ILM Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management (UK Level 7)

ILM Level 7 (UK) / comparable to Level 9 (Ireland) Diploma in Leadership and Management.

The course is completed over 12 months. Learners work at their own pace and may commence at any time of year.

Accredited
Qualification on RQF (UK).

Tutor-supported
eLearning course with Tutor Support.

Flexible
Start any time and work at your own pace.

Learn anywhere
Learn anytime, anywhere.

ILM Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management (UK Level 7)

€1195

Call us on 01-2865783, for interest-free and other Instalment Plan options.

Course Details

This ILM Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management is specifically designed for senior managers and leaders seeking to sharpen their strategic leadership capability, enabling them to deliver successful outcomes for their organisation.  It is suitable for leaders who want to make the best use of resources, develop commercially viable propositions, innovate, optimise performance and drive impact. Individuals will be provided with scope and opportunity to focus on their own specific strategic leadership and senior management development needs. They may manage the day-to-day operations and activities, and in doing so seek to make the best use of their resources, understand the need to innovate and have a constant awareness of the need to optimise performance.

They may also have to present arguments for change, construct business cases, lead change implementation and evaluate the impact of that change. The Diploma is 40 credits is equivalent to a Post Graduate Certificate and one-third of a Masters in most UK university business schools.

The ILM Diploma course is assessed through assignments which will require learners to develop and implement a set of performance metrics which can be measured and reported on in their area of operation and develop a high-level business case for improvement which can be implemented / partially implemented. The topics chosen by learners will be based on strategic areas identified in their own work context.  By choosing to study this course with CMIT, Students have 24×7 access to CMIT eLearning for the duration of the course. This includes a comprehensive Course Manual, Interactive Forums (with other learners), Online Library, Videos, Quizzes and personalised Tutor Support.

The course documentation for this course is detailed and easy to read. You will also be able to upload assessments online and receive online feedback. You can use the eLearning system from any computer that has internet access.

Who should complete this ILM Diploma course?
  • Experienced Managers: This course is ideal for experienced managers looking to enhance their leadership skills, strategic thinking, and decision-making abilities to excel in senior management roles.
  • Aspiring Executives: Individuals aspiring to reach executive-level positions in organizations can benefit from this course to gain the knowledge and competencies required for top leadership roles.
  • Entrepreneurs and Business Owners: Entrepreneurs and business owners can use this course to develop a strategic mindset and effective leadership techniques to drive the success and growth of their enterprises.
  • Management Consultants: Professionals in the field of management consulting can deepen their expertise and credibility by completing this diploma, making them more valuable to clients and organizations.
  • Career Advancers: If you are looking to advance your career in various industries, including business, government, or non-profit sectors, this course can provide you with the skills and qualifications needed to stand out in competitive job markets.
Entry Requirements / Prerequisites

As this is comparable to a Level 9 (Ireland) qualification, there are a number of eligibility requirements for entry to this programme.

  • Academic Experience: Level 7 or 8 (Ireland) qualification on the National Framework of Qualifications. This qualification can be in any field of study. Learners who hold qualifications issued outside the Republic of Ireland will be required to submit evidence that their qualification is recognised as being of the required equivalent level on the National Framework of Qualifications.
  • Work Experience: Where a Learner does not hold a level 7 or 8 qualification, they must have a minimum of 5 years’ experience in a Senior Management role. This must be evidenced by the submission of a CV and show significant leadership experience in at least two of the following areas: people management, project management, change management, financial management, strategy development, sales and marketing.
  • Technical Skills: Learners are required to be proficient in the following: (1) Microsoft Word, Excel and PowerPoint, and (2) advanced internet skills.
  • Language Skills: Learners are required to have excellent written English skills as all assignment and project work will require the use of professional business English. Learners for whom English is not a first language will be required to provide evidence of meeting a minimum English language and literacy competency of B2 in writing, reading, listening, and speaking on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
  • Self-directed Learning: Learners will be expected to take responsibility for the self-directed learning activities on the course and must be capable of studying on their own initiative.
  • Learners must hold a valid Irish PPS number or UK Social Insurance number.
  • View the technical requirements for accessing CMIT eLearning.

