CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development

How can this course support your HR career?

The CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management helps experienced HR professionals build the strategic skills needed for senior roles.

By studying this course, you can benefit from:

• A globally recognised CIPD qualification

• Flexible online on-demand learning

• One-to-one tutor support

• Written assessments instead of formal exams

• Study access for up to 36 months

• 0% finance options, subject to eligibility

• Free project management and AI courses

• A pathway towards Chartered CIPD membership

• Support with developing strategic people management, business research and leadership capability

This course is suitable for professionals who want to move beyond operational HR and contribute to wider people strategy.

o complete the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, you will study 8 units in total: 4 core units, 3 specialist units and 1 optional unit.

Each unit is assessed through a written assignment.

Unit 1 – Work and working lives in a changing business environment

7CO01 – Core

This unit explores how work, employment and people management are affected by the wider commercial business environment.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how the commercial environment affects work and employment

• Explore future developments in working lives

• Understand the impact of globalisation on people management

• Examine how people practice responds to external change

• Build awareness of how business context shapes people strategy

Unit 2 – People management and development strategies for performance

7CO02 – Core

This unit focuses on how people management and development strategies help organisations achieve business objectives.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how people professionals add value at strategic level

• Explore evidence-based and outcome-driven practice

• Link people strategy to organisational performance

• Understand how the learning and development function supports wider business strategy

• Examine the core purpose of the people management profession

Unit 3 – Personal effectiveness, ethics and business acumen

7CO03 – Core

This unit helps you develop the professional behaviours, ethical awareness and business acumen needed in senior people roles.

Learning Outcomes:

• Develop business acumen for senior HR decision-making

• Improve performance personal effectiveness in strategic roles

• Explore ethical and inclusive practice

• Improve personal effectiveness in strategic roles

• Understand how professional behaviour affects organisational trust

Unit 4 – Business research in people practice

7CO04 – Core

This unit develops your ability to plan, design and complete a business research project in people practice.

Learning Outcomes:

• Plan and conduct a structured business research project

• Analyse evidence and workplace data

• Create integrated reports for stakeholders

• Provide actionable recommendations

• Use business research to support informed people decisions

Unit 5 – Strategic employment relations

7HR01 – Specialist

This unit examines cooperation, conflict and employment relations from a strategic perspective.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand cooperation and conflict in the workplace

• Explore different perspectives on employment relations

• Examine trade union and employee representation issues

• Understand disciplinary procedures and dispute resolution

• Analyse how employment relations affect organisational performance

Unit 6 – Resourcing and talent management to sustain success

7HR02 – Specialist

This unit focuses on how organisations attract, retain and develop the people they need for long-term success.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand ethical and effective resourcing

• Explore workforce planning and succession planning

• Examine how the business environment affects talent management

• Support successful workers through people strategy

• Link talent management to organisational goals

Unit 7 – Strategic reward management

7HR03 – Specialist

This unit looks at how reward can support motivation, retention and organisational performance.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand how strategic reward supports business goals

• Design fair reward strategies

• Explore financial and non-financial reward

• Use reward to attract, motivate and retain talent

• Align reward with individual, team and organisational objectives

Unit 8 – Advanced employment law in practice

7OS01 – Optional

This optional unit develops your understanding of UK employment law and its practical application.

Learning Outcomes:

• Understand the fundamental principles of UK employment law

• Explore the legal framework governing employment

• Understand employer defences and claimant remedies

• Apply employment law to workplace situations

• Support fair and compliant people practice

To achieve the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management, you must complete 8 written assessments, one for each unit.

There are no formal exams.

An expert tutor supports you through every assessment. You can receive feedback on draft assignments before final submission and have up to three attempts per assignment.

• Number of Assessments: 8

• Assessment Method: Written assignments

• Exams: No formal exams

• Average Completion Time: 16–24 months

• Course Access: Up to 36 months

• Resubmissions: No extra charge for assignment resubmissions

CIPD membership is required for your assignments to be marked. You will need CIPD Student Membership or Professional Membership. This fee is paid directly to CIPD and is not included in the course price.

This course is suitable for experienced HR professionals who are ready to study at postgraduate level.

It is ideal for:

• Senior HR professionals

• HR Managers

• HR Business Partners

• Senior HR advisers

• People Managers

• HR consultants

• People practice specialists

• Talent management specialists

• Reward specialists

• Employee relations specialists

• CIPD Level 5 graduates

• Professionals aiming for Chartered CIPD membership

We recommend that you have substantial HR experience, a degree related to HR, or a completed CIPD Level 5 Associate qualification.

A university degree is not mandatory, but you should be prepared for advanced study, independent research and strategic written work.

If English is not your first language, we recommend:

• IELTS: 6.5 overall score

• TOEFL: 90 overall score

• Cambridge: Grade C or above

These are not mandatory, and your circumstances can be discussed before enrolment.

As part of this CIPD Level 7 course, you will receive:

• Flexible online on-demand learning

• One-to-one tutor support

• Up to 36 months of course access

• Feedback on draft assignments

• Up to three assignment attempts

• No extra charge for assignment resubmissions

• Free project management course

• Free AI course

• 0% finance options, subject to eligibility

Course Delivery

You will study the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management through flexible online on-demand learning.

This means you can start at a time that suits you and work through the course materials around your schedule. You do not need to attend live virtual classes.

This route is suitable for busy HR professionals who want to study around full-time work and personal commitments.

0% finance options may be available, subject to eligibility. This can help you spread the cost of your CIPD Level 7 training over a more manageable period.

Course fees can vary depending on:

• Current pricing

• Offers or promotions available at the time of enrolment

• Payment plan selected

• Employer-funded or self-funded route

Please note: CIPD membership fees are paid separately to CIPD and are not included in the course price.

Completing the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management can support progression into senior HR and people leadership roles.

Potential roles include:

• HR Business Partner

• HR Manager

• Head of HR

• Head of Talent

• People Analytics Manager

• HR Director

• People Director

• HR Consultant

• Head of Reward

• Chief People Officer

• Chief Human Resources Officer

Salary Expectations

Salary expectations vary by role, location, sector, employer size and experience.

Senior roles in large organisations or specialist sectors may exceed these ranges. Salary figures should be used as a guide only.

Completing CIPD Level 7 can support your route towards Chartered CIPD membership.

A typical pathway is:

1. Complete the CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management

2. Gain and demonstrate relevant strategic HR experience

3. Maintain active CIPD membership

4. Apply to upgrade your CIPD membership

5. Work towards Chartered Member status, known as MCIPD

6. With significant senior leadership experience, progress towards Chartered Fellow status, known as FCIPD

Eligibility for MCIPD or FCIPD depends on CIPD’s membership requirements and your professional experience.

Related CIPD Qualifications

If CIPD Level 7 is not the right level for you yet, you may want to compare it with other CIPD courses.

• CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice – suitable for beginners and career changers entering HR or L&D

• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management – suitable for HR professionals building capability in employee relations, workforce planning, reward and people management

• CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development – suitable for learners focused on training, capability building and workforce development

• CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development – suitable for senior L&D professionals focused on strategic learning and development