8723-11
Award
Unit 301 plus at least one optional unit.
GLH
40 hours
TQT
95 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£449individual enrolment
ILM qualifications by City & Guilds
Choose the leadership pathway that matches your role, ambition and evidence.
Compare Level 3 and Level 5 routes delivered by VQ Solutions Ltd, an official ILM City & Guilds Approved Centre. Each pathway is designed for practical workplace application, portfolio evidence and supported progress.
Qualification overview video coming soon.
Choose the right depth
Award, Certificate, Diploma and Extended Diploma routes let learners match study volume to role, goals and available evidence.
Use workplace evidence
Portfolio assessment helps learners connect qualification criteria with real leadership activity.
Get assessor guidance
Support focuses on what evidence needs to show, where gaps remain and how to improve submissions.
Build recognised progress
ILM achievement plus Institute studying membership creates a stronger professional development story.
Level 3 · 8723
Level 3 Leadership and Management Skills
For team leaders and emerging managers
Build practical confidence in the people-management moments that shape your day.
Best suited to
- Supervisors and first-line managers
- New team leaders
- Aspiring managers preparing for promotion
Learner outcomes
- Lead and communicate with more confidence
- Manage performance, wellbeing and change
- Evidence skills through real work
8723-21
Certificate
Unit 301 plus at least three optional units.
GLH
80 hours
TQT
210 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£949individual enrolment
8723-31
Diploma
Unit 301 plus at least six optional units.
GLH
140 hours
TQT
390 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,299individual enrolment
8723-41
Extended Diploma
Units 301–310 and 312–317 are mandatory; unit 311 is an additional optional unit.
GLH
370 hours
TQT
1010 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 16 mandatory units
£1,599individual enrolment
Unit catalogue
Units are chosen according to pathway rules and centre guidance. The official handbook remains the source of truth for final structure and assessment detail.
- 301Developing effective leadership skills
- 302Managing personal and professional development
- 303Managing the performance of others
- 304Supporting wellbeing in the workplace
- 305Effective recruitment
- 306Developing project management skills
- 307Managing and implementing change
- 308Problem solving and decision making
- 309The organisation and its environmental responsibilities
- 310Analysing data to make decisions
- 311Organisational finance
- 312Effective communication
- 313Planning and leading structured workplace communication
- 314Supporting flexible working
- 315Developing a high performing team
- 316Legislation and compliance
- 317Managing external stakeholder relationships
Level 5 · 8725
Level 5 Operational Leadership and Management Skills
For operational and middle managers
Strengthen operational judgement, influence and leadership impact across teams and functions.
Best suited to
- Department and operations managers
- Experienced managers
- Leaders responsible for improvement, planning or stakeholders
Learner outcomes
- Improve operational decision-making
- Lead change, culture and collaboration
- Build a stronger professional leadership profile
8725-11
Award
Unit 501 plus at least one optional unit.
GLH
40 hours
TQT
80 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£660individual enrolment
8725-21
Certificate
Unit 501 plus at least three optional units.
GLH
80 hours
TQT
160 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,080individual enrolment
8725-31
Diploma
Unit 501 plus at least eight optional units.
GLH
175 hours
TQT
390 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,440individual enrolment
8725-41
Extended Diploma
The specified extended-diploma mandatory unit set; additional optional units may be taken.
GLH
485 hours
TQT
1180 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 21 mandatory units
£1,680individual enrolment
Unit catalogue
Units are chosen according to pathway rules and centre guidance. The official handbook remains the source of truth for final structure and assessment detail.
- 501Assessing own leadership performance
- 502Managing own continuing personal and professional development
- 503Managing people
- 504Leading people and organisational culture
- 505Coaching and mentoring in a leadership role
- 506Promoting equity of opportunity, diversity and inclusion
- 507Leading and managing wellbeing in the workplace
- 508Managing operational workforce planning
- 509Project management
- 510Managing operational finance
- 511Making a financial case
- 512Optimising the use of technology
- 513Managing business risk
- 514Problem-solving and decision-making
- 515Leading innovation and change
- 516Managing resources
- 517Business process engineering
- 518Managing quality
- 519Contributing to the delivery of organisational strategy
- 520Operational planning and reporting
- 521Organisational culture and ethics
- 522Organisational sustainability
- 523Data driven decision making
- 524Developing and managing collaborative relationships
- 525Managing stakeholder relationships
- 526Working with partners
- 527Developing products and services
Check the source material
Official handbooks, clear advice and no misleading shortcuts.
Optional unit choices mean credit totals and evidence plans should be checked against the selected pathway. We keep the public journey practical while pointing learners back to the formal handbook detail.
Institute of Leadership membership
Studying membership while you learn. Professional membership after you qualify.
Registered ILM learners can access complimentary studying membership with The Institute of Leadership. Professional membership grades are applied for separately after or alongside your career development.
Level 3 learners
Use studying membership to build confidence, CPD habits and leadership awareness. A completed Level 3 qualification can support eligibility for Associate (AIoL), subject to The Institute's application criteria.
Level 5 learners
A completed Level 5 qualification can support eligibility for Member (MIoL), subject to The Institute's application criteria. This is not limited to the Diploma route unless The Institute changes its rules.
Experience route
The Institute also recognises management experience, so some learners may qualify for a professional grade through experience even if their qualification level alone does not meet that grade.
Not sure whether Level 3 or Level 5 is right?
Tell us about your role, responsibilities and goal. We will help you make a sensible pathway choice before you enrol.