A step-by-step guide
1. Once you've identified which modules you want your qualification to be assessed against, you'll need to show how your course has met our requirements. You can do this by producing a short personal statement for each module explaining exactly what you covered and how your skills were developed and assessed.
2. Once you've completed your personal statement and your membership application form you'll need to send them back to us and we'll register you as an Affiliate member.
Your application must include:
- your personal statement
- your qualification syllabus and certificate, including a transcript of results
- an up-to-date CV and job description
- the appropriate payment
Please don't send any original documentation, as it can't be returned.
3. Our qualified assessors will then use your syllabus and statement to map your qualification against our standards. If they need any further information, they may ask you to complete a detailed Professional Standards workbook for each module, where you can cross reference to show how your course matches our requirements.
Once the assessor is satisfied that your qualification has met our Professional Standards you'll be accredited for the relevant modules. If you successfully meet the Standards for one complete field of study you’ll be awarded Licentiate membership.
4. To achieve Graduate membership you’ll need to complete the remaining modules of the PDS, including the Applied Personnel and Development field. You can do this by choosing to study at a CIPD centre or by having your experience assessed through professional assessment of competence (PAC).
Achieving Graduate membership will be your first step towards becoming a chartered member.
Useful tips
You don’t have to have your personal statement completed before you join us as an Affiliate member. You can submit this at a later date with the appropriate APCL fee.
Being in membership will give you immediate access to a comprehensive range of member benefits and services, including our network of local branches. Here you’ll be able to speak and compare notes with someone who has already gone through the APCL. This will help you determine the type and level of information to include.
We have a list of up-to-date textbooks, examiner’s reports and past papers in our Learner and tutor resources area. You’ll find these useful when preparing for your examinations.
How much will it cost?
Assessment
| Assessment |
Fee |
| Leadership and Management1 |
£60 per module |
| People Management and Development |
£120 |
| Specialist and Generalist Personnel and Development |
£60 per module |
| Applied Personnel and Development |
Contact your nearest centre |
You'll also be required to pay a membership fee if you're not already a member.
1 If you're applying for an exemption against Leadership and Management using your MBA qualification you'll only need to pay £30 for all four modules.
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