DPG Reviews 748

I have never felt so stressed in my life than going through the communications on the system, it is not a simple back and forth. My tutor Holly could not care less and even when I've explained about neurodiversity she has not explained clearly what it I need to do to support further. Apparently you get 3 draft submissions and they can be reviewed in full...this isn't the case you can only have one section reviewed at a time which defeats the object. None of this is clearly stated in the paperwork or videos and everytime you submit a draft it takes a week for Mark to come back to tell me it's wrong again. The system is quite dated and doesn't allow you to even do in a change it after submission. It is not neurodiverse friendly and I'm considering escalating my complaint under the equality act, ironic considering this course is for HR. I signed up in March and I'm trying to catch up now as I've not been able to action anything but with the slow responses and obstacle, I feel they've taken my money and with the lack of support, I'm not confident I'm going to be able to finish this. I want a new tutor and clear instructions because what has been provided is not sufficient in the course information, even after I have stated my neurodiversities. This causing me stress and migraines, I have had nights where I have sobbed due to feeling stupid from the responses I've received from my tutor and the marking tutor. I welcome communication from their student services team to sort this out.

So quick and easy to sign up with quick response times

Rodrick was so helpful in talking to me through the whole starting process. Thank you, I’m so excited to start my CIPD level 5 in few weeks!
Audrey x

I had the pleasure of working with Roddy Briggs during the enrollment process, and I couldn’t be more grateful for his support. I had a ton of questions along the way, and he took the time to answer every single one with patience and clarity. Roddy was incredibly understanding, helpful, and always made sure I felt comfortable with each step. His regular check-ins kept me on track and really eased me through the entire process. Thank you, Roddy, for making what could have been stressful feel so smooth and manageable!

From the very beginning, the enrolment process with DPG has been straightforward and well-organised. Roddy has been supportive, professional, and quick to respond to my queries, which really put me at ease while completing the application and payment steps.

The communication has been clear at every stage, and I’ve always felt guided and reassured throughout the process. I’m excited to begin my CIPD Level 5 journey with DPG and feel confident that I’ll be well supported along the way.

I would definitely recommend DPG to anyone considering CIPD qualifications.

I’ve recently signed up to begin my Level 5 in Learning and Development, and Avnita played a key role in making the process smooth and straightforward. From the outset, she was friendly and easy to talk to, always quick to respond and happy to help. No matter what I asked, she took the time to give clear, helpful answers and really put me at ease. Her guidance turned what could have been a stressful experience into a genuinely positive one.

Dominique was very attentive and helpful, he had all the knowledge to guide me through all my questions. Appreciate the good will extension for 3 months, thanks Dominique 😊

Do not ever use this company, any 4/5 star scores on here are based on the initial enrolment, which is good, but the dream they sell you is far from reality.


I cannot express how awful this company are.
Throughout communication is poor, your assigned tutor is barely helpful and takes days to reply. Student Services, are equally as unhelpful and have a 'computer says no' attitude, often coming across as rude and don't care.

The final nail in the coffin was passing my final assignment in March, being told it had gone over to the CIPD for moderation, then on the day I was due my results, getting nothing. Then speaking to CIPD to find out that DGP had not sent them my final assignment... what transpires (from CIPD) is that DPG were sub-standard and had to remark a batch of assignments. Not once in 3 months was this communicated.

Communication with DPG was incredibly poor, no-one could help, no cohesive communication, no empathy. It was beyond appalling.

If CIPD think they are substandard, that says everything. DO NOT USE!!!!

EDIT - in reply to your comment - load of rubbish. You had my assignment in March, which had passed. It wasn’t until the results day in June I found out there was an issue. NO communication. Even when myself and other students called to highlight an issue you had no idea. So don’t sugar coat it Rory. Take accountability.

From reaching out via the online website chat to getting me set up with my login portal details, Roderick has been more than happy to help and very prompt. I look forward to starting my journey with DPG - thank you! :-)

Further update:
Despite the great support from my tutor I have once again failed an assignment for different reasons that stated on my previous submission. The assessor feedback is once again inadequate to know what to do to improve so I am in the same position once again. I have been trying to reach Sharon (Head of Student services) for the past few weeks and called student services today to be told she has left the company and there is currently no head of student services so my emails are sat in a queue. I have absolutely no faith that this company follow through with their promises of support. I am not receiving the service I am paying for.

