A simple guide to studying towards your CIPD Qualification with Home Learning College

Transcription

1 A simple guide to studying towards your CIPD Qualification with Home Learning College 1

2 Making the decision to study can be a big commitment. To give you all the information you need to make the right decision, we have put together a list of frequently asked questions about our CIPD accredited Human Resource (HR) courses and online learning. 1. What is the CIPD? The Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) is the professional body for those involved in the management and development of people. The CIPD is the world s largest Chartered Human Resources and development professional body; an internationally recognised brand with over 135,000 members across 120 countries. If your question is not answered here, you can get answers to any questions you may have by talking to one of our HR Course Advisors free on We are always happy to help. CIPD x 135,

3 2. How is the course taught? With Home Learning College you study towards your CIPD qualifi cation via blended learning, which means you can study wherever and whenever you like, whilst still benefi ting from a structured programme to keep you on track. When you enrol, you will be assigned a personal tutor who will be your main point of contact during your course; available via phone, or online via the Virtual Learning Community (VLC) forums. Using the VLC you will be able to access all your course materials, ebooks, classes, videos, student forums and a wealth of additional resources. 3. How long does it take to complete the programme? You should expect to spend around 5 hours per week on individual study for your course. The CIPD programme will take 9 months to complete at Foundation Level and 12 months to complete at Intermediate Level. Level FOUNDATION 9 months Level INTERMEDIATE 12 months Your tutor will run regular online classes covering the key topics of your CIPD course which you can join live or watch later via a recording. There are self-test questions for each lesson in the unit for you to complete as you go and check your progress. In addition, you will have the opportunity to connect with your tutor and fellow students in person at your face-to-face workshops. When you are ready to begin your assignments, you can access comprehensive instructions and useful tips. Your tutor will mark your assignment within seven days (though the average marking time is just three days), and you will receive an confirmation to see your grades and your tutor s feedback. 3

4 4. Which level should I start at? CIPD qualifications are awarded at three levels; Foundation, Intermediate and Advanced. Whether you begin at the Foundation or Intermediate level depends both on your previous experience and your professional goals. Our entry requirements for each level will be able to help you identify which level is best for you, but if you need more guidance we recommend that you talk to a Course Advisor who will be able to help you determine the right course for you. Level FOUNDATION Level INTERMEDIATE 5. What is our pass rate? We are proud to have upheld a pass rate of 100% for all assignments submitted since we first began teaching CIPD. CIPD 100% pass rate CIPD Foundation Certificate Entry requirements: No formal entry requirements Level 3 qualification comparable to studying at A-level standard Intermediate Certificate Entry requirements: Students must hold qualifications at Level 2, in order that they feel comfortable studying at level 3 Level 5 qualification comparable to studying at under-graduate degree standard 9 month programme 12 month programme Provides an introduction to HR principles and overview of the profession Leads to HR job roles at entry level Leads to Associate Level Membership of the CIPD Provides an in depth and comprehensive examination of HR practice Leads to HR job roles at midmanagerial level Leads to Associate Level Membership of the CIPD 4

5 6. What is included in the course? We have put together a comprehensive package to ensure you have everything you need to successfully complete your course. This includes: A copy of the official 2013 CIPD textbook at level 3, or seven electronic course books at level 5 24 hour access to our Virtual Learning Campus (VLC) Downloadable course materials and supporting resources Up to 12 months full tutorial support via phone, and online Regular live interactive online classes Face-to-face workshop sessions, held at weekends Learning checks for each unit to keep you on track Assignment marking and thorough feedback from grade 1 Ofsted tutors Specialist Career Management Service Please note that CIPD membership is not included with the course. Upon enrolment you will be given instructions about to how to apply for this. 7. CIPD membership Qualifications are awarded by CIPD, who will issue you with a certificate or diploma upon successful completion of the course. It is essential that you have CIPD membership in order to submit your assessments. As a CIPD student member you will have access to a range of interactive services and resources to help you get the most from the qualification, including: Access to the unique online tool my HR map to monitor your development Up to date news from global development within the HR profession Access to surveys, reports, research materials and online journals Monthly people management journal Discounts on books, training courses and seminars Access to local CIPD branches and chance to attend key HR events, networking and learning opportunities free of charge Networking opportunities with like-minded professionals The full range of benefits and details on membership prices and how to apply can be found on the CIPD website. 5