 

Am I eligible to enrol on this ILM Diploma course?

Read each of the following statements and answer Yes or No.  If you answer Yes to all the questions, then you are eligible.  If you wish to discuss with us, please contact the Student Support Team in the college, at 01-2865783.

  1. I am in a management role.
  2. I have a Level 7 or 8 Qualification which is on or aligned to the NFQ in Ireland and/or a minimum of 5 years in a senior management role.
  3. I am a fluent English speaker.
  4. I have excellent written business English skills.
  5. I can use a computer to produce documents, spreadsheets, presentations.
  6. I use online services (examples include social media, online shopping, online banking etc.).
  7. I will be able to develop a business case for a planned improvement and implement / partially implement this improvement and develop and implement a set of performance metrics which can be measured and reported on in my own area of operation.
  8. I will have access to stakeholders in order to gather feedback from decision-makers and present findings and recommendations.
  9. I am capable of studying on my own initiative, and I understand that I will be required to complete additional research and reading as part of my studies on this programme.
  10. I have read the technical requirements and am satisfied that I meet these.

How CMIT eLearning Works…

Play
Topics covered in this ILM Diploma course
Unit 1: Developing and maintaining a high-performance culture
  • Management v. Leadership
  • Understanding Leadership Styles
  • Identifying your Leadership Style
  • The Balanced Scorecard
  • 360 Degree Feedback
  • Leadership Skills Audit
  • Leadership Development Plan
Unit 2: Developing a high-level business case
  • Completing a Business Case
  • Internal and external drivers of the business case
  • Evaluating Options
  • Non-Financial Benefits
  • How to complete Financial analysis
  • Developing Recommendation and Rationale
  • Risk Analysis
  • Implementing the Business Case
Assessment
  • Learners are required to complete to create a business case for a planned improvement in their organisation. It is expected that the learner will implement / partially implement this improvement during the programme so that they can evaluate the impact of their business case.
  • Learners will also be required to develop and implement a set of performance metrics which can be measured and reported on in their area of operation. They will also be required to benchmark the performance against other organisations within the same industry.
  • All work submitted must be the learner’s own work. There is no exam for this course.
  • As part of our quality assurance, learner assessment work will be marked by an Internal Assessor, then checked by an Internal Verifier and an External Verifier.
Transfer and Progression to Further Studies
  • Learners who successfully complete this programme may build on the units achieved towards another recognised ILM qualification.
ILM Membership
  • All registered candidates automatically become studying members of the ILM for 6 months, free of charge, and can enjoy a range of member benefits.
Accreditation
  • CMIT is registered and approved with ILM to offer programmes leading to ILM qualifications.
  • On successful completion and certification of this course learners will receive (1) a physical certificate accompanied by a certificate of unit credit, (2) a digital credential issued by email which can be added to an email footer or shared on other online platforms, and (3) a Post-nominal digital credential showing the post-nominal letters a successful learner can use to showcase their qualified status.
  • UK: Following successful completion of this course, you will receive an ILM Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management (Level 7 UK) awarded by City and Guilds of London Institute. This qualification is on the UK Regulated Qualification Framework (RQF). Once certified you may use the post-nominal letters MCGI (Membership of the City and Guilds of London Institute).
  • Ireland: This qualification is comparable to an award at level 9 on the Irish National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ). The basis for this comparison is detailed in the following guide: Qualifications can cross boundaries – a guide to comparing qualifications in the UK and Ireland.  Once certified you may use the post-nominal letters MCGI (Membership of the City and Guilds of London Institute).
  • Europe: This qualification is fully recognised as the equivalent of a Level 7 on the European Qualifications Framework (EQF).

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Student Reviews of this course

4.8
4.8 out of 5 stars (based on 46 reviews)
Excellent83%
Very good17%
Average0%
Poor0%
Terrible0%

No Title

October 14, 2025

Overall, this was a brilliant course. It really made you think and reevaluate your leadership skills. It also developed a creativity that I never knew existed and for that, I will be a better leader going forward from a strategic perspective.

