There are two ways to study toward CIPD membership, and they look similar until you notice what you actually walk away with. The right choice depends on whether you want a degree, a professional credential, or both.
| CIPD-accredited university programme | Direct CIPD qualification | |
|---|---|---|
| Who delivers it | A university | An external study centre |
| Who awards it | The university (a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree) | The CIPD (a qualification certificate) |
| Membership gained | Associate Membership on completion | Foundation or Associate Membership, depending on level |
When the University Route Fits
If you want an academic degree as well as professional recognition — and you’re willing to commit to a university’s structure and timetable — an accredited programme delivers both in one course of study.
When the Direct Route Fits
If your goal is the professional credential itself, and you’d rather study at a level matched to your current role rather than through a full degree, the direct qualification is the more targeted path.
A Third Option
If you have years of practical experience and would rather not study at all, there’s a route that skips both — see our piece on the Experience Assessment route.
Full Details
CIPD lists the accredited university programmes and explains both study routes on its qualifications pages.
