CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership

Leadership and Management Level 5 Diploma on the CMI Qualifications Framework is designed for those who require comprehensive knowledge of the principles of effective management in a wide range of organisations. It provides up-to-date coverage of personal management, decision-making, the legal framework, team leadership and management, managing change control and communications.

Course Delivery – All Levels

• The course is a self-study course. It is delivered via an online Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
• All course materials are available online

Diploma Units for CMI Level 5:

• Unit 501: Principles of Management & Leadership in an Organisational Context (7 credits)
• Unit 502: Developing, Managing and Leading Individuals and Teams to Achieve Success (6 credits)
• Unit 509: Managing Stakeholder Relationships (4 credits)
• Unit 513: Managing Projects to Achieve Results (6 credits)
• Unit 514: Managing Change (5 credits)
• Unit 515: Creating and Delivering Operational Plans (6 credits)
• Unit 520: Financial Management (6 credits)

Course Assessment: All Levels

• Completion of an assignment for each unit
• No examinations
• Study Support: All Levels
• Upon registration, Students are allocated a UK-based Tutor to provide support and assistance throughout the course and completion of assignments.

Required Study Time

• 6-9 weeks per unit
• You will be given a timetable to follow

Within our offering, this will give you the following access:

• CMI Registration
• CMI Official Examination and Certification
• Access to Acudemy Online Platform and Resources

The CMI Level 5 Management and Leadership qualification comes in three sizes — Award, Certificate, and Diploma. They all use the same CMI units; you just take more of them as you go up. Choosing the right size matters because they suit different career stages and time commitments.

• CMI Level 5 Award — the smallest option. Around 6 credits, typically completed within 3 months. Best if you want a focused, targeted qualification on a specific aspect of management without the full programme commitment. See the CMI Level 5 Award course →
• CMI Level 5 Certificate — the middle option. Around 13 credits, typically 6 months. A good fit if you want recognised middle-manager certification but aren’t ready for the full Diploma commitment. See the CMI Level 5 Certificate course →
• CMI Level 5 Diploma (this course) — the full qualification. 37 credits over around 1 year, covering 7 units in depth. This is the recognised benchmark for established middle managers and the natural route towards Chartered Manager status. Best for those serious about a long-term management career and who want the most comprehensive — and most respected — Level 5 qualification.

Most learners choose the Diploma because it’s the most credible CMI Level 5 credential, the natural foundation for CMI Level 6 and Chartered Manager progression, and the qualification employers most often recognise. If you’re unsure which is right for you, get in touch and we’ll talk it through with you.

A few things genuinely set our CMI Level 5 Diploma apart:

• Approved CMI Centre. Acudemy is an approved training provider for the Chartered Management Institute, so your registration, assessment, and certification all run through us directly.
• UK-based personal tutor allocated to you from day one — not a chatbot, not a course-by-course handover. The same tutor supports you through every unit and reviews every assignment.
• Flexible, online self-study. Fit the course around your work and life. You work through the units at your own pace using a dedicated Virtual Learning Environment, with a clear suggested timetable to keep you on track.
• No exams. The CMI Level 5 Diploma is assessed entirely through written assignments — one per unit. You demonstrate what you’ve learnt by applying it, not by memorising for a test.
• Monthly induction intakes. Start almost any time — virtual live inductions run monthly throughout the year.
• CMI registration and certification fees included. The price you see includes your full CMI student registration and the cost of the official qualification.
• 0% interest-free payment plans available — useful if you’re self-funding rather than employer-funded.
• Aftercare support to help you put what you’ve learnt into practice at work, and to guide your progression to Level 6 and Chartered Manager status if that’s your goal.
• Bespoke organisational delivery for employers training cohorts of managers — get in touch for tailored programmes.

Virtual Live Induction:

• 20th August 2026
• 17th September 2026
• 22nd October 2026
• 19th  November 2026
• 17th December 2026

The CMI Level 5 Diploma is awarded by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) — the only chartered professional body for management and leadership in the UK, holding the Royal Charter.

On successful completion you’ll receive:

• The official CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership qualification.
• A digital certificate awarded directly by CMI.
• Full CMI membership for the duration of your studies.

What comes next? The Level 5 Diploma is the natural stepping stone to the CMI Level 6 Qualifications in Management and Leadership — and ultimately to Chartered Manager (CMgr) status, the UK’s only chartered designation for managers. Many of our Level 5 Diploma graduates go on to progress through this pathway.

Middle Managers, potential middle managers and senior managers/business owners who want to consolidate their understanding of leadership and management best practice and gain formal recognition of their leadership and management abilities from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) the only worldwide Chartered leadership and management professional body.

Learners who are aspiring to a management role may progress to the job roles such as:
● Operations Manager
● Divisional Manager
● Departmental Manager
● Regional Manager
● Specialist Manager

What are the Course Entry Requirements?

To enrol in this course, you should be at least 18 years old and have a good understanding of the English language and writing. It is also beneficial if you are currently working in an organization or have previous experience in one, so that you can apply your skills and knowledge.

What are the Course Completion Requirements?

Learners must complete a combination to a minimum of 370 TUT hours, 37 credits to achieve this qualification. There is a barred combination of units – learners taking 502 cannot select 503, 505 or 511 and learners taking 526 cannot select 501 or 502.

Are any Financial Options Provided?

• 0% Interest Free payments available.

What is provided with the Course?

• Course Material
• Aftercare Course Support

Q: How long does the Diploma actually take to complete? A: Most learners complete the Diploma in around 12 months, working alongside a full-time job. The recommended pace is 6–9 weeks per unit, across 7 units. You can move faster if your time allows, or take a little longer — the programme is flexible.

Q: How is the course delivered? A: Entirely online, through Acudemy’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE). You’ll have access to all course materials, recorded content, and resources from day one, with a UK-based tutor supporting you throughout. Virtual live inductions run monthly.

Q: Are there exams? A: No. The CMI Level 5 Diploma is assessed by written assignments — one for each of the seven units. You demonstrate your learning by applying it to your own workplace and management context, which most learners find more meaningful than exams.

Q: How much support will I get from my tutor? A: Each learner is allocated a dedicated UK-based CMI-approved tutor on enrolment. They review your assignment drafts, give feedback, answer your questions, and support you through any unit you find more challenging. Tutor support continues throughout the full programme.

Q: Can I get my employer to pay for it? A: Yes — many of our learners are sponsored by their employer as part of management development planning. We can issue invoices directly to your employer if helpful. Please get in touch if you’d like a draft proposal you can take to your manager or L&D team.

Q: Will this lead to Chartered Manager status? A: The CMI Level 5 Diploma is the foundation step on the route to Chartered Manager (CMgr) — the UK’s only chartered designation for managers. After completing the Level 5 Diploma, you can progress to CMI Level 6 and then apply for Chartered Manager status via CMI’s assessment route.

Q: What’s the difference between this and the Level 5 Certificate? A: Both are CMI Level 5 qualifications using the same units, but the Certificate is around 13 credits (typically 6 months) and the Diploma is 37 credits (around 1 year). The Diploma is the full qualification and the recognised professional benchmark; the Certificate is a stepping stone. See the Award, Certificate or Diploma section above for a fuller comparison.

Q: Can the programme be delivered for a group from my organisation? A: Yes — we offer bespoke organisational delivery for employers training cohorts of managers, with content tailored to your business context. Please enquire for details.