What is best to do? L5 or Masters? - HR Qualifications and studying - Careers Clinic

12 What is best to do? L5 or Masters?

21 Aug, 2024 12:52

Hi all,

I am unsure whether it's best for me to do the CIPD Level 5 qualification or alternatively, do my Masters Degree in Global Human Resources that includes the CIPD membership.

What would people recommend?

Kind Regards,

Callum

1707 views

Clare | 0 Posts

21 Aug, 2024 15:07

Hi Callum, welcome to the Communities. Not sure to be honest, I think I'd start by looking at the course content and identify which more closely matches your requirements for your HR career. Do you think your job hunting will be within the UK or would you be looking to join more corporate employers which have operations across the world? That might get you off the starting blocks. :-)
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Peter Stanway | 0 Posts

21 Aug, 2024 17:56

As I have said many times before the level 5 is mostly a waste of time. if you can do a Masters which gives CIPD membership then do it.
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Teresa | 0 Posts

22 Aug, 2024 08:54

Peter is right - if you have a way of doing the Masters then that is best. The only bit of caution around that is that if you are not already working in HR, having a Masters can sometimes make it challenging to get your new role - employers may see you as overqualified for an entry level role and be concerned that you will get some experience and then leave quite quickly. A good employer however would see that you having that knowledge is a good thing and be happy to support you to put that knowledge into practice.
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Sophie | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 08:50

In reply to Peter Stanway:
I'm intrigued, why do you feel this about the level 5? Do you feel similarly about other levels?

Sorry if you've expressed this elsewhere, feel free to signpost me to a previous response - it's just the first time I've seen it!
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Sophie | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 08:50

In reply to Peter Stanway:
[deleted]
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Robey | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 09:34

I rather disagree with Peter.

If you are already working in International HR at a mid- to senior level, by all means do the Master's. But if you aren't currently working in HR, I think the Level 5 is a far better investment of time and money. We have seen far too many people on this forum and elsewhere asking why they can't find work in HR after completing their Master's and the answer is because they are looking of an entry-level job without entry-level skills and knowledge.

Teresa may well be right when she talks about being seen as over-qualified. But I think a more charitable interpretation is that you're not at all qualified. Knowing about strategic-level practice in global HR is useless to me when what I need you to do is provide a line manager with a clear illustration of an employee's absence record and then coach them on the correct process for managing it.
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Ahead | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 10:54

In reply to Robey:
Hi there - I speak to lots of people exploring CIPD qualifications who have a Masters level qualification and want to do their CIPD for various reasons. Some decide to do Level 5 because that's the level they are working at and they feel they are missing something, want to learn more about the topics, explore what other organisations are doing and/or that they find that jobs they are looking at are insisting on a CIPD qualification. It helps them to reinforce their knowledge and skills, increase their confidence and build their network so that they can later go onto bigger roles. Doing a CIPD qualification is an investment in time, money and energy yes but whatever level you choose for your circumstances it should always build on your existing knowledge and experience and help you to do your job as a people professional better. It should never be a waste of time and money as long as you choose the right study option for your needs :)
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Peter Stanway | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 12:16

In reply to Sophie:
Level 3 is a good entry and level 7 is necessary. level 5 is just a thing in the middle.
I agree that level 7 has become too academic but over 40 years ago it was heading that way.
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Robey | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 13:49

In reply to Peter Stanway:
Ah, well, that might very well be a fair criticism. But a Level 3 qualification can also be a bit de-motivating for someone who already has a university degree or higher. But the content might well be more relevant to the entry-level HR aspirant.
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Peter Stanway | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 16:31

In reply to Robey:
I would always recommend graduates go straight to level 7 and good HR people.
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Ahead | 0 Posts

28 Aug, 2024 16:47

In reply to Peter Stanway:
Hi Peter - I don't believe it's as straightforward as that under the current syllabus but am happy to discuss with anyone considering their CIPD the pros and cons of various options for their particular situation :)
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Lisa | 0 Posts

29 Aug, 2024 09:30

Unfortunately I am wholly unqualified to answer the OP's question! However, I too would respectfully disagree with you Peter. I am approaching 40, completed a degree in my early 20s, and have worked in an associated field ever since. A significant proportion of my current role is HR; after much thought, I have decided to retrain, and with careful consideration, opted for the L5. I work more or less full-time in a demanding job, have a home and family and a busy life. The L3 would not have offered the level of study I wanted, but the L7 would be far too great a stretch for me, given constraints on time, finances etc. The L5 is a reasonable middle ground that offers a recognised qualification affordably and attainably. Perhaps not the route for everybody, and not without its shortcomings, I'm sure, but I think to broad-brush it as "mostly a waste of time" is a little unsporting.
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