CIPD Frequently Asked Questions
- How long will it take to achieve Graduate Membership of the CIPD?
- Can I claim exemption through my work experience?
- Can I transfer to BPP from my current training provider?
- Do you offer training internationally as well as throughout the UK?
- Where is my nearest centre?
- Does the programme fee cover everything?
- Are programme materials provided?
- What is the timing of your programmes?
- How many hours of personal study will I need to undertake?
- What if I need to book accommodation?
- What refreshments are available during workshops?
- What happens if I am unable to attend a workshop?
- Can I suspend my studies?
- How can I contact my tutor/PAC Adviser?
- What is your policy for special needs requirements?
- Are participant numbers restricted on your programmes?
- Frequently Asked Questions about exams
- When can I start my programme?
- How and when do I pay for your open programmes?
- How do I book?
- Do I get a certificate to show I have passed?
- How much does in-house training cost?
- Advanced Standing for Leadership and Management
- MBA students
- Upgrade to CIPD Chartered Membership with BPP
1. How long will it take to achieve Graduate Membership of the CIPD?
The full PDS programme with BPP will take between two and a half and three years, however, if you fulfil the eligibility criteria for the Professional Assessment of Competence (PAC), it could take around 12 months and lead to Chartered Member status.
2. Can I claim exemption through my work experience?
If you have more than five years appropriate management experience, three of which are within HR and you can provide work-based evidence and documentation, PAC maybe an appropriate route for you. For further information please contact our Admissions team on 0845 077 5566.
3. Can I transfer to BPP from my current training provider?
Yes. If you wish to transfer to us please contact CIPD to request written confirmation of their acceptance of your transfer. As BPP is accredited to run their own exams rather than CIPD national exams you must complete whole modules/fields with us. It is not possible to transfer to us for exams only.
4. Do you offer training internationally as well as throughout the UK?
Yes we do. In addition to our UK locations, BPP has also delivered in-house CIPD programmes in Brunei, Oman, St Lucia, Syria, Hungary and Poland. We can deliver in-house programmes throughout the world, following comprehensive quality assurance processes. We also offer the Standard PAC Assessment.
5. Where is my nearest centre?
Locations for each programme can be found in the relevant programme dates page.
6. Does my programme fee cover everything?
Your fees include your tuition, CIPD Flexible Learning Materials and BPP Learning Media Materials. Also included are your exam fees for one sitting (not included by most other providers).
Shipping costs for CIPD learning materials are included for the UK and Northern Ireland. Learning materials for overseas students will be delivered to the workshop venue once payment has been received, to be collected when you attend the workshop itself.
The only additional costs are those which you pay directly to CIPD for your membership and annual subscriptions as well as a one-off registration fee which we collect on their behalf. These additional charges are placed on all training providers by the CIPD itself.
7. Are programme materials provided?
Yes. We provide you with all the necessary CIPD learning materials at the start of your programme. We also provide you with comprehensive BPP Learning Media materials to complement your study. They outline your programme of study and contain robust exam preparation materials that enhance the learning process.
Once payment has been received, delivery of CIPD materials is usually within five working days to an address of your choice.
8. What is the timing of your courses?
Our open programme workshops typically run from 9:30am - 4:30pm for Certificate programmes and 10:00am - 4:30pm for PDS programmes.
9. How many hours of personal study will I need to undertake?
We recommend 4-6 hours per week for Certificate programmes and 10-12 hours per week for PDS programmes.
10. What if I need to book accommodation?
Our programmes are non-residential. However, we are happy to provide details of hotels close to our venues if required.
11. What refreshments are available during workshops?
All our venues have tea and coffee facilities and water coolers. We do not provide lunch but all our venues are situated close to shops and sandwich bars.
12. What happens if I am unable to attend a workshop?
Attendance is a CIPD requirement and an integral part of your studies and is subject to a mandatory minimum number of hours. You are expected to attend all workshops. If you are unable to attend, please contact your training co-ordinator as we offer a number of different dates and venues so we may be able to offer alternatives.
13. Can I suspend my studies?
You may take a break between programmes (eg. between completing Leadership & Management and before electives.) Suspending a programme is assessed on an individual basis and requests must be made in writing. Suspending will also incur additional operations charges.
14. How can I contact my tutor/PAC Adviser?
Our tutor team can be contacted directly by email or during office hours (Monday-Friday 8am - 6pm) through the operations team. Our tutors are very experienced practitioners in the fields of HR, training and management and also in supporting students through the discipline of flexible learning and their respective programmes of study.
