Assessing your qualifications
Accreditation of prior certificated learning (APCL)
The APCL route will assess your postgraduate-level qualification(s) awarded within the last ten years, against our Professional Standards. If successful, you'll be awarded exemptions from the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Advanced standing and Centres Advanced Standing Examination (CASE)
If you've already met the Leadership and Management field through other relevant academic qualifications at postgraduate level and don't wish to duplicate your studies, you can be awarded advanced standing. This means that if you're successful you won't have to study or sit the exams for this field and you'll be awarded Licentiate membership. Advanced standing will only be awarded if you enrol to study the remaining three fields of the Professional Development Scheme (PDS).
Undergraduate qualifications will not be considered for advanced standing, but they can be used to apply for the Centres Advanced Standing Examination (CASE). CASE is a two-hour written exam and, if you pass you'll be given an exemption against the Leadership and Management field and awarded Licentiate membership.
If you're awarded an exemption and achieve Licentiate membership, your exemption will last as long as you keep your membership up to date or until you complete the remaining three fields of the PDS. If you're awarded an exemption for part of the Leadership and Management field and don't achieve Licentiate membership you're exemption will last for five years.
To find out more about advanced standing and CASE you'll need to contact your nearest CIPD centre. All CIPD centres accredited to deliver Leadership and Management can offer advanced standing and CASE.
MBA qualifications
If you've been awarded an MBA in the last ten years you can join us immediately as a Licentiate member. To do this you'll need to go through the direct admissions for approved qualifications route.
Achieving Licentiate membership through your MBA will also mean that you'll get an exemption from the Leadership and Management field of our Professional Development Scheme (PDS). This means you won't have to study or sit the exams for this field. Your exemption will last as long as you keep your membership up to date or until you complete the remaining three fields of the PDS.
Direct admission for approved qualifications
This route is the best way for you to become a member if you've previously been awarded a CIPD-approved or accredited qualification. This route is also for those who already hold an NVQ/SVQ in a relevant occupational area.
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