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ILM Level 5 in Leadership & Management
The recognised ILM qualification for practising middle managers, department heads and project managers. Develop your leadership, improve performance and prepare for more senior responsibility.
- Start any time online
- Assessed by assignments, no exams
- Interest-free payment plans
Who it’s for
Practising middle managers, department heads and project managers stepping towards senior roles.
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.
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Who it’s for
For middle managers, department heads and project managers
The ILM Level 5 is designed for practising middle managers who want to develop their skills and experience, improve performance and prepare for senior management. It is popular with department heads and project managers leading teams, change and improvement.
What you gain
- Core management techniques to drive better results
- The ability to lead, motivate and inspire
- Strategic leadership as well as day-to-day management
- A benchmark for your skills and a higher profile in your organisation
What your organisation gains
- Strategic thinking that drives business improvement
- Engaged middle managers who stay and grow
- Clear, measurable benefits from development
- Learning tailored to your development needs
Award, Certificate or Diploma?
Choose the size that fits you
All three are the same ILM Level 5 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 middle manager’s role.
Shortest route
ILM Level 5 Award
A focused qualification in two core areas of middle management: running your area efficiently and leading change.
Typical time
6–9 months
Assignments
2
Credits
9
Units included
- Managing for Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Leading Innovation and Change
Broader programme
ILM Level 5 Certificate
Adds a structured look at your own leadership, so you develop yourself as well as your area and your team.
Typical time
6–9 months
Assignments
3
Credits
14
Units included
- Assessing Own Leadership Capability and Performance
- Managing for Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Leading Innovation and Change
Most comprehensive
ILM Level 5 Diploma
The most in-depth Level 5 qualification, adding team leadership, coaching and mentoring, presentations, equality and diversity, and your own personal development.
Typical time
12–18 months
Assignments
7
Credits
40
Units included
- Leading Innovation and Change
- Managing for Efficiency and Effectiveness
- Making Professional Presentations
- Developing and Leading Teams to Achieve Organisational Goals
- Effective Coaching and Mentoring in an Organisational Context
- Managing Equality and Diversity in Own Area
- Managing Personal Development
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 5 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 5 qualification, with tutor marking and ILM registration and certification included.
Distance learning
Award from £629 + VAT, or from £125.80 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 £1,495 + 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 5 Award.
In-house for your team
Tailored quote
Train a group of managers with an ILM Level 5 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 5 leads
Once you’ve completed your Level 5, you can progress to an ILM Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management as you move into senior roles, or add an ILM Level 5 qualification in coaching and mentoring.
FAQs
ILM Level 5 questions
Who is the ILM Level 5 in Leadership and Management for?
Practising middle managers, department heads and project managers who want to develop their skills, improve performance and prepare for senior management responsibilities.
What is the difference between the Award, Certificate and Diploma?
They are different sizes of the same ILM Level 5 qualification. The Award is the shortest (2 assignments, around 6–9 months by distance learning), the Certificate adds assessing your own leadership (3 assignments, around 6–9 months) and the Diploma is the most comprehensive (7 assignments, around 12–18 months).
How is the ILM Level 5 assessed?
By written assignments based on your own role and real business examples. There are no exams. Your tutor marks each assignment and gives you feedback.
How long does the ILM Level 5 take?
Studying by distance learning, the Award and Certificate typically take around 6–9 months and the Diploma 12–18 months. You can work faster or slower to suit you.
How much does the ILM Level 5 cost?
By distance learning, the Award is £629 + VAT, the Certificate £995 + VAT and the Diploma £2,195 + VAT. In-person and in-house prices differ. All prices include ILM registration, tutor marking and certification.
Should I take Level 3 or Level 5?
Level 3 suits team leaders and first-line managers. Level 5 suits practising middle managers who manage other managers, lead a department or run projects. If you are unsure, tell us about your role and we will advise.
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: 3 or 6 months on the Award, and 3, 6, 9 or 12 months on the Certificate and Diploma.
Can I study the ILM Level 5 online?
Yes. You can study entirely online at your own pace through ILM distance learning, with tutor support throughout.
What can I do after the ILM Level 5?
You can progress to an ILM Level 7 in Strategic Leadership and Management, or an ILM Level 5 qualification in coaching and mentoring.
Not sure which size is right?
Tell us about your role and we’ll recommend the right Level 5 qualification and the best way for you to study it, free of charge.
