Testimonials from CIPD Level 3 Graduates: Student Stories

Whether it’s to elevate your current HR or L&D career, or to make a career change, CIPD qualifications are renowned as the world’s leading training and accreditation body for HR and L&D professionals. 

Targeting professionals at every level of their career, there’s no doubt that with a CIPD qualification under your belt, you’ll get the job you desire, while receiving the highest standard of training in the industry. 

But don’t take our word for it. Numerous students have enrolled on a CIPD Level 3 qualification in an effort to enhance or kick start their career with an accredited, professional HR qualification. 

Our student Ben Nicoll had always aspired for a career in HR but was unsure how to get there, until he enrolled on the CIPD Level 3 online course. He explains: 

“I am already starting to see development in myself as a professional, as well as my knowledge of how businesses work and the world of HR- and that’s only half-way through the course!”

Anika’s story is very similar to Ben’s, as she struggled for 2 years to get her HR career up and running, however after carrying out her own research she came across ICS Learn and our CIPD Level 3 course. 

She was shocked by the level of attention she had received after enrolling on the course, which led her to secure an HR Administrator role shortly after gaining the qualification. She said:

“After choosing ICS Learn, I had a number of recruiters contacting me for HR roles and I couldn’t believe it! The level of attraction I received once putting the words’ Studying towards CIPD ‘ on my CV was immense”.

However, while some human resources students enrolled on the CIPD Level 3 course to  launch their HR career, other students wanted to solidify and formalise their knowledge, having carried out HR functions, in some capacity, in their roles. 

That was the case for our student Ashley Phillips, who previously worked in retail and as a line manager conducted numerous HR functions, but was ready to make a permanent move and become an HR professional. After receiving some advice from his ICS Learn tutors about his CV, he was able to get his first HR role.

“This was well above and beyond the services I was expecting and I have since secured a job as an HR Manager for a national retail brand, based in the city, with a very promising future ahead.” 

On the other hand, some human resources students identify the importance of acquiring a CIPD qualification once they start applying for roles in the industry. Laura explained:

“As I was looking for a job, I came across many employers that require candidates to study or have a CIPD qualification, which was further proof that this diploma puts me in a great position.” 

Although gaining a CIPD Level 3 is proven to be an important prerequisite for many HR jobs, having the opportunity to study HR qualifications online provides busy professionals with the ease of scheduling studying around their busy lives, while also allowing them to stay in full-time employment. 

Our student Rosie Thompson found comfort in the benefits of online learning, although she had some reservations to start with, as she had only received traditional, face-to face education previously. She stated: 

“I was looking for a course that I could complete alongside my day-to-day work tasks and that I could complete at my own pace, and ICS Learn ticked all these boxes”.

Iain also shared the same thoughts on the benefits of online learning when he was studying his CIPD Level 3 online course, explaining that:

“ICS Learn lets you complete the course at your own pace. You can arrange your study plan around you, I’m doing my course around my full-time job.”

Some students really relished in having the option of flexible payment plans when they enrolled on ICS Learn for their online CIPD Level 3 course , while the positive reviews online helped them feel more confident in their choice of learning provider. Lydia Beavington shared this sentiment, explaining:

“I did consider other providers as well, but ICS Learn still has great reviews and the Course Advisor I spoke to was so helpful right from the start so I knew I was in good hands.

“ICS Learn was also able to provide me with a fully flexible payment plan which was tailored to me with a low deposit and 0.00% interest, which makes the course they provide much more affordable”.

Along with that, other students, like Turita Fogg, expressed having received a positive experience from studying CIPD Level 3 with ICS Learn, making full use of the community and online tools provided. Turita revealed:

“I’ve found the student community in which you can share your thoughts, issues, and any obstacles you may have with your fellow learners, to be particularly useful and like any other inclusive learning environment.”

Students such as Stevie and Dawn found that the tutor support provided by ICS Learn was extremely valuable and had significantly helped them gain their qualification, as Stevie explained:

“Being able to send a message directly to the module tutor who always comes back to me quickly to provide as much help as they could was really valuable. 

“They all want you to pass and will go above and beyond to provide assistance. I have felt extremely supported at all times.”

Dawn, on the other hand, stated:

“My tutors were amazing. Whenever I needed help, I contacted them via the ICS Learn portal and they assisted me with anything I asked for help or guidance with.”

What is CIPD Level 3? 

Specifically aimed for newcomers and career-changers, the CIPD Level 3 course is designed to provide learners with the essential operational skills and knowledge required to launch their HR or L&D career and apply for entry-level jobs. 

This human resources course is designed to introduce learners with all the key concepts that underpin human resources and help them build up the confidence, knowledge and skills to work in a junior HR role, such as HR Assistant or HR Administrator. 

The qualification covers four different modules which include:

• Business Culture and Change in Context
• Core Behaviours for People Professionals 
• Principles of Analytics 
• Essentials of People Practice 

What is CIPD Level 3 equivalent to? 

Being an entry-level qualification, the CIPD Level 3 course specifically targets individuals with no prior knowledge of experience of working within a human resources role. 

Whilst the Level 3 CIPD course isn’t equivalent to an undergraduate university degree it's generally regarded as equivalent to an A Level qualification. Due to that, it’s a great qualification to kickstart a career in HR. It is called the ‘Foundation Certificate’ after all! 

Either way, gaining an industry accredited qualification will undoubtedly open doors for your career’s future and bring you one step closer to where you want to be professionally. Once you’ve identified the level you should be studying (read more here), all that’s left is to take the leap. 

If you’re interested in kickstarting or enhancing your HR or L&D career, then enrol in an online CIPD course today with ICS Learn!