CMI fee included
£809.99 for the Diploma covers your CMI registration. Nothing extra to pay CMI.
ICS Learn, DPG and NEC add the CMI registration fee on top.CMI · Level 5✓ On the Ofqual register · 603/2392/9From £89.99 a month
CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership Online Award, Certificate or Diploma
CMI Level 5 at Lift College is the CMI Level 5 Award, Certificate or Diploma in Management and Leadership (Diploma 603/2392/9), awarded by the Chartered Management Institute and regulated by Ofqual: for practising or aspiring middle managers, studied online with a named UK tutor, 7 units and 164 guided learning hours in our Diploma, 9 to 12 months, one written assignment per unit with no exams, from £89.99 a month when you pay today. Lift College is a CMI approved centre (approval granted 26 October 2026).
£
The full CMI Level 5 Diploma for £809.99, CMI registration fee included.The lowest other Diploma fee we found was £1,574, plus the CMI registration fee (NEC (National Extension College), checked 26 October 2026). See the comparison
9 to 12 monthstypical for the Diploma, up to 5 years to finish
No examsone written assignment per unit, Pass or Refer
Named UK tutorwritten feedback on every assignment
Free CMI membershipCMI Affiliate while you study
Choose your size
The Diploma is the full qualification and the one that can count towards Chartered Manager (CMgr).
7-day free trial. £0 today, then £99.99 a month from day 8. Cancel before day 8 and pay nothing.
Start your free trial →Updated
The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership (603/2392/9) is a 41-credit, Ofqual-regulated qualification awarded by the Chartered Management Institute. At Lift College you study its 7 units online with a named UK tutor, write 7 assignments, one per unit, with no exams, and pay £809.99 in full or £89.99 a month, with the CMI registration fee included.
Course facts
CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership online with Lift College, with a named UK tutor: £809.99 paid in full or £89.99 a month when you pay today. Prefer to try it first? Free for 7 days, then £99.99 a month.
| Qualification | CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership |
|---|---|
| Qualification number | 603/2392/9 |
| Level | RQF Level 5, the same level as a foundation degree or HND |
| Awarding body | CMI, the Chartered Management Institute |
| Units | 7 units: 501, 502, 504, 520, 515, 513 and 514 |
| Credits and hours | 41 credits · 164 guided hours · 410 hours in total |
| Typical duration | 9 to 12 months, at your own pace, with no set weekly hours |
| Minimum enrolment | 9 months, the shortest time you can be enrolled. Paying in full includes 12 months of study. You have up to 5 years from CMI registration to finish. |
| Price | £809.99 paid in full or £89.99 a month when you pay today. Free for 7 days, then £99.99 a month. CMI registration fee included. |
| Assessment | One written assignment per unit, on a CMI-issued brief. Pass or Refer. No exams. |
| Age and entry | 16 or over. CMI sets no formal entry requirements. |
| CMI membership | Free CMI Affiliate membership while you study |
Why Lift College
Why study your CMI Level 5 with us
The same CMI qualification as other providers, with four things they do not offer together.
Try it free for 7 days
Start studying before you pay. Cancel before day 8 and pay nothing.
None of ICS Learn, NEC, Reed or DPG offered a free trial when we checked.Monthly, no credit check
£89.99 a month when you pay today. No deposit and no finance agreement.
Others use deposits and finance plans, some set up by phone only.Your own pace
Start when you like and study around work. You have up to 5 years from CMI registration to finish.
