What is a CMI Level 7 Qualification in Strategic Management ?
When considering a qualification beyond the traditional college or degree pathway, it’s easy to get confused by seemingly endless numbers and letters trying to work out what the qualification actually is and where it ranks in comparison in terms of its academic level and status. You may occasionally be unsure what exactly you’re applying for.
What is a Level 7 Qualification in the UK?
In order to understand what is meant by a Level 7 Qualification, we must first understand the UK system of classification of Qualifications.
Most qualifications in the UK follow the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF). As there are many different awarding bodies in the UK, offering various different qualifications on a multitude of subjects, the RQF was created to provide a consistent framework for UK qualifications.
It directs the creation of courses, helping to keep them consistent by providing guidance on what any given qualification should be classified as, and governing what level award they provide.
Under the RQF, the UK has nine bands of Qualification award Levels – entry level, and levels 1 to 8. Nearly all types of qualifications will fall under one of these bands, from PHD’s, which are level 8 qualifications, through to your old school music exams, which could have earned you up to a level 3 depending on grade!
What is a CMI Level 7 Qualification in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice equivalent to?
As a level 7 Qualification, a CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership qualification is equivalent to a Master’s Degree.
All Level 7 Qualifications are designed for study at postgraduate level, so CMI Level 7 qualifications are also equivalent to PGCEs and level 7 NVQs.
This gives you an idea what sort of level you should be working at before thinking about doing the course.
Since the course is operating at a postgraduate level, you’ll either be a graduate (or have another award at a similar level), or have sufficient experience in the industry to be operating at that level.
The CMI Level 7 Management Qualification is designed to improve your practical management abilities in order to promote organisational success across a company.
CMI qualifications are vocational which means they are similar to advanced skills training and professional education.
How does a CMI Level 7 compare to other qualification levels worldwide?
If you come from elsewhere in the world, a “level 7” qualification may mean something entirely different to you.
If you’re based in Europe, a UK level 7 qualification will also be level 7 on the European Qualifications Framework (or EQF), which is a similar scheme designed to try and compare various European qualifications.
For example, under the EQF, a UK level 7 qualification is equivalent to Master’s degree from a German or Italian University.
The EQF also provides a scheme to find equivalents in European qualifications. Qualifications elsewhere in the world may not necessarily follow this, but it can be a helpful indicator wherever you’re from.
What’s the difference between Awards, Certificates and Diplomas?
You may have noticed many of the RQF Levels contain Award