Next available start date
September 2025
Please contact cipd@nescol.ac.uk to register your interest.
Why take this course?
At a time when organisations are navigating ongoing and complex challenges, their people have become more critical than ever. Those in the people profession are at the heart of decision-making in these organisations.
The CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice is perfect for those starting their career, as well as those in a support role, looking to take the next step and build their expertise.
The course will help you develop your knowledge and skills in Learning & Development (L&D) and Human Resources (HR). It will enable you to deliver tasks that benefit the organisation at an operational level and give you the confidence to drive positive change in the workplace.
This qualification also serves as a pathway to begin your journey towards CIPD membership at the appropriate level, to complement your career and professional development.
What you will experience
The course is a mix is self-development and structured learning. Throughout the course, you will be supported in your studies with online learning sessions and in-person workshops.
To achieve this qualification, you must have satisfied all the assessment criteria for each core unit:
- Business, culture and change in context
- Principles of analytics
- Core behaviours for people professionals
- Essentials of people practice
Contact cipd@nescol.ac.uk for further details on dates of the online sessions and the in-person days.
Key Facts
Everything you need to know before applying for this course.
CIPD Platinum Centre
NESCol is a CIPD Platinum Centre, recognised for excellence in CIPD qualification delivery.
Entry requirements
If your first language is not English, you must demonstrate a high standard of both spoken and written English to enrol on a CIPD course.
For more information, contact cipd@nescol.ac.uk.
Pre-entry guidance
Prior to starting the course, you will undergo a 15 minute tutor discussion to determine your suitability for the course.
What you will get
CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (equivalent to SCQF Level 6)
Study hours
This qualification will require regular study. The CIPD indicates 240 hours over the course duration.
Fee Waiver (Remission of Fees)
Your course may be free if you are not a full time student with NESCol and you are: in receipt of benefits; or care-experienced; or your household taxable income falls below defined levels.
Student Stories
Rebekka McLaughlin
Business & Management
SVQ Management
“I’ve had such a positive experience with the College and can’t recommend the workplace learning route highly enough. I think it’s important to recognise that there are various routes to achieving qualifications and this was the right path for me.”
Read more about Rebekka's story
Katelyn Louise Share
Business & Management
HND Administration & Information Technology
“NESCol is such a supportive place to study, and the staff go above and beyond to help you achieve your goals.”
Read more about Katelyn's story
Kate Wolska
Business & Management
HND Accounting
“My daughter is so proud of me. I’m doing it for her – to show her if you want it, you can do it now for tomorrow.”
Read more about Kate's story
Drew Smith
Business & Management
Business Skills Foundation Apprenticeship
“If you’re not too sure about what you want to do, then I would definitely recommend a Foundation Apprenticeship because it gives you an insight into working while you’re still studying.”
Read more about Drew's story
Morven Garden
Business & Management
Business Administration Modern Apprenticeship
“I feel confident moving forward as the experience of a Modern Apprenticeship and the skills I have managed to develop stand as a strong base structure for the rest of my career.”
Read more about Morven's story
Abby Grant
Business & Management
HND Accounting
“For anyone considering studying Accounting at NESCol, I would say it will definitely set you up and give you the right foundation for progressing on to a career in accountancy. I feel the skills I learned at college have been very beneficial in the work I am doing today. I use my knowledge gained at college of accounting principles and taxation every day.”
Read more about Abby's story
Ami Batchelor
Business & Management
HND Advertising & PR
“This course will benefit you in more ways than one and the lecturers are some of the best people you’ll get to meet.”
Read more about Ami's story
Lewis Gordon
Business & Management
Business & Administration Apprenticeship
“This vocational route has allowed me to get a good balance between work and my social life, and have healthy finances!”
Read more about Lewis's story
Nicole Faulkner
Business & Management
HND Legal Services
“College really helped me bridge the gap between being in relatively small classes at school and being in huge lectures at university.”
Read more about Nicole's story
Kieran & Mykaela Alexander
Business & Management
HND Legal Services
“The lecturers on the course were just brilliant and had so much valuable knowledge and experience to pass on.”
READ MORE ABOUT THEIR STORY
Applications
North East Scotland College offers hundreds of courses each year, apply for one now.
Online
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Starts 22 Aug 2025
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Ends 31 Jul 2026
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Course Code C00784
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Fees £1,113.00
Alternatively, you can complete a distance learning application form and send it to us.
Please note that timetabling changes can often occur after the Part-time Course Guide is published, and as a result the printed version of the guide may not hold the most up-to-date information.
We therefore advise you that all start dates and times listed on the website are at all times accurate, and should be used as your main point of reference before booking your course.
Fees quoted apply to individuals who meet our residency criteria for home fee status. A higher fee may apply if criteria cannot be met; evidence may be required. Please contact enquiry@nescol.ac.uk for further information.
If you take up a place on a College course, at the start of the course you will be asked to complete an enrolment form. In completing the form and/or taking up a place on a College course, you will enter into a contract with the College and be bound by the North East Scotland College Standard Terms and Conditions of Study. Copies of the Terms and Conditions are available for inspection on notice boards and at various locations throughout the College, at the College Reception, on the College website: nescol.ac.uk, or can be obtained on request from the Student Funding and Admissions Manager, North East Scotland College, Aberdeen City Campus, Gallowgate, Aberdeen AB25 1BN. Please note that courses are offered subject to (a) there being sufficient numbers of enrolments and (b) the availability of resources. The College reserves its right (i) not to run courses where the number of students is considered insufficient or where resources are unavailable and (ii) in certain circumstances, to refuse admission to an individual applicant.
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