Advanced Certificate Courses

Who are advanced certificates aimed at?

Advanced certificates are aimed at employees who want to build on their existing skills and gain a deeper knowledge of their career specialism. For example, AAT‘s Advanced Certificate in Bookkeeping is designed for people who understand the basics but want to learn more advanced bookkeeping skills, such as final accounts preparation.

How long are advanced certificate courses?

The content of advanced certificate courses may be challenging, but they’re not as demanding as diploma courses in terms of time commitment. Want to take an advanced certificate in Xero Accounting? Successful completion of your course will take a mere 15 hours. Or perhaps you’re keen to improve your digital marketing skills? If so, you’ll complete the Institute of Data and Marketing’s Advanced Certificate in Digital Copywriting in just ten ninety-minute sessions. And they’re all delivered via online learning!

What level of qualification will I gain?

Advanced certificates are available at a variety of levels. For example, while the CIPS Advanced Certificate in Procurement and Supply is a level three course (equivalent to an A level), the CIPD’s Advanced Certificate in Human Resources is a level 7 course.

According to the qualifications framework, studying a level 7 course is equivalent to studying at master’s degree level, so if you choose this option, be prepared to be intellectually challenged!  However, the great thing about level 7 certificates is that you can gain a postgraduate qualification within 12-15 months.

Here’s a practical example. If you work in Human Resources and you want to progress into a senior role or gain chartered membership of the CIPD,  you could take a CIPD approved part-time level 7 Advanced Certificate. In just 12 months you’d have all the extra knowledge and skills you need to pursue a promotion.

What are the entry requirements?

While a few level 3 advanced certificates may require GCSEs,  many courses simply require you to have an intermediate or even basic knowledge of the subject you’ll be studying.

The entry requirements for level 7 courses vary too, so while some learning providers require a 2:2 degree, others are more flexible. For example, if you want to take an online CIPD Level 7 Advanced Certificate in HR, you’ll either need an HR degree or significant work experience. This flexible approach to professional development is particularly useful if you’re returning to study after a long break.

What kinds of subjects do advanced certificate cover?

Advanced certificates are professional qualifications that are designed to run alongside people’s work commitments, so you’ll find that many of them have a vocational slant. Popular subjects include:

• Accounting
• Bookkeeping
• HR
• HR management
• Digital copywriting
• Procurement
• Leadership and Management
• Securities Operations
• Market research
• Compliance
• Risk assessment
• Coaching sport and fitness
• Counselling