Student October 2025

No Title

August 5, 2025

Really enjoyable course – excellent materials and reading lists to support me with the Units

Student July 2025

I found the course really informative and challenging at assignment time. i really enjoyed it.

June 4, 2024

I found the course really informative and challenging at assignment time. i really enjoyed it.

Student June 2024
Verified

This was a difficult course but I learned a lot as I went along and found it a good way to build on my previous education and experience.

August 21, 2023

This was a difficult course but I learned a lot as I went along and found it a good way to build on my previous education and experience.

Student August 2023
Verified

I like the way it is building my confidence as a I go along. The detailed content was initially a little overwhelming but the way the course is structured is highly supportive, with different types of media to use and, tasks that can be broken down into piecemeal, manageable assignments. My tutor is very supportive and motivating with swift and detailed feedback

August 8, 2023

I like the way it is building my confidence as a I go along. The detailed content was initially a little overwhelming but the way the course is structured is highly supportive, with different types of media to use and, tasks that can be broken down into piecemeal, manageable assignments. My tutor is very supportive and motivating with swift and detailed feedback

Student August 2023
Verified

I love it.

May 29, 2023

I love it.

Student May 2023
Verified

The course was good and I have learnt a lot from it which I can implement in my day to day working.

May 3, 2023

The course was good and I have learnt a lot from it which I can implement in my day to day working.

Student May 2023
Verified

Great course, supported throughout.

March 27, 2023

Great course, supported throughout.

Student March 2023
Verified

It is a lengthy course which requires a lot of time to put together assignments and research projects but it has been very rewarding for me and I've found the freedom of studying from home to be great.

March 1, 2023

It is a lengthy course which requires a lot of time to put together assignments and research projects but it has been very rewarding for me and I’ve found the freedom of studying from home to be great.

Student March 2023
Verified

I enjoyed this particular module as it allowed me to explore my own workplace and use it is as a case study.

January 11, 2023

I enjoyed this particular module as it allowed me to explore my own workplace and use it is as a case study.

Student January 2023
Verified

The course was very practical and was of great benefit to those in social care who would like to further enhance their understanding and skill set.

August 30, 2022

The course was very practical and was of great benefit to those in social care who would like to further enhance their understanding and skill set.

Student Auguat 2022
Verified

Excellent course - really enjoy it and delighted to have passed

February 7, 2022

Excellent course – really enjoy it and delighted to have passed

Student February 2022
Verified

Excellent course and tutors, always helpful and provided great feedback. Very much appreciated.

January 14, 2022

Excellent course and tutors, always helpful and provided great feedback. Very much appreciated.

Student January 2022
Verified

Tutors were overall excellent

December 22, 2021

Tutors were overall excellent

Student October 2021
Verified

So far this course is very interesting and challenging and immediately transferable to my workplace and I have already began implementing some new changes after completing the first assignment draft which has now been sent for review with my tutor.

May 14, 2021

So far this course is very interesting and challenging and immediately transferable to my workplace and I have already began implementing some new changes after completing the first assignment draft which has now been sent for review with my tutor.

Student May 2021
Verified

The course was great and increased my skill set. The course was able to help me learn through reading and listening to videos.

April 29, 2021

The course was great and increased my skill set. The course was able to help me learn through reading and listening to videos.

Student April 2021
Verified

Very early in the process however its been seamless so far. The response times from Sarah Jane are great, I'm sure Sarah Jane has a lot to assess yet the response times and feedback have been super, even when your IT system crashed I still had a response late one evening answering a question I had. I love the simplistic approach how it shows what step to take and in what order, it takes the thinking out of that part of it.

April 22, 2021

Very early in the process however its been seamless so far. The response times from Sarah Jane are great, I’m sure Sarah Jane has a lot to assess yet the response times and feedback have been super, even when your IT system crashed I still had a response late one evening answering a question I had.

I love the simplistic approach how it shows what step to take and in what order, it takes the thinking out of that part of it.

Student April 2021
Verified

Great programme suited my style of learning. The assignment guidance and examples were helpful throughout the programme.

