What is CMI Level 7?

The CMI offer a wide range of qualifications to support managers throughout their career. This can make it difficult to know which qualification and subjects to choose. As a fully approved CMI centre with 16 years experience Crescente is perfectly placed to help you decide what’s going to suit you best. Here’s our guide to CMI level 7 qualifications.

Chartered Management Institute CMI?

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offer management and leadership qualifications in a range of levels and a range of sizes. They are a well-recognised awarding body in the UK for management and leadership qualifications. They hold a royal charter which means they can award Chartered Manager (CMgr) and Chartered Management Consultant (CMC) accolades. They provide career progression routes for managers and management consultants. The CMI require their members and chartered members to uphold high standards of professional practice and conduct.

What is CMI level 7 equivalent to?

CMI Level 7 is equivalent to studying at post graduate level. That means CMI Level 7 qualifications are equivalent to postgraduate certificate, postgraduate diploma, PGCE or Masters degree level. CMI qualifications are vocational which means they directly relate to workplace requirements. For CMI Level 7 this means you will be learning the specific knowledge and skills required in senior management roles in industry. It’s also worth noting that CMI Level 7 will be equivalent to work-based advanced skills training and professional education that may not have a level specified, but will be delivered at an appropriate level. And just in case you want to know, Level 7 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland is equivalent to level 11 in Scotland, and level 9 in Ireland. Visit GovUK – What different qualification levels mean for more information.

Who should study CMI level 7?

CMI level 7 qualifications are for people with experience of managing individuals, teams and organisations. They’re also suitable for people in specialist professional job roles. For example, you might be an operational manager or regional manager looking to step up into a senior role. CMI level 7 qualifications are also suitable for department heads, directors, business owners and executives. CMI Level 7 qualifications are popular with specialist roles including HR, L&D and OD professionals and Diversity and Inclusion managers. Professional coaches, mentors and management consultants will also benefit from studying CMI Level 7 qualifications.

CMI level 7 career prospects

CMI level 7 qualifications are perfect if you are looking to apply for senior management roles with your current employer, or with a new company. It is common for job descriptions to state that candidates applying for the job must have a formal management qualification. This may be either a desired or essential requirement depending on the needs of the recruiting employer. CMI Level 7 qualifications fulfil this requirement perfectly in two ways. Firstly, they are well-recognised formal management qualifications here in the UK and recognised internationally. Secondly, they give future employers an indication of the level you have attained academically. The CMI Level 7 indicates you have studied successfully at post-graduate level. It’s worth noting here, according to the CMI, 82% of managers have no formal management or leadership training.

What CMI level 7 qualifications are there?

At level 7, the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) offer qualifications in management and leadership, coaching and mentoring, equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), mental health and wellbeing, and entrepreneurial practice. At Crescente we offer the complete range of CMI level 7 qualifications.

By studying the CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership syllabus you can achieve the Award, Certificate, Diploma, Extended Diploma qualifications. This syllabus is made up of 22 different units. Each unit is a different subject. Each unit is assessed through a written report of 4000-4500 words. Units 701 through 716 are all level 7 units. Units 607, 608, 609, 610, 612 and 614 are available if you choose the diploma or extended diploma. While these are clearly level 6 units, they complement the level 7 syllabus and allow for some crossover from the CMI level 6 syllabus.

CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership

Successfully complete one unit from 701 – 716 to a minimum of 70 credits to achieve the CMI Level 7 Award in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification. This is a great place to start if you haven’t studied with CMI before. It give you the opportunity to test the qualification contents, structure and study methods are right for you.

CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership

Successfully complete two units from 701 – 716 to a minimum of 140 credits to achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification. On completion of the CMI Level 7 Certificate qualification you can apply immediately for Chartered Manager status through the fast-track route. You will need a few years of relevant management experience and you will have to commit to continuing professional development and commit to the CMI code of conduct and practice. Whether you have studied your CMI Level 7 Certificate with us or not, we can support your Chartered Manager application. Contact us for more information.

CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

Successfully complete four or five units to a minimum of 370 credits (300 must be from 701 – 716) to achieve the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification. The CMI Level 7 diploma is a comprehensive qualification that clearly demonstrates your commitment to professional management and leadership practice. It is typical for people to take five units, so you can cover a range of different strategic management and leadership topics.

CMI Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

Successfully complete eight or nine units to a minimum of 640 credits (420 must be from 701 – 716) to achieve the CMI Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership qualification. This is a substantial undertaking that is likely to take two years or more. There are two main reasons why people complete this qualification. Number one, they like learning and use CMI Level 7 as a meaningful structure for their continuing professional development. Number two, they want to top up to an MBA or executive MBA.

Other CMI Level 7 qualifications

CMI level 7 MBA top up

Master of Business Administration MBA is a popular qualification offered by universities in the UK and internationally. Many universities will consider your CMI Level 7 Strategic Management and Leadership credits as prior learning under their Recognition of Prior Learning RPL policy. You can write to the admissions team at a university of your choice, or search online for a specific Top-up MBA to find a list of universities. At Crescente we’ve had a few people successfully achieve this. You’re then likely to need to complete their research methods module and then the final dissertation. Other people have found they need to top up their CATS points with short courses from their chosen university. MBA course content, style and delivery modes vary so we don’t recommend any particular university.

CMI level 7 letters after name (post-nominals)

Post nominals from CMI include MCMI, FCMI and CMgr. On successful completion of your CMI Level 7 Certificate, Diploma or Extended Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership you can use the letters MCMI after your name. MCMI stands for Member of the Chartered Management Institute. If you have significant experience in senior management and leadership roles you may use the letters FCMI or Fellow of the Chartered Management Institute after you name. You will need to contact CMI to request they consider you for fellowship. CMgr stands for Chartered Manager. Only CMI can grant you the accolade of chartered manager. This is achieved through either full or fast-track application process. Crescente can help you with your application. Contact us for more information.

CMI level 7 cost

CMI Level 7 costs will vary depending on which CMI Centre you choose. Crescente is a fully approved CMI Centre based in Bath, UK with prices varying from £800 to £3200 per person for CMI Level 7 self-study and corporate programme delivery. Prices for CMI qualifications will vary depending on the mode of delivery, tutor calibre and credentials, levels of support, location and so on . All our current prices are advertised on our website, choose the relevant qualification from this list for details.

Is CMI level 7 worth it?

Yes. The CMI is a well-recognised awarding body in the UK and internationally. Level 7 is post-graduate level which will impress most employers. Holding a CMI level 7 puts you ahead of the 82% (see CMI research) of managers with no formal training. Achieve the CMI Level 7 Certificate or above for fast-track access to becoming a Chartered Manager which gives you even more credibility with employers, customers and colleagues.

Want to know more?

Still want to know more? Join John our Managing Director for answers to your questions.