CIPD Aligned Provider

CIPD Level 3 · Standalone qualification

Foundation Certificate in People Practice

A standalone CIPD Level 3 for new HR professionals and career switchers. Your entry into chartered HR.

4Units

240TQT hours

9-12Months

£1,500From / learner

See pricing & book → Book a 25-min discovery call

Ofsted Good Skills England Approved Provider CIPD Aligned Provider ★ 4.9 / 5 · 705 reviews 72% distinction at EPA on our apprenticeships

Two ways to take this

Standalone, or embedded in an apprenticeship.

You can take CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice as a direct, self-funded or employer-paid qualification. Or you can get it embedded inside a TESS apprenticeship at no extra cost, with Coachy, our 24/7 AI tutor, included free.

Standalone (this page)

Direct qualification

You pay for the qualification only. Suits learners who already have a role and want a formal credential, or organisations not eligible for apprenticeship levy funding.

From £1,500 per learner
9-12 months
Foundation MCIPD on completion
Group discounts available

See pricing →

Apprenticeship route

HR Support L3 apprenticeship (CIPD L3 embedded)

Same CIPD Level 3 qualification, embedded inside a TESS apprenticeship at no extra cost. Adds Coachy AI tutor, a named skills coach, and the apprenticeship credential. 100% levy-funded for employers.

£0 out-of-pocket for levy payers · 5% for SMEs
CIPD Level 3 qualification embedded free
Coachy AI tutor included free
Dedicated skills coach from day one through EPA

Apprenticeship route →

What you'll cover

4 units, mapped to Chartered Institute of Personnel & Development standards.

Each unit is delivered live online, supported by a named tutor, and assessed against CIPD's national framework.

Business, Culture and Change in Context

How the business runs, the culture inside it, and how change really happens.

Principles of Analytics

Reading people data, telling stories with it, and avoiding the classic HR mistakes.

Core Behaviours for People Professionals

Curiosity, ethical practice, valuing people, working inclusively, commercial drive.

Essentials of People Practice

Recruitment, employment relationship, learning, performance, the full HR foundation.

Investment

Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.

Full price includes all tutor support, CIPD registration, assessment fees and certification on successful completion.

CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice · Standalone

£1,500 – £2,500

per learner · price varies with cohort size and delivery model

CIPD learner registration and certification
All assessment fees included
Named tutor, live online delivery
Foundation MCIPD on successful completion
Group discounts from 5+ learners

Get a tailored quote →

Indicative pricing. Final cost confirmed on your discovery call based on cohort size, delivery model and any group discount. Funding via apprenticeship levy available, see the apprenticeship route above.

Why TESS for CIPD

The accreditation, the outcomes, and the AI advantage.

Ofsted

Good provider

Independently inspected. Ofsted Good rating for our overall provision and outcomes for learners.

4.9★

705 verified reviews

Independently verified on Trustpilot (244) and Google (461). Real learners, real outcomes.

10K+

Learners trained

Across 1000+ employers, FTSE 100 to four-person SMEs. Public sector, retail, healthcare and beyond.

Specialist AI provider

The UK's specialist AI apprenticeship provider. Microsoft AI Industry Leader, Coachy AI tutor built in.

CIPD Level 3 FAQs

CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice: your questions

The questions learners ask us most. Still unsure? Leave your details and we'll tailor the answer to you.

How much does the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice cost?

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice starts from £1,500 per learner as a standalone qualification. Taken inside a TESS apprenticeship it is 100% funded through the apprenticeship levy for levy-paying employers (5% co-investment for SMEs). We confirm your exact price on a short discovery call.

What are the entry requirements?

There are no formal entry requirements. The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is designed for people new to HR, People or L&D roles, you just need to be in, or moving into, a relevant role and able to study at this level.

How long does the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice take?

At TESS the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice typically takes 9–12 months of blended, flexible study (around 240 total qualification hours), built to fit around your role.

Who is the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice for?

It is built for people new to HR, People or L&D roles.

What does the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice lead to?

It leads to CIPD Foundation membership, the entry professional grade, and is the natural step before the CIPD Level 5 People Management.

Can it be funded through the apprenticeship levy?

Yes, taken as part of a TESS apprenticeship, the qualification is embedded at no extra cost and fully funded through the apprenticeship levy for levy-paying employers (5% for SMEs), with Coachy (our 24/7 AI tutor) and a named skills coach included. Explore our AI-enabled apprenticeships.

Talk to TESS

How do you want to start?

Two ways forward. Pick the one that suits you.

Leave your details

Tell us your level, cohort size and goals. We will send a tailored quote and route map covering the standalone option and the apprenticeship route if you're eligible.

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Book a 25-min discovery call

Speak directly with our CIPD specialists. Walk through pricing, content, delivery options and group discounts live. No deck, no pressure.

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