What are Short Courses and CPD at Bloomington University?

Short Courses and CPD (Continuing Professional Development) are ECTS-based upskilling programs designed for professionals seeking to enhance their skills, stay current with industry trends, or gain new competencies. These flexible, self-paced courses allow you to earn recognized ECTS CPD credits while maintaining your career.

How long do Short Courses take?

Short Courses have variable duration with our self-paced ECTS model, ranging from a few weeks to several months depending on the course and your learning pace. You can complete courses based on your schedule while earning ECTS CPD credits recognized by employers globally.

Can I take CPD courses while working full-time?

Absolutely! Our ECTS-based Short Courses and CPD programs are designed for working professionals. With self-paced progression and flexible learning modes (online, blended, campus), you can upskill while maintaining your current employment and personal commitments.

Do Short Courses provide certificates?

Yes! Upon completion, you receive ECTS CPD credits and certificates recognized by employers and professional bodies globally. Our NACSC accreditation (CGPA 3.82) ensures your CPD credentials are valued internationally, enhancing your career prospects and professional profile.

Can CPD credits count toward a degree?

In many cases, yes! Our ECTS-based CPD credits may be transferable toward undergraduate or postgraduate programs at Bloomington University, allowing you to build toward a degree through short courses. This provides a flexible pathway for lifelong learning and career advancement.

Short Courses & CPD

Learn What You Need.
When You Need It.

Whether you're upskilling for a new role, exploring a passion, or taking the first step toward a full degree â our short courses and CPD programs fit into your life.

Start small, learn fast, and keep your options open for bigger qualifications later.

Browse Courses Explore Pathways

Available in all delivery modes

On-Campus Online Blended Workplace

Flexible Duration

From a few weeks to a full semester â learn at your own pace.

ECTS Credit-Bearing

Earn recognized credits that count toward full degrees.

Stackable Pathways

Stack micro-credentials into certificates, diplomas, or degrees.

Not everyone needs a full degree right now â and that's perfectly okay.

Short & CPD Courses

Learn in Weeks,
Not Years

Keep the door open to future qualifications â while getting exactly what you need now.

Bloomington University's Short and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) Courses are offered by Faculties and Schools across the university. Earn recognized credits that can count towards future certificates, diplomas, or degrees.

On-Campus Online Blended HyFlex

Browse Short & CPD Courses Talk to an Advisor

Upskill Quickly

Get job-ready skills for your current role in weeks, not years.

Reskill Into New Fields

Pivot your career with targeted courses in emerging areas.

Explore First

Try a subject before committing to a longer program.

Earn Real Credits

Collect ECTS credits that count towards future qualifications.

What Are Short & CPD Courses?

Focused, stackable learning blocks designed for real-world impact.

Micro-Credentials

At Bloomington, many short and CPD offerings are built as micro-credentials â focused learning blocks with clear outcomes, assessment, and where applicable, ECTS credit.

Tier 1

Foundation

5â10 ECTS Credits

Core skills or introductory concepts to establish your foundation in a subject area.

Tier 2

Intermediate

10â20 ECTS Credits

Applied skills or sub-disciplinary focus to deepen your expertise.

Tier 3

Advanced / Capstone

15â30 ECTS Credits

Specialized or integrative projects that demonstrate mastery.

Two Ways to Learn

Short Courses

Compact modules that focus on one topic or skill area. Ideal for quick upskilling or exploring a new subject before committing to a longer program.

CPD Courses

Profession-oriented offerings aligned with industry and professional frameworks, often contributing to continuing professional education requirements.

Defined Learning Outcomes

Competency-Based Assessment

All Delivery Modes

Every short course is designed to be meaningful on its own â and powerful as part of a bigger pathway.

Who It's For

Designed for Every Stage of Your Journey

Whether you're a student looking to stand out, a professional aiming to advance, or a leader seeking to stay ahead â our short courses and CPD programs provide the focused, flexible learning you need.

Current Students

Supplement your degree with additional skills and credentials that enhance your employability

Working Professionals

Upskill in your current role or prepare for promotion with targeted professional development

Career Changers

Explore new fields and build foundational skills before committing to a full degree program

Senior Leaders

Stay current with emerging trends and develop strategic leadership capabilities

98% Learner Satisfaction

Credit Stacking

Build Toward Bigger Goals

Every course you complete can count toward larger qualifications through our credit stacking system

Microcredentials

Verified digital badges for specific skills and competencies

Certificates

Professional certificates from 30-60 credits of focused study

Diplomas

Graduate diplomas from 60-120 credits of advanced study

Degrees

Full bachelor's or master's degrees from 180-240 credits

Micro

1-15 Credits

Certificate

30-60 Credits

Diploma

60-120 Credits

Degree

180-240 Credits

How You Can Study & Get Started

Any faculty. Any mode. Wherever you are.

Flexibility

Any Mode

Take short and CPD courses on-campus, online (live or asynchronous), blended, or HyFlex/self-paced where available.

On-Campus Online Live Async Blended HyFlex

Accessibility

Any Place

Join from main campuses, regional centres, fully through the Digital Learning Environment, or via workplaces and clinics.

Main Campuses Regional Centres DLE Workplaces

Variety

Any Discipline

Courses are offered across all faculties including Health, Engineering, Business, Creative Arts, and Social Sciences.

Health & Life Sciences Business Engineering Arts

Browse Short & CPD Course Catalogue How Courses Count Towards a Degree Contact Lifelong Learning Office

Start small, aim big. Every short course can be a step in a larger journey.

Connect with us to Explore programs and personalized guidance.

Our admissions team is here to help you find the right program and start your journey with confidence.

Study with us

Life at BU

Collaborate

About BU

Learn What You Need.
When You Need It.

Flexible Duration

ECTS Credit-Bearing

Stackable Pathways

Learn in Weeks,
Not Years

Upskill Quickly

Reskill Into New Fields

Explore First

Earn Real Credits

What Are Short & CPD Courses?

Foundation

Intermediate

Advanced / Capstone

Two Ways to Learn

Short Courses

CPD Courses

Designed for Every Stage of Your Journey

Current Students

Working Professionals

Career Changers

Senior Leaders

Build Toward Bigger Goals

Microcredentials

Certificates

Diplomas

Degrees

How You Can Study & Get Started

Any Mode

Any Place

Any Discipline

Ready to Start Learning?

Connect with us to Explore programs and personalized guidance.

Study with us

Life at BU

Collaborate

About BU

Learn What You Need. When You Need It.

Flexible Duration

ECTS Credit-Bearing

Stackable Pathways

Learn in Weeks,Not Years

Upskill Quickly

Reskill Into New Fields

Explore First

Earn Real Credits

What Are Short & CPD Courses?

Foundation

Intermediate

Advanced / Capstone

Two Ways to Learn

Short Courses

CPD Courses

Designed for Every Stage of Your Journey

Current Students

Working Professionals

Career Changers

Senior Leaders

Build Toward Bigger Goals

Microcredentials

Certificates

Diplomas

Degrees

How You Can Study & Get Started

Any Mode

Any Place

Any Discipline

Ready to Start Learning?

Connect with us to Explore programs and personalized guidance.

Learn What You Need.
When You Need It.

Learn in Weeks,
Not Years