CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring (RQF)

The CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring is a master’s degree equivalent qualification designed for experienced leaders and senior professionals. Most successful applicants have significant experience in a management, leadership, HR, L&D, or people development role and some prior exposure to coaching or mentoring practice, whether formal or informal. A degree-level qualification (Level 6 or above on the RQF) or equivalent professional experience at senior level is the standard entry expectation. If you are earlier in your career, the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice may be a more appropriate starting point.

The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) is the only chartered professional body for management and leadership in the UK, with over 170,000 members worldwide. CMI qualifications are regulated by Ofqual and listed on the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF), meaning they meet rigorous national standards. Holding a CMI Level 7 qualification demonstrates postgraduate-level expertise in leadership coaching and mentoring and is valued by employers, boards, and professional coaching bodies internationally. CMI is also the awarding body for Chartered Manager (ChMC) status, which is among the most prestigious leadership credentials available in the UK.

Yes — completion of the CMI Level 7 Diploma creates the qualification pathway to apply for CMI Chartered Manager (ChMC) status. To achieve ChMC designation, you must also meet CMI’s experience requirements and complete the CMI’s assessment process, which involves a portfolio of evidence demonstrating management and leadership impact. The Level 7 Diploma also creates pathways towards CMI Chartered Fellow (FCMI) designation for those with extensive senior leadership experience. Our team can advise you on the post-qualification membership application process.

Yes — the CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring is aligned to the professional standards of major coaching bodies including the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC), the Association for Coaching (AC), and the International Coaching Federation (ICF). Completion of the diploma supports applications for senior membership of these bodies, and many learners use it in combination with supervised coaching hours and continuing professional development to achieve accredited member or senior practitioner status. Our advisers can provide guidance on which membership pathway is most appropriate for your professional goals.

Assessment is through written assignments for each of the five mandatory units. Assignment types include case study analyses, strategic evaluations, reflective practice reports, and policy development tasks — all of which draw on your own leadership and coaching experience. There are no timed external examinations. Each assignment is marked by your personal tutor against CMI Level 7 assessment criteria, with detailed written feedback provided on every submission. If an assignment falls below the required standard, you may resubmit with revisions, guided by your tutor’s feedback.

Yes — the CMI Level 7 Diploma is specifically designed for working senior professionals and can be completed entirely online at times that suit your schedule. Most learners study in the evenings and at weekends, devoting around eight to twelve hours per week to course materials, reading, and assignment work. Because there are no fixed taught sessions or examination windows, you can pace your progress to align with periods of greater or lesser professional demand. The typical completion timeline is twelve to eighteen months for learners studying alongside full-time senior roles.

The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice is designed for those who are developing their coaching skills and practice at an experienced-but-developing stage of their career. It focuses on building practical coaching competence and the underpinning frameworks of professional coaching. The CMI Level 7 Diploma in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring is designed for senior practitioners and organisational leaders who want to operate at strategic level — leading coaching cultures, constructing organisational policies, and evaluating the strategic impact of coaching at board level. Level 7 is more analytically demanding, carries greater academic weight (master’s degree equivalent), and is focused on leadership and strategic influence rather than individual coaching skill development alone.

Every learner is assigned a dedicated personal tutor from enrolment. Your tutor is an experienced coaching or leadership professional who marks your assignments, provides detailed written feedback, guides your professional reflection, and answers questions throughout the qualification. Tutor support is available by email and phone throughout the programme. Your tutor will help you ensure that your assignments meet CMI Level 7 academic and professional standards and support you in producing work that genuinely reflects your expertise and leadership experience.

CMI student membership is required to study and be assessed for CMI qualifications. Membership fees are payable directly to CMI and are separate from the course fee. As of 2024–25, CMI student membership is typically around £40–£60 per year. Our team will guide you through the CMI registration process at enrolment and ensure you have the student membership in place before you begin your first assignment. CMI student membership also gives you access to CMI’s extensive Management Direct online library, research publications, and community events.

To make the most of the CMI Level 7 Diploma, learners need access to a context in which they can develop and reflect on coaching and mentoring practice. This does not have to be a formal external coaching arrangement — many learners draw on coaching conversations with colleagues, direct reports, or leadership peers within their own organisations. Some learners develop peer coaching relationships with fellow learners or join supervision groups as part of their professional practice. Your tutor will help you identify and make use of appropriate coaching practice opportunities throughout the programme.