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CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership

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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.

Course facts
QualificationCMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership
LevelLevel 3
Price£79.99 a month, or £815.99 in total
Age16 or over
Who it suitsAre stepping into your first management, supervisor or team leader role
See pricing
Accredited qualificationUK awarding body
Start anytimeNo fixed term dates
Tutor supportExpert tutors, 7 days
14-day money backRefund if not loved

What is CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership?

The CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership is an Ofqual-regulated qualification for first line managers, supervisors and team leaders.

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership at a glance
Qualification levelRQF Level 3
Pay monthly£79.99 per month
Pay annually£815.99

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
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.

RQF Level 3100% onlineSelf-pacedTutor supportCoursework onlyStart anytime
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 020 4652 5904
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.

01

Portfolio-based

Coursework and a written portfolio. No traditional written exams.

02

Submit online

All assignments submitted through your learner dashboard.

03

Tutor feedback

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

04

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 how you want to study

One price for the full course, UK tutor marking and study support. Try it free for 7 days, or start now and every payment is 15% lower for life.

Free 7-day trial

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Full access for 7 days. Your first payment is on day 8, and you can cancel any time before then from your account.

£79.99/month from day 8

£0 today

Start 7-day free trial

14-day money back guarantee. Request a refund within 14 days of any payment.

Start now

15% off for life

Skip the trial and pay today. Every payment is 15% lower for as long as you study.

£79.99£67.99/month, for life

£67.99 today

Start now and pay £67.99

14-day money back guarantee. Request a refund within 14 days of any payment.

Both options include
  • Full course content and UK tutor marking
  • Personal tutor from day one
  • AI Study Support
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.
Sarah M. · Manchester
Access to HE Diploma
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.
James P. · Birmingham
A Level Biology
Got into my first-choice university with a place on a Nursing BSc. The Access to HE Diploma gave me exactly what I needed.
Aisha K. · London
Access to HE Diploma (Nursing)
Good value and well structured. I appreciated that I could resubmit work without extra cost, really helped me improve.
David R. · Leeds
CMI Level 5
Customer service was excellent. Any time I had a question it was answered within hours. Highly recommend.
Emma L. · Glasgow
GCSE English
I needed a qualification that actually meant something to employers. Ofqual regulation was the deciding factor, and it delivered.
Tom W. · Bristol
CMI Level 7
Guides and next steps

Further reading

CIPD Level 5 explained and CIPD vs CMI

Compare HR-focused CIPD study with CMI management and leadership routes.

Read guide →

ILM qualifications and ILM vs CMI

Explore the differences between ILM and CMI before choosing a management qualification.

Read guide →
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Glossary

CMI Level 3 Diploma in Principles of Management and Leadership