CMI Qualifications Explained

Are you eager to start a career in management and rise up to achieve the highest level of success?

Want to reach the highest levels in management and gain chartered status? Learn more about how the Chartered Management Institute can help you achieve that goal.

CMI stands for the Chartered Management Institute, which is an educational institution that specialises in management courses. 

Backed by Royal Charter, CMI ensures that their management courses have the latest theories, skills and knowledge baked into them, with learners achieving Chartered Manager status upon completion, one of the most respected titles within management. 

Specialising in management and leadership courses, from entry-level to C-suite, CMI qualifications provide learners with an end-to-end development path that can open up a wide range of career opportunities.

CMI qualifications are designed for aspiring managers at any level. Right from junior, first-time managers to CEOs and directors, their qualifications are designed to help learners on every stage of their career journey. 

The Chartered Management Institute specialises in leadership qualifications and management qualifications that are aimed at improving management skills and furthering the professional development of learners.

After completing a CMI qualification, depending on the level, learners can think about applying for some of the roles listed below:

• Team Leader
• Coach
• Mentor
• Supervisor
• First-line Manager
• Assistant Manager
• Business Manager
• Senior Manager
• Director

CMI management courses cover a wide range of areas in management, as well as a wide range of expertise levels. Depending on your career goals and experience, you can choose a qualification level that’s best suited to your goals. 

Courses at this level are ideal for anyone who is aspiring to be a supervisory or first-line manager. Learners can expect to acquire skills and knowledge in team leading, project management, as well as resource management, amongst other areas. 

An example of a CMI course in this area would be the CMI Level 2 Diploma in Team Leading.

Learners who already have some experience or knowledge in management should look towards courses at this level. Mid-level managers who want to take their knowledge in areas such as managing resources, organising recruitment and keeping on top of information management would benefit from taking courses at this level. 

Examples of CMI courses at this level would be a CMI Level 4 Diploma in Management and Leadership, a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Management and Leadership or a CMI Level 5 Diploma in Coaching and Mentoring.

Managers who have reached senior level and want to turn organisational strategy into tangible results should consider CMI courses at levels 6 and 7. 

Examples of CMI courses at this level would be a CMI Level 6 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership, a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Professional Consulting, a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership or a CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Coaching and Mentoring.

The highest level of qualification for managers is only offered by CMI, meaning that C-level senior managers who want to further their learning should only look towards CMI courses to help them achieve that goal. 

An example of a CMI course at this level would be a CMI Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Direction and Leadership is a highly coveted and respected course and will ensure that learners can reach their full potential in a senior management position.

For learners that are looking to gain chartered status, there are three different paths learners can choose to complete in order to qualify for the status. 

Managers that are seeking chartered status can apply to be assessed for CMI to decide whether they will issue the status to the applicant, if they have a degree level qualification that is management, business or leadership focused, as well as three years of experience in a management role.

Another route to assessment is that if the applicant has at least five years of management experience at a Level 5 or senior management level.

This route to chartered status can be explored by those who have already completed a CMI Diploma or Extended Diploma in Management and Leadership at Level 5 or 6 in the past five years, and also have three or more years in a relevant management role.

Applicants can also access this route to chartered status if they have completed a CMI Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership (at level 7 or 8) within the past five years and also have 3 or more years experience in a management role.

This route is available to applicants if they have completed your End Point Assessment for any of these management apprenticeship standards below and have also have relevant management experience:

• Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor
• Level 3 Business Administration
• Level 5 Operations/Department Manager
• Level 6 Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA)
• Level 7 Senior Leaders Masters Degree Apprenticeship (SLMDA)

To access CMI qualifications, learners can explore online CMI courses. By accessing CMI courses online, learners can choose to study in a flexible way that works for them, at home, part-time and alongside other work commitments. 

Explore the best CMI online course for you and enrol in a course in minutes, starting your exciting next step in your management career.

CMI qualifications are highly coveted and respected qualifications, with learning in this area being the only route to chartered status, a potentially career-changing title. 

Courses in this area can provide you with an in-depth overview of modules that are designed to give you the best leadership skills possible and ensure that you can move your professional management career forward.

Not only are CMI qualifications accessible to everyone, but each level can be learned as your career progresses. This means that as you gain more experience in management, CMI courses can be the key to unlocking new opportunities and promotions on your terms.