The Basics
1) Are there any entry criteria to the programme?
This programme is pitched at Masters level (although not resulting in a Masters qualification) and therefore some previous experience/basic knowledge of employment law is required. The entry criteria are the same for both routes.
2) Why are there two qualifications?
The idea of two qualifications is to cater for student’s different learning styles and preferences. From listening to current and previous students it was felt by some that a programme which offered a choice of assessment method was required.
3) What is the difference between the two qualifications?
Both qualifications follow the same syllabus and involve attending the same course modules – the difference is the method of assessment and ultimately the awarding body of the qualification.
You may choose between two different advanced level qualifications:
CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law (AAEL)
This is an exam-based route. In addition to attending all face to face course modules, you must complete one 3,000 word workplace based assignment assignment and pass an employment law examination. This qualification is awarded by the CIPD.
OR
Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law (PGCEL)
This is a continuous assessment route. In addition to attending all face to face course modules, you must complete four 3,000 word case study based assignments. This qualification is awarded by the University of Surrey.
Neither route is better or preferred to the other – both require motivation, commitment and a high level of self-managed learning.
4) When do I have to choose which route I want to follow?
We ask students to indicate their preferred route on the initial booking form, however you can select “not sure” at this stage. The Introductory Workshop is the same for all students and a final decision should be made within two weeks of attending the Introductory Workshop.
5) Can I change route after I have started?
You may change your mind about the route you want to follow at anytime after booking up until two weeks after the Introductory Workshop. If you wish to switch between this time and six months you will need to discuss this with your personal tutor and the programme manager. It is likely this will be allowed. However you will not be able to switch after the first 6 months.
6) What do I have to do in order to complete the exam based route (which leads to the CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law)?
You must:
- attend all 10 course modules plus the Introductory Workshop.
- we highly recommend you attend the Introductory Workshop first, but all subsequent course modules can be taken in any order
- successfully complete one 3,000 word workplace based assignment
- pass the CIPD’s employment law examination
- To help with exam preparation, students can attend a revision workshop (which includes a mock examination). This is optional, but strongly recommended!
7) What do I have to do in order to complete the continuous assessment route (which leads to the Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law)?
You must:
- attend all 10 course modules plus the Introductory Workshop
- attend the assignment skills workshop
- successfully complete four case study based assignments which are 3,000 words each.
The courses modules have been arranged into 4 programme modules and assessment of each module is by an assignment.
Each programme module must be completed in a 6 month period and done in a sequential order. Programme module 1 must be completed before programme module 2 etc. By the nature of continuous assessment there is a progression through the programme over the 2 year period although you can complete faster if you wish. However there is less flexibility in terms of the order in which course modules are done and timescales than with the exam based route.
8) How long does it take to complete the programme?
To a certain extent it depends on individual needs and commitments as to how long it takes, but it should be completed over a period of up to two years from the date of the first module to the examination date or submission date of the last assignment.
Exam Based Route
The CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law programme is made up of 10 course modules, plus the Introductory Workshop and Revision Workshop, a written assignment and examination. Each course module runs several times a year to give flexibility in planning your study. However the examination is twice a year in May and November. The programme usually takes 12-18 months to complete, although it can be taken over a longer period up to a maximum of two years .
Continuous Assessment Route
Because each course module runs several times a year there is flexibility in planning your study. However the whole point of the Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law route is that assessment is continuous so we would expect students to complete one programme module every 6 months. It is possible to complete the programme in a year, in which case one programme module would need to be completed every 3 months. However, it usually takes two years, which is the maximum time allowed.
9) Can I get an extension if I need longer than two years to complete?
Yes, you can get an extension in certain circumstances, although this needs to be discussed and agreed with the programme manager in advance of the deadline.
10) How much personal study time do I need to put into the programme?
This varies from person to person, but an average of 5 hours per week is a good guideline. More time will be required when preparing for the assignments and/or studying for the examination.
Course Modules
11) Can I change my course module dates after booking onto the programme?
Yes, providing the request is received 31 or more working days before the start of the course module. Requests to transfer within 31 days will be subject to a transfer fee as per the standard terms and conditions. All bookings, transfers or cancellations must be done through our Events Registrar, please contact eventsregistrar@cipd.co.uk
12) Are any of the course modules held on Saturdays?
No, all course modules are held between Monday and Friday.
13) If I have already attended courses as a public delegate before enrolling on the programme, do I have to attend them again?
Any attendance during the previous 6 months is taken into account, so that you do not have to re-attend and the qualification fee reduces accordingly.
14) Where do the course modules run?
All the course modules are held at locations in Central London, however some are also run in Manchester, Birmingham, Edinburgh and Cardiff.
15) Do I have to do the course modules in a particular order?
The course modules do not have to be done in a specific order if you are following the exam route, however we strongly recommend for either route that the Introductory Workshop is completed first.
If following the continuous assessment route, we advise you to attend the assignment skills workshop before you attempt your first assignment. Also for the continuous assessment route you need to plan the course modules in such a way as to meet the requirements to complete each of the four modules.
CIPD Membership
16) Do I need to be a member of the CIPD to study the programme?
If you are not already a CIPD member you need to register as a student or Affiliate member before starting the programme.
17) What does student or Affiliate membership entitle me to?
You are entitled to the full range of member benefits and services including:
- free subscription to People Management magazine
- access to comprehensive Library and Information Services
- access to member only resources on the CIPD website, including the latest research, information and news
- access to a national network of local branches and forums
- discounts on CIPD conferences, publications and training courses.