Update: I contacted DPG and asked for my complaint to be escalated, within a few hours I received a very supportive phone call from Sharon, the head of student services who really couldn't do enough to help and reassure me. She listened, empathised and acted with pace. On the same day I was allocated a new tutor who went through both my assignments with me which has enabled me to clearly understand what I need to do to improve. I was given an extension on my assignments to ease the pressure. Sharon also phoned me again a few days later to check in with me, very grateful. I hope this support and guidance continues so that I can successfully complete this course.

Avoid! At this point I have no choice but to write this negative review.

Currently completing level 5. 3 units in and I'm going through a second formal complaint (DPG - Case # 585356) and despite being told I would receive a response in 10 working days...nothing and I've been chasing through student services.

Feedback for the last 2 assignments has been poor and very unclear in how to improve when being informed I have failed sections of assignments. 15 day marking policy is not consistently adhered to so the process of submitting the first assignment to having time to then do a resubmission is unacceptable. I received feedback at 3.30am for one assignment (after I had put in my formal complaint) which doesn't fill me with confidence in the accuracy of marking. Feedback states I need to do things which I've actually done so I don't believe it's been marked or read properly. Tried to get support from my tutor over messaging but they don't actually answer my questions and are equally as vague. The indicative content and assessment guidance for each assignment does not appear to be consistent with marker feedback. I have a qualification higher than this course and never failed any of the assignments.

There is no way I will be able to meet the 31st July deadline for resubmissions of 2 and/or 3 attempts due to the marking taking so long, inconsistency in marking and the lack of support with writing resubmissions.

I work in education and if I provided the same level of guidance, support and feedback to my students then they would all fail.

It's very ironic that there is such poor provision for a course in organisational learning and development.

Student supports services are good at empathising with you but don't know the answers to my questions. I'm paying £118 a month for e-learning resources, poor provision, poor support and stress that DPG are causing me.

I look forward to hearing how DPG will compensate me for not providing the service I am paying for.

I would not recommend DPG as a training provider. They have the worst communication, and recently have managed to make life hell for their students working on the Level 5 course due inconsistent marking practices - as a result many of my peers who thought they had 'passed' their assessments, had in fact failed. Such a hard pill to swallow when you have worked so hard. I was lucky I didn't fall into this category, but I have had to constantly chase DPG for information, as I was basically ignored once I had successfully completed my last assessment.

No communication till I chased them for it. I should have had my results from the CIPD on the 9th of June, but due to the inefficiency of DPG, I didn't get them till yesterday. There has still to date been no official communication sent out to me about why there was a delay or what actually happened. No apology from them either for their poor customer service.

If you look at most of the positive reviews on here, its people giving feedback on their onboarding experience.... don't be fooled by the great customer service you will receive at the start so they can take your money.... you won't have the same great customer service afterwards.

I have never come across such incompetence and unprofessionalism. DPG has to be the most incompetent company I have ever had the displeasure of dealing with in my life.

I have nothing but praise for DPG- I had the same issue last year as the CIPD stipulate an assessment brief change every year which means all training companies have to get their students to submit their briefs on time- we were informed of this through the learning platform well in advance but a lot of students in the forums aren't reading the information available to them online and are missing out on key things that they shouldn't need to complain about. I also think some of the reviews unfair here as 'online' students you are expected to read what is available to you and I have never had any problems with DPG at all. There are also 'windows' the CIPD provide for you to submit your assessments so I'm not sure why people panic when they don't get something marked on time as assessments can go into any window and these qualifications are 2-3 years long!!!.....I think its easy to complain today when some people don't even read what's available to them or understand the CIPD's processes. My assessment was late this time as the CIPD now want training companies to put every assessment through plagiarism software to check for AI... again something people don't realise. I would recommend them.

I can’t thank Avnita enough! The enrolment process was speedy and very efficient. The communication throughout was brilliant with fast replies throughout. Avnita answered all my questions from the off and was just overall brilliant. I would highly recommend!x

My experience with the provider is based entirely on the administrative aspect of service as I have not yet completed any assignments. Additionally, I recognise the onus on me to have taken more time and energy to engage with the provider and, had I done so, I probably would not be in the position I am now.

Over the past few years, due to chronic illness and difficult personal circumstances, including the loss of my father, I have been unable to start the qualification but I have still been making the monthly payments. Nobody has reached out at any time to enquire about progress or to offer support (although I recognise it needs to be a bilateral channel of comms).

That said, now that I’m ready to commence the studies, I am very disappointed to learn that despite paying nearly £5000 for the full course, on-time, I will need to pay to re-enrol for an additional 12 months (£500) + the AO registration fee (this assumes you can finish the qualification within 12 months which, I submit, is highly unlikely).