March 4, 2021

Great programme suited my style of learning. The assignment guidance and examples were helpful throughout the programme.

Student March 2021
Verified

Really interesting course and learning a lot about myself and the skills that I possess. Tutor is lovely and really helpful and I feel confident in the work that I am producing is of good quality. I am looking forward to conducting the research part of this course.

February 19, 2021

Really interesting course and learning a lot about myself and the skills that I possess. Tutor is lovely and really helpful and I feel confident in the work that I am producing is of good quality. I am looking forward to conducting the research part of this course.

Student February 2021
Verified

I really enjoyed my project and it did help with improving my skills.

January 26, 2021

I really enjoyed my project and it did help with improving my skills.

Student January 2021
Verified

I really enjoyed taking this course, I found the content and work interesting and very beneficial to my personal and professional development. The course covered all topics I needed for my job. I gained a lot of knowledge and understanding regarding leadership and how to undertake enquiry based research, these are skills i will be able to continue to develop and use throughout my career. Queries and feedback was very fast and helpful throughout the duration of the course. The course was ideal and would recommend for people who have to work full time and undertake a course adjacently.

October 22, 2020

I really enjoyed taking this course, I found the content and work interesting and very beneficial to my personal and professional development. The course covered all topics I needed for my job. I gained a lot of knowledge and understanding regarding leadership and how to undertake enquiry based research, these are skills i will be able to continue to develop and use throughout my career. Queries and feedback was very fast and helpful throughout the duration of the course. The course was ideal and would recommend for people who have to work full time and undertake a course adjacently.

Student October 2020
Verified

CMIT offered the course I was looking for that I could complete with flexibility but support was always at hand when needed. I have always received quick responses to any queries and received feedback in a short time frame. I really enjoyed doing this course with CMIT and found it very interesting and beneficial and I intend to do future courses and would highly recommend CMIT in particular to people who are working full time and want to further their education and career opportunities.

October 14, 2020

CMIT offered the course I was looking for that I could complete with flexibility but support was always at hand when needed. I have always received quick responses to any queries and received feedback in a short time frame. I really enjoyed doing this course with CMIT and found it very interesting and beneficial and I intend to do future courses and would highly recommend CMIT in particular to people who are working full time and want to further their education and career opportunities.

Student October 2020
Verified

Thank you for the opportunity and your help along the way, Everything is great.

August 12, 2020

Thank you for the opportunity and your help along the way, Everything is great.

Student August 2020
Verified

I found the improvements on the course from 2017 to now excellent. Its concise and relevant, I really enjoyed it.

August 11, 2020

I found the improvements on the course from 2017 to now excellent. Its concise and relevant, I really enjoyed it.

Student August 2020
Verified

On Line Tutorials were excellent and staff are very helpful,supportive especially my tutor Sean O Connor and friendly.

March 6, 2020

On Line Tutorials were excellent and staff are very helpful,supportive especially my tutor Sean O Connor and friendly.

Student March 2020
Verified

The course is very interesting to me and its also extremely relevant and specific to my current role.

March 2, 2020

The course is very interesting to me and its also extremely relevant and specific to my current role.

Student March 2020
Verified

I enjoyed this course and the different modules it included.

March 2, 2020

I enjoyed this course and the different modules it included.

Student March 2020
Verified

The video presentations are excellent. Staff, especially my tutor was very helpful and encouraging.

February 24, 2020

The video presentations are excellent. Staff, especially my tutor was very helpful and encouraging.

Student February 2020
Verified

First time using distance learning and already have recommended this method to my colleagues.

January 14, 2020

First time using distance learning and already have recommended this method to my colleagues.

Student January 2020
Verified

I really enjoyed the course and introduction to leadership academic ideas.

December 4, 2019

I really enjoyed the course and introduction to leadership academic ideas.

Studnet December 2019
Verified

Suits my lifestyle, I can study where and when I want whilst not having to use annual leave to attend workshops. Have already pointed 3 people to this course.

June 24, 2019

Suits my lifestyle, I can study where and when I want whilst not having to use annual leave to attend workshops. Have already pointed 3 people to this course.

