The two tiers at a glance
Alison offers courses at Certificate and Diploma levels. Its help center says Certificate courses are meant for light study on a specific topic, while Diplomas give a broader and more extensive understanding of a subject. Every course follows course, module, topic and assessment, and both are self-paced with no time limit.
| Feature | Certificate course | Diploma course |
|---|---|---|
| Average study time (Alison help center) | 2 to 3 hours | 8 to 10 hours; about 6 to 15 hours |
| Assessments | One assessment at the end | Multiple assessments throughout |
| Pass mark | 80%, or 70% for beginner-level Certificate courses | 80% in each assessment |
| Retakes | As many as you like | As many as you like |
| Cost to study | Free | Free |
| Document price | Set by type, format and country at checkout | Set by type, format and country at checkout |
Real course pages differ from the averages
The platform averages are a guide only. On 30 October 2026 the course pages we checked listed: Project Management's Fundamentals (Certificate, beginner) at 4 to 5 hours; Diploma in Introduction to Project Management (intermediate) at 6 to 10 hours; and Diploma in Project Management (beginner) at 10 to 15 hours. All three were marked CPD-Accredited.
Alison's accreditation FAQ gives yet another rough figure, about 15 hours for Diplomas. Read the hours and level on the exact course page you plan to take.
How the price is set
Alison does not publish a fixed price list. Its publisher help center says Alison, not the course publisher, sets certificate prices, based on course type (Certificate or Diploma), format (digital or parchment) and the learner's country. Its public pricing page did not show amounts when we checked, but did carry a temporary 25% sale banner on certificates and diplomas. Your price appears in the Shop after you complete the course.
One overlap rule matters: if you complete a Certificate course that is also part of a Diploma, Alison says you must retake it within the Diploma programme. Decide which tier you want before you start.
Worked example: hours to cost
The prices below are invented for arithmetic only and are not Alison quotes. Replace them with the figures you see at checkout.
Suppose a digital Certificate is quoted at 30 and a digital Diploma at 75 in your currency. For a 4-hour Certificate course, that is 7.50 per study hour. For a 12-hour Diploma, it is 6.25 per study hour. The Diploma costs more in total but less per hour, and it includes several assessments rather than one.
Now consider the purpose. If you need proof of one narrow skill, the Certificate gives you that for the lower total. If you need broader coverage or a larger CPD time entry, the Diploma gives more hours for each unit of currency spent. If no one has asked for a document, the cheapest option is the free Learner Record.
| Option (invented prices) | Hours | Price | Cost per hour |
|---|---|---|---|
| Certificate course, digital | 4 | 30 | 7.50 |
| Diploma course, digital | 12 | 75 | 6.25 |
| Either course, free Learner Record | 4 or 12 | 0 | 0 |
When the longer Diploma is worth the time
Choose the Diploma when at least two of these are true; otherwise start with a Certificate course.
- You need several related subtopics, not one technique.
- You want more than one checkpoint to confirm understanding, since Diplomas have assessments throughout.
- You are logging CPD and your body counts time spent.
- You can protect 6 to 15 hours over the next few weeks.
- You have not already completed a Certificate course that the Diploma would make you retake.
What neither tier changes
Both tiers are CPD-accredited completion credentials. Alison says its courses focus on basic skills-based workplace learning and that a Diploma, such as its Diploma in Nursing Studies, is not comparable to a formal qualification like Registered Nurse. A longer course does not make the document a regulated qualification.
Questions before you decide
Is an Alison Diploma harder than a Certificate?
It is longer and has multiple assessments throughout rather than one at the end. Alison's pass mark is 80% per assessment, with 70% for beginner-level Certificate courses, and retakes are unlimited.
How much does an Alison Diploma cost?
Studying is free. Alison does not publish a fixed document price; it says prices depend on course type, digital or parchment format and your country. Check the Shop after completing the course.
Can a Certificate course count towards a Diploma?
Not automatically. Alison says if you complete a Certificate course that is also part of a Diploma, you must retake it within the Diploma programme.
Sources & verification
Product details and prices can change. Check the linked provider before buying.
- Alison Help Center: How do Alison courses work? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Help Center: How do I get my certificate? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison Publisher Help Center: How is the certificate cost calculated? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison: Pricing Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison FAQ: Are Alison courses recognised or accredited? Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison course page: Project Management's Fundamentals Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison course page: Diploma in Introduction to Project Management Accessed 30 Oct 2026
- Alison course page: Diploma in Project Management Accessed 30 Oct 2026
Sources link directly to providers. Product buttons may use separately labeled affiliate links. Read our disclosure.