Can you skip level 5 and go straight to 7?

You can.....but I personally wouldn't, for a number of reasons.

The jump from L3 to L5 is very big in itself, in terms of both content and how to produce the assignments. I thought L3 was a total waste of my time (not in a cocky way, just because of the level I was at in my career) BUT that being said it gave me a decent grounding in how to approach the whole HE thing after never doing anything like that before. L5 was a bit of a shock to be honest, it almost is like there's a L4 missing somewhere the jump is that big IMO, not just in content but expectations of the quality of the assignments.

There are....ahem......some websites out there that show you examples of the assignment questions (and even assignments themselves) that might help you decide. But for me personally I think its much better to do L3, L5, L7 to cover the full spectrum of topics. L5 is tough for me, really stretching, but I've learned so much (if nothing else - to put L7 out of my head once and for all as honestly, I know it will be pitched too high for me personally and I much prefer to stay HR Manager level on the front line rather than more strategic Director level which L7 is aimed at I think?)

Good luck whatever you decide :)

Thank you Samantha for your advice! That is good to know about the jump to level 5 and I really value your insight. I most likely will do level 5 first, as one should never really skip ahead as may miss things, but just wanted to check if the option to progress a bit further (a little faster) was possible.
Thank you again for taking the time to offer some advice! :)

Hi Frances,

I have just completed my first year of the MSc Human Resource Management with CIPD Level 7. I have no previous experience in HR but knew that it was the field I wanted to work in and the opportunity arose so I took it! I have to say that I have really enjoyed it, and have passed my first year! As long as you are reasonably academic and can write a good essay you will be absolutely fine. The competency portfolio that I have to produce is slightly more challenging as I don't work in HR - but along with volunteer roles that I've been involved in and also unpaid HR work experience that I'm doing in my spare time, I seem to be able to cover all the bases. I would have thought that with you working in HR you would have no problem demonstrating all the competencies required.

Thought I would add a slightly different perspective to the conversation! All the best with whichever path you choose to take!

Thank you for offering a different perspective - it is invaluable! :) I think I may try and do what Gemma suggests and see some examples of questions/type of work required from both levels and see how I feel about it. I am very passionate about this area of work and just want to learn more about it. Thank you for your insights they are appreciated!

Sounds like a plan!

Sounds like a plan!