CPD Courses

What CPD Courses does

CPD Courses is a London-based, privately held online learning provider that delivers accredited continuing professional development (CPD) training to working professionals globally. The platform hosts 600+ self-paced courses across 30+ professional categories — including Artificial Intelligence (81 courses), Healthcare (52), Health and Social Care (28), Teaching (16), Engineering, Counselling, Facilities Management, Event Management, Environmental Management, and Digital Marketing — and has enrolled more than 1M students across 100+ countries. All courses are accredited by the CPD Standards Office, with selected diploma programs additionally accredited by the Quality License Scheme (QLS) at Levels 3, 4, and 7, enabling the issuance of internationally recognised certificates.

The underlying platform is a standard online learning management system delivering module-based content across mobile, tablet, and desktop devices, supported by self-paced study, unlimited assessment attempts, instant e-certificate download, and an optional printed certificate fulfilment service. Tutor support and step-by-step lesson structures are offered, but no native AI tutoring, adaptive learning engine, or proprietary AI/ML capabilities are described as part of the platform architecture.

CPD Courses monetises through a freemium, direct-to-consumer model: free introductory courses drive top-of-funnel acquisition, after which learners purchase individual course enrolments (one-time, pay-as-you-go fees that vary by course level) and select certificate accreditation at either CPD Standards Office or QLS tier, with higher-tier QLS certificates (Level 3, Level 7) commanding higher price points. Distribution is entirely self-serve via cpdcourses.com and a network of affiliated training providers (Bristol Open Learning College, Oxford Home Study College, E-Learning College) and professional body partners (IIRM Global), with marketing reliant on SEO, content marketing, and Trustpilot social proof rather than direct sales. Headcount is reported at 11–50 employees, consistent with a lean, content-led operating model.

Name

CPD Courses

Legal name

CPD Courses

Website

https://cpdcourses.com

Company type

Private

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

CPD Courses is a London-based online learning platform delivering 600+ accredited continuing professional development courses across 30+ professional categories to 1M+ individual learners in 100+ countries, with self-paced study and CPD Standards Office and QLS-accredited certificates.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Online Professional Development / Continuing Education

NAICS

Professional and Management Development Training (611430), Exam Preparation and Tutoring (611691), Computer Training (61142), Business Schools and Computer and Management Training (6114), Educational Services (61)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Professional Development / CPD Requirement Administration for Licensure (EDADAJAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Education Professionals (Teacher/Administrator CE, CPD) (EDAAALAE), Accounting, Audit & Tax (CPA/CA/ACCA CPE) (EDAAALAA), Information Security, Privacy & IT Governance (CISSP CPE, Privacy CE) (EDAAALAL), Behavioral Health & Counseling (Social Work, Psychology, Substance Use CE) (EDAAALAD), Professional Certification & Training Content Publishing (Exam Prep, CE/CPD) (MPAJACAL)

Keywords

• Online professional development
• Continuing education courses
• Accredited CPD training
• E-learning certification
• Self-paced online courses

Headquarters

HQ city

London

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Technology or R&D, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Operations, Infrastructure, Others

Revenue model

1. Course Enrollment Fees: One-time fees for individual course enrollment. Students pay per course with pricing varying by course level and type. Upon completion, students receive e-certificates instantly and can optionally purchase printed certificates shipped to their door.
2. Certificate Accreditation Options: Two accreditation bodies available - CPD Standards Office and Quality License Scheme (QLS) - with fees varying by certification level. Higher-tier certificates (QLS Level 3, Level 7) provide more formal qualifications at different price points.
3. Free CPD Courses: Free introductory courses available to attract learners, with premium paid courses offering more comprehensive content and formal qualifications.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels2 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

CPD Courses is an e-learning provider that delivers 600+ online continuing professional development (CPD) courses across 30+ professional categories. Learners self-enrol, study at their own pace via a web-based learning management system, and complete assessments to earn accredited certificates issued by the CPD Standards Office or the Quality License Scheme (QLS) at Levels 3, 4, and 7. The platform also offers free introductory CPD courses and bundles digital plus printed certificate delivery to learners in 100+ countries.

