What is a CIPD Platinum Study Centre?
A CIPD Platinum Study Centre is a study centre that CIPD recognises for consistently high quality. CIPD says Platinum status reflects a centre’s standards for marking, assessment and membership, robust administration and operations, and high levels of learner satisfaction.
Platinum is the top tier of CIPD’s study centre recognition framework. CIPD updated the framework in 2025, with clearer rules for the Platinum award.
In plain terms, a Platinum centre has met CIPD’s checks on how it assesses work, how it runs day to day, and how its learners get on. It is a mark of the centre as a whole, not of any one tutor or course.
What does CIPD look at?
CIPD’s definition covers three areas:
- Marking, assessment and membership standards. This is the area CIPD names first. It covers how the centre assesses and marks learners’ work against CIPD’s standards.
- Administration and operations. CIPD looks for robust administration, meaning the day-to-day running of the centre.
- Learner satisfaction. CIPD looks for high levels of learner satisfaction.
How does CIPD check a centre’s marking?
CIPD does not leave marking to the centre alone. The study centre marks your assessments and sends the results to CIPD. CIPD then samples and verifies the centre’s marking to make sure it meets CIPD’s standards, a process called moderation. CIPD moderates a sample of the marking for each unit.
This is part of how CIPD qualifications are run, whichever centre you pick. Platinum status recognises a centre that consistently delivers against CIPD’s standards for marking and assessment.
Does Platinum change my qualification?
No. CIPD designs and awards its qualifications, and you receive your certificate from CIPD whichever approved centre you study with. What changes from centre to centre is your experience of studying: the teaching, the marking turnaround and the support.
The membership you earn depends on the qualification level, not the centre. Our guide to CIPD membership levels explains each grade.
Does Platinum apply to university programmes?
No. CIPD says Platinum status is only offered to study centres that run CIPD qualifications, not to providers of CIPD-accredited university programmes. If you are weighing a CIPD qualification against a degree, see our guide to CIPD vs an HR degree.
How do I check if a centre is Platinum?
- Open the CIPD Centre Finder.
- Choose the qualification level and study type you want, such as online.
- Tick Only list Platinum Study Centres.
- Look for the Platinum Study Centre label next to the centre’s name.
How do I use the Centre Finder to compare centres?
The Finder lets you narrow the list before you read any centre’s website.
| Filter | What you can choose |
|---|---|
| Qualification route | CIPD qualifications, or university programmes accredited by CIPD |
| Qualification level | Foundation Certificate in People Practice; Associate Diploma in People Management; Associate Diploma in Organisational Learning and Development; Advanced Diploma in Strategic People Management; Advanced Diploma in Strategic Learning and Development |
| Study type | Online (live-streamed at set times, or on-demand at your own pace), face to face, or blended |
| Time commitment | Part time (2 to 20 hours) or full time (21+ hours), as the Finder defines them |
| Tailored programme | For experienced professionals whose workplace experience covers at least 50% of the syllabus, offered at some centres |
| Location | A town or city, within a 50 mile radius |
| Platinum only | Tick “Only list Platinum Study Centres” |
University programmes are a different route. You receive the certificate from the university or college, and completing one leads to Associate Membership.
What if my country isn’t listed?
If there is no centre in your country, CIPD says to filter without a country selected to see online study centres. Avado delivers CIPD qualifications online in the UK and the Middle East.
What doesn’t Platinum tell you?
Platinum describes a centre as a whole. It can’t tell you how a particular tutor teaches, how quickly your assignments will come back, or what the course costs in total. Many centres hold it, so use it to build a shortlist, then compare the details.
| What the label covers | What you still need to check |
|---|---|
| Marking, assessment and membership standards | How long marking takes for your assignments |
| Administration and operations | Who answers your questions, and how fast |
| Learner satisfaction | Independent reviews, and the tutor support you’ll get |
| Nothing on price, because centres set their own course fees | What the course costs in total and what is included |
Ask each centre these questions:
- Marking turnaround. How long does marking take, and is that in writing? CIPD says centres should tell learners their service levels for queries and marking, and keep to them.
- Support. Who do you contact with questions, and how quickly will they reply?
- Feedback before you submit. Do you get any feedback on a draft before formal marking?
- Price. What does the price include, and what costs extra, such as CIPD membership or extra tutor support time?
- Independent reviews. Read reviews on sites the provider doesn’t control, and include the lower scores.
For a fuller checklist, see our guide to choosing a CIPD provider.
Is Avado a CIPD Platinum Study Centre?
Yes. CIPD’s Centre Finder lists Avado as a Platinum Study Centre. Avado was awarded Platinum Centre status in May 2025, and has supported more than 50,000 learners, with a 95% pass rate.
On the Professional package, our cost guide lists:
- Live online classes with expert tutor support
- Comprehensive assessment guidance
- QuickScore for two months, which gives instant feedback on a draft before you submit (unlimited on the Plus package)
- Ava, a 24/7 learning assistant
- 1:1 career mentoring and peer networking
Ready to compare? Explore Avado’s CIPD Level 3, 5 and 7 courses or book a call with a course advisor.
Frequently asked questions
What does CIPD Platinum Study Centre mean?
It is CIPD’s top recognition tier for study centres. It reflects standards for marking, assessment and membership, robust administration and operations, and high levels of learner satisfaction.
What is the difference between an approved study centre and a Platinum centre?
Every study centre on the Finder is CIPD approved. Platinum is the top recognition tier, given for consistently high standards in marking, assessment and membership, robust administration and operations, and high levels of learner satisfaction.
Is a Platinum centre better than other CIPD centres?
Platinum is a good sign of quality, but it doesn’t guarantee your experience. Compare marking turnaround, support and total cost as well.
Do I get a different qualification from a Platinum centre?
No. CIPD awards the qualification and the certificate, whichever approved centre you choose.
How do I find a Platinum Study Centre?
Use the CIPD Centre Finder and tick “Only list Platinum Study Centres”. You can also filter by qualification level, study type and location.
Can I study CIPD online with a Platinum centre?
Yes. The Finder lets you filter by online study and by Platinum status. Online study can be live-streamed at set times or on-demand at your own pace.
Do university programmes have Platinum status?
No. CIPD offers Platinum status only to study centres that run CIPD qualifications, not to providers of CIPD-accredited university programmes.
What is a tailored programme?
A tailored programme is for experienced people professionals. You need to show your workplace experience covers at least 50% of the syllabus, and only some centres offer it.
Is Avado a Platinum Study Centre?
Yes, since May 2025.
