ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership & Management

For practising or aspiring middle managers. This globally-recognised, degree-level ILM qualification deepens your management skills and focuses on the strategic elements of leadership, efficiency, and effectiveness.

ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership & Management
ILM qualification provider, The Institute of Leadership & Management
The Institute of Leadership logo

What's Included in Your Training

Explore the tabs below for a complete breakdown of this high-level, tutor-supported online qualification, including the full syllabus, core modules, and accreditation details.

The ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management is designed for individuals with significant management responsibilities or for those who already have experience in a managerial role and wish to further enhance their skills. It is ideal for professionals looking to improve personal and team performance and prepare for more senior leadership responsibilities.

Through this qualification, learners will strengthen their ability to lead, motivate, and inspire others, driving improved performance and results across their organisation.

The programme consists of a single core unit titled “Managing Your Own Professional Development.”

In this unit, you will:

  • Create, implement, and evaluate your personal development plan (PDP).
  • Complete regular reflections on your progress, reviewing your achievements and identifying areas for improvement.
  • Evaluate how your learning has impacted your performance and contributed to organisational success, before updating your plan for future growth.

Key study content includes: 

  • Assessing your own leadership capability and performance
  • Implementing & Managing Change
  • Identifying the Need for Change and Innovation and Thinking About How We Do It
  • How to Successfully Set & Achieve Goals

iWAM Psychometric Profile

The Inventory for Work Attitude & Motivation (iWAM) is a questionnaire used for job-related activities, such as recruitment, coaching and training projects. It is based on meta-programmes, a model of thinking styles (48 parameters are measured and explained). The iWAM report shows a person’s strengths and areas of development in the work context in terms of attitude and motivation.

The comprehensive report helps you to understand what motivates you and what makes a good day at work. Why some tasks are “easy” and others require more effort. It also shows how you generally behave in various tasks, such as administration, customer contact or managerial tasks.

As part of this process, you will work collaboratively with your coach and line manager to agree on your Continuing Professional Development (CPD) plan.

By the End of This Unit, You Will Be Able To:

  • Review your personal and work-related development goals, priorities, and experiences.
  • Undertake and critically evaluate your planned development activities.
  • Reflect on your learning and assess how it has enhanced your effectiveness and workplace performance.

Successful completion of this unit will equip you with the skills and confidence to take full responsibility for managing your own professional growth and career development.

This is a comprehensive, tutor-supported online programme where you will work 1-to-1 with a personal tutor to develop your capabilities in a way that is tailored to your needs.

Benefits for the Learner

  • Apply core management techniques to achieve stronger performance and better results.
  • Strengthen your ability to lead, motivate, and inspire individuals and teams.
  • Develop both strategic leadership skills and effective day-to-day management capability.
  • Benchmark your managerial competence against nationally recognised standards.
  • Build your leadership skills through a tailored, personalised development approach.
  • Enhance your professional reputation and visibility within your organisation.

Benefits for the Organisation

  • Develop managers who apply strategic thinking to drive meaningful business improvements.
  • Foster a culture of engagement in learning and professional development across management levels.
  • Gain confident, capable middle managers equipped to handle complex challenges.
  • Benefit from leaders who possess the tools and mindset for continuous growth, ensuring long-term organisational success.

This is a 15-credit qualification. You will work with your personal tutor to complete:

Unit: 8607-521: Managing own continuing professional development

  • Learn to assess your own leadership performance, understand the relationship between efficiency and effectiveness, and use data to inform your decision-making

This qualification also includes the following additional developmental resources : 

iWAM Psychometric Profile

The Inventory for Work Attitude and Motivation (iWAM) is a powerful psychometric tool used in recruitment, coaching, and professional development. Based on the meta-programmes model of thinking styles, it measures 48 key motivational and behavioural parameters that influence how individuals approach their work.

The iWAM report provides detailed insights into your strengths, motivations, and development areas within a professional context. It helps you understand what drives your performance, why certain tasks feel effortless while others require more focus, and how your natural preferences influence your approach to areas such as administration, leadership, customer engagement, and strategic planning.

Learning Styles Assessment

A key element of your personal development process is understanding your unique learning style. By identifying how you best absorb and process information, you can select the most effective learning techniques to support your ongoing growth and professional development.

Recognising your learning style improves focus, retention, and engagement, helping you study more efficiently and apply new knowledge more effectively. This self-awareness fosters confidence, motivation, and adaptability, while enabling you to create a personalised approach to learning that enhances both your academic and workplace performance.

Leadership Style Assessment

To grow as an effective leader, it is essential to understand your leadership style. This course includes a Leadership Style Questionnaire, a self-assessment tool that identifies your current leadership preferences and highlights potential areas for development.

Understanding your leadership style enhances decision-making, communication, and team relationships. It promotes self-awareness, allowing you to leverage your strengths, address development areas, and adapt your approach to suit different people and situations. By applying this insight, you can inspire teams, build trust, and lead with confidence and strategic direction, driving both personal and organisational success.

This course is a globally-recognised qualification from ILM.

Upon successful completion of your assignments, you will receive the ILM Level 5 Certificate in Leadership & Management. This is a higher-level qualification equivalent level to a Foundation Degree.

The UK College of Personal Development is an ILM Approved Centre.

Choose Your Plan

We offer two simple ways to pay.

Both options include VAT and our 0% interest-free guarantee.

Pay in Full

Make a single, one-time payment to get fully enrolled instantly.

£1,995.00 One-Time Fee

Key Programme Features
 
  • Tutor-Supported Online Learning

  • Globally-Recognised ILM Qualification

  • ILM Level 5 Certificate

  • Foundation Degree Equivalent

  • Ideal for Middle Managers

  • Strategic Leadership Focus

  • Personal 1-to-1 Tutor Support

  • ILM Approved Centre

  • Start Anytime

Interest-Free Plan (UK Students Only)

Spread the cost over 12 months with our flexible, 0% interest plan. (UK Students Only)

12 x monthly payments of £166.25

Total Investment: £1,995.00

Key Programme Features
 
  • Tutor-Supported Online Learning

  • Globally-Recognised ILM Qualification

  • ILM Level 5 Certificate

  • Foundation Degree Equivalent

  • Ideal for Middle Managers

  • Strategic Leadership Focus

  • Personal 1-to-1 Tutor Support

  • ILM Approved Centre

  • Start Anytime

Frequently Asked Questions

Here are a few of our commonly asked questions about this course. If you have questions not covered here, use the form below to book a discovery call with our team.

The ILM Level 5 Certificate is a senior professional qualification aimed at practising middle managers looking to deepen their leadership and management capabilities, centred around the unit “Managing Own Continuing Professional Development”.

You will develop self-awareness of leadership style, understand the distinction between leadership and management, apply change strategies, and construct a tailored professional development plan aligned with organisational goals.

This qualification is ideal for managers with operational responsibility, aspiring senior leaders, project leads and professionals who lead teams or functions and want to enhance strategic thinking.

Assessment is based on workplace evidence and a personal development plan, supported by mentoring or tutor guidance to apply learning in context.

Duration depends on the individual’s pace but is structured to be completed within a timeframe that balances work responsibilities and study commitments.

Yes — ILM Level 5 is respected across sectors and provides credibility in leadership development programmes and progression pathways.

Graduates may progress to the ILM Level 5 Diploma, senior leadership roles, or advance to ILM Level 7 strategic leadership qualifications.