Training isn’t time away from the agency. It’s time growing it. Today over 40,000 people hold an IPA qualification in more than 80 countries. The links between business success and CPD are clear. Using data from the agencies that invested most, we see a correlation between training, income growth and business success: On average, CPD Gold agencies earned £5.64 return on every £1 invested in learning and development in 2021, while saving £143,905 on recruitment fees, and retaining 93% of their clients. (per data from 2021 CPD Gold submissions).
Our wide range of courses and qualifications cover all major industry practice areas:
- Brands, strategies and effectiveness
- Client service, leadership and management
- Creativity, innovation and applied technology
- Commercial and business acumen
Within each of the four areas there is something for everyone at every career level.
The IPA CPD Programme demonstrates so much for the advertising industry to be proud of – an unwavering commitment to people, to nurturing them, motivating them, developing them, as well as deep commitment to innovation, diversity and an obvious passion for the business we all work in.
Please explore our qualifications
You can download a pdf with the complete overview of IPA qualifications and courses. Additionally, we can work with you to tailor a training plan and create courses for your agency's specific needs.
Click on the tiles below to find out more about your qualifications.
Foundation/Essentials
These qualifications are aimed at junior practitioners with 0 - 3 years' experience but are generally suitable for all.
Foundation Certificate
Taking newcomers to advertising and marketing comms through the entire brand communications process | Experience: Less than 1 year | £250 for members, £500 for non-members.
Ad Net Zero Essentials Certificate
Helping you achieve net zero emissions from the production and media placement of advertising by 2030. | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | £60 for members, £120 for non-members.
Commercial Essentials Certificate
Providing you with a grounding in a range of financial issues to build better client relations | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | Free for members, £250 for non-members.
Digital Performance Essentials Certificate
Helping you to master the basics in digital performance marketing | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | £200 for members, £400 for non-members.
Diversity and Inclusion Essentials Certificate
Guiding you to create a more diverse and inclusive advertising industry | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | £60 for members, £120 for non-members.
Effectiveness Essentials Certificate
Providing you with an understanding of the role and the need for effectiveness in your work | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | Free for members, £250 for non-members.
LegRegs Essentials Certificate
Giving you an understanding of copyright, defamation, consumer protection and more | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | Free for members, £250 for non-members.
Media Research Essentials Certificate
Teaching you essential skills for working within the media industry | Experience: Aimed at junior practitioners, but suitable for all | £250 for members, £500 for non-members.
Advanced/Excellence
Advanced-level courses are aimed at practitioners with approx 4-8 years' experience. Excellence-level courses are suggested for practitioners with a minimum of 9 years' experience.
Advanced Certificate in Effectiveness
Providing you with a greater understanding of the evaluation of your campaigns | Experience: 4 to 8 years | £350 for members, £700 for non-members.
Advanced Certificate in Communications Planning
Helping you to become the strategic communications planning lead for your client’s business | Experience: 4 to 8 years | £1,000 for members, £2,000 for non-members.
Excellence Diploma in Brands
Helping you shape and drive the brands and businesses of tomorrow | Experience: 9+ years | £3,000 for members, £6,000 for non-members.
Excellence in Business (delivered by LSE)
Guiding you to lead with confidence and influence in your contemporary business context | Experience: 9+ years | £2,720 for members, £3,200 for non-members.
Further information
More detailed information on each course and qualification
For all enquiries about the IPA courses and qualifications, please contact [email protected].