Checked on each provider's own page, 27 October 2026.Prices compared
How the cost compares
Full course fees for the same CMI Level 5 qualification, exactly as each provider showed them on its own page when we checked on 26 October 2026. Change the size at the top of the page to compare the Diploma.
| Provider | Course fee: Diploma | How you pay |
|---|---|---|
| Lift CollegeLowest cost to start | £809.99paid in full, or £89.99 a month. CMI registration fee included | £0 today on the 7-day free trial. Monthly or in full, no contract, no credit check, cancel any time |
| NEC (National Extension College) | £1,574plus the CMI registration fee | Single payment or 0% monthly |
| Brighton School of Business and Management | £2,240shown including the CMI registration fee | Deposit and instalments |
| Oxford College of Management | From £2,410 + VAT | Payment plans available |
| MOL | £2,195shown including VAT | Interest-free monthly payments |
| ICS Learn | £2,039 | Deposit, then interest-free monthly payments |
Prices change, so check each provider's own page before you enrol. "Not shown" means the provider's page did not show that figure when we checked. Full method in our CMI Level 5 price comparison.
Choose your size
Award, Certificate or Diploma
Same level, same awarding body, same online study. The size decides how many units you take, how long it takes and what it can lead to.
| Compare | Award | Certificate | Diploma |
|---|---|---|---|
| Qualification number | 603/2390/5 | 603/2391/7 | 603/2392/9 |
| Units | 1 (501) | 2 (501 and 502) | 7 (501, 502, 504, 520, 515, 513 and 514) |
| Credits | 7 | 13 | 41 |
| Study hours | 70 in total, 25 guided | 130 in total, 52 guided | 410 in total, 164 guided |
| Typical length | 4 to 6 months | 6 to 9 months | 9 to 12 months |
| Minimum enrolment | 4 months | 6 months | 9 months |
| Assignments | 1 | 2 | 7 |
| Paid in full | £359.99 | £539.99 | £809.99 |
| Leads to | fCMgr eligibility, top up later | fCMgr eligibility, top up later | fCMgr, and CMgr with 3 years of experience |
| Best for | Trying CMI study, or one focused topic | Managers who want team leadership on record | Middle managers who want the full qualification |
What you'll study
The 7 units in the Diploma
Every unit is a CMI unit with its own learning outcomes, taught through lessons, case studies, reading and knowledge checks, then assessed by one assignment on the current CMI brief. You can use anonymised examples from your own workplace.
501Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context7 credits · 25 guided hours · 70 hours · about 4,000 words
- Understand factors which impact on an organisation's internal environment
- Understand the application of management and leadership theories
- Understand the knowledge, skills and behaviours to be effective in a management and leadership role
502Principles of Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success6 credits · 27 guided hours · 60 hours · about 4,000 words
- Understand approaches to developing, managing and leading teams
- Understand approaches to achieving a balance of skills and experience in teams
- Know techniques for leading individuals and teams to achieve success
504Managing Performance5 credits · 25 guided hours · 50 hours · about 3,500 words
- Understand the rationale for managing performance within organisations
- Understand frameworks, diagnostic and evaluation tools used for performance management
- Know how to manage performance
520Managing Finance6 credits · 22 guided hours · 60 hours · about 3,500 words
- Understand finance within organisations
- Know how to set and manage budgets
515Creating and Delivering Operational Plans6 credits · 22 guided hours · 60 hours · about 3,000 words
- Understand the principles of operational planning in an organisation
- Know how to create an operational plan in line with organisational objectives
- Know how to manage and lead the delivery of an operational plan
- Know how to monitor and measure the outcome of operational planning
513Managing Projects to Achieve Results6 credits · 24 guided hours · 60 hours · about 4,000 words
- Understand the role of projects in delivering organisational strategy
- Understand processes for initiating, planning and managing projects
- Understand the factors which contribute to effective project management
514Managing Change5 credits · 19 guided hours · 50 hours · about 4,000 words
- Understand the reasons for change in organisations
- Understand approaches to change management
- Understand how to initiate, plan and manage change in an organisation
Total: 41 credits · 164 guided hours · 410 hours
Assessment
How you're assessed
There are no exams. Each unit is assessed by one written assignment on the current CMI-issued brief, marked by a Lift College assessor against CMI's learning outcomes and assessment criteria. A unit is passed when every criterion is met.
01Induction
Platform, study plan, referencing, how CMI command verbs work and the rules on AI and plagiarism.
