Qualifications & people skills
CIPD Level 7 · Strategic People Management
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
Build the strategic knowledge, professional judgement and business influence needed to lead people strategy at senior level.
RQF Level 7Advanced Diploma
Eight units4 core · 3 specialist · 1 optional
AssignmentsNo examinations
Assoc CIPDMembership outcome
Course suitability
Is Strategic People Management right for you?
This advanced qualification is for experienced HR and people professionals who want to shape organisational strategy, influence senior stakeholders and lead responsible people practice.
01Experience
Build on substantial people-practice experience.
Suitable for HR managers, senior HR business partners, people leads, specialists, consultants and functional heads working with complex people priorities.
02Influence
Strengthen strategic judgement.
Connect people strategy with organisational performance, business context, ethics and the needs of senior decision-makers.
03Research
Make evidence-led recommendations.
Use advanced research, critical analysis and workplace evidence to investigate problems and justify strategic people decisions.
Working at an operational or advisory level? Compare CIPD Level 5. Focused on learning strategy? Explore Strategic Learning & Development.
Entry requirements
Confirm that Level 7 matches your experience.
You do not necessarily need CIPD Level 5 before applying. Bradfield should assess your relevant experience, previous education and readiness for advanced research and substantial written assignments.
01
Your strategic responsibilities
Discuss the people decisions, projects and stakeholders you currently influence, together with your longer-term leadership or consultancy goals.
02
Your academic readiness
Consider your confidence with critical reading, business research, evidence evaluation and clearly structured written arguments.
03
Your practical study plan
Confirm any English-language requirements and the weekly time needed for classes, independent study, research and assignments.
Qualification structure
Eight units.
A strategic HR pathway.
04
Core units
Business context, performance strategy, ethics, business acumen and people-practice research.
03
Specialist units
Strategic employment relations, resourcing and talent, and strategic reward.
01
Optional unit
Ask Bradfield which optional unit is delivered in your cohort before enrolling.
Course syllabus
What will you study?
The curriculum combines advanced people-practice knowledge with strategic research, ethical judgement and the ability to translate evidence into organisational decisions.
01Core
Work and Working Lives in a Changing Business Environment
Evaluate the forces reshaping organisations and working lives, including external context, technology, sustainability, workforce trends and changing stakeholder expectations.
02Core
People Management and Development Strategies for Performance
Examine how integrated people and development strategies can support sustainable performance and respond to complex organisational priorities.
03Core
Personal Effectiveness, Ethics and Business Acumen
Strengthen professional courage, ethical decision-making, influence and commercial awareness when working with senior stakeholders.
04Core
Business Research in People Practice
Plan and conduct an evidence-led research project, analyse findings and present recommendations that address a significant people-practice issue.
05Specialist
Strategic Employment Relations
Evaluate employment-relations strategy, employee voice, conflict and cooperation within changing legal, social and organisational contexts.
06Specialist
Resourcing and Talent Management to Sustain Success
Connect workforce planning, resourcing, succession and talent decisions with long-term capability and organisational resilience.
07Specialist
Strategic Reward Management
Assess how reward principles, evidence and governance can support performance, fairness, employee experience and organisational strategy.
08Optional
Your cohort's optional unit
The qualification includes one optional unit. Ask Bradfield which option is delivered in your cohort, as the full CIPD range may not be available on every programme.
Study and assessment
Study Level 7 alongside your work.
Bradfield promotes live online study supported by independent learning. Request the current cohort timetable and support arrangements before enrolling.
Learning format
Live online study and independent research.
Use scheduled sessions to explore advanced practice with tutors and peers, then protect time for reading, workplace research and assignments. Ask whether blended delivery is available in your location.
Typical duration
CIPD guidance is 16–24 months.
Bradfield’s teaching timetable may differ. Confirm the teaching period, expected completion date, assignment schedule and maximum tutor-support window for your cohort.
Assessment
Assignments, rather than examinations.
Expect substantial written work that applies advanced concepts, evaluates evidence and supports recommendations with professional and business reasoning.
Career and membership
Build strategic people capability.
