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ILM Level 3 in Leadership & Management
The recognised ILM qualification for team leaders and first-line managers. Build the practical skills to lead, motivate and develop a team, and prove you can apply them in your own role.
- Start any time online
- Assessed by assignments, no exams
- Interest-free payment plans
Who it’s for
Team leaders and first-line managers, and anyone managing people without formal training.
How it’s assessed
Written assignments based on your own role and experience, marked by your tutor.
Study your way
Self-paced online, in-person workshops in London, or as part of an in-house programme.
Trusted by
Who it’s for
For first-line managers, team leaders and aspiring managers
The ILM Level 3 is ideal if you have management responsibilities but no formal training, and you’re serious about developing. It particularly suits team leaders moving up to the next level, and managers leading people through change, budget pressure or growth.
What you gain
- Key management skills you put into practice in your own role
- Confidence to motivate and engage your team
- Better working relationships and communication
- A nationally recognised ILM qualification
What your organisation gains
- Effective, confident first-line managers
- Stronger relationships and communication in teams
- Proven skills: learners show they can apply them at work
- Managers equipped to keep developing themselves and others
Award, Certificate or Diploma?
Choose the size that fits you
All three are the same ILM Level 3 qualification at different depths. The Award is the shortest route, the Certificate covers more of the role, and the Diploma is the most comprehensive. Each comes with a set of units chosen to cover the core of a first-line manager’s role.
Shortest route
ILM Level 3 Award
A focused introduction to leading and motivating a team. Ideal if you want a recognised qualification that fits around a busy role.
Typical time
~3 months
Assignments
2
Credits
4
Units included
- Understanding Leadership
- Understanding How to Motivate to Improve Performance
Broader programme
ILM Level 3 Certificate
A broader grounding across the core skills a first-line manager uses every day, from delegating to handling conflict.
Typical time
6–12 months
Assignments
7
Qualification time
130 hours
Units included
- Understanding Leadership
- Motivating to Improve Performance
- Solving Problems and Making Decisions
- Delegating Authority in the Workplace
- Understanding Conflict in the Workplace
- Giving Briefings and Presentations
- Establishing an Effective Team
Most comprehensive
ILM Level 3 Diploma
The most in-depth Level 3 qualification, adding people development, equality and diversity, and developing your own leadership through action learning.
Typical time
9–18 months
Assignments
13
Qualification time
370 hours
Units included
- Understanding Leadership
- Motivating to Improve Performance
- Solving Problems and Making Decisions
- Delegating Authority in the Workplace
- Satisfying Customer Requirements
- Developing Yourself and Others
- Establishing an Effective Team
- Giving Briefings and Presentations
- Understanding Conflict in the Workplace
- Leading Effective Meetings
- Developing People in the Workplace
- Managing Equality and Diversity
- Developing Own Leadership Capability Using Action Learning
Want different units? Units are preselected for each size. If you’d like to swap in units that better fit your role, contact us to tailor your qualification, at £40 per unit changed.
How it works
Practical, workplace-based assessment
There are no exams. Each unit is assessed by a written assignment that draws on your own experience, so what you learn is used straight away in your role.
1
Enrol
Choose your size and how you want to study, and we’ll set you up on our online learning platform.
2
Learn
Work through our online learning materials, with workshops if you study in person.
3
Apply it at work
Write each assignment using your own examples, with tutor support by email or phone.
4
Get certified
Once your assignments are passed, we order your ILM certificate.
Our learning platform
Everything in one place with Cloud Assess
Your ILM Level 3 lives on Cloud Assess, a specialist online learning and assessment platform. Log in on your laptop, tablet or phone to work through your course and submit your assignments.
- Your assignments, to-do list and deadlines
- Structured learning materials and videos for every unit
- Submit work and get tutor feedback in one place
- Works on desktop and mobile
Choose how you study
One qualification, four ways to get it
Whichever route you choose, you gain the same ILM Level 3 qualification, with tutor marking and ILM registration and certification included.
Distance learning
Award from £429 + VAT, or from £105.80 a month
Study online at your own pace, start any time, with 1:1 tutor support by email and phone.
In person in London
Award from £1,095 + VAT
Interactive workshops with experienced trainers, plus our online portal to help you complete your assignments.
Start with a 2-day course
Course from £729 + VAT
Begin with our Essential Management Skills course in London, then add the ILM Level 3 Award.
In-house for your team
Tailored quote
Train a group of managers with an ILM Level 3 programme designed around your organisation.
Self-funding? Spread the cost with interest-free monthly payment plans. Ask us about payment plans →
What learners say
Rated 4.9/5 on CourseCheck
“Claire was an excellent and engaging trainer. Despite being in management and leadership for 10+ years, I found something informative and new in every piece of content delivered. Highly recommend this course for all levels of managers.”
Dewi R
Middle Manager
“Ross is phenomenal in his approach and his ability to take you on a journey of change. The teachings from this session will really help me go the extra mile in my role and push myself to reach the heights I want, both with my team and personally.”
Mitesh M
Customer Services Manager
“The trainers were engaging, and the course was well-paced. The resources and sessions were well put together, and the support provided to complete the coursework was really helpful.”
Rachel
Wellbeing Manager, Babergh & Mid Suffolk District Councils
What comes next
Where the Level 3 leads
Once you’ve completed your Level 3, you can progress to an ILM Level 4 or Level 5 in Leadership and Management as your role grows, or add an ILM Level 3 qualification in coaching and mentoring.
FAQs
ILM Level 3 questions
Who is the ILM Level 3 in Leadership and Management for?
Team leaders and first-line managers, and anyone with management responsibilities but no formal training. It particularly suits team leaders moving up to the next level of management.
What is the difference between the Award, Certificate and Diploma?
They are different sizes of the same ILM Level 3 qualification. The Award is the shortest (2 assignments, around 3 months by distance learning), the Certificate covers more units (7 assignments, around 6–12 months) and the Diploma is the most comprehensive (13 assignments, around 9–18 months).
How is the ILM Level 3 assessed?
By written assignments based on your own role and experience. There are no exams. Your tutor marks each assignment and gives you feedback.
How long does the ILM Level 3 take?
Studying by distance learning, the Award typically takes around 3 months, the Certificate 6–12 months and the Diploma 9–18 months. You can work faster or slower to suit you.
How much does the ILM Level 3 cost?
By distance learning, the Award is £429 + VAT, the Certificate £895 + VAT and the Diploma £1,495 + VAT. In-person and in-house prices differ. All prices include ILM registration, tutor marking and certification.
Do I need any qualifications to start?
No. There are no formal entry requirements. The ILM Level 3 is designed for people already managing or leading others, so your own work experience is what you build on.
Can I choose my own units?
Each size comes with a preselected set of units. If you’d like different units to suit your role, contact us to tailor your qualification. Tailoring costs £40 per unit changed.
Can I pay in instalments?
Yes. We offer interest-free monthly payment plans for self-funding learners. Ask us for details.
Can I study the ILM Level 3 online?
Yes. You can study entirely online at your own pace through ILM distance learning, or book the Level 3 Award online today.
What can I do after the ILM Level 3?
You can progress to an ILM Level 4 or Level 5 in Leadership and Management, or an ILM Level 3 qualification in coaching and mentoring.
Not sure which size is right?
Tell us about your role and we’ll recommend the right Level 3 qualification and the best way for you to study it, free of charge.
