No. Your course is completely valid as your certificate will be.  CIPD qualifications do not run out or elapse.  They will be just as valid in 15 years as they are now.

This depends on a couple of things:

1. Whether the CIPD centre you are studying with is approved for the new qualifications. The CIPD have not released a list of providers who are approved yet but we have been told this will be in place by the end of January 2021.  However, if you have not heard from your provider, it may mean that they are not in the first wave to offer the new qualification.
2. Most importantly it will depend on which modules you have taken.  If the modules you have studied give you exemptions under the new rules, then this might be possible.  If not, you would have to take additional modules so switching would probably not be worth it.

In past times you could have studied an individual module to achieve a CIPD Award however, under the new 2021 qualifications this is not an option, it is all or nothing. There is a way to deal with this:

• If you successfully complete an individual module, we will give you an In-House certificate to recognise your achievements and we will keep this as credit that you can add to in the future if you do want to complete a CIPD accredited qualification in the future.

Which CIPD level you take depends on a number of factors:

1. Are you currently working in HR or Learning and Development? If not, you may wish to start at Level 3 as this will give you the foundations to confidently enter the People Progression.  There are however a couple of exceptions to this.  If you are an experienced line manager or team leader and you are looking to make a sideways move you may wish to go to CIPD Level 5.  Also, if you are a recent graduate and want to challenge yourself academically you might also wish to go straight to Level 5.
2. If you are currently working in the People Profession you need to consider what work you are currently exposed to and where you want to be in the next 1 to 3 years. For example, we would never recommend the CIPD Level 7 Diploma to anyone who does not have access to decision making within their organisation.
3. If you are job searching, what are the person specifications asking for?  If you are looking to apply for a HR administrator role which wants a CIPD Level 3 qualification, I would recommend taking the Level 3 and not skipping to Level 5.  Remember, you do not have to have fully completed the course before applying for these roles.  Having started studying will give you the confidence and understanding to enter into conversations during the interview process.  It will also demonstrate your commitment to your own development and your future career in the People Profession.

The People Profession has been known under many different names over the decades.  What we call it reflects on not only the views others have of us but on our own identity.  The People Profession encompasses different specialisms as well as the generalist HR role.  Those within it will have responsibility for the effective management and development of the workforce within organisations that goes beyond traditional HR (or personnel as it used to be known).