15. What is your policy for special needs requirements?
We have a very strong ethical and equal opportunities policy at BPP. We are happy to accommodate special needs requirements wherever possible. Please call our operations team on 0845 075 3502 to discuss your requirements.
16. Are participant numbers restricted on your programmes?
Yes. On our CIPD programmes we abide by the CIPD stipulation of a maximum of 20 participants per programme. On all other programmes, we always maintain a manageable number of participants to ensure a conducive learning environment.
17. Frequently Asked Questions about exams
We are one of only a few centres to be successfully awarded CIPD internal accreditation status to write and run our own exams for CIPD professional qualifications. All BPP exams meet stringent CIPD guidelines and undergo robust CIPD and BPP quality assurance processes. Please click here to download FAQs about exams.
18. When can I start my programme?
BPP runs three intakes of PDS programmes each year. Certificate programmes begin regularly throughout the year. An up-to-date start date schedule can be found by visiting the programme dates page within the relevant programme section.
19. How and when do I pay for your open programmes?
Sponsored students will be issued an invoice for the full amount in advance of the start date - your employer's invoice details should be provided on your application form in the space provided and include purchase order numbers if this is the purchasing system your employer uses.
Self-funding students can split the payment into two instalments. Payment should be made by cheque, an appropriate credit card or bank transfer.
20. How do I book?
Please complete the application form (found either in our brochure or in the apply now page of the relevant programme on this website). The form should be returned to Admissions. For PAC, please contact Admissions.
21. Do I get a certificate to show I have passed?
Yes. On CIPD programmes, you will be awarded a certificate upon successful completion of a field/programme to show your level of membership of the CIPD.
22. How much does in-house training cost?
We treat each client as an individual and will work with you to provide in-house training dependant upon your organisation's needs and at a mutually advantageous price. Please contact Admissions to discuss your requirements.
23. Advanced Standing for Leadership and Management
If you have gained a relevant postgraduate qualification within the last five years, BPP can assess it against the CIPD Professional Standards for Leadership and Management. You can gain exemptions from a maximum of four modules based upon a postgraduate qualification. If successful, you'll be accredited with exemptions from the Leadership and Management field of the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
We recommend that, before applying for Advanced Standing with BPP, you first go through the topic overview, performance and knowledge indicators and indicative content relevant to the Leadership and Management. Please visit the CIPD website for more information. This will help you compare your qualification to the CIPD required standards.
Students with postgraduate qualifications (gained within the last five years) will be required to provide the following when applying to us for Advanced Standing:
- Personal statement
- Qualification certificate and syllabus
- Results sheet
- CV/job description
- Proof of identity
The cost is £60 + VAT per module (£240 + VAT for all four modules of the Leadership and Management field). We are happy to advise you on any aspect of the PDS qualification whether or not you decide to take the Advanced Standing route to partial exemption. Please contact us on 0845 077 5566 to discuss how we can assist you with your future studies.
For further information from the CIPD on accreditation of prior certificated learning or exemptions from CIPD qualifications please see the links below:
Accreditation of prior certificated learning
Exemptions from CIPD qualification
24. MBA students (Possible exemptions awarded by the CIPD)
If you have been awarded an MBA in the last ten years, you can join the CIPD immediately as a Licentiate member. To do this, you'll need to go through the direct admissions for approved qualifications route. You can find the application form on the CIPD website.
Achieving Licentiate membership through your MBA will also mean that you'll get an exemption from the Leadership and Management field of the CIPD Professional Development Scheme (PDS). If you're awarded exemptions from Leadership and Management, you may also be able to apply for exemptions from further modules through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL).
25. Upgrade to CIPD Chartered Membership with BPP
As a licensed upgrading centre for the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), BPP recommends that, where students meet the eligibility criteria, they are upgraded directly to the grade of Chartered Member on successful completion of their studies with us. This grade of membership is widely accepted by employers as the benchmark for professional practice and is acknowledged to enhance career development and job prospects. Chartered Members may use the CIPD designation: Chartered MCIPD.
For further information please visit:
Licensed Upgrade Centres (LUC): Notes for students
To apply for Chartered Membership of the CIPD through BPP, please complete and return the application form below to Admissions:
Licensed Upgrade Centre, Chartered Membership application form