Master strategic HR leadership with CIPD's gold-standard qualification. Develop expertise in employment relations, reward strategy, and organisational development.
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management + CIPD Associate membership for life
CIPD Level 5 is the gold standard in HR credentials. Opens doors to senior HR roles, strategic influence, and career progression across any sector.
Move beyond day-to-day HR operations. Learn to shape organisational strategy, drive culture change, and align people with business objectives.
Advanced understanding of employment relations, contract law, tribunal procedures, and risk management. Make confident decisions that protect your organisation.
Gain CIPD Associate membership for life. Access exclusive networks, CPD resources, and the credential that opens boardroom doors globally.
Based on CIPD Level 5 graduate career outcomes 2024
Whether you're developing strategic capability or stepping into senior HR roles, this programme fits your ambitions.
Move from operational delivery to strategic partnership. Influence business strategy and drive transformational HR initiatives.
Develop strategic thinking alongside people management. Lead teams with deeper understanding of employment law, reward, and OD.
Design and lead large-scale change programmes. Build capability in change management, culture development, and strategic alignment.
Master reward strategy, benefits design, and remuneration frameworks. Specialise in CIPD's Reward pathway.
Lead employee relations, handle complex disputes, and shape employment governance. Specialise in CIPD's Employment Relations pathway.
Stepping up from Level 3 to Level 5. Get the gold-standard qualification that opens doors to senior roles and international opportunities.
The world's leading HR qualification. Recognised across 150+ countries. Gateway to senior HR leadership.
Strategic HR development woven throughout — building expertise across people leadership, employment law, reward, and organisational development.
The structure: Core modules in strategic people management, followed by specialist electives based on your career path. Each phase builds on previous learning, combining theory with workplace application.
Written assignments, project work, research, and professional discussion. Graded Pass, Merit, or Distinction across demonstrated knowledge, understanding, and professional application.
Why invest £11,000 in one HR professional? Because strategic HR leaders transform how organisations perform.
| Feature | Standard CIPD Provider | CIPD Level 5 (TESS) |
|---|---|---|
| Dedicated Mentor Support | ✗ Generic support only | ✓ Expert CIPD mentor assigned to you |
| Flexible Specialist Pathways | ✗ One-size-fits-all | ✓ Choose Reward, ER, or General pathway |
| Workplace Application Focus | ✗ Theory-heavy | ✓ Real projects in your organisation |
| Fully Funded (Apprentice Levy) | ✗ Cost to employer | ✓ £11K levy funded — no cost to you |
| Career Progression Support | ✗ None included | ✓ Postgrad pathways & career coaching |
| Ofsted Rating | Varies | Good / Outstanding |
CIPD Level 5 — the world's leading HR qualification
Your credential works across 150+ countries
Lifelong access to professional networks & CPD
Dedicated CIPD-experienced mentors who understand your sector and workplace challenges. Not a generic support desk.
Use your apprentice levy. Zero cost to your organisation. Real investment in strategic HR leadership.
Your research project solves a real HR challenge in your organisation. Learning immediately applies to strategic impact.
Join the UK's most respected HR professionals. Get your CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma with TESS Group.