CIPD Level 5

As the CIPD Level 5 Associate L&D Diploma is equivalent to an undergraduate-level course in difficulty, you'll usually need one of the following to be eligible to study the qualification:

• Some previous professional experience working in L&D
• Experience performing HR duties in a non-HR role (for example, as a manager)
• A degree (any subject) and a genuine interest in studying HR at a more advanced level than the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate

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. 

A CIPD Level 5 Diploma in L&D can lead to a variety of exciting mid-level roles, including: 

• L&D Manager
• Training & Development Specialist
• Organisational Development Consultant
• Talent Development Lead

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.

'Assoc CIPD' stands for Associate Member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development. 

This is a professional CIPD membership level awarded to those who have completed a CIPD Level 5 qualification in People Management or Organisational Learning & Development. 

It’s a recognised credential that enhances your professional credibility and career prospects, helping you stand out to employers and progress into mid-level roles such as HR Manager, L&D Manager, or People Partner.

As an Assoc CIPD, you demonstrate a strong foundation in HR or L&D, showcasing your ability to apply people management strategies effectively in the workplace. You can even use it on your CV after your name! 

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

If you’re not ready to commit to the full qualification and would like to focus on only the essential modules of this course, you could study our CIPD Level 5 Core programme.

It covers 3 modules:

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

The programme 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.

Bear in mind that the Core programme won’t give you a CIPD qualification. You'll gain only the basic skills you need for mid-level HR roles.

However, if you complete the programme and then decide you’d like to move on to the full CIPD Level 5 Diploma, you won’t need to take the whole course again! You can simply complete the extra 4 modules and become CIPD-qualified.

For more information on our CIPD Core programmes, 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

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.

Your payments will be charged in GBP. The monthly payments listed in your local currency are an estimate based on the current exchange rate from xe.com.

This means that the amount you’ll pay each month in your local currency may vary based on the current exchange rate.

Your bank may use a different exchange rate from the one listed here, or charge a fee for converting your payments into GBP; we’d advise that you speak to your bank directly 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 12 to 15 months to study the CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational 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 0333 920 3823.

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.