FdSc Payroll Management (UK Payroll)

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The FdSc Payroll Management (UK Payroll) is a new qualification designed for future payroll leaders.

Students embarking on this qualification will gain strategic business skills in relation to the management of a payroll department, including examining payroll compliance and risk mitigation, analysing the different ways of running payroll within businesses globally and retaining key talent.

Graduates of the FdSc Payroll Management (UK Payroll) are eligible for Full membership of the CIPP. Students completing the course also take a significant step towards meeting the criteria for Chartered membership.

Why should I invest in this qualification?

Payroll is responsible for managing the largest expenditure of most businesses. Coupled with the ever-increasing regulations and responsibilities entrusted to payroll, it is paramount for organisations to have competent and knowledgeable payroll professionals managing this function.

This qualification teaches students management and business strategies. It imparts the skills and insight to solve problems proactively, seek improvements to workplace practices, and identifies incorrect processes that could lead to non-compliance penalties or tribunals if unchecked.

Students are required to readily apply their new-found knowledge to the workplace, enabling employers to realise tangible benefits whilst their employees undertake their studies and beyond graduation.

Who is this qualification aimed at?

This qualification is aimed at existing, or aspiring payroll managers, supervisors or team leaders who wish to progress to payroll management positions whilst gaining a UK-recognised university diploma.

The programme is targeted towards those who work in all payroll environments, from payroll service providers to accountancy firms, in-house payroll teams, and sole payrollers. Completing this course significantly enhances career opportunities within the payroll industry, enabling progression into payroll management roles, payroll consultancy, payroll software development, and positions in reward and benefits management.

Content

This programme is delivered at levels four and five and is structured around a linear model in which students study a single module as they progress through the programme structure.

A range of assessment strategies are used on this programme with assessment briefs available for each module. There may also be opportunities to build a portfolio of work which includes, case studies, reports, reviews, presentations, and reflective learning accounts.

Level 4

Module 1 - Introduction to Academic Study Skills

Self-motivation, resilience, and reflectiveness
Managing study and work
Understanding the type of language used in academic writing
Writing clearly and concisely
An introduction to academic argument
An introduction to literature searching
An introduction to critical reading and writing
Understanding referencing and an introduction to Harvard Referencing
Introduction to reflection
Introduction to ethical issues

Module 2 - Managing People

The nature and practice of performance management
Types of performance management interventions, counselling, coaching, appraisal, and disciplinary process.
Employee engagement
The impact of organisational climate on staffing levels
Flexible resource models
Developing people
Ethics and corporate social responsibility

Module 3 - Payroll Practitioner

Statutory and contractual compliance issues
Risk and their mitigation, including fraud and errors, over and underpayments
Introduction to tools to identify and to mitigate risks
Resourcing challenges: staffing levels, staff skills and knowledge and succession planning
Analytics and standards
The above will be within the context of working practices surrounding:
Statutory payments
Expenses and benefits
Termination payments (including holiday pay)
National Minimum Wage

Module 4 - Organisational Effectiveness

The nature and practice of Organisational Effectiveness
Organisational Structure and Culture
Employee development
The impact of different motivational forms
Team dynamics
Conflict Management
Ethics and corporate social responsibility

Level 5

Module 5 - Academic Study Skills

Citation and Harvard referencing
Literature searching
Academic research (Primary, Secondary and Desk-based)
Evaluating sources
Research Methods (Quantitative, Qualitative and Mixed-method)
Academic arguments (Understanding strengths and limitations) and structure
Understanding reflective practice
Understanding ethics in academic writing

Module 6 - Leadership and Management Development

Attributes of Leadership and Management
Transactional and Transformational Leadership
Leadership Traits
Groups and Teams
Diagnostic of Personal Strengths
Ethics and corporate social responsibility and the role of the leader