18) How quickly is my application for CIPD Membership acknowledged and processed?
Membership can be completed online. You will be sent an email once you have been approved onto the programme with details of an online webkey. Use this key to register online or update your information if you are an existing member.
Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
19) What is the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)?
It is a resource library and an online community, made up of your fellow students and tutors. It contains fully updated course materials, practical checklists, document templates (letters, policies, contracts), details of new and upcoming legislation, assignment information, revision tips, sample exam papers, examiner reports and much more.
20) What is EBSCO and how can I access it?
EBSCO is an online library service, which will provide you with an expansive, specialist and current research facility for the preparation of your assignment. When you log onto the CIPD, there is information on how to log into the EBSCO.
21) How do I go about contributing to a discussion or a debate on the VLE?
Once you are logged onto the VLE you can access the debate and discussion boards. More information is provided on the VLE about how to contribute.
Exam based route - the assignment
22) When must I complete my assignment?
It is recommended that you complete most of your modules before agreeing the topic of your assignment with your personal tutor. However, you must have submitted and passed your assignment within six months of attending your last module.
23) How long do I have to complete the assignment?
Once you have agreed the topic and scope of your assignment your tutor will notify CIPD of the title and you will then have 5 weeks to complete and submit the assignment.
24) How many words must my assignment be?
The assignment must be 3,000 words, but this excludes the appendices, title page, contents page, footnotes and bibliography.
25) What is the subject of the assignment?
You decide on a suitable subject in conjunction with your personal tutor. The subject would usually relate to your work and real organisational issues.
26) What help will my personal tutor be able to give me with the assignment?
Your tutor will be able to assist with topic selection and provide advice on research methods and tools. They will be happy to look at a draft and give you feedback before final submission.
27) What happens if I fail my assignment?
You can resubmit your assignment once; however you will only achieve a pass.
28) How much time off might I need to complete the assignment and study for the examination?
This varies from person to person. Your personal tutor will be able to give you individual assistance in this regard. Don’t forget to attend the Revision Day for exam preparation, and check out the online VLE for more information.
Exam based route - the exam
29) When does the examination take place?
In May and November each year.
30) When do I need to sit the exam?
The requirement is that you complete the programme within two years. However, it is advisable to sit the examination as soon as is practicable.
31) Can I sit the examination without completing the assignment?
No, the assignment must be completed before the examination can be taken.
32) Do I need to attend the Revision Workshop?
This workshop is optional but it is very strongly recommended that you attend.
33) What does the exam consist of?
The exam is three hours long plus 10 minutes reading time. It consists of two compulsory parts.
- Section A is a case study with related questions. This is an 'open' case study which is made available to tutors and candidates 4 weeks before the exam.
- Section B consists of 10 questions from which you choose 7 to answer. Equal marks are allocated to each section of the paper and within section B equal marks are allocated to each question. You must achieve at least 40% in each section.
Previous exam papers are available on the VLE. Examiner’s reports are also included.
34) Can I re-sit any modules in preparation for the examination?
Certainly! Contact eventsregistrar@cipd.co.uk for details on costs and available dates.
35) What does ‘open book examination’ mean?
It means you can bring your statutes book into the examination. The book can have highlighting, underlining and post it notes but no written markings.
36) Do I have to sit the examination in London?
Students would usually sit the examination in London. Alternative arrangements can be made with another centre running the employment law examination in the UK if preferred. Please contact the programme Co-ordinator for more details.
37) What happens if I fail the examination?
You can re-sit the examination (this is subject to the additional cost of the exam enrolment fee current at the time you re-sit).
38) Is the CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law exam the same one as the Employment Law elective of the Professional Development Scheme?
Yes.
39) Where can I find past examination papers?
Check the online VLE, which has a link to past examination papers and examiner’s reports.
Continuous assessment route - the assignments
40) When must I complete my assignments?
As the term continuous assessment suggests, you should plan your studies to include completion of each of the four programme modules at roughly equal periods of time through the programme.
Assignments must be completed at the end of each programme module. The programme modules must be completed in sequential order 1 – 4. The first assignment must be submitted not more than 6 months after starting the programme, assignment 2 by 12 months from start assignment 3 by 18 months and the final assignment by 24 months from the start date. You may complete each programme module sooner if your schedule allows.
41) How many words must the assignments be?
All the assignments must be 3,000 words.
In all cases the word count excludes the appendices, title page, contents page, footnotes and bibliography.
42) What are the subjects of the assignments?
The assignment titles for each module are prescribed and can be found on the Virtunal Learning Environment. Each assignment is built around the content of the associated course modules and is in the form of case studies. You are required to give advice on the various scenarios.
43) What help will my personal tutor be able to give me with the assignment?
Your personal tutor will provide one-to-one guidance and advice by telephone, post and/or email. They will be happy to look at a bullet point draft and give you feedback before final submission.
44) What happens if I fail any of the assignments?
In the event that you do not pass an assignment; you will be referred. A marking sheet with feedback will be sent to you and you can then resubmit your assignment once; however the maximum mark you can achieve is 50%, a pass.
Fees
45) What is the cost of the programme?
The full up front fees are £5,370.00 + VAT.
46) Can you pay module by module?
Course module by course module fees are £5,580.00 + VAT. You will be invoiced for the Introductory Workshop and the 10 modules on an individual basis.
47) Is there a difference in price between the two routes offered?
No. The cost of the programme is the same no matter which of the two routes you follow.