CIPD Level 3Foundation Certificate in People Practice

The CIPD Profession Map offers a key framework for HR and L&D professionals to follow, providing a clear set of competencies, behaviours, and knowledge required to succeed in the people profession.

Developed by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD), it serves as a guide for HR and L&D professionals at every stage of their career, from entry-level to senior strategic roles.

The Profession Map outlines the essential HR skills and L&D functions, ensuring that professionals are equipped to drive organisational success. It covers 10 professional areas, including employee engagement, talent management, and organisational development, and breaks down the key behaviours and values required for success in the industry.

By aligning your learning with the CIPD Profession Map, you can ensure that your qualifications and career development are in line with industry best practices and what employers are looking for.

Whether you’re starting out in HR or advancing to a senior role, the CIPD Profession Map ensures you have the right knowledge, behaviours, and skills to thrive.

At ICS Learn, our online CIPD qualifications are designed to give you with the practical skills and knowledge you need to succeed in the people profession – aligning with the CIPD Profession Map and preparing you for real-world success.

The CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is the ideal starting point for anyone looking to begin a career in Human Resources (HR) or Learning & Development (L&D). As a globally recognised qualification, this course is highly valued by employers across the Middle East, including in the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, and beyond.

Designed for beginners with little or no HR experience, it’s perfect for those looking to switch careers and secure an entry-level HR or L&D role. It provides a strong foundation in essential HR skills, making it the first step for most professionals pursuing a career in people management.

You'll study four key modules: 

• Business, Culture and Change in Context
• Essentials of People Practice 
• Core Behaviours for People Professionals 
• Principles of Analytics 

For full details of what you’ll learn on each module, download your free CIPD Level 3 course guide.

At ICS Learn, we offer two flexible HR training options designed to fit around your life – whether you prefer complete independence or a structured learning experience.

• On Demand Learning: Study at your own pace with self-guided online course materials. Enjoy the freedom of having full control over how you learn, with unlimited tutor support whenever you need it.
• Live Online Learning: Get the flexibility of online learning with a little bit of added structure. Attend scheduled virtual workshops led by our expert tutors, engage with like-minded peers, and manage your own study schedule in between.

For those who thrive in a more interactive, classroom-style environment, Live Online mirrors a traditional setting, offering real-time guidance and collaboration with the convenience of learning from anywhere.

No matter which option you choose, you’ll gain the skills you need for the career you want. 

*Please note that Live Online workshops are scheduled in UK time (GMT/BST). 

We make getting qualified simple, flexible and affordable. 

If you’re funding the course yourself, we provide affordable payment plans with flexible monthly instalments to make it easier for students in the Middle East to invest in their education.

Plus, with our price match guarantee, we’ll match any provider’s price for a like-for-like CIPD course, so you’ll always get the best deal with us.

If your employer is funding all or part of your course, we can invoice them directly for your course fees – just let your course advisor know and we’ll arrange everything.

Your payments will be charged in GBP. The monthly payments listed in your local currency are an estimate based on the current exchange rate from xe.com.

This means that if you set up a monthly payment plan, the amount you’ll pay each month in your local currency may vary based on the current exchange rate.

Your bank may use a different exchange rate from the one listed here, or charge a fee for converting your payments into GBP; we’d advise that you speak to your bank directly for more details.

On average it will take you between 7 and 9 months to study the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, based on a typical study schedule of a few hours a week.

Nothing is stopping you from fast-tracking your CIPD qualification though! It all depends on how you choose to study and how much time you can dedicate to your learning around your other commitments.

Earning a CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice can open doors to exciting HR and L&D career opportunities across the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Qatar, Kuwait, Bahrain, and beyond. Here’s how this globally recognised qualification can benefit your career:

• Start Your HR Career – Gain the essential skills needed for entry-level HR & L&D roles, even if you have no prior experience.
• Boost Your Employability – CIPD qualification makes you more valuable to employers in the Middle East’s growing HR sector.
• Increase Your Earning Potential – Many CIPD students report a salary increase after completing their qualification.
• Enhance Your Credibility – Earning a CIPD-accredited qualification gives you an edge in a competitive job market, as many top employers in the Middle East prefer CIPD-certified professionals.
• Flexible Career Growth – Whether you're looking to enter HR, switch careers, or upskill, CIPD Level 3 provides a strong foundation to progress to more senior roles and further qualifications.
• International Recognition – CIPD is the gold standard for HR and L&D professionals worldwide, helping you secure job opportunities both in the Middle East and globally.

With flexible online learning, expert tutor support, and flexible study options, we make it easy to gain your CIPD qualification from anywhere in the Middle East while balancing work and life.

Start your HR career today and enrol now!

Yes, you need to be a CIPD member for the duration of your studies.

We can’t submit your assignments for moderation, give you assessment grades, or award your qualification unless you’re an active CIPD member, so you must register before submitting your first assignment.

We’ll give you full details of how to join as a Student Member after you enrol. You’ll pay an annual Student Membership fee, and our CIPD advisors can provide you with the most up-to-date costs.

When you complete your course, you’ll be eligible to become an Associate Member of the most prestigious HR and L&D organisation in the world, the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD).

You’ll join a community of 160,000 ambitious, forward-thinking professionals across 120 countries, and have exclusive access to a variety of benefits, including: 

• HR industry insights
• Useful HR tools and advice
• Budget-friendly discounts on events and merch
• Career guidance from prominent HR and L&D experts

If you’re interested in learning more, take a look at the CIPD membership levels and how they align with the CIPD Profession Map.

As an ICS Learn student, you'll always have the support you need to succeed. From the moment you enrol, you'll gain access to:

• Our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace
• Access to all of your interactive online course materials
• Online Induction Programme and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised tutor support
• Access to our Resource Library, full of tools, tips and guidance
• Live biannual Employment Law updates to keep you informed
• Our friendly Student Services team to help you with non-academic questions

You'll also have lifetime access to our Career Hub, which offers you thousands of resources to help you impress employers, master critical business skills, and build your dream career. This includes:

• A CV and cover letter builder
• An interview simulator
• An elevator pitch builder
• Career and work psychology assessments
• In-depth industry and employer profiles
• 350+ employer films with practical advice from hiring managers
• 1000+ short courses, articles and videos on key career skills like negotiating a raise and leading a team

You can take a sneak peek at the Career Hub and sign up for free today.

Get in touch with our CIPD Advisors on +44 141 404 6595.

They’ll talk through your experience and skills to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with a flexible monthly payment plan.

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.