CMI Accredited Centre

CMI Level 7 · Standalone qualification

Diploma in Strategic Management and Leadership

A standalone CMI Level 7 (Master's equivalent) for directors, heads of function and senior leaders shaping organisational strategy.

7-8Units

660TQT hours

12-24Months

£2,500From / learner

See pricing & book → Book a 25-min discovery call

Ofsted Good Skills England Approved Provider CMI Accredited Centre ★ 4.9 / 5 · 690 reviews 72% distinction at EPA on our apprenticeships

Two ways to take this

Standalone, or embedded in an apprenticeship.

You can take CMI Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership as a direct, self-funded or employer-paid qualification. Or you can get it embedded inside a TESS apprenticeship at no extra cost, with Coachy, our 24/7 AI tutor, included free.

Standalone (this page)

Direct qualification

You pay for the qualification only. Suits learners who already have a role and want a formal credential, or organisations not eligible for apprenticeship levy funding.

From £2,500 per learner
12-24 months
CMgr FCMI eligible on completion
Group discounts available

See pricing →

Apprenticeship route

Bespoke senior leader cohort

Same CMI Level 7 qualification, embedded inside a TESS apprenticeship at no extra cost. Adds Coachy AI tutor, a named skills coach, and the apprenticeship credential. 100% levy-funded for employers.

£0 out-of-pocket for levy payers · 5% for SMEs
CMI Level 7 qualification embedded free
Coachy AI tutor included free
Dedicated skills coach from day one through EPA

Apprenticeship route →

What you'll cover

6 units, mapped to Chartered Management Institute standards.

Each unit is delivered live online, supported by a named tutor, and assessed against CMI's national framework.

Strategic Leadership Practice

The core practice of leading at the top: vision, sense-making and direction-setting.

Leading Organisational Change

Designing and leading complex organisation-wide transformation programmes.

Strategic Risk Management

Risk appetite, scenario planning and protecting the organisation from existential threats.

Personal Brand and Professional Standing

Building authority, influence and a credible chartered profile.

Strategic Resource Management

People, capital and operating model decisions for sustainable growth.

Strategic Approaches to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

EDI as strategy, not compliance, leading from the top.

Investment

Transparent pricing. No hidden fees.

Full price includes all tutor support, CMI registration, assessment fees and certification on successful completion.

CMI Level 7 Strategic Management & Leadership · Standalone

£2,500 – £4,000

per learner · price varies with cohort size and delivery model

CMI learner registration and certification
All assessment fees included
Named tutor, live online delivery
CMgr FCMI eligible on successful completion
Group discounts from 5+ learners

Get a tailored quote →

Indicative pricing. Final cost confirmed on your discovery call based on cohort size, delivery model and any group discount. Funding via apprenticeship levy available, see the apprenticeship route above.

Why TESS for CMI

The accreditation, the outcomes, and the AI advantage.

Ofsted

Good provider

Independently inspected. Ofsted Good rating for our overall provision and outcomes for learners.

4.9★

690 verified reviews

Independently verified on Trustpilot (237) and Google (453). Real learners, real outcomes.

10K+

Learners trained

Across 1000+ employers, FTSE 100 to four-person SMEs. Public sector, retail, healthcare and beyond.

Specialist AI provider

The UK's specialist AI apprenticeship provider. Microsoft AI Industry Leader, Coachy AI tutor built in.

CMI Level 7 FAQs

CMI Level 7: cost, entry requirements & Chartered Manager

The questions senior managers ask us most. Still unsure? Leave your details and we'll tailor the answer to you.

How much does CMI Level 7 cost?

As a standalone qualification, the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership starts from £2,500 per learner (indicative £2,500–£4,000, including tutor support, CMI registration, assessment and certification). Taken inside a TESS apprenticeship it is 100% funded through the apprenticeship levy for levy-paying employers, with a 5% co-investment for smaller non-levy employers. We confirm your exact price on a short discovery call.

What are the entry requirements for CMI Level 7?

There are no rigid entry requirements, but CMI Level 7 is a master's-level qualification aimed at practising senior managers, heads of function and directors. Most learners join with a CMI Level 5, a related degree, or substantial management experience. We confirm the right fit on a quick discovery call.

How long does CMI Level 7 take to complete?

At TESS the CMI Level 7 Diploma runs over 12–24 months of blended, flexible study, built to fit around a senior role.

Is CMI Level 7 equivalent to a master's degree?

Yes. CMI Level 7 sits at the same level as a postgraduate certificate or diploma and master's degree on the regulated qualifications framework (RQF) — a respected, work-applied alternative to an MBA-style academic route.

Does CMI Level 7 lead to Chartered Manager (CMgr) status?

CMI is the only body that can award Chartered Manager (CMgr), the gold-standard accreditation for managers. After completing CMI Level 7 — with around three years of management experience — you can fast-track an application for CMgr, and on completion you are entitled to use MCMI (Member of the Chartered Management Institute) after your name.

What is the difference between CMI and ILM Level 7?

Both are respected UK awarding bodies. CMI is the chartered body for management and the only one that can confer Chartered Manager status; ILM (part of City & Guilds) is the largest by volume, known for practical leadership learning. Compare them in our CMI levels guide and ILM levels guide.

Talk to TESS

How do you want to start?

Two ways forward. Pick the one that suits you.

Leave your details

Tell us your level, cohort size and goals. We will send a tailored quote and route map covering the standalone option and the apprenticeship route if you're eligible.

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Book a 25-min discovery call

Speak directly with our CMI specialists. Walk through pricing, content, delivery options and group discounts live. No deck, no pressure.

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