Articles / Management Training UK: Complete Guide to Courses and Providers
Development, Training & CoachingExplore management training options across the UK. Compare CMI vs ILM qualifications, find leading providers, and understand apprenticeship levy funding.
Written by Laura Bouttell • Wed 31st December 2025
Management training in the UK encompasses a rich landscape of professional qualifications, short courses, and development programmes—anchored by two major awarding bodies (CMI and ILM) and increasingly accessible through apprenticeship levy funding that enables organisations to develop managers whilst reclaiming training investment. Understanding this landscape helps you select the right pathway for your management development, whether you're an aspiring first-line manager or a senior leader pursuing chartered status.
Britain has a long tradition of professionalising management education, from the formation of professional institutes in the early twentieth century to today's sophisticated qualification frameworks. The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) holds Royal Charter status as the only chartered body for management and leadership in the UK, whilst the Institute of Leadership and Management (ILM), part of the City & Guilds Group, delivers qualifications to over 70,000 learners annually.
This guide examines UK management training options—from formal qualifications through practical short courses—helping you navigate choices and maximise your development investment.
Two professional bodies dominate the UK management qualification landscape.
The Chartered Professional Body
The Chartered Management Institute holds Royal Charter status as the UK's only chartered professional body for management and leadership. With approximately 130,000 members worldwide, CMI offers a pathway to Chartered Manager status—a prestigious credential demonstrating professional competence.
Qualification Levels
| CMI Level | Target Audience | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 | First-line managers and supervisors | Team leadership fundamentals |
| Level 5 | Middle managers | Operational management |
| Level 6 | Senior managers | Strategic management |
| Level 7 | Senior leaders and directors | Strategic leadership |
| Level 8 | C-suite executives | Executive leadership |
CMI uniquely offers Level 8 qualifications for C-suite professionals—a level not yet available through other UK awarding bodies.
Key Benefits
The Volume Leader
ILM operates as the UK's largest professional body for leadership and management, with more people taking leadership and management qualifications from ILM than any other provider. As part of the respected City & Guilds Group, ILM functions as an independent charity dedicated to raising leadership standards.
Impact Statistics
Qualification Levels
| ILM Level | Target Audience | Focus |
|---|---|---|
| Level 2 | Team members developing leadership | Introduction to leadership |
| Level 3 | First-line managers | Supervisory management |
| Level 4 | Middle managers | Management practice |
| Level 5 | Senior managers | Leadership and management |
| Level 6 | Senior managers | Strategic management |
| Level 7 | Directors and senior leaders | Executive management |
Key Benefits
Choosing between CMI and ILM depends on your career objectives and learning preferences.
CMI Focus
CMI qualifications emphasise strategic leadership and long-term career development. The pathway to Chartered Manager status appeals to those building careers in senior leadership, particularly where professional credentials carry significant weight.
ILM Focus
ILM qualifications prioritise practical management skills with immediate workplace application. The broader topic range suits those seeking specific competencies across leadership, coaching, mentoring, and team management.
| If You Value... | Consider... |
|---|---|
| Chartered professional status | CMI |
| Widest topic range | ILM |
| C-suite level qualification | CMI (Level 8) |
| Coaching and mentoring focus | ILM |
| Royal Charter recognition | CMI |
| Largest professional network | ILM |
| Strategic career positioning | CMI |
| Immediate practical application | ILM |
Both qualifications enjoy strong employer recognition across UK industries. Neither is definitively "better"—the choice depends on alignment with personal career goals and learning preferences. Many professionals hold qualifications from both bodies at different career stages.
Beyond formal qualifications, various training formats serve different needs.
Characteristics
Delivery Options
Characteristics
Common Topics
Characteristics
Management Apprenticeship Levels
Characteristics
The apprenticeship levy offers significant funding opportunities for management development.
Who Pays
Employers with annual payroll exceeding £3 million contribute 0.5% of total payroll to the apprenticeship levy. These funds accumulate in a digital account for training investment.
Key Features
Apprenticeships are no longer limited to school leavers seeking technical training. Existing employees at all levels can access apprenticeship funding for management qualifications, including:
Forthcoming Changes
From April 2026, the apprenticeship levy transitions to the Growth and Skills Levy with expanded flexibility:
Organisations below the £3 million payroll threshold can still access apprenticeship training with government co-investment:
Numerous providers deliver management training across the UK.
ICS Learn
Claims status as the world's most experienced distance learning provider with over 130 years of operation. Offers online CMI and ILM qualifications with flexible, self-paced learning and 24/7 access to course materials and expert tutors.
Professional Academy
Delivers CMI Management and Leadership courses across multiple locations including London, Cambridge, Manchester, Birmingham, and Leeds, plus online options.
