Is this enough to get a management role?

CMI Level 3 strongly evidences your readiness for a first-line management role and is widely recognised by UK employers. Combined with your existing experience, it positions you well for internal promotion or external applications.

Will this give me chartered manager status?

Chartered Manager (CMgr) status is awarded by the CMI to professionals who hold a Level 5 or higher CMI qualification plus 3+ years of management experience. The CMI Level 5 Diploma counts toward the academic requirement.

How much management experience do I need?

CMI Level 3 suits new and aspiring managers (no formal experience required). Level 5 suits established managers with at least 12 months in a management role. Level 7 is for senior leaders with strategic responsibility.

How can I pay for the course?

CMI management qualifications at Lift College are paid through a monthly subscription. CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership is £69.99 per month, and CMI Level 7 is £79.99 per month. Pay annually upfront and save 20%. There is no contract and no credit check. We do not offer Advanced Learner Loans. Many learners are sponsored by their employer, invoiced billing is available on request.

How long does each level take?

CMI Level 3 typically takes 6 to 9 months part-time. Level 5 takes 9 to 12 months. Level 7 takes 12 to 18 months. You have 12 months of full course access from enrolment, with the option to extend.

NVQ / DiplomaRegulated qualificationFrom£83.00/mo

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership

Study the CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership 100% online in 6 to 9 months. Ofqual-regulated, awarded by a UK Chartered management body, and designed for first line managers and supervisors who need a recognised qualification without leaving the workplace.

See pricing

6 to 9 monthsDuration
100% OnlineStudy Method
Start anytimeStart Date

Accredited qualificationUK awarding body

Start anytimeNo fixed term dates

Tutor supportExpert tutors, 7 days

14-day money backRefund if not loved

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership at a glance
Qualification level	RQF Level 3
Qualification number	603/2519/6
Awarding body	an Ofqual-regulated UK awarding organisation
Total credits	37 credits
Typical study time	6 to 9 months
Study method	100% Online
Start date	Start anytime
Pay monthly	£83.00 per month
Pay annually	£999.00

This course is for you if…

✓Are stepping into your first management, supervisor or team leader role
✓Are already leading a team informally and want a recognised qualification to back it up
✓Have been identified for promotion into a first line management role
✓Want a qualification directly awarded by a UK Chartered management body
✓Prefer assignment-based assessment applied to your real workplace over written exams
✓Want a nationally recognised route that leads directly on to the CMI Level 5 Diploma

Your career after this course

✓Have no workplace context (paid or voluntary) to draw on for your assignments
✓Are already a middle or senior manager where the CMI Level 5 or Level 7 Diploma would be a better fit
✓Want a qualification specific to one sector, such as adult social care, where a sector-specific Level 3 diploma may be more relevant
✓Are looking for a fully academic qualification with no workplace application
✓Need to qualify in under 4 months
✓Want a qualification with formal written exams rather than assignment-based assessment

About this qualification

What you'll learn

The CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership is the recognised UK qualification for people stepping into their first management role, and for existing team leaders or supervisors who want their skills formally recognised. It is Ofqual regulated, sits at RQF Level 3 (broadly equivalent to A Level in size and demand), and is awarded by a UK Chartered management body.

The Diploma covers 37 credits across principles of management, communication, team performance, project delivery and personal development. You study 100% online at your own pace, submit written assignments based on real workplace scenarios, and receive tutor feedback throughout. There are no exams.

Most learners complete the Level 3 Diploma in 6 to 9 months, spending around 4 to 6 hours a week on study and assignments. When you finish, you have a nationally recognised qualification that supports progression into a middle management role or straight onto the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership.

First line managers are the link between operational staff and senior leaders. This Diploma gives you the tools to manage that responsibility with confidence: setting objectives, communicating clearly, resolving conflict, delivering projects, and coaching your team to perform.

Regulated qualificationRQF Level 3100% Online6 to 9 monthsSelf-pacedTutor support

What you'll need

Entry requirements

There are no strict formal entry requirements. The Diploma is designed for people already working in, or moving into, a first line management, supervisory or team leader role.

You should be comfortable writing at Level 3 (A Level equivalent) and applying course content to real workplace situations, since assignments are based on your own management context.

There is no minimum study commitment, though most learners spend around 4 to 6 hours a week to complete within 6 to 9 months.

Not sure if you qualify?

Our admissions team can talk you through your options.

Call 0000 000 0000

Assessment

How you're assessed

Assessment is 100% assignment based. There are no written exams and no timed assessments.

Each unit is assessed through a written assignment applied to your own workplace. Assignments are marked by a qualified CMI-approved tutor and internally quality assured before certification.

You can submit assignments as soon as you are ready, at your own pace. Tutor feedback is provided within 5 working days of submission.

Portfolio-based

Coursework and a written portfolio. No traditional written exams.

