Academic criteria:

Students must meet one of the following minimum academic qualifications:

• A UK University degree or equivalent combined with appropriate professional experience at CIPD Band 2 or 3 [see below];
• CIPD validated qualification at Intermediate level (e.g. the University’s Diploma HRM);
• A University Diploma or Graduate Diploma in a relevant topic;
• An S/NVQ level 4 in a relevant topic.

Professional criteria:

• Applicants will be operating at Band 2 but can clearly see the career transition to Band 3 or in the early stages of Band 3.

For people operating at Band 3 it is likely that one of the following statements will describe your work:

• have responsibility for human resource (HR) decision making within an organisation at either operational, tactical or more strategic level
• are HR professionals in a team or HR functional management role who are seeking to enhance and develop their career
• have responsibilities for the HR function and activities within an organisation without a specialist function
• are independent or employed consultants who support organisations in meeting their goals

The professional criteria are explained fully in the CIPD’s mapping document (.pdf)

NOTE: If you do not meet these entry requirements you have the option of taking the yearlong Diploma HRM which commences in September. Students who successfully complete the Diploma can then join the Postgraduate Diploma the following September or at a later date that fits in with their career development.

Entry to the Diploma is against one of the following requirements:

• A relevant qualification to NVQ Level 3;
• Five GCE/GCSE passes with at least two at A level (typically such candidates will have some personnel, development or management experience);
• A “Foundation” level qualification from the CIPD;
• A Certificate in Personnel or Training Practice (CPP or CTP) from the CIPD;
• An equivalent or higher level award from nationally recognised educational or professional bodies;
• In exceptional cases, applicants having a minimum of two years of band 3 personnel experience or management experience may be considered (Please see Diploma fact sheet).

Exemptions:

• Accreditation of Prior Experiential Learning (APEL) is not allowed to be used for exemptions against modules on this programme
• Accreditation of Prior Certificated Learning (APCL) is in line with Framework for Higher Education Qualifications (FHEQ). This course applies the University APCL regulations that a maximum of 2/3rds (80 credits out of 120) can be exempted [Please note the CIPD APCL exemption rules of 3/4s (six out of eight modules) do not apply]. It is not possible to be exempted from the module ‘Investigating a Business Issue’

For students who wish to transfer to the University from other CIPD accredited programmes the same University APCL regulations apply. Where such students require less than 40 credits to achieve the CIPD qualification it may be possible to transfer into UCLan as an Associate Student and study the outstanding modules to allow them to achieve the CIPD qualification. This is subject to the student providing the necessary evidence. Please note that this will not result in a University award.

For students where English is not their first language in addition to a score of at least 6.5 on IELTS or a score of 600-650 in TOEFL, supported by a pass in the associated Test of Written English, or a score of greater than 250 on TOEFL computer test.

Candidates requiring further clarification on exemption issues should email DAVickers@uclan.ac.uk.