6 8. What additional resources will I get? When you enrol you will be provided the official CIPD textbooks for your course and will be assigned a personal tutor to guide you through the course. You will have 24hr access to online learning materials via the VLC including live classes, student forums, video tutorials, study guides and a wealth of additional resources designed to help you progress through the course and check your competency in key skills areas. Personal Tutor via Phone via VLC classes course materials forums ebooks 9. How do live classes work? As you work through the course you will be able to attend regular live classes on the key unit topics to consolidate your learning from your own individual study. These classes allow you to be face-to-face with your tutor as you would in a traditional classroom environment using Adobe connect technology. The interactive features include screen presentation, a chat-box and optional poll questions. You will also be able to revisit topics and catch up on any classes you miss via a recording on the VLC. Not only will you have everything you need to pass the course, but also the tools at hand to help you understand how to work effectively in the industry. With the Home Learning College Career Management Service, you can learn how to utilise LinkedIn, improve your CV and get valuable cover letter advice. 6

7 10. How do workshops work? Workshops for the Foundation course are held over two two-day weekend sessions, and for the Intermediate course over three one-day weekend sessions. These sessions will take place in either London or Birmingham, so be sure to choose the group most convenient to you. 11. What happens if I cannot make one of my workshops? All workshops are mandatory, so be sure that you can make the dates when you enrol. If you absolutely cannot make one of your workshop sessions, you must let the Student Services team know immediately. London Birmingham 12. How does assessment work? As this is a blended learning program, you will be assessed through demonstration of your knowledge and understanding in written Tutor Marked Assignments and through demonstration of your practical skills through workshops. There are no exams for this course. To successfully gain the qualification you need to attend all workshops that make up the programme, successfully complete the post-workshop exercises and activities and successfully complete all Tutor Marked Assignments. 7

8 13. Can I contact my tutor outside of working hours? You will have guided support throughout your studies from a personally assigned tutor, who will be contactable by phone (during their contact hours), or online through the VLC anytime you need help. If you need to contact your tutor outside of their contact hours, simply drop them an and they should be able to respond the next working day, or you can contact another tutor within the faculty who will be happy to help. You will also be able to access additional resources and support via the student forums on the VLC 24 hours a day, so you are never alone in your studies. via Personal Tutor VLC via Phone 14. Where will the CIPD qualification take me in my career? Our HR courses will give you a comprehensive introduction to all areas of HR practice and a solid understanding of the profession; teaching you a wide range of relevant practical skills and essential knowledge needed for a variety of specialist roles in the industry. Whether you are new to the industry or looking to develop your skills, gaining the relevant CIPD qualification will prove your competency in the field and enable you to practise as a HR Practitioner in a variety of different roles and specialisms. 15. How much does the course cost? One of the benefits of studying with us is that unlike a traditional college where you pay upfront for each term we allow you to pay for your course in monthly instalments. This means funding your education is flexible and easy. We have designed a number of study packages and payment options, with the option to spread the cost of your course over monthly instalments. 8

9 16. Why Home Learning College? Home Learning College is the largest online provider of professional qualifications in the UK. We know that most of our students have other commitments, so we offer a revolutionary approach to learning that fits around them. Here are some of the many reasons our students choose to study with us: 100% assignment pass rate* We are proud to have upheld pass rate of 100% for all assignments submitted since we first began teaching CIPD 9 in 10 students would recommend us to a friend for CIPD training.** Grade 1 Ofsted tutors Our tutors have achieved the highest grade attainable from the Ofsted, and have 55 years of industry experience between them Regular live online classes Our online interactive classes are delivered using the latest technology meaning you can ask questions as you go along. They are also recorded so you can catch up if you miss them 8 REASONS to study by distance learning with Home Learning College CIPD accredited training provider We have an excellent relationship with the CIPD awarding body, ensuring we deliver the most up to date content, and that our courses meet their demanding standards No hidden costs Our course package includes all course materials, live interactive classes and faceto-face workshop sessions Flexible payment options We make study affordable and work with you to find a payment plan that suits you - with 12 month instalment plans Highest quality course materials Our course books are written by highprofile industry experts, endorsed by the CIPD *Assignment pass rate taken from period March 2013 December 2013 ** As shown from results from our August 2013 student survey 9

10 17. How do I enrol? It is simple to enrol; all you have to do is talk to one of our Course Advisors and they will check you have all the information you need and help you get started. Call free on Or visit us Kyveli Charalampidou and Daniel Hargreaves Home Learning College students 10