ILM

Who Are ILM?

ILM was created in 2001 when the Institute of Supervision of Management (ISM) and the National Examining Board for Supervision and Management (NEBS) merged to form ILM.

Since then, ILM has become the UK’s leading provider of qualifications in leadership, management, and coaching. Operating internationally with over 70,000 students annually spanning all industries and sectors.

ILM, part of City & Guilds, provide a wide range of courses. Each designed to help individuals, working at any stage of their management career, develop their existing skills while gaining new knowledge and understanding of effective management processes.

ILM qualifications comprise five levels, ranging from Level 2, which is perfect for team leaders, to Level 7, which is better suited for senior management professionals.

These qualifications aim to enhance the skills of managers and leaders, empowering them to enhance staff productivity and boost business performance. ILM offers these qualifications in three different formats:

  • Awards: the shortest and most concise qualifications
  • Certificates: providing a broader base of knowledge and skills
  • Diplomas: more comprehensive qualifications

Qualification levels broadly equate to levels of management position and seniority and they also provide a good indication of a qualification’s level of complexity. The table provides a brief overview of how qualification levels are matched to management levels and it also provides an outline of how the qualifications we offer compare to other qualifications.

Qualification level Management level (practising or aspiring to practise at this level) Sample qualification Roughly equates to
2 ·       Team leader

·       Team supervisor

Level 2 Certificate in Team Leading

Level 2 Award and Certificate in Leadership and Team Skills

·       GCSE grades A*-C

·       NVQs at level 2

·       BTEC at Level 2

3 ·       Junior manager

·       First-line manager

·       Supervisor

Level 3 Award, Certificate, and Diploma in Leadership and Management

Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring

·       A-Levels

·       GCE in applied subjects

·       International Baccalaureate

·       NVQs at Level 3

·       BTEC at Level 3

5 ·       Middle manager Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Leadership and Management

Level 5 Certificate and Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring

·       The second year of an under-graduate degree

·       Diploma of Higher Education

·       HNDs

·       BTEC Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards

6 ·       Senior manager

·       Director of smaller organisations

·       The third year of an under-graduate degree

·       BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards

7 ·       Senior leader

·       CEO

·       Director of large divisions

Level 7 Certificate and Diploma in Leadership and Management

Level 7 Certificate and Diploma in Executive Coaching and Mentoring

·        Post-graduate certificates, diplomas and Masters degrees

·        BTEC Advanced Professional Diplomas, Certificates and Awards

Why study an ILM Leadership and Management Course?

  • Develop yourself as a leader and manager
  • Gain more career opportunities and move up into a more senior managerial position
  • Gain an understanding of key management skills
  • Programmes are tailored to your specific requirements, your organisation’s needs and are flexible to accommodate your work/job commitments
  • Earn a fully accredited qualification that is highly valued by employers across the world.

What is Distance Learning?

Online distance learning is a flexible form of studying which allows learners to earn a qualification from home, whilst balancing the time commitment required for study and learning around their work and personal life.

You will study through our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) Moodie where all resources can be accessed at any time on line, allowing you to go through your course units as and when you like.

You will benefit from comprehensive workbooks and detailed pre-recorded videos that you can access and replay whenever.

  • Study when you want from wherever you want to
  • No exams, written assignments and assessments only
  • Start anytime
  • Earn an ILM accredited qualification by studying with an approved ILM centre
  • Receive 1-2-1 coaching and tutor support
  • Monthly payment plans are available to self-funding students

Academic qualifications versus vocational qualifications

Most of ILM’s qualifications are vocational in that they deliver the skills, knowledge and experience required to do a job.

The level you have reached in your academic career to date may well be above, or below, the right level of vocational qualification for you. You might have an finance degree, but if you are new to managing a project or leading a team, then you may need a lower level management vocational qualification.

You might have left school after your GCSEs/Standard Grades but due to your management experience and the commercial knowledge you have developed in the real-world you may well be ready to take an ILM qualification at Level 3 or Level 5, or even above.

Benefits of studying membership 

  • As a studying member, you will be part of a community of over 40,000 leaders
  • Enhance your qualification experience by accessing more than 300 hours of learning content from a trusted, credible source, allowing you to work at your own pace
  • Gain access to the MyLeadership platform covering 5 core dimensions for great leadership
  • Identify your strengths and areas of development with self-reflective tools and diagnostics
  • Go further with My Careers: advice, tools and resources to help you take the next step
  • Evidence your commitment to leadership with My Learning Record, a place where we record all of your CPD and personal development
  • Network with like-minded professionals at The Institute’s events and learn from industry practitioners and experts
  • Keep informed of the latest thought leadership and trends affecting leadership practice through EDGE online journal and cutting-edge research
  • Tutors can access content to help bring topics to life and create learning pathways

Access to studying membership will open doors to a range of resources that will develop leadership skills, boost confidence and enhance the learning experience.

Expertly curated online resources include interactive tests, guides, journals, webinars, blogs, podcasts and free leadership events, all designed to boost your confidence as a leader, giving you the edge to stand out from the crowd and get ahead in your career.

When students enroll with ILM, they receive student membership of the Institute of Leadership & Management (ILM).

Through its research and events,  ILM aims to provide valuable insights, inspiration, and practical knowledge as an extension to the learning experience and to enhance leadership practices in various contexts.

We encourage learners who are enrolled on the Academy’s ILM courses to use the Institute’s online resources to their fullest extent. These resources include:

Knowledge Repository

The Institute offers an extensive online knowledge repository, providing access to a wealth of articles, research papers, and best practice guides on leadership-related topics. This repository serves as a valuable source of information and insights for students.

Webinars and Events

Students can participate in webinars and events organized by the Institute, which offer opportunities to learn from industry experts, engage in discussions, and stay updated on the latest trends and developments in leadership.

LinkedIn Group

Engage in meaningful discussions and stay updated on the latest news, cutting-edge insights, and innovative solutions by joining The Institute of Leadership & Management LinkedIn group.

Professional Development Opportunities

The Institute of Leadership & Management provides various professional development opportunities, including workshops and training programs, which students can explore to further enhance their leadership skills and knowledge.

Key people development &
professional coaching

You want to be the best you can be and you want to achieve great results. Our courses are designed to make this happen.

Get in touch

Our team of advisers are available to answer any questions you might have about individual or group courses. Get in touch today to arrange a consultation or to book a course.

The Academy's client base includes:

Individual students

Corporate clients

Public sector clients, including local authorities and non-governmental organisation

Small to medium size enterprises (SMEs)

Third sector organisations, including social enterprises