Format of the programme

You may choose between two different advanced level qualifications:

• CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law (exam route)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law (continuous assessment route)

Both routes follow the same syllabus and involve attending the same course modules – the main difference is the method of assessment and ultimately the awarding body of the qualification.

For both qualifications you must attend the Introductory Workshop first, as this will fully prepare you to plan and complete your studies successfully. Then, if you have not already done so, you need to confirm whether you wish to do the exam route or the continuous assessment route. Once you have confirmed, you will be expected to follow that route to completion.

The CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law is made up of 10 class room based course modules, plus an Introductory Workshop and a study skills workshop. The Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law involves the same course modules, split up into four programme modules.

Each course module involves pre-course preparation, post-course exercises, use of the Virtual Learning Environment, plus extensive reading, research, and activities to consolidate and transfer learning to the workplace.

Full details on the course modules

View visual summary of the advanced qualifications in employment law programme.

CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law (exam route)

You have a maximum of two years to complete the following:

• Introductory Workshop (1-day) 
• Final confirmation of study route within 4 weeks 
• The following course modules can be taken in any order, but the suggested route is: 
  • Fundamentals of Employment Contracts (1-day) 
  • Employment Contracts in Depth (1-day) 
  • Discrimination and the Law (1-day) 
  • Employee Relations and the Law (1-day) 
  • Maternity and Family Leave: Rights and the Law (1-day)
  • TUPE: Transfer of Undertakings (1-day)
  • Health and Safety Law (1 day)
  • Understanding Data Protection (1-day) 
  • Grievance, Discipline and Dismissals (2-days) 
  • How to Prepare for an Employment Tribunal (2-days) 
• Completion of one 3,000 word assignment 
• Revision Workshop – including mock examination (1-day). See detail below under exam preparation
• Employment Law Exam 
• CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law (awarded by the CIPD)

Exam preparation

To help you prepare for the exam, you have the option of attending a 1-day revision workshop and making use of a number of online activities.

Revision workshop (1-day)
This practical workshop runs about six weeks before the employment law examination, and aims to thoroughly prepare you for taking your exam. The workshop is optional, but strongly recommended for all students of the CIPD Advanced Level Award in Employment Law programme. At the workshop, you will cover the following:

• mock examination under exam conditions
• mock examiniation debrief
• the examiner's view
• revision exercises
• employment law surgery.

Following the workshop, you will receive detailed feedback on your mock examination. You will also have the opportunity to work with a personal tutor to improve on any specific areas in preparation for the exam.

Revision Workshop dates can be found on the study calendar.

Exam preparation - online
There are a number of online activities designed to help develop exam skills and support you in your preparation. These include an online tutorial accessible on the VLE, a web conference session with a personal tutor about ten weeks before the exam, and a conference discussion with tutors of the pre-seen case study material three weeks before the exam.

Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law (continuous assessment route)

The course modules need to be attended in a specific order to tie in with the assessments. They have been grouped into four programme modules as explained below.

You have a maximum of two years to complete the following:

• Introductory Workshop (1-day)
• Final confirmation of study route within 4 weeks
• Assignment Skills Workshop (1-day) See detail below under assignment preparation
• Programme Module 1:
  • Fundamentals of Employment Contracts (1-day)
  • Employment Contracts in Depth (1-day)
  • Assignment One (3,000 words)
• Programme Module 2:
  • Discrimination and the Law (1-day)
  • Employee Relations and the Law (1-day)
  • Maternity and Family Leave: Rights and the Law (1-day)
  • Assignment Two (3,000 words)
• Programme Module 3:
  • TUPE: Transfer of Undertakings (1-day)
  • Health and Safety Law (1-day)
  • Understanding Data Protection (1-day)
  • Assignment Three (3,000 words)
• Programme Module 4:
  • Grievance, Discipline and Dismissals (2-days)
  • How to Prepare for an Employment Tribunal (2-days)
  • Assignment Four (3,000 words)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law (awarded by University of Surrey)

Assignment preparation

To help you prepare for writing your assignments, you will have the opportunity to attend a 1-day assignment skills workshop.

Assignment Skills Workshop (1-day)
Using specially designed exercises and case studies, the workshop will give you practical skills to help you prepare and write assignments as part of the continuous assessment route. The workshop is optional, but strongly recommended for students of the Postgraduate Certificate in Employment Law programme. At the workshop, you will cover the following:

• assignments
• approaching the task - getting started
• searching for relevant literature
• analysing, drafting and refining data
• drafting findings and conclusions
• writing it all up
• how to quote and cite references
• avoiding plagiarism.

Assignment Skills Workshop dates can be found on the study calendar.

How you will learn

This programme is delivered by CIPD Training, the specialist learning provider of the CIPD. CIPD Training is part of CIPD Enterprises Limited, which is wholly owned by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development.

Classroom based learning and independent study

Studying for the programme involves attending up to 12 classroom based course modules to be completed within two years, and studying independently for approximately five hours a week.

To ensure that your learning is interactive, engaging and participative, the programme uses case studies, role-plays, discussion groups, and question and answer sessions.

Expert tutors

All our tutors are experienced practitioners in employment law and HR, giving you access to a wealth of knowledge and expertise.

Your own personal tutor

Your personal tutor will provide you with one-to-one guidance, advice and support by telephone, post and/or email for the duration of your programme. All our personal tutors have extensive experience in both the legal and HR fields, and regularly attend professional development workshops to ensure they continue to offer you the best support available.

Comprehensive course documentation and practical materials

These include:

• core texts and statutes
• CD/audio of a mock tribunal hearing with accompanying documentation
• legal references, checklists and employment law jargon buster.
  

Access to the online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)

You will have access to a dedicated online VLE for the duration of your programme. This site has been developed exclusively for students of this programme. You’ll find an extensive range of online resources including:

• practical checklists and templates for letters
• contracts and policies
• details of new and forthcoming legislation
• networked discussion forums
• assignment guidance
• revision tips
• past exam papers
• examiner's reports
• online exam tutorial.