Gain career-ready HR skills and get CIPD qualified 100% online

Our CIPD courses are delivered 100% online, giving you the freedom to study whenever and wherever it suits you. When you enrol, you’ll benefit from:

• Immediate access to your course
• Self-paced learning with no fixed classes
• Personalised support from expert tutors
• A dedicated student support team for non-academic queries
• Access to interactive resources, including our Career Hub, during and after your studies

As a CIPD student, you can also choose the online study method that best suits your learning style, schedule, and preference for structure:

• On Demand Learning – Ideal if you want complete flexibility. Study entirely at your own pace with 24/7 course access, recorded lessons, and unlimited tutor support. Perfect for learners with busy or unpredictable schedules.
  
  
• Live Online Learning – Designed for those who prefer more structure. Join expert-led virtual workshops for each unit, engage with tutors and classmates in real time, and continue your studies independently between sessions.

Whichever study method you choose, the flexibility of online learning with ICS Learn makes it easy to balance your course with work, family life, and other commitments.

Yes! At ICS Learn, our CIPD HR and L&D 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 our CIPD students. 

How long it takes you to gain your CIPD qualification will depend on the CIPD level and the time you can commit each week.

Whether you're studying HR or L&D, here's a quick general guide:

• CIPD Level 3: 7–9 months
• CIPD Level 5: 9–12 months
• CIPD Level 7: 18–24 months

However, since our On Demand CIPD courses are self-paced, you can complete your qualification as fast or as slow as you'd like. 

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.

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 Session and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised expert 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.

Entry requirements for our online CIPD courses will vary, depending on your experience: 

• CIPD Level 3: No formal qualifications required.
• CIPD Level 5: Ideally some HR experience or completion of the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate.
• CIPD Level 7: Significant HR experience or a relevant degree is recommended.

If you’re unsure whether you qualify, our Course Advisors can assess your background and enrol you on the best course for you.

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 CIPD qualification opens doors to a wide range of HR, L&D and people development roles, including:

• HR Assistant/HR Administrator
• HR Advisor/HR Officer
• HR Business Partner
• Learning & Development Specialist
• People Manager
• HR Manager (CIPD Level 5 or 7)
• HR Director (with CIPD Level 7)

Many employers list CIPD accreditation as essential for potential hires, making your qualification a major competitive advantage.

Yes. All CIPD learners are required to register for Student Membership, which gives you access to CIPD resources, research, and networking opportunities.

You’ll progress through membership levels as you advance through your qualifications and your career.

Please note that CIPD membership fees are not included in the cost of your course. 

You’ll complete one assignment per CIPD unit, submitted and marked entirely online.

Most assessments are written tasks, with the exception of one task-based assignment at CIPD Level 3 and one at CIPD Level 5 L&D. Your tutor will review each submission and provide detailed, constructive feedback to help you progress.

There are no traditional in-person exams, making the assessment process more flexible, accessible, and practical for busy working professionals.

Yes! Once you’ve successfully completed all your units and assessments, you’ll receive a globally recognised CIPD qualification at your chosen level.

You can then progress to the next level or use your qualification to advance your HR career.

We offer flexible, affordable ways to spread the cost of your course, including:

• Monthly interest-free* payment plans
• Employer or company sponsorship options 
• Upfront payment options

Our Course Advisors can talk you through the best option for your budget, but you can also verify that your course is budget-friendly by using our handy affordability calculator. 

Yes! You have a 14-day trial period at the start of your course. Take that time to look through all your learning materials, join the induction webinar, and get a feel for online learning.

If you decide the course isn’t for you within the trial period, you’ll get a full refund, no questions asked.

Nothing! Your schedule within the support period is completely flexible.

You can take a few weeks (or even months!) off for holidays, personal issues, hectic periods at work, or anything else that limits your study time.

Just make sure that you’ve still got enough time to complete your course and submit all your assignments within the support period.

If you need a hand getting back on track, your tutor can help you make a realistic study plan based on your schedule and your career goals.

Right away! 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.

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.