. It requires critical thinking, independent research, and the ability to provide strategic solutions to business challenges, making it ideal for senior professionals and leaders.

For more information on what you'll learn, download your FREE CIPD course guide today. 

Yes, you need to be a CIPD member for the duration of your studies.

We can’t submit your assignments for moderation, give you assessment grades, or award your qualification unless you’re an active CIPD member, so you must register before submitting your first assignment.

We’ll give you full details of how to join as a Student Member after you enrol. You’ll pay an annual Student Membership fee, and our CIPD advisors can provide you with the most up-to-date costs.

When you complete your course, you’ll be eligible to become an Associate Member of the most prestigious HR and L&D organisation in the world, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

You’ll join a community of 160,000 ambitious, forward-thinking professionals across 120 countries, and have exclusive access to a variety of benefits, including: 

  • HR industry insights
  • Useful HR tools and advice
  • Budget-friendly discounts on events and merch
  • Career guidance from prominent HR and L&D experts

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

For more information, contact our Course Advisors today.

At ICS Learn, we make learning simple, flexible and affordable. 

If you’re funding the course yourself, our flexible 0% payment plans allow you to spread the cost with interest-free* monthly instalments.

Plus, with our price match guarantee, we’ll match any provider’s price for a like-for-like CIPD course, so you’ll always get the best deal with us.

If your employer is funding all or part of your course, we can invoice them directly for your course fees – just let your course advisor know and we’ll arrange everything.

We also accept funding through ELCAS for this course. If you’re an Armed Forces member looking to use the Enhanced Learning Credits Scheme, speak to our course advisors for more details.

Right away! When you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started within an hour.

There are no set start dates or schedules – everything is shaped around you.

On average it will take you between 18 to 24 months to study the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning & Development, based on a typical study schedule of a few hours a week.

However, keep in mind that how long it takes you to complete your CIPD Level 5 course comes down to how much time you can dedicate to studying in a week and whether you choose to study On Demand or Live Online.

On Demand allows you to work through the course at your own pace, on your own time. With Live Online, however, you'll be expected to attend set live-streamed workshops and set your personal study schedule between them.  

Enrol online or get in touch with our CIPD Advisors on 0370 218 5769.

They can 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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