Your pathway to professional HR qualification and CIPD membership. Master employment law, people analytics, talent management, and strategic HR practice.
CMI Level 3 Management & Leadership + NCFE Data + AI Prompt Mastery + Microsoft AB-730
72% of UK businesses say AI skills are their #1 hiring priority. Leaders who understand AI adoption 3x faster implement change.
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate covers the essential knowledge every HR professional needs. Build expertise in employment law, people analytics, talent management, and more.
Master the legal framework, employment contracts, discrimination law, and workplace compliance. Essential knowledge for every HR professional managing people and risk.
Learn to interpret HR metrics, build business cases, analyse talent trends, and use data to drive strategic people decisions. Analytics expertise sets you apart.
Design recruitment strategies, build succession plans, develop talent pipelines, and create learning programmes. Transform recruitment and development from transactional to strategic.
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate covers all essential HR competencies
Whether you're new to HR, progressing in your career, or moving from another discipline, this foundation certificate equips you with essential knowledge.
Progress from operational HR to strategic thinking. Master employment law, compliance, and people analytics.
Build broader HR expertise. Learn talent management strategy, legal compliance, and people development.
Understand the full people context. Master employment law, analytics, and talent strategy alongside learning design.
Transition from line management. Gain HR-specific expertise in law, analytics, talent management, and strategic thinking.
Enter HR with confidence. Foundational knowledge in all core areas — the baseline for any HR career path.
Refresh your foundations. CIPD Level 3 reinforces core knowledge and supports progression to Level 5 or 7.
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate is your entry point to professional HR certification and CIPD membership benefits.
This programme delivers the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, alongside practical expertise in HR analytics, employment law, and talent management.
Five core learning areas delivered over 14 months of engaging, supported study.
Your learning journey: Foundation principles → Employment law & compliance → People analytics & data → Talent management & strategy → Integration & professional development. Each module builds real, applicable HR expertise.
Project, Presentation, Professional Discussion & EPA
Independent assessment by 1st for Awarding. Graded Pass or Distinction across applied knowledge, skills, and communication.
Why invest £4,500 in one apprentice? Because the returns compound across your whole team.
| Feature | Typical AI Provider | CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate (TESS) |
|---|---|---|
| Leadership Qualification | ✗ None included | ✓ CMI Level 3 Management & Leadership |
| Total Qualifications | ✗ 0–1 | ✓ 4 (CMI + NCFE Data + Prompt Mastery + Microsoft) |
| People & Coaching Focus | ✗ Tech-focused, not people-focused | ✓ Leadership styles, communication, developing individuals, change management |
| Data Skills | Varies — often theoretical | ✓ NCFE Level 3 Certificate in Data |
| Copilot & Prompt Engineering | ✗ Rarely included | ✓ NCFE Prompt Mastery + Microsoft AB-730 |
| Coaching Frameworks | ✗ Not included | ✓ GROW, OSKAR, psychological safety |
| Levy Funding | £4,500 | £4,500 — same funding, far more value |
| Designed For | Generic / technical roles | ✓ People leaders managing teams |
Only ST1512 combining AI + CMI + Microsoft
Designed for people managers, not generic learners
3x tool adoption with AI-literate leaders
CMI L3 leadership modules woven throughout AI content — not tacked on at the end. You learn communication and leadership styles first, then develop people and manage change alongside the tools.
Other providers deliver AI training. None bundle the CMI leadership qualification + Microsoft credential + NCFE data cert. TESS does.
Move jobs, move countries, move sectors — these qualifications travel with them. They're your investment in people, not your company.
Other providers teach AI. TESS teaches leaders how to help teams adopt AI. That's why adoption succeeds, staff stay, and ROI compounds.
Qualifications delivered and assessed by the industry's leading bodies.
Your apprentice demonstrates competence in their workplace role through a rigorous, independent assessment.
Apprentice completes a workplace AI & automation project demonstrating applied knowledge, skills, and real business impact.
Structured discussion with an independent assessor exploring the apprentice's competence across all assessment outcomes.
Apprentice presents their project outcomes, demonstrating communication, stakeholder engagement, and strategic thinking.
Independently assessed by 1st for Awarding (EPAO) across applied knowledge, applied skills, regulatory awareness, and communication.
Workplace project scoped. TESS guides preparation, evidence gathering begins.
Apprentice completes AI project in their workplace. Portfolio of evidence compiled.
Project assessed, presentation delivered, professional discussion with independent assessor.
Graded Pass or Distinction. All qualifications awarded. Apprenticeship complete.
Everything you need to know about the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate.
The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate covers five core areas: HR fundamentals and context, employment law and compliance, people analytics and data, talent management and strategy, and learning and development. You'll develop practical expertise across all these areas over 14 months.
Anyone starting or progressing in an HR career. This includes HR administrators, recruitment specialists, L&D professionals, managers moving to HR, career changers, or experienced HR professionals looking to refresh their foundations or progress toward Level 5 or 7.
The CIPD (Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development) is the UK's professional body for HR and learning and development. CIPD membership demonstrates professional standards and credibility. Upon completing this Level 3 programme, you're eligible to apply for CIPD membership at graduate level.
Yes. If you're eligible (typically UK residents aged 18+ with a job secured with an employer), the programme is fully funded through government training funding. There is no out-of-pocket cost for your training. Your employer may contribute towards materials or study support depending on the arrangement.
14 months of structured learning. You'll study in manageable modules over this period, combining online content, workshops, and practical application in your workplace. The pace is designed to fit alongside your day job.
Level 3 Foundation Certificate is the entry-level HR qualification — foundational knowledge for all HR professionals. Level 5 (Senior Professional Diploma) is intermediate-advanced, typically for HR practitioners with some experience. Level 7 (Advanced Diploma) is for senior HR leaders and strategists. Each builds on the previous level.
Absolutely. CIPD qualification is widely recognised across UK organisations and demonstrates professional credibility and competence. Upon completion, you're positioned for progression to more senior HR roles, specialist areas (recruitment, L&D, employee relations), or toward Level 5 and 7 qualifications.
Comprehensive learning including online modules, in-person workshops, one-to-one mentor support, practical case studies, assessments, and professional development guidance. You also receive access to CIPD resources and become eligible for graduate membership.
Contact TESS Group directly. We'll discuss your eligibility for government funding, confirm your HR role and employer details, and guide you through the registration process. Start preparing today — the sooner we enrol you, the sooner you begin your journey to CIPD qualification.
Take the next step in your HR career. Speak with TESS Group about your CIPD Level 3 journey.