ILM Level 3 and Level 5 qualifications: cost, equivalence and pathways.
ILM Level 3 is equivalent to A level standard and ILM Level 5 to a foundation degree, and pathways cost from £449 to £1,895 inclusive of VAT. Both suites are delivered by VQ Solutions Ltd, an official ILM City & Guilds Approved Centre, and assessed on portfolio evidence from your real role.
You do not have to decide now. Creating an account is free with no card details, and you pick a pathway from your dashboard when you are ready — including starting with an Award and upgrading to a Certificate or Diploma later for the price difference.
ILM Level 3 and Level 5 pathways compared
Every pathway with its qualification code, RQF level, credit value, guided learning hours (GLH), total qualification time (TQT), typical completion time and cost.
| Qualification | Code | RQF level | Credits | GLH | TQT | Typical duration | Cost (inc. VAT) |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management Skills | 8723-11 | Level 3 | 10 credits | 40 hours | 95 hours | ~3 months | £449 |
| ILM Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management Skills | 8723-21 | Level 3 | 19 credits | 80 hours | 210 hours | ~6 months | £949 |
| ILM Level 3 Diploma in Leadership and Management Skills | 8723-31 | Level 3 | 34 credits | 140 hours | 390 hours | ~9 months | £1,299 |
| ILM Level 3 Extended Diploma in Leadership and Management Skills | 8723-41 | Level 3 | 83 credits | 370 hours | 1010 hours | ~18 months | £1,599 |
| ILM Level 5 Award in Operational Leadership and Management Skills | 8725-11 | Level 5 | 8 credits | 40 hours | 80 hours | ~3 months | £695 |
| ILM Level 5 Certificate in Operational Leadership and Management Skills | 8725-21 | Level 5 | 16 credits | 80 hours | 160 hours | ~6 months | £1,149 |
| ILM Level 5 Diploma in Operational Leadership and Management Skills | 8725-31 | Level 5 | 39 credits | 175 hours | 390 hours | ~12 months | £1,595 |
| ILM Level 5 Extended Diploma in Operational Leadership and Management Skills | 8725-41 | Level 5 | 118 credits | 485 hours | 1180 hours | ~18 months | £1,895 |
Prices are one-time individual enrolment prices inclusive of UK VAT. Start with an Award and upgrade later if you want to — you pay only the difference. See the full cost breakdown.
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
ILM Level 3 Leadership and Management
Awarded by City & Guilds as the City & Guilds Level 3 Award, Certificate, Diploma and Extended Diploma in Leadership and Management Skills.
For team leaders and emerging managers
Build practical confidence in the people-management moments that shape your day.
What is ILM Level 3 equivalent to?
ILM Level 3 is equivalent to A level standard — it sits at Level 3 on the regulated qualifications framework (RQF), the same level as A levels, a BTEC National or an advanced apprenticeship.
Equivalent means the same level of demand, not the same qualification: Level 3 is assessed by a portfolio of workplace evidence rather than exams, and it does not carry UCAS tariff points.
How much does ILM Level 3 cost?
ILM Level 3 costs £449 for the Award, £949 for the Certificate, £1,299 for the Diploma and £1,599 for the Extended Diploma, inclusive of UK VAT. That is a one-time enrolment price, payable only when you choose a pathway.
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
Award
Unit 301 plus at least one optional unit.
GLH
40 hours
TQT
95 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£449individual enrolment
Certificate
Unit 301 plus at least three optional units.
GLH
80 hours
TQT
210 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£949individual enrolment
Diploma
Unit 301 plus at least six optional units.
GLH
140 hours
TQT
390 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,299individual enrolment
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. Open a unit to see its learning outcomes and every assessment criterion.
- 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
ILM Level 5 Leadership and Management
Awarded by City & Guilds as the City & Guilds Level 5 Award, Certificate, Diploma and Extended Diploma in Operational Leadership and Management Skills.
For operational and middle managers
Strengthen operational judgement, influence and leadership impact across teams and functions.
What is ILM Level 5 equivalent to?
ILM Level 5 is equivalent to a foundation degree, an HND or the second year of a bachelor's degree — all of which sit at Level 5 on the regulated qualifications framework (RQF).
It is degree-level but it is not a full bachelor's degree, which is Level 6. Some universities award credit towards a related degree through recognition of prior learning, but that is never automatic — ask the university in writing before you rely on it.
How much does ILM Level 5 cost?
ILM Level 5 costs £695 for the Award, £1,149 for the Certificate, £1,595 for the Diploma and £1,895 for the Extended Diploma, inclusive of UK VAT. That is a one-time enrolment price, payable only when you choose a pathway.
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
Award
Unit 501 plus at least one optional unit.
GLH
40 hours
TQT
80 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£695individual enrolment
Certificate
Unit 501 plus at least three optional units.
GLH
80 hours
TQT
160 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,149individual enrolment
Diploma
Unit 501 plus at least eight optional units.
GLH
175 hours
TQT
390 hours
- Portfolio-based assessment
- 1 mandatory unit
£1,595individual enrolment
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
£1,895individual enrolment
Unit catalogue
Units are chosen according to pathway rules and centre guidance. Open a unit to see its learning outcomes and every assessment criterion.
- 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.
ILM Level 3 and Level 5: common questions
Equivalence, cost, duration and entry requirements, answered directly.
What is ILM Level 3 equivalent to?
ILM Level 3 is equivalent to A level standard — it sits at Level 3 on the regulated qualifications framework (RQF), the same level as A levels, a BTEC National or an advanced apprenticeship. Equivalent means the same level of demand, not the same qualification: Level 3 is assessed by a portfolio of workplace evidence rather than exams, and it does not carry UCAS tariff points.
What is ILM Level 5 equivalent to?
ILM Level 5 is equivalent to a foundation degree, an HND or the second year of a bachelor's degree — all of which sit at Level 5 on the regulated qualifications framework (RQF). It is degree-level but it is not a full bachelor's degree, which is Level 6. Some universities award credit towards a related degree through recognition of prior learning, but that is never automatic — ask the university in writing before you rely on it.
How much does ILM Level 3 cost?
ILM Level 3 costs £449 for the Award, £949 for the Certificate, £1,299 for the Diploma and £1,599 for the Extended Diploma, inclusive of UK VAT, as a one-time enrolment price. Creating an account is free, and you can start with an Award and upgrade later for the difference in price.
How much does ILM Level 5 cost?
ILM Level 5 costs £695 for the Award, £1,149 for the Certificate, £1,595 for the Diploma and £1,895 for the Extended Diploma, inclusive of UK VAT. There is no subscription and no charge for holding an account — you pay once, when you choose the pathway you want to enrol on.
Should I take ILM Level 3 or Level 5?
Level 3 suits team leaders, supervisors and first-line managers; Level 5 suits operational and middle managers who already lead through others or across functions. Choose the level that matches the leadership decisions you can evidence from your current role, because both suites are assessed entirely on workplace evidence.
How long does an ILM qualification take?
Typical completion runs from about 3 months for an Award to around 18 months for an Extended Diploma. Study is online and self-paced, and the total qualification time (TQT) shown for each pathway is the better guide to the real commitment because it includes independent study and evidence gathering.
Are there any entry requirements?
There are no formal entry requirements for either level. What matters is access to a role where you lead or manage others, because the skills evidence must be generated in the workplace or a realistic working environment.
Not sure whether Level 3 or Level 5 is right?
Create a free account and decide later, or tell us about your role, responsibilities and goal and we will help you make a sensible pathway choice before you enrol.