Overview
The ILM Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management offers aspiring and newly appointed managers a practical and future-focused development experience. Spanning 25 weeks with flexible, phased learning, this course enables learners to explore leadership principles, understand their own leadership potential, and drive effective team performance. Grounded in real business challenges, the course aligns with modern organisational demands such as digital adaptation, hybrid working, and cross-functional collaboration. Learners will build career resilience and increase their capability to lead with confidence in today’s evolving workplace. Employers benefit from practical application tailored to business needs, resulting in capable managers who influence outcomes.
Target Audience
There are no formal prerequisites for this course. However, learners should be:
- employed in a role with some responsibility for leading teams or projects
- willing and able to apply learning to their workplace
- supported by their line manager or organisation to participate in learning and assignments
Target audience
This course is suitable for:
- aspiring, new, or practicing first-line managers
- professionals in early career stages who seek structured leadership development
- organisations aiming to build confident, capable leaders to meet modern workforce challenges
If you need support, please reach out to us through our Candidate Matcher. This tool is designed to help you determine whether this qualification is the right level for you.
If you work in a high-security environment, we strongly recommend using the Candidate Matcher and requesting a conversation with a member of the course team if you're still unsure.
Learning Outcomes
By the end of this course, learners will be able to:
- describe and evaluate different leadership styles and their suitability in various contexts
- identify and reflect on personal leadership qualities and areas for development
- connect team objectives with organisational vision and strategy
- use motivational strategies to engage and develop team members
- apply structured leadership approaches to real-world workplace scenarios
- present evidence-based leadership practices through written assignments
Course Outline
Introduction and induction
- Overview of ILM qualification structure and expectations
- Guidance on assignments and assessment criteria
- Introduction to the QA platform
Module 1: Understanding leadership
- The role of the leader in modern organisations
- Leadership styles: directive, participative, delegative, and situational approaches
- Leadership traits, emotional intelligence, and personal effectiveness
- Self-assessment of leadership qualities and development planning
- Practical application: developing a personal leadership improvement plan
- Independent tutorials and peer feedback (self-arranged)
Break and study period (3–4 weeks)
- Assignment preparation and developmental feedback sessions
- Submission of first assignment for ILM assessment
Module 2: Leading and motivating a team effectively
- Building vision and purpose across a team
- Communication principles for alignment and clarity
- Motivation theories and real-world application
- Recognising and developing team potential
- Addressing performance issues and giving feedback
- Strengthening influence and team cohesion
- Practical application: demonstrating team leadership in your workplace
- Independent tutorials and peer review
- Submission of second assignment for ILM assessment
Exams and assessments
There are no formal exams. Learners will complete two written assignments aligned to the ILM modules:
- Module 1: Understanding leadership
- Module 2: Leading and motivating a team effectively
Assignments are internally assessed by QA and externally verified by ILM. Developmental tutorials and assignment cafes are built in to support learner progress.
Hands-on learning
This programme emphasises workplace application and guided practice. Learners will:
- test leadership approaches in real work environments
- receive structured peer feedback and coaching
- access tutorials with expert facilitators to refine written assignments
- evidence applied learning through workplace materials and documentation
Frequently asked questions
How can I create an account on myQA.com?
There are a number of ways to create an account. If you are a self-funder, simply select the "Create account" option on the login page.
If you have been booked onto a course by your company, you will receive a confirmation email. From this email, select "Sign into myQA" and you will be taken to the "Create account" page. Complete all of the details and select "Create account".
If you have the booking number you can also go here and select the "I have a booking number" option. Enter the booking reference and your surname. If the details match, you will be taken to the "Create account" page from where you can enter your details and confirm your account.
Find more answers to frequently asked questions in our FAQs: Bookings & Cancellations page.
How do QA’s virtual classroom courses work?
Our virtual classroom courses allow you to access award-winning classroom training, without leaving your home or office. Our learning professionals are specially trained on how to interact with remote attendees and our remote labs ensure all participants can take part in hands-on exercises wherever they are.
We use the WebEx video conferencing platform by Cisco. Before you book, check that you meet the WebEx system requirements and run a test meeting to ensure the software is compatible with your firewall settings. If it doesn’t work, try adjusting your settings or contact your IT department about permitting the website.
How do QA’s online courses work?
QA online courses, also commonly known as distance learning courses or elearning courses, take the form of interactive software designed for individual learning, but you will also have access to full support from our subject-matter experts for the duration of your course. When you book a QA online learning course you will receive immediate access to it through our e-learning platform and you can start to learn straight away, from any compatible device. Access to the online learning platform is valid for one year from the booking date.
All courses are built around case studies and presented in an engaging format, which includes storytelling elements, video, audio and humour. Every case study is supported by sample documents and a collection of Knowledge Nuggets that provide more in-depth detail on the wider processes.
When will I receive my joining instructions?
Joining instructions for QA courses are sent two weeks prior to the course start date, or immediately if the booking is confirmed within this timeframe. For course bookings made via QA but delivered by a third-party supplier, joining instructions are sent to attendees prior to the training course, but timescales vary depending on each supplier’s terms. Read more FAQs.
When will I receive my certificate?
Certificates of Achievement are issued at the end the course, either as a hard copy or via email. Read more here.