CMI Level 5 Diploma Professional Coaching Practice

Yes! The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice is worth it if you want to build your professional coaching skills or move into a role where coaching is a key part of your work. 

It’s aimed at who want to develop the knowledge needed to coach effectively. This qualification has been developed alongside employers to help its content reflect real workplace needs and an ethical practice. It can support progression into roles like: 

• Professional Coach  
• Leadership Coach  
• Learning & Development Manager  
• Middle Manager  
• Operational Manager  
• Departmental Manager  

You can also progress to other qualifications once you complete the CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice to the following CMI courses: 

• CMI Level 5 Principles of Professional Coaching
• CMI Level 5 Professional Mentoring Practice 
• CMI Level 6 Professional Coach Supervision
• CMI Level 7 Qualifications in Leadership Coaching and Mentoring

The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice is more comprehensive and could be seen as equivalent to the second year of a Bachelor’s degree.

That doesn’t mean the course is the same as a Bachelor degree, but it means that it sits at a similar level of difficulty, while focusing specifically on skills for an effective professional coaching practice.

Yes! The CMI Level 5 Diploma in Professional Coaching Practice can help you strengthen your CV and demonstrate that you have the knowledge needed to coach professionally. 

You can use this qualification to progression into roles such as: 

• Professional Coach  
• Leadership Coach  
• Learning & Development Manager  
• Middle Manager  
• Operational Manager  
• Departmental Manager  

By completing the Diploma, you'll also show employers that you’re committed to developing your coaching capability and can apply professional coaching principles in a workplace setting. 

The salary for a Professional Coach can vary depending on your experience, location and specialism. As a guide, Glassdoor reports an average base salary of around £46,000 a year for a Leadership Development Consultant and Coach in the UK.

Professional coaching skills can help you move into roles like Learning & Development Manager, Operational Manager and Departmental Manager, so you earning potential will depend on how you decide to use your skills.

We specialise in flexible, 100% online learning designed to fit around your life. Whether you're working full-time, caring for family, or just need more control over your studies, we give you the freedom to learn at your own pace, from anywhere in the world.

Here’s why thousands of students choose ICS Learn every year:

• 24/7 course access so you can study anytime, on any device
• Expert academic support from subject experts
• Flexible payment plans to spread the cost
• Trusted by students in over 100+ countries 
• Career-ready qualifications recognised by employers and universities

With ICS Learn, you’re in control of your education – and your future.

Chartered Manager (CMgr) status is a professional award from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). It demonstrates that you have the skills, experience, and knowledge to manage people and lead organisations effectively.

CMgr is the highest professional level in management and leadership. To achieve it, you must show you can apply management skills in real workplace situations and commit to ongoing professional development.

Becoming a Chartered Manager demonstrates that you have met recognised industry standards and can deliver real impact in your role. Employers often see the status as a mark of credibility, helping you stand out, progress into more senior positions and increase your earning potential.

You can work towards Chartered Manager status through relevant CMI qualifications, alongside practical management experience, typically at least three years in a management or leadership role.

Yes, Chartered Manager (CMgr) status is a respected professional achievement for managers and leaders.

It proves you meet industry standards and can use your management and leadership skills well at work. Many employers view CMgr as a sign of credibility, which can help you stand out when applying for jobs, moving into senior roles or getting pay rises.

There are also clear career benefits. Research from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI) shows:

• 96% of managers say CMgr demonstrates high-quality leadership and management skills
• Managers report an average salary increase of £13,000 after becoming Chartered
• 2/3 of employers are more likely to interview candidates with Chartered status

Besides helping your career, this status also supports your ongoing professional development. It shows you are committed to learning and improving, helping you stay competitive.

The Embedded Chartered Manager (CMgr) route lets you earn Chartered Manager status while completing an eligible Chartered Management Institute (CMI) qualification.

With the embedded route, you can work towards CMgr status while you study, rather than applying separately after your course. ICS Learn is a CMI-approved provider, so we can assess learners for Chartered Manager status through this route.

If you complete an eligible qualification and meet the criteria, at least three years of management or leadership experience at a middle or operational level or higher, you could be awarded CMgr status when you complete your programme.

To be considered for the Embedded Chartered Manager (CMgr) route, you need to be enrolled on an eligible Chartered Management Institute (CMI) course with ICS Learn and meet the required experience criteria.

You must have at least three years of management and leadership experience at a middle or operational level (or above) by the time you complete your course. This could include responsibilities such as:

• Managing people
• Leading projects or operations
• Supporting organisational change
• Overseeing budgets and resources

If you would like to be considered for the Embedded CMgr route, you’ll need to contact your CMI Course Adviser and explain how your experience meets (or will meet) the eligibility requirements. You should also provide an up-to-date CV outlining your management responsibilities to support your request.

If you don’t yet meet the experience requirement by the end of your course, you’ll still achieve your qualification and be awarded Foundation Chartered Manager (fCMgr), with the option to progress to full CMgr status once you gain the required experience.

As an ICS Learn student, you'll always have the support you need to succeed. From the moment you enrol, you'll gain access to:

• Our all-in-one virtual learning platform, mystudyspace
• Access to all of your interactive online course materials
• Online Induction Programme, Live Induction Session and AI-led videos
• FREE online study planners 
• Personalised tutor support
• Access to our Resource Library, full of tools, tips and guidance
• Our friendly Student Services team to help you with non-academic questions

Right away! When you enrol, you’ll be able to log in to your course and get started within an hour.

There are no set start dates or schedules – everything is shaped around you.

If you’re funding the course yourself, our flexible 0% payment plans* allow you to spread the cost with interest-free* monthly instalments. 

If your employer is funding all or part of your course, we can invoice them directly for your course fees – just let your course advisor know and we’ll arrange everything.

Enrol online or get in touch with our Course Advisors today! 

They’ll talk through your experience, education and ambitions to make sure you’re choosing the right course, then get you enrolled with a flexible payment plan.

If you have any disabilities which you think might affect your studies or assessments, please tell your Course Advisor before you enrol so we can advise you on whether reasonable adjustments can be made to accommodate your needs.