02Study the unit
Lessons, case studies, reading and knowledge checks, with your named tutor.
03Submit your assignment
Online, with a signed authenticity declaration. Use your own workplace or a case we supply.
04Pass or Refer
Feedback on every criterion. If anything is referred, you get clear guidance and a resubmission date.
CMI grades are Pass or Refer only. There are no Merit or Distinction grades and no UCAS points. Our internal quality assurance samples marking before results are released. Certification is subject to CMI moderation.
Support
Your tutor and support
A named UK tutor
Your tutor marks your assignments and gives you written feedback on each one.
Answers within 3 working days
Ask your tutor a question at any point and you get a reply within 3 working days.
Unlimited resubmissions
If an assignment is referred, you get feedback and can resubmit as many times as you need, at no extra cost.
Who it's for
This course is for you if
- You manage people or projects now, or you have been earmarked for a middle management role
- You want a qualification awarded by the Chartered Management Institute, recognised in any sector
- You want CMI membership and a route to Chartered Manager
- You need to study around a full-time job, at your own pace
- You want to start small with the Award and decide later
Entry requirements
What you'll need
- Age 16 or over. CMI sets no formal entry requirements
- A management or supervisory role helps, so your assignments can draw on real work. If you do not have one, we supply case studies
- Good written English and a laptop or tablet: we check both with you before you start
- Study at your own pace, with no set weekly hours or deadlines
Careers
Where this can take you
Typical roles and salary ranges this qualification opens up.
Team Leader / Supervisor
Typical salary range£24,000 to £34,000
Lead a team of staff, manage day-to-day performance and act as the link between operational staff and senior management.
Source: National Careers Service, Managerial sector listingOperations Manager
Typical salary range£29,000 to £52,500
Oversee the day-to-day operations of a department or business unit, managing budgets, staffing and performance.
Source: Randstad UK, Working as an Operations ManagerHuman Resources Officer
Typical salary range£18,000 to £40,000
Manage recruitment, employee relations and HR processes within an organisation, often progressing into HR management.
Source: Bucks Skills Hub, Human resources officer career profile (National Careers Service data)Training and Development Officer
Typical salary range£20,000 to £28,000
Design and deliver staff training and development programmes, rising to £28,000 to £40,000 with experience.
Source: Newcastle University Careers Service, HR, recruitment and training salariesCMI membership
Membership and Chartered Manager
Studying with Lift College brings membership of the Chartered Management Institute, the chartered professional body for management in the UK.
While you studyCMI Affiliate membership
Free from registration until you complete your studies, if you are not already a CMI member.
When you completeFoundation Chartered Manager
Every successful Level 5 learner is eligible for fCMgr, as long as you keep your CMI membership.
With the DiplomaChartered Manager (CMgr)
The Level 5 Diploma plus at least 3 years of management and leadership experience may make you eligible for CMgr.
Where it fits
From first-line manager to strategic leader
Level 3First Line Management and Leadership
Team leaders and supervisors. Award, Certificate or Diploma. From age 16.
View Level 3 →Level 5 · this courseManagement and Leadership
Level 7Strategic Management and Leadership PracticeMiddle managers. The Diploma can count towards Chartered Manager. From age 16.
You are hereSenior managers and directors. The Diploma can count towards Chartered Manager. From age 19.
View Level 7 →What learners say
What our learners say
Good value and well structured. I appreciated that I could resubmit work without extra cost, really helped me improve.
I needed a qualification that actually meant something to employers. Ofqual regulation was the deciding factor, and it delivered.
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.
Customer service was excellent. Any time I had a question it was answered within hours. Highly recommend.
Quick answers
CMI Level 5 in plain answers
How much does the CMI Level 5 cost?
At Lift College the CMI Level 5 Diploma costs £809.99 paid in full, or £89.99 a month. The Certificate is £539.99 and the Award £359.99. The CMI registration fee is included. Every size can start with a 7-day free trial: £0 today, then £99.99 a month.