Submit online

All assignments submitted through your learner dashboard.

Tutor feedback

Detailed feedback in 3 to 5 working days. Refine and resubmit until you reach the grade you want.

Graded across units

Pass, Merit or Distinction on each unit. Top grades stack to the highest UCAS point total.

Careers

Where this can take you

Typical roles and salary ranges this qualification opens up.

Team Leader / Supervisor

Typical salary range

£24,000 to £32,000

Supervise a team of staff, coordinate day-to-day work and act as the link between operational staff and middle management.

First Line Manager

Typical salary range

£26,000 to £36,000

Lead a small team, deliver day-to-day operational targets, manage rotas and performance, and escalate issues to senior managers.

Assistant Manager

Typical salary range

£23,000 to £30,000

Support a manager or department head in running a site, shift or department, including rota planning, standards checks and team briefings.

Pricing

Choose your payment plan

Same course, your choice of how to pay.

Pay Monthly

Recurring monthly subscription. Cancel anytime.

£83.00/month

Billed monthly

Full access to all course materials
Dedicated subject tutor
Live and recorded webinars
Certificate on completion
Pay by card, PayPal, Klarna
Spread cost with 0% interest

Best value

Pay Annually

Recurring annual subscription. Save versus monthly.

£999.00/year

Billed annually

Everything in Pay Monthly
Save 20% on the course price
14-day money-back guarantee
Lock in lifetime materials access
Free downloadable course guide
No further payments

Everything else

What else you should know

Study support and platform

You get a personal tutor from day one
Log in any time from a phone, tablet or laptop
Marking is done in 3 to 5 working days
Talk to our support team by phone, email or live chat
See your progress and next steps on your dashboard
Join the learner community forum when you want to chat to others

Funding and finance

Pay monthly to spread the cost with no interest
Pay in full and save versus monthly
No credit checks and no contract. Pause or cancel anytime
We can send funding paperwork to your employer if they sponsor you
Our enrolment team will talk you through every option
14 day money back guarantee on every enrolment

Accreditation and recognition

Awarded by a recognised UK awarding body
Regulated by Ofqual, the same standard as college courses
Accepted by UK universities, employers and professional bodies
You get a certificate when you finish
Listed on the Ofqual Register of Regulated Qualifications
Independently quality checked through IQA and EQA

How it works

Start any time. There are no set term dates or cohorts
Study at your own pace around work and family
No exams. You complete coursework, a portfolio and assignments
Resubmit your work at no extra cost to reach the grade you want
Use the optional study planner if you like a bit of structure
How long you study is entirely up to you. Most learners spend a few hours each week, but you can do more or less based on your own pace

What learners say

Trusted by thousands of learners

Real feedback from learners studying with Lift College.

The flexibility was a game changer for me. I studied around my shifts and my tutor was incredibly supportive throughout.

I was nervous about going back to study after 15 years, but the platform is so easy to use and the feedback I got on assignments was genuinely useful.

Got into my first-choice university with a place on a Nursing BSc. The Access to HE Diploma gave me exactly what I needed.

Good value and well structured. I appreciated that I could resubmit work without extra cost, really helped me improve.

Customer service was excellent. Any time I had a question it was answered within hours. Highly recommend.

I needed a qualification that actually meant something to employers. Ofqual regulation was the deciding factor, and it delivered.

Questions

Frequently asked questions

Level 3 leads to Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr), the entry tier of CMI professional recognition. Full Chartered Manager (CMgr) requires Level 5 plus 3+ years of management experience.

Related qualifications

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership

A-LEVELS

GCSES

Access to HE

Care, Teaching & Skills

Management & Leadership

GCSEs & A Levels

Guides & learning hub

A Level & GCSE resources

Tools & support

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership

This course is for you if…

Your career after this course

What you'll learn

Entry requirements

How you're assessed

Portfolio-based

Submit online

Tutor feedback

Graded across units

Where this can take you

Team Leader / Supervisor

First Line Manager

Assistant Manager

Choose your payment plan

Pay Monthly

Pay Annually

What else you should know

Study support and platform

Funding and finance

Accreditation and recognition

How it works

Trusted by thousands of learners

Frequently asked questions

Related qualifications

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership

This course is for you if…

Your career after this course

What you'll learn

Entry requirements

How you're assessed

Portfolio-based

Submit online

Tutor feedback

Graded across units

Where this can take you

Team Leader / Supervisor

First Line Manager

Assistant Manager

Choose your payment plan

Pay Monthly

Pay Annually

What else you should know

Study support and platform

Funding and finance

Accreditation and recognition

How it works

Trusted by thousands of learners

Frequently asked questions

Related qualifications

Level 3 Certificate in Assessing Vocational Achievement (CAVA)

CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership

CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership

Related definitions and careers

Glossary