TESS Group
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CIPD Approved Provider
CIPD APPROVED CENTRE
CIPD Level 7 • Standalone • Executive

Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management

The Executive Standard for HR Directors | Standalone Qualification

8 Units
1,200 TQT Hours
18-24 Months
Chartered CIPD Pathway

Who Is This For?

For strategic HR leaders ready to formalise their expertise and progress to Chartered status.

HR Directors

Seeking the highest professional credential to match your strategic role. Strengthen your board presence.

Heads of People

Leading people functions and wanting academic rigour behind your practice. Path to Chartered membership.

Senior HRBPs

Operating at strategic level, ready for Chartered CIPD membership and executive advancement.

CPOs / Chief People Officers

Formalising decades of experience with the profession's gold standard credential and executive positioning.

What You'll Study

8 Units • 1,200 TQT • 100% Assignment-Based Assessment

Level 7 is the senior postgraduate standard. You'll analyse major trends reshaping work, design strategic people management approaches, develop as a business leader, and conduct significant research. A pathway to Chartered MCIPD status.

Core Units (4)

7CO01
Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Analyse major trends reshaping work: globalisation, technology, demographics, regulation. Critically evaluate their impact on people strategy and organisational design. Explore megatrends and organisational futures.
7CO02
People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Design and evaluate strategic people management approaches. Cover high-performance work systems, strategic HRD, talent strategy, and organisational learning at scale. Link strategy to business outcomes.
7CO03
Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Develop as a strategic leader. Critical self-reflection, ethical decision-making, financial literacy for HR, and influencing at board level. Build executive presence and strategic influence.
7CO04
Business Research in People Practice
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Design and execute a significant research project. Mixed methods research, literature review, data analysis, and evidence-based recommendations for organisational change. Approx 8,000 words.

Specialist Units (3)

7HR01
Strategic Employment Relations
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Evaluate approaches to managing the employment relationship at organisational and societal level. Collective bargaining, employee voice, conflict resolution strategy, and stakeholder engagement.
7HR02
Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Design talent acquisition and retention strategies aligned with organisational objectives. Employer branding, succession planning, workforce analytics, and talent ecosystems.
7HR03
Strategic Reward Management
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Critically evaluate reward strategy, executive compensation, benefits design, pay equity, and the link between reward and organisational performance.

Optional Unit (1 - Choose One)

7OS01
Advanced Employment Law in Practice
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Deep dive into complex employment law: TUPE, redundancy, discrimination claims, tribunal procedures, and legislative compliance at strategic level.
7OS02
International People Management
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Explore HR strategy in multinational organisations. Cross-cultural management, expatriate management, global talent markets, and international compliance.
7OS03
Well-being at Work
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15 Credits • 60 GLH
Design holistic well-being strategies at organisational level. Mental health, burnout, resilience, sustainable working practices, and the role of HR in fostering thriving workplaces.

Simple, Transparent Pricing

Choose the tier that matches your needs. Interest-free quarterly payments available on all tiers.

Bronze
£6,000
or £1,500 per quarter × 4 interest-free
  • Complete CIPD study materials
  • Online learning platform access
  • Assignment guidance documents
  • Monthly 1:1 tutor session (30 min)
  • Email tutor support (48hr response)
  • CIPD student registration included
  • Access to TESS learner community
Recommended
Silver
£7,500
or £1,875 per quarter × 4 interest-free
  • Everything in Bronze, PLUS:
  • Monthly 1:1 tutor session (60 min)
  • Priority email support (24hr response)
  • Written feedback on draft assignments
  • Mock assessment walkthrough
  • Personalised study plan
  • Monthly progress reviews
  • CIPD student membership included
Executive
Gold
£9,000
or £2,250 per quarter × 4 interest-free
  • Everything in Silver, PLUS:
  • Monthly 1:1 executive coaching (2 hours)
  • Dedicated named senior tutor (same person throughout)
  • 24hr async support (ask anything, any time)
  • 2 ad-hoc sessions per term
  • Research project mentoring & support
  • Chartered CIPD application support
  • Executive alumni network access

How It Works

4 simple steps from enquiry to graduation

1

Enrol & Plan

Choose your tier, register with CIPD, receive study materials, and schedule your first 1:1 (Silver/Gold).

2

Study & Apply

Work through units at your pace. Submit assignments and your research project. Typical 18-24 months of flexible study.

3

Assess & Achieve

Complete all 8 unit assignments. All assessed via written work, no exams. 100% coursework. Conduct your research project (7CO04).

4

Graduate & Advance

Receive your CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma. Progress to Chartered MCIPD membership. Access board-level and C-suite opportunities.

Why Strategic Leaders Choose TESS

✓
Ofsted Good
⭐
4.9/5 Google
⭐
4.9/5 Trustpilot
🏅
CIPD Approved
"The Gold tier executive coaching transformed how I think about strategy. My dedicated tutor challenged my assumptions and pushed me to higher levels of thinking. By graduation, I had secured the CPO role I was aiming for. The research project became a business case that changed our people strategy."
David K.
CIPD Level 7 Gold Learner | Chief People Officer

Frequently Asked Questions

How long does CIPD Level 7 take?

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Typically 18-24 months. You study at your own pace, balancing your strategic HR role with study. All assessment is via assignment submission—no time-pressured exams. The research project (7CO04) requires substantial effort, typically 8,000+ words.

What's the entry requirement?

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You'll need a Level 5 qualification (CIPD or equivalent HE qualification). Additionally, 5+ years of strategic HR experience is recommended. Level 7 is postgraduate level, so prior study of people practice is essential. Contact us to discuss individual eligibility.

What CIPD membership do I get?

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During study: CIPD Student Member. On completion: Pathway to Chartered MCIPD (Member of CIPD). This is the profession's gold standard and requires application and approval by CIPD. Gold tier includes Chartered application support.

Do I need to do the research project?

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Yes. Unit 7CO04 (Business Research in People Practice) is a core unit. You'll design and conduct a significant research project (approximately 8,000 words) on a strategic people challenge relevant to your organisation. Gold tier includes dedicated mentoring for this.

What's the difference between Level 5 and Level 7?

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Level 5 (Associate Diploma) is for established HR practitioners. Level 7 (Advanced Diploma) is postgraduate-level, for strategic leaders. It's deeper, more analytical, and focuses on business research, leadership, and strategy. Level 7 graduates can progress to Chartered membership.

Can my employer pay for this?

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Absolutely. Many employers invest in Level 7 for their Head of People or HR Director. We can invoice your organisation directly. It's typically treated as executive professional development or strategic L&D investment.

Ready to Step Into Executive HR Leadership?

Join strategic HR leaders progressing to Chartered CIPD status with TESS.

Interest-free quarterly payments (4 payments over 12 months) available. CIPD student registration included. Pathway to Chartered MCIPD.