CMI qualifications
CMI qualifications are Ofqual-regulated management and leadership qualifications awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), issued at Levels 3, 5 and 7 and used by UK employers to develop first-line managers, middle managers and senior leaders.
Key facts
- Awarding body: Chartered Management Institute (CMI), a Royal Charter body and the UK Chartered body for management.
- Regulator: Ofqual for regulated CMI qualifications on the Regulated Qualifications Framework.
- Levels: Award, Certificate and Diploma variants offered at RQF Level 3 (first-line management), Level 5 (middle management) and Level 7 (senior and strategic leadership).
- Chartered Manager pathway: Completion of a CMI Level 5 or Level 7 qualification, combined with management experience, is one route towards Chartered Manager (CMgr) status.
- Delivery: Assignment-based at Lift College, with real tutor support and no formal exams.
Choosing a level
Each CMI level is designed for a career stage, not a level of general education:
- Level 3 (first-line management): CMI Level 3 First Line Management. For team leaders, supervisors and new managers moving from doing the work to running the work.
- Level 5 (middle management): CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership. For established managers running teams of managers or a functional area.
- Level 7 (senior leadership): CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership. For heads of function, directors and senior operators leading whole organisations.
CMI vs ILM
CMI and ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) are the two main UK awarding bodies for management qualifications, both Ofqual-regulated. CMI holds a Royal Charter and offers Chartered Manager status; ILM sits within the City & Guilds group. For a full side-by-side comparison, see CMI vs ILM.
Related
For an overview of the management faculty at Lift College, see the management qualifications hub. For the full A to Z of qualifications, see the glossary.