CMI Management and Leadership Level 7
Enhance your management skills with a CMI professional and strategic management qualification
What is the CMI Level 7 in Leadership & Management?
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) Level 7 qualifications are the UK’s premier senior-leadership programme, equivalent to a Postgraduate Diploma, and tailored for executive roles such as directors, senior managers, and CEOs. Achieving Level 7 demonstrates strategic leadership, advanced decision-making, and proven ability to meet organisational objectives.
Qualification Pathways: Award • Certificate • Diploma
CMI offers three progressive credentials:
- Level 7 Award in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
- 7–14 credits – 18 guided learning hours
- Introduces strategic leadership and change management
- Ideal for experienced leaders focusing on one key area
- Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
- 14–28 credits • ~36–140 learning hours
- Expands to strategy development, governance, and organisational change
- Suits senior managers seeking deeper strategic impact
- Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice
- 37+ credits • 100–120+ guided learning hours
- Full suite: leadership, strategy, change, data, project, development
- Fast-track to Chartered Manager status upon completion + 3 years’ experience
With PDS, learners can:
- Select an Award, Certificate or full Diploma on its own
- Stack credentials, start with Award, progress to Certificate, finish with Diploma
Complete the entire qualification in one go, in one self‑paced programme
Why Choose PDS Training Solutions?
- Whole programme in one enrolment — no need to re-register per level
- 100% online & fully self‑paced — fit study around your busy schedule
- Expert CMI tutors offering unlimited personalised feedback
- Unlimited support via email, calls & forums
- Access for 18 months, with typical finish in 6–12 months
Assessments delivered entirely online, and assignments marked by CMI-approved assessors
Qualification Equivalency & Value
- Level 7 Certificate = Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert)
- Level 7 Diploma = Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Masters Degree
- Enhances CV, signals strategic leadership capability
Unlocks fast‑track route to Chartered Manager status, CMI’s internationaly professional designation
Career Outcomes & ROI
- Promotion potential: empowers top-tier roles – COO, Director, VP, CEO
- Salary uplift: senior managers can expect +20–30% earnings
- Employer appeal: 78% say CMI credentials influence hiring decisions; 90% report improved performance
- Network & recognition: join CMI’s global community of 180,000 professionals
Assessment & Support
- Written assignments of 3,500–4,500 words per unit
- Full portfolio assessed online; tutor feedback included
- Includes strategic projects and reflective practice
- No exams in classrooms, ideal for working professionals
Unit Breakdown (Diploma Example)
- Strategic Leadership
- Developing Organisational Strategy
- Leading Strategic Change
- Organisational Design & Development
- Strategic Management of Data & Info
- Strategic Management Project
- Personal & Professional Development
Flexibility: Stackable & Modular
- New to leadership? Start with Award module
- Ready for a deeper strategy? Jump to Certificate, then finish with the Diploma
- Want to complete it all? Enrol in the full Diploma from day one
No reapplication needed, and seamless credit transition is guaranteed.
How to Enrol
- Pick your pathway: Award, Certificate, Diploma, or stack as you go
- Submit enrolment via the online portal
- Pay upfront or set up a flexible payment plan (0% finance and no credits checks)
- Receive access within 24 hours
- Start learning, submit assignments online, and graduate when ready
PDS Training Solutions offers the most comprehensive, flexible, and value-driven route to CMI Level 7 Leadership & Management. With modular learning, expert support, transparent pricing, and career-impacting credentials (including Chartered Manager fast‑track), it’s the top choice in the market to propel ambitious professionals into executive leadership.
Frequently Asked Questions about CMI Level 7 in Leadership & Management
CMI Level 7 is the highest-level leadership and management qualification offered by the Chartered Management Institute. It’s equivalent to postgraduate-level study—such as a Postgraduate Certificate, Diploma, PGCE, or Master’s—and designed to develop strategic leadership capabilities for senior and executive roles.
Ideal for experienced leaders, senior managers, directors, CEOs, business owners, consultants, HR or L&D professionals who want to refine strategic leadership and influence organisational success.
CMI offers a modular pathway:
- Award – Complete 1 unit (70 TQT hours); great for focusing on a specific area.
- Certificate – 2+ units (140 TQT); expands strategic thinking and fast-tracks Chartered Manager status
- Diploma – 4–5 units (370 TQT); full strategic leadership portfolio.
Upon completing the Level 7 Certificate, candidates can apply for fast-track Chartered Manager (CMgr) status—provided they have suitable professional experience and commit to CMI’s code of practice.
| Qualification | Units | Learning Hours | Purpose |
| Award | 1 unit | ~70 TQT | Introductory; test the waters |
| Certificate | 2 units | ~140 TQT | Broader strategic impact; Chartered Manager fast-track |
| Diploma | 4–5 units | ~370 TQT | Full senior leadership toolkit |
| Extended Diploma | 8–9 units | ~640 TQT | Comprehensive leadership; MBA preparation |
Self-paced options like those offered by PDS typically require 6–12 months, with up to 18 months access, while apprenticeships span up to 2 years
There are no formal entry requirements, but candidates are expected to be experienced in senior or executive management roles and must be over 18 years of age.
There are no exams—assessment is based on written assignments (~3,500–4,500 words/unit), portfolios, strategic projects, and applied case studies.
PDS offers competitive blended pricing with flexible finance
- CMI Level 7 Awards start from £629
- CMI Level 7 Certificates start from £999
- The full CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership Practice starts from £2499.
Yes, Level 7 is postgraduate level:
- Equivalent to PGCert/PGDip/Master’s-level skills
- Scotland Level 7 equals SCQF Level 11
- Ireland Level 7 equals NFQ Level 9
Completing CMI Level 7 can lead to:
- Executive roles (CEO, COO, Director)
- Salary increases (20–30%)
- Higher employability—many senior jobs require formal leadership qualifications
Strong professional recognition in the UK and internationally.
Yes, many universities accept recognition of prior learning (RPL) from a CMI Level 7 Diploma or Extended Diploma toward MBA entry.
Yes, beyond strategic leadership, CMI offers Level 7 qualifications in:
- Consulting
- Diversity, Inclusion, Mental Health
- Leadership Coaching & Mentoring
- Entrepreneurial Practice.
- Modular selection—choose Award, Certificate, Diploma or the full qualification in one go
- Single enrolment, no repetitive registration
- Fully online & self‑paced, with 18-month access
- Personalised tutor support, online assessments, and clear pathways to Chartered Manager
- Competitive, transparent pricing with 0% finance and enrollment within 24 hrs
Absolutely, given that 82% of UK managers lack formal training, holding a CMI Level 7 certifies you as a high-performing strategic leader, unlocking promotions, salary growth, and professional respect.
Ready to progress?
Choose your pathway at PDS Training Solutions, enrol today, and take the next step toward senior leadership mastery through CMI Level 7 in Leadership & Management.
