CIPD Foundation Level 3 Course Price €1,700. Ongoing Discount - Get 20% off the normal €2,400 fee. Flexible payment options available. Apply Online!
A CIPD qualification is the single most recognised credential in the HR profession globally, and the CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice is where that career begins. Every major employer in Ireland – from multinationals to growing SMEs – uses CIPD membership as the benchmark when hiring and promoting HR professionals. Whether you are moving into HR for the first time or formalising experience you already have, this qualification signals to employers that you meet the international standard for people practice. On completion, you are awarded Foundation CIPD membership, your name carries a professional designation, and you are positioned at Step 1 of a clearly defined pathway that leads through Level 5, Level 7, and ultimately Chartered CIPD status – the highest recognition in the profession.
The CIPD Level 3 programme at Dorset College Dublin is a 20-week, part-time online programme designed to fit around full-time work. All sessions are delivered live by a practitioner currently active in the HR field, ensuring the content reflects current employer expectations and emerging people management practice. Every student benefits from direct tutor access and a more personalised learning environment than larger providers can offer. Assessment is through practical, employer-driven scenarios, and the programme covers recruitment, employment law, performance management, reward, and workplace analytics. Typical starting salaries for HR roles in Ireland range from €25,000 to €35,000, with strong progression at every CIPD level.
WHERE THIS COURSE TAKES YOU
This certificate is the first step on the internationally recognised CIPD career pathway for HR professionals.
STEP 1
CIPD Level 3 Foundation Certificate in People Practice, Dorset College Dublin
↓
STEP 2
CIPD Level 5 Associate Diploma in People Management
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STEP 3
CIPD Level 7 Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management
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STEP 4
Chartered CIPD Membership (MCIPD), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development
Key skills covered in this programme
Four core units covering the essential foundations of people practice.
✓ Business Culture & Change — How external forces and diversity shape organisational culture.
✓ Principles of Analytics — Using data and evidence-based practice to make informed HR decisions.
✓ Core Behaviours for People Professionals — Ethical practice, professional values, and reflective habits.
✓ Essentials of People Practice — Recruitment, performance management, employment law, and reward.
Benefits of a CIPD qualification and membership
✓ Gain internationally recognised professionalism and expertise.
✓ Acquire the skills to excel and advance in your career.
✓ Enhance your reputation and strengthen workplace connections.
✓ Build meaningful professional networks for future growth.
✓ Access extensive resources and vibrant online communities.
✓ Join a global network of people management professionals.
✓ Stay current with the latest HR trends and developments.
"
Honestly, do it. It will change your life. Thank you to everyone at Dorset College for believing in me and pushing me when I didn't believe in myself. Students and lecturers were extremely helpful throughout – I am forever grateful.
Amy Brennan – Dorset College Dublin
Course module information
Module 1: Business culture & change
This module considers the impact of external influence and how the digital and commercial environment shapes businesses and the culture within which they operate, including how diversity and inclusion principles are built into organisational practices, the strategic importance of workplace learning, and how people professionals plan and manage change.
✓ Understand the Business Environment
Understand the business environment in which the people profession operates, including the key issues that affect it.
✓ Workplace Behaviour & Culture
Understand how people’s behaviour in the workplace affects and shapes culture.
✓ Effective Management of Change
Understand the importance of effective management of change.
Module Unit Code: 3CO01 | Credit Value: 5 ECTS
Module 2: Principles of analytics
Covering the legal context for record and data management, including employment law and GDPR, this module examines why accurate and ethical use of data is essential in HR, and how evidence-based practice informs organisational decision-making.
✓ Data & Ethical Analysis
Understand why timely, ethical, and accurate analysis of personal information is essential in people practice.
✓ Evidence-Based Decision Making
Understand how agreed procedures, policies, and sources of evidence support informed HR decisions.
✓ Creating Value for Stakeholders
Know how creating value benefits employees, customers, and wider stakeholders.
Module Unit Code: 3CO02 | Credit Value: 4 ECTS
Module 3: Core behaviours for people professionals
This module introduces the core behaviours for people professionals, focusing on ethical practice and creating value. It covers the range of stakeholders people professionals work with, how professional values inform practice, and how to build reflective habits and continuous professional development.
✓ Ethics & Professional Practice
Understand insightful approaches to supporting and maintaining ethics and professional practice.
✓ Positive Working Relationships & Reflective Practice
Demonstrate positive working relationships and develop effective habits of reflection and continuous learning.
✓ Respect & Inclusive Working
Promote respect and inclusive working underpinned by professional courage and a passion for learning.
Module Unit Code: 3CO03 | Credit Value: 4 ECTS
Module 4: Essentials of people practice
The largest and most practical module in the programme, covering the full employee lifecycle from attraction and recruitment through to performance management, reward, and learning and development. You will also examine employment law, discrimination legislation, wellbeing in the workplace, and how to participate effectively in selection interviews.
✓ The Employee Lifecycle & Selection
Understand the employee lifecycle and be able to contribute to effective selection and appointment processes.
✓ Employment Law, Performance & Reward
Know how legislation affects employment relationships and understand the role of performance management and reward in motivating and retaining people.
✓ Learning & Development
Understand how to support others to develop the skills and knowledge required to meet both individual and organisational objectives.
Module Unit Code: 3CO04 | Credit Value: 11 ECTS
Module 5: Assessment & award
Assessments are completed for each module and are designed around real-life, employer-driven scenarios. Submissions are marked by Dorset’s Internal Moderator once all four units are complete, then uploaded to the CIPD portal for external moderation.
✓ The Award
Level 3 CIPD Foundation Certificate in People Practice (24 Credits) and the designation of Foundation CIPD membership after your name.
✓ Framework Equivalence
Equivalent to Level 5 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ) and Level 3 in the UK Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).
• This CIPD Course with Dorset College Dublin is now 100% Online
• Up-skill or re-skill from the comfort of your own home
• Expert-led, industry-experienced lecturers with full support materials
• HR Administrator or Assistant
• Learning Administrator
• Employee Relations Assistant
• Recruitment Co-Ordinator
• Assistant HR Analyst
• Organisational Development Assistant
• HR Shared Services
• Talent Co-Ordinator
• A career evening is provided to answer your questions and help you plan your progression with CIPD Qualifications
• Progress to the CIPD Professional Diploma in People Management (Level 5) or CIPD Professional Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development (Level 5)
• Non-refundable deposit of €150 to secure your place
• Balance paid in full before the course starts or split into 3 instalments
• Deposit: €150 — secures your place
• 1st Instalment: €517 — 21/07/2026
• 2nd Instalment: €517 — 25/08/2026
• 3rd Instalment: €516 — 20/09/2026
• Simply submit the online application form to get started
• Photo ID not required to begin your application — upload it later
• A member of our team will contact you to guide you through the next steps
• You're welcome to start even if your documents aren't ready yet
• Admissions support at every stage — contact us at [email protected]
• Individuals new to the HR profession or those in support roles
• Those seeking a recognised Professional People Practice Qualification and CIPD Membership
• Line managers involved in HR without a specialist function
• Mature applicants with relevant life and work experience
• Anyone looking to enhance their career prospects in human resources with essential HR training
