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Explore your qualification options, discover how they can advance your career and get the guidance you need to start your journey.
Explore your qualification options, discover how they can advance your career and get the guidance you need to start your journey.
Choosing the right qualification is the first step toward a rewarding career in the people profession. Whether you’re advancing in your current role or starting a new journey, our step-by-step guide will help you find the right qualification and direct you through the process.
Once you’ve found the best option, you'll need to join the CIPD as a student member. If studying a CIPD qualification, you can only complete the modules of your qualification whilst in membership. Therefore, you’ll need to remain an active CIPD member for the duration of your qualification.
CIPD membership gives you access to a wealth of benefits, including study materials, career guidance, and a network of HR professionals, all designed to support your studies and career development.
Take our quiz to help you choose which qualification is right for you based on your experience and career goals.
Consider whether you want to study online, in a classroom, or maybe a mix of both. Use the Centre Finder to explore which study centre or university to study with. Contact your preferred study centre or university to confirm the qualification costs, timeframe and study options.
Contact your chosen study centre or university to enrol and they'll register your qualification with us.
Once your study centre or university registers you with us (and if you're not already a member), you’ll need to join the CIPD. We’ll email you inviting you to become a Student Member.
Start your studies and explore the CIPD’s Student member area for resources to support you while you're studying.
Louella describes her experience of using qualifications to enter the people profession.
Read Louella's storyWuraola describes her experience of using qualifications to enter the people profession.
Read Wuraola's story
Student members save 20% on CIPD books, ebooks and toolkits with Kogan Page.
Visit the bookshop
Discover the online library, which includes over 200 leading HR, business, management and publication reports.
Visit EBSCO
Information and guidance to help you transition into the profession, excel in your role, and manage your professional development.
Explore career tools and resources
As a CIPD member you get free access to helplines specialised in wellbeing, employment law and more.
Access helplines
As part of your membership, you have access to a continually updated library of learning courses on the Learning hub, including all essential insight courses and eight introductory programmes.
Find out more about the Learning hub