CIH membership: Focus on learners

Whether you’re utilising your discounted or free learner membership while studying with the CIH Housing Academy, or making the most of our concessionary rates while learning at a different approved study centre, we offer a range of benefits to help with your journey to getting qualified. There’s so much more to being a member than you think. Read on to find out more! 

Use the wealth of information in our Knowledge Hub 

While you should get plenty of support from your chosen study centre, further reading is essential to help you fully understand the trickier topics. When you come to take your assessments, it can help impress your examiners if you have a well-rounded understanding of the subject and they can tell when you’ve looked beyond your textbooks.   

The CIH Knowledge Hub holds a huge library of information on the most relevant topics in housing. As a CIH member, you’ll get access to all the essential content and definitions, read about real-world examples of good practice, and access our What You Need to Know guides about the latest policy changes. 

Free webinars and discounted training 

Attending a CIH webinar is a great way to fit some quick-fire studying in. You’ll get the latest sector insights from our expert speakers and hear how other professionals are solving problems and moving forwards. In around an hour (and from the comfort of your own desk) you’ll gain invaluable knowledge that pushes your studies to the next level. You’ll also get exclusive member access to webinar recordings, so you don’t have to choose between your job or personal commitments and your CPD. 

On top of this, you’ve got the opportunity to train with the CIH Housing Academy at lower prices while you’re a CIH member, sometimes saving nearly £200 per session. Practical training in a subject you’re interested in will compliment your qualification and increase your employment options, whether you’re just starting out in your housing career or angling for a well-deserved promotion. 

Show your dedication to the sector by attending free events 

The networking opportunities at CIH events for housing professionals are unmatched. Our regional housing conferences run throughout the year, giving you the chance to build relationships with other sector professionals in your area. Your membership with CIH gets you access to expert panels and speakers on event day—you never know which session might inspire you to take a certain direction in your studies, or who might finally explain a concept in a way that helps you get it.  

Stay up to date with our newsletters 

We know it takes a lot of energy to keep up with the latest news alongside studying, working and living your life—which is why our member newsletters send the most relevant housing updates straight to your inbox. Your quarterly regional newsletter gives you a summary of everything happening in your area, while the fortnightly Housing Matters newsletter will give you the essential sector-wide updates. If you want to delve deeper into the issues affecting you, your colleagues, and tenants, the fortnightly rendition of our Unlocked newsletter includes more immersive articles from a range of housing experts. 

Up your game with our professional standards tools 

Gaining a qualification is just one piece of the puzzle when it comes being a brilliant housing professional. While you’ve got CIH membership, you should take advantage of our exclusive professionalism tools and discover your professional profile. This will help you reflect on your current work, what you do well in, and where you can improve. Self-reflection is an important part of any job, and it’ll help you become a more well-rounded housing professional. Wherever you're at in your professionalism journey, adding the relevant post-nominal letters after your name as a CIH member is another easy way to demonstrate your dedication to the housing sector.

Membership is definitely worth it if you’re a student—it prepares you for the next steps to take professionally after achieving your housing qualification. Once you've completed your learning, it doesn't mean you should say goodbye to your CIH membership. Our resources that help you through your studies can help you through your career as well, so make sure you understand the different member grades on offer once your learner membership finishes. Maybe you want to receive mentoring or even become a mentor yourself once you're newly qualified—we're here to help you along the next part of your journey. Read our article on how to make the most of your first 100 days of membership here, or read more about our member benefits here.