What is MIoL? ILM and Institute of Leadership membership explained

If you searched for "MIoL qualification", two different things may have become mixed together: an ILM qualification and professional membership of The Institute of Leadership. They can be connected, but they are not the same award.

The short answer

MIoL means Member membership of The Institute of Leadership. It is a professional membership grade, not an ILM qualification. Registered ILM learners can access complimentary studying membership while they study. After completion, professional grades are applied for separately and are subject to The Institute's criteria.

The Institute currently states that a Level 5 qualification or higher can support Member membership. That means an ILM Level 5 qualification may support an MIoL application, but membership is not automatic.

ILM qualification and MIoL are different

An ILM qualification is awarded under the City & Guilds ILM banner. The current Level 3 and Level 5 suites on this site are regulated qualifications assessed through a portfolio of workplace evidence.

MIoL is a professional membership grade from The Institute of Leadership. In simple terms:

• ILM qualification — the qualification you study and complete through an approved centre.
• Studying membership — complimentary membership that registered ILM learners can access while studying.
• MIoL — Member membership, applied for separately after completion and subject to The Institute's criteria.

So "I have an ILM Level 5 qualification" and "I am MIoL" are not two ways of saying the same thing. One describes an educational achievement; the other describes professional membership.

What is studying membership?

The Institute of Leadership explains that registered ILM learners can access complimentary studying membership. It describes access to leadership resources, self-reflective tools, careers support, events, EDGE content and MyLeadership resources. Read more about the ILM partnership.

Studying membership is connected with being a registered learner; it should not be confused with applying for a professional grade.

AIoL and MIoL

The two grades most relevant to the progression described on this site are:

• AIoL — Associate membership. The Institute currently states that it can be supported by a Level 3 qualification or higher.
• MIoL — Member membership. The Institute currently states that it can be supported by a Level 5 qualification or higher.

Both statements are subject to The Institute's criteria. A qualification level is therefore a possible route or supporting basis, not a promise that an application will be accepted. Read The Institute's current pages before applying:

• Associate (AIoL)
• Member (MIoL)

How the progression can fit together

The progression from qualification to membership can work like this:

1. Register on an ILM qualification and access complimentary studying membership.
2. Build your portfolio from authentic workplace evidence and complete the qualification.
3. Consider a professional membership application separately.
4. Check the grade you are applying for and The Institute's current criteria.

At Level 3, Associate membership is the relevant conversation. At Level 5, Member membership is the relevant conversation. Neither should change how you choose your qualification: choose the level that matches the responsibility and evidence you can genuinely produce.

Is MIoL included in ILM course fees?

Do not assume that a qualification enrolment price and a professional membership application are the same fee. Registered ILM learners can access complimentary studying membership, while professional grades are applied for separately. Professional membership is not automatic.

For the current qualification enrolment prices, see /pricing. For the membership position, use The Institute's own pages above rather than relying on an old provider page or an old fee quote.

What MIoL does not mean

MIoL does not mean that you have completed a particular ILM pathway, and an ILM qualification does not by itself mean you already hold MIoL. Keep the terms separate when writing a CV, application or professional profile:

• Name the exact qualification and level you completed.
• Name professional membership only if you have applied for and hold that grade.
• Keep the phrase "subject to The Institute's criteria" when describing the progression from qualification to membership.

That is the accurate way to explain how ILM study and Institute membership relate.