Academic member grades
For Academics and Researchers working in the field of HR and L&D
Recognising your contribution to HR and L&D through higher education and research
Academic member grades are for individuals engaged in teaching, lecturing and research in the field of HR or L&D. It illustrates expertise in the development and progression of ‘thinking and knowledge’ of the HR and L&D profession and your ability to make an impact in the world of work.
Academic member grades
There are three grades of Academic membership. Each carries a professional designation to recognise their significance.
Academic Associate (Academic Assoc CIPD)
You are typically an experienced lecturer, tutor or researcher in an HR or L&D subject area. Check yourself against the description of our Academic Associate level.
Academic Member (Academic MCIPD)
You are typically an experienced lecturer, senior researcher, recognised in the UK or internationally as an expert in more than one relevant HR or L&D subject area. Check yourself against the description of our Academic Member level.
Academic Fellow (Academic FCIPD)
You're a senior academic or research leader, recognised in the UK or internationally as an expert in at least two areas of HR or L&D. Check yourself against the description of our Academic Fellow level.
What's in it for you?
Becoming a member means immediate access to a range of benefits. Look at some of our most popular benefits below, or go to our member benefits page to see the full range.
Resources
Practical and inspiring resources to support your studies and keep you up to date in the fast changing world of work:
- Research, surveys and policy reports
- 100s of online business, HR and L&D journals supplied by EBSCO
- Time-saving email updates, including In a Nutshell and a weekly HR news bulletin
- Practical podcasts, topic summaries, factsheets and guides, and more.
CIPD Learning Hub
The CIPD Learning Hub is an online learning platform that supports the delivery of world-class, cutting-edge learning that is available anytime, anywhere and on any device.
It makes it easier than ever for you to make professional development a day-to-day, career-long priority to increase the impact and effectiveness you have in your role. Self-assessment, learning plan and learning reflection tools are built into the hub, helping you to identify gaps in your knowledge and create a personalised development journey.
Communities
Connect, learn and be inspired
- Online Community forum - Socialise, discuss and learn from an interested and supportive community of professionals.
- Join CIPD networks.
- Find inspiration at CIPD conferences and events.
Career
Career support
- CIPD Profession Map - assess your capability and access recommendations on what you need to know and do at every stage of your career.
- My CPD Map - an online assessment tool to identify your strengths and areas for development
- CIPD Career hub - an online gateway to a host of information, tools and advice to help you be successful in your job search
Rewards
Save money
- Receive a 20% discount on all CIPD books and business titles from our Kogan Page bookshop
- Receive preferential rates on CIPD products and services, conferences, training and events.
How to join an Academic member grade
To be eligible for Academic membership of the CIPD you need to be an individual working in the field of teaching or research in HRM or an HRM related area.
To be awarded an Academic member grade, you will be formally assessed via an online Microsoft Teams Peer Review discussion with one of our academic assessors who are experienced academics. In addition, we’ll also gain workplace feedback from people you work with, including your line manager, about your work and the impact this has had in your Institution and the HR profession.
How to apply?
- Decide which Academic member grade is right for you.
To be eligible for any of our Academic member grades of the CIPD you must be an individual working in the field of teaching or research in HRM or an HRM related area. Apply for the Academic member grade (see Academic member grade descriptions above) that best fits your current experience, that is, the one for which you can demonstrate meeting the criteria through evidence from at least the last three years. - Read the How to apply for CIPD Academic membership guidance notes (below).
- Return all the below documents to academicassessment@cipd.co.uk
- Your up to date CV (review the How to apply for Academic membership guidance notes below for information on what you should include in your CV)
- Your completed Academic assessment application form (see below) and we will then contact you for payment. The assessment fee is a non-refundable
- A copy of your current job description or role profile
- A copy of your highest-level qualification certificate
- Your up to date CV (review the How to apply for Academic membership guidance notes below for information on what you should include in your CV)
- What happens next?
CIPD will acknowledge receipt of your supporting documents and will contact you within ten working days to take payment. We’ll ask you for the contact details of two people for your workplace feedback and we’ll send them a workplace feedback form to complete and return to us.
When we receive the completed workplace feedback forms, we’ll contact you to book your Peer Review discussion at a convenient date/time. You'll learn the outcome of your assessment within six weeks of your Peer Review discussion and will receive a tailored report to support your continuing professional development.
Download the How to apply for CIPD Academic membership guidelines and Academic assessment application form below.
Come back into membership
Ensure your expertise is professionally recognised and trusted in today’s rapidly changing workplace. We’re always ready to welcome you back into membership.
| Membership | Joining fee | Non-refundable assessment fee | Membership up to 6 months* (1 Jan 2023 - 30 June 2023) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Associate | £40 | £450 | £84 | £574 |
| Academic Member | £40 | £550 | £98 | £688 |
| Academic Fellow | £40 | £650 | £111 | £801 |
*Depending on when you join in the year, we offer different membership fee options.
| Membership | Joining fee | Non-refundable assessment fee | Membership up to 18 months* (1 Jan 2023 - 30 June 2024) | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Academic Associate | £40 | £450 | £252 | £742 |
| Academic Member | £40 | £550 | £293 | £883 |
| Academic Fellow | £40 | £650 | £332 | £1,022 |
*Depending on when you join in the year, we offer different membership fee options.
You may also be interested in
- Membership terms and conditions
- Our membership agreement with AHRI - the Australian Human Resources Institute