How hard is a CMI Level 7 Management and leadership Qualification?

If you’re a manager looking to develop your skills, you may have considered a Level 7 Diploma, a study option becoming increasingly popular with managers looking to build on their experience and progress in their career.

A CMI Level 7 Management and Leadership Diploma is a globally recognised Qualification at RQF Level 7- equivalent to the level of a Master’s degree.

The Qualification is designed to advance your knowledge and skills gained from a degree or similar Level 6 Qualification to a postgraduate level.

What is CMI?

The Chartered Management institute (CMI) is a UK awarding body of management qualifications. They’re a Chartered Institute- the only Chartered awarding body in the UK for management and leadership, meaning they’re the only awarding body who can bestow Chartered Manager status, the highest management accolade.

CMI ensure learners are equipped with the skills required for effective management at a higher level, helping people become talented, competent, and successful managers and leaders. They form partnerships with businesses and academic institutions, like MMC Learning, who become CMI approved study centres, delivering the qualification training.

What CMI Level courses are there?

CMI accredits courses at 7 different levels and in various formats meaning it can sometimes be tricky to figure out which is right for you.

  • CMI Level 2 and 3 Qualifications: Equivalent to A-Level study, CMI Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications are aimed at first-time managers looking to gain experience and skills which will allow them to progress in their careers.
  • CMI Level 4 and 5 Qualifications: CMI Level 4 and 5 courses are geared towards mid-level managers, designed to build their leadership and management skills. These courses are equivalent to HND or Foundation Degree level study.
  • CMI Level 6 and 7 Qualifications: As mentioned CMI Level 6 and Level 7 Qualification are equivalent to a bachelor’s and master’s Degree respectively. These Qualifications support senior-level managers.

At each of these levels, CMI Qualifications are available as Diplomas, Certificates, and Awards. These are just different forms a Qualification can take, depending on the number of units and how long it takes.

  • CMI Awards– take an average of up to 1-3 months to complete. These are short, crash courses, covering a wide variety of topics in slightly less detail.
  • CMI Certificates- take up to 3-6 months to attain. These are slightly longer courses covering a wide range of topics but in more detail.
  • CMI Diplomas- the most in-depth courses, which take between a year and two years to complete.