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Leadership and Management
Last Reviewed: 13 October 2026 - 3 min read
The best managers are the ones who realise the importance of learning.
That’s because learning new skills and developing old ones will allow your management practice to grow, providing a formidable skillset that will allow you to manage teams with ease and make yourself a real asset to employers.
No matter where you are in your management career, you’ll be able to study a qualification to give you the right skills and knowledge for the roles you’re chasing after.
With that in mind, here are 6 of the best courses for managers of all levels looking to improve their skills and knowledge.
Before you decide which course you want to study, it’s a good idea to consider what type of study you’d like to invest in. There are usually three options for studying:
Before the pandemic, online learning and physical learning were roughly similar in terms of take up numbers, but online learning has naturally boomed as a result of lockdowns and people having more time on their hands.
Although the pandemic has catapulted online learning into the mainstream, it was already on the rise before mass lockdowns made it a necessity for schools and businesses around the world.
In 2017, a survey found that 77% of companies in the USA used some form of online learning. That’s not to say that physical learning is gone forever, but there’s no denying the fact that online learning has massively outpaced it in recent years.
Generally, the best courses are the ones that fit seamlessly around your life, and for a lot of people online courses do just that. There are a lot of impressive management qualifications that you can study online too – here’s our pick of them.
All of the courses below can be completed online, from the comfort of your own kitchen table/sofa/bed – anywhere you like!
Difficulty level: Complete beginner
Aimed at: Aspiring managers, team leaders and supervisors
Good for: Getting an introduction to essential management and leadership skills
Everyone has to start somewhere. And if you're considering a career in management, a shorter qualification can be a great way to get a feel for what's involved before committing to something bigger.
The CMI Level 3 Award in First Line Management & Leadership is a perfect introduction to the fundamentals of management, helping you develop knowledge that you can start applying in the workplace.
As the shortest qualification in CMI's Level 3 First Line Management & Leadership range, it's a good starting point if you're exploring your career options or looking to build on your existing responsibilities.
Difficulty level: Entry-level
Aimed at: Aspiring managers, team leaders and first-line managers
Good for: Building a broad understanding of management and leadership
Are you ready to take your first big step into management? Whether you’re aiming for a promotion or have just started leading a team, having the right knowledge can make a big difference.
The CMI Level 3 Diploma in First Line Management & Leadership is the most comprehensive qualification at this level. You'll develop practical skills in areas such as:
Difficulty level: Entry-level
Aimed at: Managers, supervisors and team leaders looking to develop others
Good for: Developing practical coaching and mentoring skills to support team performance
Being a good manager isn't just about knowing how to get things done. It's also about helping the people around you develop their own skills and reach their full potential.
The CMI Level 3 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring is a great qualification for those who want to develop the skills to support others through coaching and mentoring conversations in the workplace.
You’ll learn the basics of effective coaching and mentoring, how to build strong relationships and understand how these skills can help both individuals and teams grow.
Difficulty level: Intermediate
Aimed at: Middle managers, those looking to become Chartered Managers
Good for: Honing your existing management and leadership skills
The CMI Level 5 Diploma Management & Leadership is an excellent qualification to consider if you’re in a first-line management role and you want to climb up the career ladder, or if you’re a current middle manager.
The qualification will take you through important concepts such as project management, using data to inform decisions, and coaching your team to get the best out of them.
It will usually take around 12 months to 15 months to complete, but the time you invest in this qualification will be worth it: many employers look for CMI qualifications when it comes to recruitment, and this qualification will even allow you to become a Chartered Manager – a great asset to your CV and your career.
Difficulty level: Advanced
Aimed at: Senior managers who have significant experience
Good for: Gaining strategic management and leadership skills
The CMI Level 7 Diploma in Strategic Management & Leadership is the highest-level course that you’ll be able to take with the Chartered Management Institute. It’s perfect for managers and directors who want to play a more active role in strategy and organisational change in their company, whilst also honing their people management, data and leadership skills.
You’ll be able to select the subjects that you want to study, allowing you to build a qualification that really suits your career objectives and your unique professional interests. The modules you’ll be able to choose from include:
One of the key draws of the CMI Level 7 Diploma is that once you’ve completed the course (and gained three plus years of management experience), you’ll be able to qualify for ‘Chartered Manager’ status – a prestigious management accolade that you can only gain from the CMI in the UK.
Difficulty level: All levels
Aimed at: Anyone who is involved in project management
Good for: Enhancing your project management skills with a globally recognised framework
Being able to manage complex projects successfully is a key trait of an effective manager, so if you’re looking to improve your management skills, the combined PRINCE2® Foundation & Practitioner Combined Project Management qualification is a good option to choose.
PRINCE2® is one of the world’s most widely used project management methods, and is used in private and public sector organisations around the world, including the UK government.
Setting out a step-by-step approach to managing a project that is easily adapted to different situations and contexts, this combined course will guide you through how to manage a project logically and efficiently.
Everyone’s path to becoming a great manager is unique. You might be starting your first leadership job and want to learn basic management and coaching skills, or you could be further along and looking for more advanced knowledge.
No matter where you are, the right qualification can help you move forward by matching your experience and future goals. With options at different levels, you can keep learning and growing as your career advances.
Progress with purpose. Explore our range management qualifications and find your next step.
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