Product overview

CPD Courses operates as a unified online learning platform offering continuing professional development across multiple professional domains. The portfolio includes diploma programs (QLS Level 3, Level 4, and Level 7) and short certificate courses. Core subject areas span Facilities Management, Event Management, Environmental Management, Digital Marketing, Healthcare, Counselling, Engineering, Teaching, and Health and Social Care, with AI-focused sub-products covering professional growth and marketing applications. The platform also offers a dedicated AI in Digital Marketing collection with 14 specialized courses. All courses are accredited by the CPD Standards Office and/or Quality License Scheme (QLS), with certificates delivered digitally and by post.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Facilities Management CPD Courses Online continuing professional development courses for facilities managers covering operations, compliance, sustainability, and technology integration; includes diploma programs and certificate short courses.
• Event Management CPD Courses Accredited online CPD courses for event professionals covering project management, stakeholder communication, budgeting, risk assessment, AI integration, and sustainability in event planning and delivery.
• Environmental Management CPD Courses Online professional development for environmental managers covering regulatory compliance, sustainability practices, AI-powered monitoring, waste management, and ESG reporting.
• Digital Marketing CPD Courses Comprehensive digital marketing professional development including SEO, content marketing, social media strategy, PPC advertising, analytics, and AI-powered marketing tools at multiple certification levels.
• Healthcare CPD Courses Continuing professional development courses for healthcare professionals covering clinical skills, patient care, and healthcare management, with 52 courses available.
• Counselling CPD Courses Professional development courses for counselling practitioners covering therapeutic techniques, client engagement, and ethical practice, with 4 courses available.
• Engineering CPD Courses Technical continuing professional development for engineers covering industry standards, emerging technologies, and specialised engineering disciplines, with 6 courses available.
• Teaching CPD Courses Professional development for educators covering pedagogical approaches, classroom management, and curriculum development, with 16 courses available.
• Health and Social Care CPD Courses Comprehensive professional development for health and social care workers covering care standards, patient advocacy, and welfare practices, with 28 courses available.
• Certificate in Facilities Management QLS Level 3 Level 3 certificate diploma providing foundational facilities management knowledge, accredited by the Quality License Scheme.
• Advanced Diploma in Facilities Management QLS Level 7 Advanced Level 7 diploma for senior facilities management professionals seeking strategic and leadership expertise.
• Certificate in Event Management QLS Level 3 Level 3 certificate in event management providing foundational knowledge in event planning, coordination, and delivery, accredited by QLS.
• Event Management QLS Level 7 Diploma Advanced diploma for experienced event professionals covering strategic planning, leadership, and advanced event management competencies.
• Diploma in Environmental Management QLS Level 4 Level 4 diploma covering environmental management systems, compliance frameworks, and sustainability implementation strategies.
• Certificate in Environmental Management QLS Level 3 Foundational environmental management certificate covering environmental issues, planning, and regulatory compliance.
• CPD Short Courses Flexible short-format professional development courses focused on specific skills or topics, complementing diploma programs with targeted training in areas like communication, leadership, and digital skills.
• AI for Professional Growth Courses AI-focused continuing education courses teaching professionals to leverage artificial intelligence for career advancement, including AI communication skills, problem-solving, and strategic AI implementation; 81 courses available.

Quantifiable outcome

• Self-paced learning allows study anytime, anywhere on mobile, tablet, or desktop
• +3 more outcomes

Named customers5 records

Segments7 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability8 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• CPD Standards OfficecoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPrimary accreditation partner providing official CPD accreditation for all courses. Certificates issued bear the CPD Standards Office mark, ensuring worldwide recognition of completed CPD hours.
• Quality License Scheme (QLS)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAccreditation partner offering formal QLS Level 3, 4, and 7 qualifications. Certificates from QLS provide higher-tier professional credentials recognized in professional contexts.
• Bristol Open Learning CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliated training provider that may refer students or offer complementary educational services. Logo displayed in partner section of website.
• Oxford Home Study CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliated training provider partner. Logo displayed in partner section indicating referral or co-distribution relationship.
• E-Learning CollegeminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAffiliated e-learning provider partner. Logo displayed in partner section indicating collaborative distribution relationship.
• IIRM GlobalminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerInsurance and risk management professional body partner. Logo displayed in partner section suggesting professional alignment and potential student referrals from their membership.
• Learn Artificial IntelligenceminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAI-focused learning platform partner with shared interest in artificial intelligence education. Logo displayed in partner section indicating collaborative educational focus.

Scale indicators7 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Emerging players

• Skillshare: Subscription-based online learning community with project-based courses in business, marketing, and creative fields, overlapping with CPD Courses' digital marketing and professional development verticals.

Direct peers

• Reed Courses: UK-based online course aggregator and provider offering professional short courses and CPD-accredited training to individual learners and employers, directly competing for the same self-serve CPD buyer.
• The CPD Certification Service: UK accreditation body and CPD course provider that bundles accreditation with a course marketplace, directly competing with CPD Courses' accredited short-course model.
• Open Study College: UK online distance-learning provider with a broad catalog of accredited professional courses and diplomas, competing for the same self-paced professional learner.
• Bristol Open Learning College: Affiliated UK online college offering accredited vocational and professional courses with similar self-paced delivery and credentialing, competing head-on in CPD short-course and diploma segments.
• Oxford Home Study College: Online distance-learning college offering accredited professional and vocational courses (including QLS-endorsed diplomas), directly comparable in product, accreditation, and target learner.

Broad incumbents

• FutureLearn: UK-headquartered online course platform offering short professional courses and accredited programs in partnership with universities, competing for the same UK professional learner.
• Udemy: Global marketplace for online professional and personal-development courses with a similar pay-per-course, self-paced model; broader in scale and catalog but overlapping buyer and use case.
• Coursera: Large online learning platform offering professional certificates, specializations, and accredited credentials from universities and companies; serves an overlapping professional-development segment.
• LinkedIn Learning: Subscription-based professional learning platform from LinkedIn with a broad course catalog aimed at working professionals, competing for the same career-development CPD budget.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/cpdcoursesuk

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about CPD Courses