What is the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management Level 5 course?

CIPD Platinum Centre

The CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management (Level 5) is a nationally recognised professional qualification for adults aged 19 and over who want to develop their HR expertise and progress into more senior Human Resources (HR) and People Management roles.

Delivered by West Notts College, a CIPD Approved Platinum Study Centre, this part-time course is aligned to the latest CIPD Profession Map, helping you develop the advanced knowledge, behaviours and practical skills required to make a positive impact within modern organisations.

Building on the foundations of CIPD Level 3 or equivalent HR experience, this qualification enables you to strengthen your professional capability, broaden your strategic understanding and prepare for career progression within People Management.

If you have not studied for a while, our experienced tutors will support you throughout your learning in a friendly, collaborative environment designed specifically for adult learners.

Who should study the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management qualification?

This course is suitable for adults aged 19+ who:

Already work in Human Resources (HR) or People Management
Have completed the CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (Level 3) or have equivalent knowledge and experience
Want to progress into HR Advisor, HR Business Partner or management-level roles
Want to deepen their understanding of people management and employment law
Need a recognised professional qualification to support career progression
Wish to develop strategic HR knowledge and professional confidence

This qualification is ideal for HR professionals looking to take the next step in their career.

What will you learn on the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management course?

During the course, you will study advanced HR and People Management topics, including:

Organisational performance and culture in practice
Evidence-based practice
Professional behaviours and valuing people
Employment relationship management
Talent management and workforce planning
Reward for performance and contribution
Specialist employment law

By the end of the course, you will have developed the knowledge and practical skills needed to influence organisational performance, support business strategy and manage people effectively within a range of workplace settings.

Why choose West Notts College for your CIPD qualification?

Choosing West Notts College means learning with one of the UK's recognised CIPD Approved Platinum Study Centres, demonstrating consistently high standards in teaching, assessment and learner satisfaction.

You'll benefit from:

CIPD Approved Platinum Study Centre status
Experienced tutors with extensive HR and People Management expertise
Small, supportive classes designed for adult learners
Opportunities to network with other HR professionals and CIPD students
Modern classrooms and excellent on-campus facilities
Access to Moodle, Microsoft Teams and online learning resources
Learning Resource Centre, café, restaurant and free parking
Easy access via public transport
Progression opportunities through higher education and continued professional development

When does the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management course start?

The next course starts week commencing Monday 7 September 2026.

Early application is recommended as places are limited.

When do classes take place?

You will attend college for:

3 hours of taught sessions each week (on campus)
Approximately 2 hours of self-directed study each week

This part-time timetable is designed to help you balance study with work and personal commitments.

How much does the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management course cost?

The course fee is £2,195.

To make studying more affordable, you can spread the cost over four instalments.

If paying by instalments:

Pay an initial deposit of £548.75 (25%) when enrolling.
The remaining balance is collected by Direct Debit in three bi-monthly payments of £548.75.

Please contact our Finance team on 0808 100 3626 for more information about payment options.

Additional costs

You will also need to become a member of the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD). Membership fees are paid directly to CIPD and vary depending on the membership type selected.

Please contact the college for current membership guidance.

How is the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management course delivered?

This version of the qualification is delivered on campus through weekly classroom-based sessions.

You will learn through a combination of:

Tutor-led teaching
Group discussions and collaborative learning
Practical workplace case studies
Independent study
Online learning resources using Moodle and Microsoft Teams

Our experienced HR professionals bring current industry knowledge and real-world examples into every session, helping you apply your learning directly to the workplace.

Student success

Our learners consistently praise the quality of teaching, supportive learning environment and practical content.

Recent students have highlighted:

Highly engaging teaching with real workplace examples.
Excellent tutor support throughout the course.
Inclusive learning with appropriate support for individual needs.
Confidence to progress onto the Level 5 CIPD qualification.

Kellymarie Smith

I attended the CIPD Level 3 course as a foundation for beginning my career in HR, and I found the experience fantastic.
The course was well structured, covering four key areas of learning: business, culture and change, principles of analytics, core behaviours of people professionals, and essentials of people practice. It provided a comprehensive introduction to the world of HR and is ideal for individuals looking to step into the profession, as well as those already working within HR who want to develop their knowledge further.
Annette was an incredible course tutor, creating a structured and supportive learning environment that was consistent and engaging each week. She was always available to offer advice and guidance, and every session had a clear lesson plan, thorough content, and a valuable wrap-up to reinforce learning.
I enjoyed the course so much that I returned to undertake the CIPD Level 5 qualification with the college.
Stella Thorley

I have no negative feedback and have successfully completed CIPD level 3 and in the process of achieving the level 5 qualification. The course content is highly engaging, with the tutor effectively incorporating real-world examples and scenarios, supported by a varied mix of multimedia to enhance learning. I was particularly surprised by the specialist employment law assignment, which proved far more interesting than I had anticipated.
The college is also highly inclusive for disabled students. I was well supported by both my tutor and assessor, who ensured appropriate reasonable adjustments were in place. The provision of a scribe, significantly enhanced my classroom experience and helped to minimise fatigue.

Frequently asked questions

Do I need to complete CIPD Level 3 before studying Level 5?

Level 5 is designed for learners who have completed the CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (Level 3) or have equivalent HR knowledge and experience. If you are unsure whether this course is right for you, our team can advise you.
Is this course suitable if I already work in HR?

Yes. The qualification is specifically designed for HR professionals who want to develop their expertise and progress into more senior roles.
Is this an official CIPD qualification?

Yes. The qualification is awarded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), the UK's professional body for HR and People Development.
Can I study while working full time?

Yes. The part-time timetable has been designed so many learners can continue working while completing the qualification.
How do I apply for the CIPD Associate Diploma in People Management course?

Applying is straightforward.
Complete the online application through the West Notts College website or contact our Adult Learning team if you would like advice on entry requirements before applying.
If you have any questions about the course, payment options or CIPD membership, our team will be happy to help.

Adult learning support and guidance

Starting something new can feel like a big step, but you don’t have to do it alone. From careers guidance to mental health and wellbeing, we’re here to support you before you apply and throughout your time with us.
Visit our adult support page

Entry requirements
This course is only available to adults aged 19+.
- GCSE English Language and Maths grade 4-9/C-A*
- Completion of an initial face to face or telephone interview to ascertain whether the course is suitable and right for you.
- Part of the requirement for the level 5 course is that learners are in a HR/People Practice role or they have acquired prior learning and experience which will ensure the qualification is appropriate.
Assessment
The course is mainly face to face, with a variety of teaching and assessment methods. There are no exams.
There is a requirement for some independent study and this is supported by a range of resources from our Learning Resource Centre and other platforms such as Moodle and Microsoft Teams.
Progression
The qualification also supports progression towards CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diplomas, higher education and Chartered CIPD membership as your career develops.
Careers
Completing this qualification can help you progress into roles such as:
- HR Advisor
- Senior HR Advisor
- HR Business Partner
- People Manager
- Employee Relations Advisor
- Talent and Resourcing Advisor
- Learning and Development Partner
- People Operations Manager
Studying Human Resources at West Notts College
Visit our human resources subject area to explore the full range of courses available.

Disclaimer

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the information on the website is correct, some details may be subject to change. West Nottinghamshire College reserves the right to make amendments to the courses, dates, fees or other details, and to make cancellations or changes if numbers are insufficient. In the unfortunate situation that we have to cancel a course we will refund your fees in full, but we regret we are not able to offer any refund if you withdraw from your course or fail to start, and you will be liable to pay any outstanding fees that may be due.