Lift College pricesWhat is the cheapest way to get a CMI Level 5?
The lowest-cost CMI Level 5 qualification is the Award, at £359.99 with Lift College. For the full Diploma, paying today keeps the price at £809.99 in full or £89.99 a month, £10 a month less than after a free trial. Of the online providers we compared on 26 October 2026, the next lowest Diploma fee shown was £1,574 plus the CMI registration fee, at NEC (National Extension College). Lift College includes the CMI registration fee in its price.
Compared 26 October 2026Which is the best online CMI Level 5 course?
Look for four things: the exact CMI qualification number on the Ofqual register (603/2392/9 for the Diploma), assignments set on CMI-issued briefs, a named tutor who gives written feedback, and a price that includes the CMI registration fee. Lift College gives you all four.
How to chooseHow long does the CMI Level 5 take?
Most learners finish the Diploma in 9 to 12 months, the Certificate in 6 to 9 months and the Award in 4 to 6 months. It depends on how much time you can give each week: there are no set weekly hours and no deadlines to keep up with, and CMI gives you up to 5 years from registration to finish.
Lift CollegeAward, Certificate or Diploma: what is the difference?
All three are CMI Level 5 qualifications. Only the size changes: the Award is 1 unit (7 credits), the Certificate 2 units (13 credits) and the Diploma 7 units (41 credits). You can start small and top up later, and the units you pass count.
From the CMI syllabusWhat are the entry requirements?
CMI sets no formal entry requirements and the qualification is open from age 16. It suits practising or aspiring middle managers. Before you start, we check your goals, experience, English and digital readiness so the course is right for you.
From the CMI syllabusDo I get CMI membership and Chartered Manager?
You get free CMI Affiliate membership while you study. Completing any Level 5 size makes you eligible for Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) if you keep your membership. The Diploma plus at least 3 years of management and leadership experience may make you eligible for Chartered Manager (CMgr).
From the CMI syllabusCan my employer pay?
Yes. Many learners pay for themselves monthly and many employers pay. We can send course details and funding paperwork to your employer. There is no credit check and no finance agreement, and you can cancel at any time.
Lift CollegeQuestions
Frequently asked questions
What is CMI Level 5 equivalent to?
CMI Level 5 is at RQF Level 5, the same level as a foundation degree or HND. It is a professional management qualification, not a degree, and it carries no UCAS points. Our guide to CMI qualifications from Level 3 to Level 7 explains each level.
Who awards the qualification?
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) awards it, and it is regulated by Ofqual. Your certificate comes from CMI.
Is Lift College a CMI approved centre?
Yes. Lift College is a CMI approved centre (approval granted 26 October 2026). The Chartered Management Institute is the awarding body and the qualification is regulated by Ofqual: the Diploma is on the Ofqual register as 603/2392/9. Lift College teaches and assesses the course, and your certificate comes from CMI.
How much does CMI Level 5 cost?
At Lift College the CMI Level 5 Diploma costs £809.99 paid in full, or £89.99 a month when you pay today. The Certificate is £539.99 and the Award £359.99, and the CMI registration fee is included. See how that compares in our CMI Level 5 price comparison.
Is there a CMI Level 5 online course?
Yes. Lift College teaches the CMI Level 5 Award, Certificate and Diploma in Management and Leadership fully online, with a named UK tutor who gives written feedback on every assignment. Each unit is assessed by one written assignment on a CMI-issued brief, with no exams, and you study at your own pace with no set weekly hours.
What is the CMI Level 5 Diploma?
It is the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership (603/2392/9), the full size of the CMI Level 5 qualification. At Lift College you study 7 units, 41 credits and 164 guided learning hours, awarded by the Chartered Management Institute. Every Level 5 completer is eligible for Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr) if they keep their CMI membership, and CMI says Diploma completers with at least 3 years of management and leadership experience may be eligible for Chartered Manager (CMgr).
What is CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership?