The Advanced Diploma can strengthen your professional profile for senior HR, people-leadership, specialist and consultancy work when combined with relevant experience. No qualification can guarantee a role, promotion or salary increase.
Successful completion makes you eligible for CIPD Associate Membership and the designation Assoc CIPD. Chartered Member or Chartered Fellow status is not automatic and depends on meeting CIPD’s separate experience and assessment requirements.
01
Head of HR or People
Lead people priorities and connect HR strategy with organisational direction and performance.
02
People or HR Director
Influence executive decisions, workforce governance and responsible organisational change.
03
Senior HR Business Partner
Advise senior stakeholders on complex workforce, capability and performance challenges.
04
Strategic Specialist or Consultant
Develop depth in talent, resourcing, reward, employee relations, analytics or people consulting.
Qualification level
Advanced professional study at RQF Level 7.
The qualification sits at the same regulated level as postgraduate or master’s-level study in England and Northern Ireland, but it is a professional Advanced Diploma—not a full master’s degree.
01
Advanced analysis
Move beyond explaining practice to evaluating competing evidence, assumptions, risks and strategic implications.
02
Organisational context
Interpret people issues through business priorities, external conditions, ethics and multiple stakeholder perspectives.
03
Applied research
Use disciplined inquiry to investigate a real people-practice challenge and recommend a credible course of action.
Why Bradfield?
Experience you can build on.
Bradfield has delivered CIPD programmes since 1992. Bring that experience into your study through structured classes, tutor guidance, assignment feedback, online resources and a professional learner community.
01
Practitioner-led learning
Explore advanced people practice with tutors who understand professional application and assessment.
02
Guidance and feedback
Access structured support as you work through reading, research and assessed assignments.
03
Flexible study
Combine scheduled online learning and independent work with your professional responsibilities.
04
Professional community
Learn alongside experienced people professionals from different roles, sectors and locations.
Plan your enrolment
Level 7 fees and start dates.
Fees and cohort dates depend on your location and study arrangements. Request the latest quote, available intake and a clear explanation of what the fee includes.
Course costs
Know what is included.
Confirm CIPD registration or membership costs, assessment and moderation, tutor support, learning resources, resubmissions, extensions, tax and administration charges.
Study schedule
Choose a timetable that fits.
Confirm the next start date, class days, times, time zone, teaching period, assignment milestones and expected completion window.
Payment options
Plan your investment.
Ask about available payment arrangements and the information an employer may need to approve your professional development request.
Level 7 HR FAQs
Plan your next step with clarity.
Practical answers about entry, workload, assessment, fees and professional membership.
Do I need CIPD Level 5 before Level 7? +
Not necessarily. Relevant strategic experience, previous education and academic readiness may support direct entry. Bradfield should assess your background before enrolment.
Is CIPD Level 7 suitable for beginners? +
No. It is designed for experienced people professionals who can connect advanced study with strategic or complex workplace responsibilities.
Is CIPD Level 7 equivalent to a master’s degree? +
It is an RQF Level 7 professional qualification, comparable in level to postgraduate or master’s-level study, but it is not a full master’s degree.
Can I study while working full-time? +
Yes, but you need protected time for scheduled classes, independent reading, advanced research and substantial written assignments.
Can I complete the qualification online? +
Bradfield promotes live online delivery. Ask whether blended or classroom options are available for your location and cohort.
Are there any examinations? +
No. Assessment is assignment-based and requires you to analyse evidence, apply advanced concepts and justify strategic recommendations.
How long will the course take? +
CIPD gives a typical completion time of 16–24 months. Request Bradfield’s confirmed teaching timetable, assignment schedule and support period for your cohort.
Will I become a Chartered Member? +
Not automatically. Successful completion makes you eligible for Associate Membership and Assoc CIPD. Chartered status depends on meeting CIPD’s separate experience and assessment requirements.
How much does CIPD Level 7 cost? +
Fees vary by location and study arrangements. Ask Bradfield for the current price, payment options, applicable tax and any additional membership, assessment or administration costs.
Course enquiry
Speak to Bradfield about Strategic People Management.
Tell us about your experience, location and study plans. We can help confirm your entry suitability and discuss current fees, learning arrangements and upcoming start dates.
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