Student June 2019
Verified

The experience i had with CMIT staff from first contact until I finished my course was great. CMIT gave me flexibility with learning. Thanks all. This was very good journey.

October 22, 2018

The experience i had with CMIT staff from first contact until I finished my course was great. CMIT gave me flexibility with learning. Thanks all. This was very good journey.

Student October 2018
Verified

Doing this course has helped me regain my confidence in taking up formal study programmes again after many years. I am now looking forward to enrol for a Masters Degree.

July 12, 2018

Doing this course has helped me regain my confidence in taking up formal study programmes again after many years. I am now looking forward to enrol for a Masters Degree.

Student July 2018
Verified

The course is very interesting and there is great skill development.

January 19, 2018

The course is very interesting and there is great skill development.

Student January 2018
Verified

I think the course is very practical and relevant irrespective of the learner's leadership skills and experience level. As I have an opportunity to apply aspects of the course to my current work, it does make the learning even more interesting and I can't wait to unpack what the rest of the course holds as well as practical work on my EBR project which I am hoping would be relevant to Local Authority administrations nationally.

January 15, 2018

I think the course is very practical and relevant irrespective of the learner’s leadership skills and experience level. As I have an opportunity to apply aspects of the course to my current work, it does make the learning even more interesting and I can’t wait to unpack what the rest of the course holds as well as practical work on my EBR project which I am hoping would be relevant to Local Authority administrations nationally.

Student January 2018
Verified

It was a brilliant course and I enjoyed it a lot

September 7, 2017

It was a brilliant course and I enjoyed it a lot

Student September 2017
Verified

I really enjoyed the course I found it extremely interesting and learned a lot.

September 4, 2017

I really enjoyed the course I found it extremely interesting and learned a lot.

Student September 2017
Verified

I do really enjoy the course, the content, assignments and what I am getting from it.

August 6, 2017

I do really enjoy the course, the content, assignments and what I am getting from it.

Student August 2017
Verified

I am finding the course excellent. It is well structured, yet challenging. Tutor support and online classrooms are better than attending lectures in University. I also like the fact that assessments are designed around work-based projects, rather than theory.

December 31, 2016

I am finding the course excellent. It is well structured, yet challenging. Tutor support and online classrooms are better than attending lectures in University. I also like the fact that assessments are designed around work-based projects, rather than theory.

Student December 2016
Verified

I opted for CMIT due to the inherent flexibility associated with its courses, which allows me to pursue my studies whilst still remaining in full time employment.

December 5, 2016

I opted for CMIT due to the inherent flexibility associated with its courses, which allows me to pursue my studies whilst still remaining in full time employment.

Student December 2016
Verified

I studied with CMIT due to the flexibility of completing a course in my own time and without the need to attend classes!

November 16, 2016

I studied with CMIT due to the flexibility of completing a course in my own time and without the need to attend classes!

Student November 2016
Verified

The flexibility of being able to study whilst also working. No travel involved or attending seminars, all done on-line for convenience.

August 22, 2016

The flexibility of being able to study whilst also working. No travel involved or attending seminars, all done on-line for convenience.

Student August 2016
Verified

I find the course its self very positive to date in which I feel that I am learning things that will genuinely benefit me in my role.

August 3, 2016

I find the course its self very positive to date in which I feel that I am learning things that will genuinely benefit me in my role.

Student August 2016
Verified

I find the course its self very positive to date in which I feel that I am learning things that will genuinely benefit me in my role.

August 1, 2016

I find the course its self very positive to date in which I feel that I am learning things that will genuinely benefit me in my role.

Student August 2016
Verified

I opted for CMIT due to the inherent flexibility associated with its courses, which allows me to pursue my studies whilst still remaining in full time employment.

June 15, 2016

I opted for CMIT due to the inherent flexibility associated with its courses, which allows me to pursue my studies whilst still remaining in full time employment.

Student June 2016
Verified

It is a good course, well structured and well set out.

April 8, 2016

It is a good course, well structured and well set out.

Student April 2016
Verified

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