FAQs

Frequently asked questions

1. What is flexible learning?
Often referred to as blended learning, flexible learning is where you attend face to face workshops on a part time basis. Between the workshops you are then supported in your self study via our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE), programme materials and off course your tutor. It is a highly success approach that helps you maintain your work-life balance, as well as encouraging you to make decisions, think creatively and critically, investigate, explore and solve problems that you may face during your learning and real life.

2. Are programme materials provided?
Yes. All your materials will be made available to you on-line via our VLE so you will have access to your materials when and where you want. You will easily be able to download programmes notes and presentations, via the internet to any computer or portable device such as an iPod.

You will receive certain core texts but the majority of your study will be on-line. The main advantages of providing your materials on-line via our VLE are:

they will be frequently up dated to take into account changing trends and topical issues
highly portable, you will be able to access your materials anytime, anywhere
interactive enabling you to contribute to on-line discussions
access to a wealth of additional resources

3. How many hours of personal study will I need to undertake?
Between your workshops you will be required to undertake the self study element of the programme, using our VLE.

For the CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice or Training Practice, we recommend four to six hours per week.

For the postgraduate programmes, we recommend twelve hours per week.

4. How long will it take to complete my programme and attain Membership of the CIPD?
Our six month fast track CIPD Certificate’s in Personnel Practice or Training Practice means you can attain CIPD Associate membership in just six months.

You can attain CIPD Graduate membership on completion of our Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Development or Management in just two years.

5. Does my programme fee cover everything?
Fees include your; tuition, support, marking of assessments and access to learning materials via our VLE. Also included are your examination fees (not included by most other providers undertaking the CIPD National examinations).

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.

6. Can I use Career Services during the programme?
Yes, from the very beginning you will have access to a dedicated Business School Career Services Office, which;

provides detailed on-line careers information;
offers topical seminars ranging from sessions on career choices and CV writing to work authorisation seminars;
organises a targeted skills development programme (networking, interviewing, telling and selling your story, etc.);
arranges for companies to give presentations and receptions, and conduct on campus interviews;
maintains an extensive job board posted by prospective employers

7. What is the difference between your postgraduate programmes and the CIPD’s Professional Development Scheme?
If you are comparing our postgraduate programmes against the traditional CIPD Professional Development Scheme (PDS) please refer below:

the three core modules which form the Postgraduate Certificate in Management and Human Resources includes the content of Leadership and Management, People Management and Development and Applied Personnel and Development of the PDS
the four elective modules which form the Postgraduate Certificate in Human Resource Development or Management, includes the content for the Electives field of the PDS

The flexibility offered by our Diplomas gives you the opportunity to attain CIPD Graduate membership quicker than with other providers, thus gaining both professional and academic recognition, making it internationally transferable. Also on successful completion of the Diploma you will have the opportunity to upgrade to a master’s in Human Resource Management.

8. Will I have to sit the CIPD National examination when studying the Postgraduate programmes?
No, we are one of only a few centres to be successfully awarded CIPD internal accreditation status to write and run our own examinations for CIPD professional qualifications. All BPP exams meet stringent CIPD guidelines and undergo robust CIPD and BPP quality assurance processes.

CIPD accreditation, allows us to use a combination of assessment methods for our programmes which focus on enhancing key business skills with less emphasis on examinations. So you will sit fewer examinations than with other providers, but those which you do sit will have pass rates significantly above the National average.

9. Can I transfer to BPP from my current training provider?
Yes. Even if you are studying the CIPD Professional Development Scheme you can switch to our postgraduate programmes as they are matched against the CIPD syllabus. If you wish to transfer to us please contact our Admissions team who can advise you based on your individual circumstances. However as we are accredited to run our own assessment methods, rather than the CIPD National examinations it is not possible to transfer to us just for your examinations.

10. When can I start my programme?
We have CIPD Certificate in Personnel Practice or Training Practice starting regularly throughout the year.

For the postgraduate programmes BPP has three main intakes a year.

Please visit the relevant programme dates page for specific start dates.

11. Where is my nearest centre?
Locations of study for each programme can be found in the relevant programme dates page.

12. 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.

13. Do you offer tailored training programmes?
We can deliver training on an in-house basis (or at a site of your choice) for any of the standard programmes which we provide. Our degree awarding powers allow us to create academically accredited programmes that will meet your organisation’s specific needs such as tailored Postgraduate Certificates or Diplomas.

Please contact Admissions who will take your initial details for a member of our Business Development team to contact you.

14. What is the timing of your programmes?
Our open programme workshops typically run from 9:30am - 4:30pm for the Certificate’s in Personnel Practice or Training Practice, and 10:00am - 4:30pm for Postgraduate programmes.

15. What happens if I am unable to attend a workshop?
Attendance is an integral part of your studies and is subject to a mandatory minimum number of hours. You are expected to attend all workshops where possible. If you are unable to attend, please contact Student Records who will be able to offer you alternative dates and venues where available.

16. Can I suspend my studies?
We understand studying can be a big commitment and are here to support you where we can. You only sign up for one programme at a time so you can always take a break between programmes. If you are part way through your studies you do have the opportunity to suspend your studies, and resume when you are in a position to recommence.

17. How can I contact my tutor?
Our tutor team can be contacted directly by email or during office hours (Monday-Friday 8am - 6pm) via Student Records. Our tutors are very experienced practitioners in the fields of HR, training and management and are committed to supporting you. They are passionate about teaching and dedicated to helping you apply theory to real life situations within the workplace.

18. 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 contact Admissions to discuss your requirements.

19. Are participant numbers restricted on your programmes?
Yes. We keep our class sizes small with a maximum of twenty participants per programme. On all our programmes, we always maintain a manageable number of participants to ensure a conductive learning environment.

20. How and when do I pay for your open programmes?
If you are being sponsored by your company you will be issued with an invoice for the full amount in advance of the start date - your employer's invoice details should be provided on your application form. Please include a purchase order number if this is the preferred purchasing system of your employer.

An instalment payment plan is available if you are funding yourself through the programme. Please contact Student Finance for further details.

21. How do I apply?
Please complete the Application Form and return returned to Admissions.

22. Do I need to take IELTS?
If your first language is not English, or if your degree is not through the medium of English, you must demonstrate a sufficient command of English by holding a minimum IELTS score of 7.0 (or equivalent). A minimum of 6.5 (or equivalent) must be achieved in both written and spoken English.

23. Do I get a certificate to show I have passed?
You will receive confirmation of your results upon successful completion of your programme. The CIPD will update your level of membership accordingly. Also on completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Human Resource Development or Management there is also a chance to celebrate your success at our annual graduation ceremony.

24. How do I upgrade to CIPD Chartered Member?
As a licensed upgrade centre* for the CIPD, BPP recommends that once you have successfully gained your CIPD Graduate Membership, and where you meet the eligibility criteria, you upgrade directly to the grade of Chartered Member. This grade of CIPD 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

* From June 2010 the CIPD will centralise the upgrade process to become a Chartered Member, so all applications after June 2010 will have to go to the CIPD themselves, as BPP and any other providers will no longer hold the status of a licensed upgrade centre.

25. MBA / postgraduate 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, for further details visit the CIPD website.

If you've achieved a relevant postgraduate-level qualification, you can also achieve Licentiate membership through Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) as well as get exemptions from CIPD approved postgraduate-level qualifications, such as ours, which lead to Graduate membership.

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