GBS Corporate
Operates as an approved provider of CMI courses offering management qualifications recognised throughout the UK and Europe.
Learndirect
Offers CMI leadership courses across all levels—Level 3 for aspiring managers through Level 7 for senior leaders.
London South Bank University
Delivers short courses developing core leadership and management techniques through ILM and CMI accredited programmes.
Imperial College Business School
Partners with specialist providers to deliver executive apprenticeship programmes combining academic excellence with practical coaching.
Queen Mary University of London
Offers degree apprenticeships utilising levy funding for management development.
Maguire Training
Specialises in apprenticeship levy-funded training leading to CMI and ILM qualifications.
Skills Training UK
Delivers apprenticeship programmes across multiple sectors including management and leadership.
Training availability varies across the UK:
Selection requires matching training to your specific circumstances.
Career Stage Questions
Practical Considerations
For Individuals
Discuss development plans with your employer early:
For Organisations
Consider management training as strategic investment:
Understanding typical programme elements helps preparation.
Knowledge Development
Skill Building
Practical Application
CMI and ILM Qualifications
Assessment typically involves:
Short Courses
Assessment varies widely:
| Programme Type | Typical Duration | Weekly Commitment |
|---|---|---|
| Level 3 Certificate | 3-6 months | 4-6 hours |
| Level 5 Diploma | 12-18 months | 6-8 hours |
| Level 7 Diploma | 18-24 months | 8-10 hours |
| Short course | 1-5 days | Intensive |
| Apprenticeship | 12-24 months | Varies with role |
CMI (Chartered Management Institute) holds Royal Charter status and offers a pathway to Chartered Manager credentials, focusing on strategic leadership development. ILM (Institute of Leadership and Management) provides the UK's highest volume of management qualifications with emphasis on practical, immediately applicable skills. CMI suits those seeking professional chartered status; ILM suits those prioritising practical competence across broader topic ranges.
Yes—apprenticeship levy funds support management qualifications at multiple levels, from Team Leader (Level 3) through Senior Leader (Level 7) programmes. Organisations with payroll exceeding £3 million contribute to the levy; smaller employers can access government co-investment covering 95% of training costs. From 2026, the Growth and Skills Levy expands flexibility to include shorter courses.
Duration varies by qualification level and study intensity. CMI or ILM Level 3 certificates typically require 3-6 months part-time. Level 5 diplomas take 12-18 months. Level 7 qualifications may require 18-24 months. Apprenticeship programmes run 12-24 months combining work and study. Short courses range from one day to several weeks depending on scope.
Research suggests significant returns: 93% of managers report improved performance after ILM qualification completion. Professional qualifications signal commitment to career development, open doors to senior roles requiring credentials, and build systematic capability. Return on investment depends on how actively you apply learning—qualifications alone don't guarantee advancement without demonstrated competence.
Neither CMI nor ILM is definitively superior—best fit depends on career goals. CMI suits those targeting Chartered Manager status and strategic leadership positions where professional credentials matter. ILM suits those seeking practical skills across broader topic areas with strong workplace application. Many professionals hold both over their careers, selecting based on specific development needs at each stage.
CMI and ILM maintain directories of approved centres delivering their qualifications. Professional bodies' websites list accredited providers by location and delivery method. Apprenticeship programmes appear on the government's Find Apprenticeship Training service. University business schools publish executive education offerings. Evaluate providers based on track record, delivery format, learner support, and completion rates.
Experienced managers often find significant value in formal qualifications, which provide frameworks for systematising intuitive practices, expose blind spots in existing approaches, and credential existing competence for career advancement. Many programmes recognise prior learning, reducing duration for experienced professionals. Executive-level qualifications (Level 6-7) specifically target seasoned managers seeking strategic development.
The UK's management training landscape offers pathways for every career stage and learning preference. Whether through CMI's chartered pathway, ILM's practical programmes, or apprenticeship levy-funded qualifications, British professionals enjoy access to world-class management education.
The choice between options should reflect honest assessment of your career objectives, learning preferences, and practical circumstances. Those seeking professional credentials and strategic positioning may favour CMI. Those prioritising practical competence and immediate application may prefer ILM. Those with access to organisational funding may find apprenticeships offer funded pathways to recognised qualifications.
Whatever route you choose, management training represents investment in capability that compounds over a career. The frameworks you learn, skills you develop, and networks you build through formal development create foundations for sustained professional contribution.
Britain's tradition of professionalising management—from Victorian-era institutes to today's sophisticated qualification frameworks—continues to evolve. The forthcoming Growth and Skills Levy promises greater flexibility for employers and learners alike. The fundamentals, however, remain constant: deliberate development produces more capable managers who create more effective organisations.
Your management journey deserves intentional investment. The question is not whether to pursue development, but which pathway best serves your aspirations and circumstances.