Module 7 - Employment Law

An overview of the English Legal System
Sources of Law that underpin Payroll and Employment Benefits
Fundamental Principles of Contract Law
The Contract of Employment and Worker Status
Legal Management of Organisational Change and the Contract of employment
Discharge / Termination of Contract
Legal Recruitment and Selection
Types of Organisational Data, Data Usage and Ethics
Data Management and Compliance with the Data Protection Act 2018
Application of Employment Benefits

Module 8 – Work Based Project

Project planning
Understanding the process of research
Problem identification including articulating objectives and deliverables
Time and resource management
Presenting an argument and advocating
Sourcing evidence and justifying methods
Considering ethics and principles of responsible management
Analysing and interpreting data
Reflecting and identifying future directions
Evaluating process and outcome

Entry requirements

Must be over 16 years of age.
Should be working in a payroll environment or have responsibility for a payroll function.
Must hold associate student membership or above whilst studying the FdSc.

Delivery

The FdSc Payroll Management (UK Payroll) is delivered online. Learning is primarily independent, with students guided to appropriate resources through the University of Lincoln's website. However, online seminars will facilitate discussions, lecture materials and directed reading.

Through lectures, set reading, discussions, activities and independent study, you will complete around 25 hours per week of study.

How much does it cost?

The qualification costs £14,045 in total. This cost will be split into three payments, due at the start of modules one, three and six. VAT is not applicable for this qualification.

While studying this qualification, you are required to be at least an Associate member of the CIPP. CIPP membership provides invaluable support for further reading and research while studying the qualification. This costs £150.00 per year for an Associate student membership subscription, saving you £30*.

If you are already a valued Associate or above member of the CIPP, only the qualification fee is payable.

What do my course fees include?

Allocation of fully qualified lecturers to support you during your studies.
Induction session providing course information, structure, and advice.
Individual and group Tutorials
Access to the University of Lincoln's study platform, which provides:
- Discussion forums so that students can support each other and where tutors can respond to any questions relevant to the whole group
- Study material, induction, module workshop and tutorial slides, plus other relevant information
University registration and the University of Lincoln student membership with specialist online student support.

For more information, please call 0121 712 1044 or email us.

*Saving equates to a reduction of the associate member fee of £30, plus we will waive the £50 registration fee.

Please note that there will be no additional costs for deferrals and re-sits if required.

Prices are valid until 1 September 2024 and reviewed annually for new students. The fee will remain the same for the duration of the course once students are enrolled.

Fees & timetables

Fees

Course fee: £14,045 in total. This cost will be split into three equal payments, due at the start of modules one, three and six. VAT is not applicable for this qualification.
CIPP Membership: £150.00

Timetable

Intake	Apply by	Course Start Date (first day of teaching)
October 2026	28/09/2026	26/10/2026
February 2027	18/01/2027	15/02/2027
May 2027	19/04/2027	17/05/2027

Enrolment

Once enrolled onto the Foundation Degree Payroll Management (UK Payroll), you will need to apply to become a paid associate or above member of the CIPP. Please contact us if you would like to enrol onto this qualification.

Student Loans

Students enrolling on the Foundation Degree Payroll Management (UK Payroll) are eligible to apply for a student loan to assist with funding these qualifications. Student loans are available to all self-funding students in England who have yet to receive a student loan. They are not based on, nor do they affect your credit rating.

Students living outside of England, in Scotland, Wales or Ireland for example, are outside the student loan process. Students from these areas who require public support to assist with funding should apply for a part-time student grant from their respective governing body.

The benefits of a student loan to an individual would be:

No requirement to pay course fees upfront
No repayment unless or until you reach the gross earnings threshold for student loans outlined within current legislation
Repayments only commence following completion of the qualification
No effect on your credit history

You can find information on how to apply for a student loan on the University of Lincoln’s dedicated page.

When applying for a student loan for the FdSc Payroll Management (UK Payroll), you will be asked for the name of the Institute. Please state the 'University of Lincoln', not the IPPE, on your application form.

We suggest you contact the University of Lincoln team before completing the student loan application to obtain the correct information.

To help you gain employer support we've created a business case to support you: