CIPD Student Stories: Sarah North | CIPD Level 3 Certificate

Dedicating 12 to 13 hours of her time to studying per week, Sarah was able to complete her CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in just 6 months with ICS Learn!

I currently for a Charity in the Fundraising and Marketing team. I have had jobs in the past that have incorporated aspects of HR, predominantly training and learning and development. I have always had an interest in the wider role of HR professionals within organisations. I contacted ICS Learn last summer about studying the CIPD Level 3 to see what the options were.

The Sales Advisor, Eva was extremely helpful. We exchanged emails and had a call to discuss what I was hoping to achieve and whether the Level 3 Certificate was appropriate. I looked at a competitor so that I could compare their offering against ICS Learn.

The courses were similar, but ICS Learn offered a Masterclass for each unit as well as Q&A sessions. Knowing that the course was mostly self-study.

I really liked this and saw it as an opportunity to meet the lecturers and other students who were also studying. The timings of the Masterclasses varied but were recorded in case I was unable to attend which was useful. Attending the ‘live’ sessions, gave me the chance to ask questions and participate in small group sessions. It was also a really nice alternative to just reading information.

My initial concerns were whether I would be able fit the course in around my family and work. I already felt busy enough! I was also apprehensive about whether I would have the discipline to study alone.

However, I started the course in October 2022 and by April 2023 I had completed and passed it. On average I studied for 12/13 hours a week. School holidays were always more challenging, but I tried to make up the hours at other times. The units were worked through in a methodical order, and as soon as I had submitted a unit, I was free to start the next one immediately.

My assignments were always returned in a timely manner, but if there was more of a delay, my study was not halted, and I could continue.

I joined a joined a WhatsApp group, and the conversations on there was useful. I found the tutor support helpful, and the feedback on my assignments was thorough. The course has been extremely worthwhile. I am due to start a role as an HR Administrator, working for an Education Trust in September. Completing the course has given me so much knowledge and I am looking forward to using it.

I would highly recommend ICS Learn. For me, they have delivered everything that was promised when I made my first enquiry. The course was easy to navigate through, the resources were a good starting point for gaining information and the assessments were laid out in a way that made them easy to follow.

The Q&A sessions and the Masterclasses were invaluable and a really good addition to the course offered by ICS Learn. How quickly you complete the course really is down to you, but the support is there to make it achievable.

Develop your HR career like Sarah with a fully online CIPD qualification that you can study from home. Download your free CIPD course guide today.