Level 7 - is it worth it?

If you are looking at it purely in terms of career progression I would seek out job adverts of the kind you are interested in and see if it is a criteria. I would think unlikely as many roles tend to focus more on level of experience and potentially level of CIPD membership.
I have Level 7 myself (both the PG Dip in Personnel and Development as it was then, and a top-up MSc) - I was fortunate to study very early in my career when I worked for a University and because I had a (unrelated) degree I studied at Level 7 only rather than working up the levels. I think at that stage, when I had limited experience but a lot of ambition, my qualifications probably helped tip the balance in my favour in a few early progression roles, as well as being open to taking fixed term contracts. Along the way I've acquired a few other qualifications in management and coaching - I'm never sure how much difference they make to hiring decisions, it feels quite industry specific. Best of luck whatever you decide.

Hi Cliff, I took on a Level 7 at the beginning of 2023 but due to the "terrible" learning provider combined with some personal circumstances I aborted half way through. I am not one to give in easily and don't like starting something and not finishing. I am also very unhappy about having nothing to show for the cost which I paid myself but on hindsight I would not have gone that route had I given it more thought before signing up and am glad I made the decision not to continue so I could concentrate on my CPD in other ways rather than text booked HR theories that may be no use at all!! I also came later to HR but I find that my work experience and my Level 5 have catapulted me through from HR assistant to Manager roles in a short 5 year period - within that time I deliberately took on some FTC in HRBP, People Officer and now Talent & Culture post. Reading some of the forums here also gave me perspective in the area of HR I want to stay within which is Manager / Director roles which I would qualify for without a level 7 and am in one now. However we are not one size fits all and what's right for you - only you will know! Good luck and make sure you vett the learning provider well and look at reviews....there's some awful ones out there without mentioning any here!!

I'm not sure if it helps at all but for my first 7 years I never had a CIPD qualification, I did work in a large business with multiple HR people so had some great support around me and fundamentally learned on the job. I then did experience assessment to get my level 5 as I wanted to ratify my own knowledge, I found this really rewarding but I didn't "learn" anything as I'm sure you would appreciate from self assessment. Since then I've change roles a couple of times and none of the employers have asked if I'm level 5 or 7 qualified frankly.

17 years in HR and I'm a HRD with still only level 5 as I've never prioritized the time to do my next experience assessment process.

Great to hear your progression and success was founded on experiential work to ratify that it can be done.

I don’t have it personally BUT I know there are a LOT of jobs in Amazon in HR that require it and if you don’t have it they won’t even bother to interview you. HR (partner and above) is a really nice job at Amazon if you have level five and higher.

Hi Jackie I am also thinking of doing Level 7 as an apprentice and would be really grateful to see a taster unit. Thank you Katie

Hi Katie thank you for your message. We don't offer the apprenticeship option where I work but welcome to message me if you would like to explore your options. Jackie