The reason for the negative review, whilst fully recognising my failures as well - is the unwillingness to extend a token of faith or engage in any constructive or equitable solution: they simply want to keep the course fees (having incurred virtually no cost whatsoever as the course has not commenced (the AO fees are included in the cost, so beyond a minimal cost-to serve, DPG has made a pure profit in this case with practically zero expense)).

Emails go unanswered, and, bizarrely, regardless of what time/day you call, option 2 Student Services - is closed, and option 1 - enrolments - diverts to an answer phone - is there a team on the phones?

SHEilds Ltd., the CMI, and a couple of other organisations were so understanding and supportive and all extended my programmes of study completely free of charge, because they recognise students, their experience, and their mental health are also considerations, not just £££. DPG is the ONLY one of my ongoing study programmes that have behaved in this manner.

So, I have no real choice but to enrol with another institution and pay again. Solely on the basis of their desire to prioritise only profit, I would not recommend the institution.

DO NOT SIGN UP! They have left me no choice but to add another negative review. It is all singing and dancing when you are discussing membership. I have had nothing but problems. Ongoing issue since Mid April 2025, we are nearing July and no movement. I have completed 3 out of 4 assignments and submitted. The 15 day marking rule is not being honoured. They have been advising if 1st submissions are not in by 31st June we would need to amend according to the new briefs. I could bet they will get this wrong and expect students who have submitted by the deadline to amend. This is the worst learning experience of my life, no consideration for their student's mental health.

Thank You for responding Rory. Still no movement and I have been told by my tutor there is nothing she can do. Quiet frankly dissapointing service.

I honestly cannot believe what I’ve experienced with this company. Been told months ago that I’d passed an assignment on my 3rd attempt, now I’m told I’ve actually failed and my final unit has taken weeks to be marked by an assessor, with only days left of my course, it looks like it won’t be marked in time. I am going round in circles between my tutor and student services regarding whose responsibility it is to get my assignment marked, and both are pointing fingers at the other. Disgusting service

Edit: Rory, thank you for responding. Unfortunately, although I have followed the advice from the tutor who said I need to speak with service services regarding late marking, student services have responded saying they will contact my tutor to chase up the marking. It has been a month since I submitted my unit and I feel like I’m going round in circles as to whose responsibility it is to chase up marking! Nobody has communicated with me about extra study time, nobody has explained HOW I can submit my failed assignment. My study space will not allow me to submit my assignment as it says “only 3 attempts”. I have been left in the dark, and I am having to chase support/advice. Case number: 589012

Excellent enrollment support and advice from Roddy and the team. I am looking forward to starting the course.

Roddy Briggs was super helpful during the onboarding process and kindly sped things up when I told him I had a deadline to submit the paperwork prior to registering as a student!

Avoid. The tutors cancel lessons if not enough students in there. When marking it’s completely messed up. The feedback isn’t sufficient enough. Having to go back and forth for months as they take so long to mark. They say there’s a deadline they don’t stick to the deadline. They will just keep saying the same thing over the phone. I initially was told I had passed my course after 6 months of going back and forth 3-4 months later once I chased my certificate to say when will I hear something it’s now not passed although we had sent you a pass email ignore it as it’s actually failed. Why has it taken that long to overturn? Even though I had to appeal the marking as I felt it wasn’t correctly marked. The assessors even copy and pasted their feedback from the last submission so it was never new just the same so you didn’t know what you had to amend. This has caused me significant upset and affected my mental health so badly and now when I finally thought it was over i still have to deal with it. The level of stress I have had to endure over the last year has really affected me and the only thing you will get is a sorry over the phone. I’m extremely dissatisfied as I have worked so hard trying to fit this in with being a mum and working at the same time. I had asked for a manager to contact me on the Monday 5 days later I have not received any call or email. I was advised my feedback will be open within 3 days. It’s been 8 days they have finally opened the access after I called everyday yesterday but then provided no feedback to what I need to do now as it still just shows as pass. So so so upset and dissatisfied. I havent done this through my employer either. There’s no support and no one to go to regardless of who they say there is.

Avoid this provider!!

While things seemed promising at first, the overall experience was very disappointing. As the course progressed, the quality of support significantly declined. Feedback was minimal and often unhelpful, and in some cases, I felt that certain reviewers lacked the qualifications to provide meaningful input.

I’m extremely disappointed and dissatisfied with the service I received.

— Ana