It is the CMI Level 5 qualification for practising or aspiring middle managers, in roles such as operations manager, divisional manager, departmental manager, regional manager and specialist manager. It comes in three sizes: the Award (603/2390/5, 1 unit, 7 credits), the Certificate (603/2391/7, 2 units, 13 credits) and the Diploma (603/2392/9, 7 units and 41 credits at Lift College). Each unit is assessed by one written assignment, with no exams.
What is the CMI Level 5 Certificate in Management and Leadership?
It is the middle size of the CMI Level 5 qualification (603/2391/7). You study 2 units, 501 Principles of Management and Leadership in an Organisational Context and 502 Principles of Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success, for 13 credits and 52 guided learning hours, with one written assignment per unit and no exams. Most learners finish in 6 to 9 months. At Lift College it costs £539.99 paid in full with the CMI registration fee included, and it counts in full towards the Diploma if you top up later.
What is a CMI Diploma?
A CMI Diploma is the full size of a CMI qualification. At Lift College each CMI level comes as an Award, a Certificate or a Diploma, and the Diploma has the most units. The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership (603/2392/9) is 7 units and 41 credits with us, and CMI says Level 5 and Level 7 Diploma completers with at least 3 years of management and leadership experience may be eligible for Chartered Manager (CMgr). We also teach the CMI Diploma at Level 3 and Level 7.
Do you offer the CMI Level 5 Extended Diploma in Management and Leadership?
No. Lift College teaches three sizes of CMI Level 5 in Management and Leadership: the Award, the Certificate and the Diploma (603/2392/9). The Diploma is the largest size we offer, with 7 units and 41 credits, and it is the size that can count towards Chartered Manager (CMgr). The Award and Certificate stack into it, so the units you pass count if you top up.
Is the CMI registration fee included?
Yes. Lift College includes the CMI registration fee in its price, so there is nothing extra to pay CMI.
Are there exams for the CMI Level 5?
No. Each unit is assessed by one written assignment on a CMI-issued brief, marked Pass or Refer. If work is referred you get feedback and a date to resubmit.
Can I start with the Award and top up to the Diploma?
Yes. The Award, Certificate and Diploma stack, so you can top up to the next size and the units you have already passed count.
Do I need to be a manager already?
No, but it helps, because assignments are best drawn from real work. You can use anonymised examples from your own workplace or case studies we supply.
Can I pay for the CMI Level 5 monthly?
Yes. £89.99 a month when you pay today, or start on the 7-day free trial and pay £99.99 a month from day 8. No credit check and no contract, and you can cancel at any time.
What jobs is the CMI Level 5 for?
CMI designed it for practising or aspiring middle managers, in roles such as operations manager, divisional manager, departmental manager, regional manager and specialist manager.
How long do I have to finish?
Most learners finish the Diploma in 9 to 12 months, studying at their own pace with no set weekly hours. CMI gives you up to 5 years from registration to finish.
Is CMI better than ILM?
Both are respected. CMI is a chartered professional body for management, and its Level 5 and Level 7 Diplomas can count towards Chartered Manager. Our CMI vs ILM guide compares them side by side.
Not sure if CMI Level 5 is right for you?
A UK adviser calls you back within 2 working hours, Monday to Friday 9am to 6pm. No sales script.
Start your CMI Level 5 today
Diploma £809.99 in full or £89.99 a month. CMI registration fee included. 14-day money back on every payment.
Choose your size and payTry it free for 7 days£0 today, then £99.99 a month from day 8
Guides and next steps
Further reading on CMI
CMI Level 5 Diploma guideRead guide →CMI Level 5 price comparisonRead guide →How long does CMI Level 5 take?Read guide →CMI qualifications from Level 3 to Level 7Read guide →How CMI assignments workRead guide →CMI vs ILMRead guide →CIPD Level 5 and CIPD vs CMIRead guide →CMI qualifications explainedRead guide →All management and CMI articlesRead guide →