CIPD Professional Development Scheme

[Faith515]

Hi,

I am looking into doing my CIPD. My company is likely to sponsor me so I need to do the course part time.

However, loads of people have said that I would need to choose where I do the course very carefully as some places are great, and others are really awful. I want to have the best education experience that I can.

Can anyone who has done the CIPD let me know where is good and why, and where I should avoid and why?

Thanks

[ChuffingHell]

I'm just finishing mine. I think you're asking a big question which could actually be broken down into different things, some of which (in my personal opinion) are decisions that are completely personal to you.

Although different study centres will have different teachers which obviously affects the quality of the education you receive, before you do that, you need to choose your method of learning; long distance or classes. long distance is more flexible but requires you to be more self motivated, do more reading etc. Classes will potentially give you more guidance but have more structure in place.

After that decision, choose your institution - if you go for classes, you can go to university which is academically focused or go to professional institution which will be more work place orientated.

If you go for long distance, you'll be looking at professional institutions. Talk to different providers about the types of material they have, online support, tutor contact, peer groups etc.

Finally, once you've decided what method (classes or long distance) you want to go for, clarify the costs and put this to your company. Some methods are much more expensive than others - if you are sure your company are paying for it entirely this is less of an issue, but if you have to put up even some of the funds or even if you just have to take responsibility for any reading materials, do look into this - I've gone the university route and spent about �300 is text books alone.

Because learning styles are so personal, I think you have to figure out certain things for yourself and once you've maybe got a short list of a few institutions, try visiting CIPD.co.uk message boards and asking people for their experiences about these particular instituions.

You could start (if you haven't already) with www.cipd.co.uk where you can get information about institutions in your area (you type in your

[antiguru]

I help run a local branch of the CIPD and I can tell you that each branch has someone who is a liaison with the local providers of this qualification. The Institute quality checks all providers against professional standards, but yes, it is still variable.

You haven�t told us what area you are in, so another option is to say roughly where you are and then anyone who has had a good or bad experience where you are can answer you.

Alternatively, look on the website (www.cipd.co.uk) at �Find your Branch�, get in touch and ask who the best provider in the area is.

[thugulike]

I've heard that MOL is very good for distance learning. Talk to your local branch, especially to members who have recently graduated and ask their opinion. Good luck

[lizzysparkle]

I did mine at my local college (Bury Lancs) and will be doing another there later this year. It was a very good course and I enjoyed doing it, it was also subsidised.