Together with City & Guilds, we deliver a high-quality EPA service to complete your Management Apprenticeship programmes.
EPA Pro is our new EPA service delivery platform bringing the end-to-end EPA journey, from registration to results, all into one place.
Find out more about EPA Pro and EPA timelines
Get started with EPA
Guidance on end-point assessment for Level 3 - 7
Open the tabs below for detailed guidance on assessment methodology, grading and pricing.
- Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship – version 2
What has changed?
With the number of assessment methods reduced from four to two, centres and apprentices can expect a more relevant assessment experience that clearly links the on-programme learning with the EPA event.
Including the removal of the knowledge test and competency based interview, replaced by a presentation and professional discussion, there has been a definite shift in the assessment approach.
Find out more
- Level 3 Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship – version 1
What is involved in Level 3 End-point assessment?
- 20% portfolio of work - a mixture of written documents, audio and video evidence that showcases the professional application of their on-programme learning.
- 30% online knowledge test - the apprentice showcases their leadership and management knowledge by answering a series of questions, explaining how they would respond to a range of different scenarios. Assessed via online on-demand testing through the evolve platform.
- 30% competency based interview - a one-to-one interview with the apprentice, using structured questions to test their understanding and application of knowledge, and to assess their soft skills, behaviours and personal leadership style.
- 20% professional discussion - the ILM assessor leads a detailed discussion around the apprentice’s personal and professional development, looking for clear evidence of focused CPD and how this has been applied to improve their performance in the workplace.
Download the Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship Assessment Plan
Download our guide to the Team Leader/Supervisor Apprenticeship Standard
Download the EPA Pack, mapping document, recording forms and sample test by logging into Walled Garden (existing customers only)
Please contact your Walled Garden administrator for login details.
How is assessment graded?
Apprentices must gain a minimum of 50% in each of the four assessments in order to pass the overall assessment. They can achieve a grade of either pass (50-59%), merit (60-69%) or distinction (70%+)
How much does the EPA Service cost?
For information on the cost of our End Point Assessment Service for the Team Leader / Supervisor Apprenticeship Standard, please refer to this guide to fees document.
Best practice guide for EPA Competency Based Interviews and Professional Discussion
Our Technical Advisor, Karen Egan, has put together some guidance to help your apprentices pass first time.
Read the guidance
- Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship – version 2
What has changed?
With the number of assessment methods reduced from five to two, centres and apprentices can expect a more relevant assessment experience that clearly links the on-programme learning with the EPA event.
With the removal of the knowledge test and competency based interview, replaced by a project proposal and professional discussion, there has been a definite shift in the assessment approach.
Find out more
- Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship – version 1
Previous version 1 assessment plan - EPA product code: 9309-12
Level 5 Operations/Departmental Manager Apprenticeship
Level 5 managers are responsible for everything from creating and delivering operational plans, managing projects, and leading and managing teams, to managing change, financial and resource management. Responsibilities also include talent management, coaching and mentoring. Roles may include those of Operations Manager, Regional Manager, Divisional Manager, Department Manager as well as other specialist managers.
Funding cap: £7,000
Additional information and downloads:
Alternative on-programme ILM qualifications:
Best practice guide for EPA Competency Based Interviews and Professional Discussion
Our Technical Advisor, Karen Egan, has put together some guidance to help your apprentices pass first time.
Read the guidance
- Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeships (CMDA)
What is involved in Level 6 CMDA End-point assessment?
- 55% portfolio of work - mixture of written documents, audio and video evidence that showcases the professional application of their on-programme learning.
- 25% work based project - a substantive piece of work undertaken towards the end of the apprenticeship demonstrating the application of skills and knowledge accumulated.
- 20% work-based presentation and interview - a 15-minute presentation to a panel made up of the independent assessor, training provider and employer, describing the objectives and outputs of their work-based project, including the challenges and issues faced, and the interpersonal and behavioural skills they displayed, followed by a 15 minute Q&A.
Successful completion of Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship EPA through ILM also provides access to:
Professional Recognition Awards (PRAs) - Providing formal acknowledgement under Royal Charter of on-the-job learning and lifetime post-nominal letters.
Co-branded Digital Credentials - Enabling higher education institutions to track the progress of their alumni and to reach new audiences as their careers develop.
Download the full Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship Assessment Plan
Download our guide to the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship standard
Download the EPA Pack by logging into Walled Garden (existing customers only)
Please contact your Walled Garden administrator for login details.
How is assessment graded?
All candidates must participate in all assessment methods of the EPA and achieve a minimum of 50% to pass each component. They can achieve a grade of either pass (50-59 marks), merit (60-69 marks) or distinction (70+ marks).
How much does the EPA Service cost?
ILM's End-point assessment service for the Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship (CMDA) standard is £1,200 per apprentice.
Product
|
Code
|
Fee
|
Chartered Manager Degree Apprenticeship EPA |
9310-12
|
£1,200 |
Portfolio review resit |
|
£340 |
Work based project review resit |
|
£340 |
Panel presentation and interview resit |
|
£495 |
- Level 7 Senior Leader Apprenticeship – version 2
What has changed?
- The main change to this version is the removal of the Master’s Degree. Other updates include the addition of occupational duties, removal of the merit grade and changes to the KSB groupings.
- The EPA consists of two discrete assessment methods: the Strategic Business Proposal, Presentation, Questioning and the Professional Discussion, underpinned by a portfolio of evidence.
- The funding band has been reviewed and the minister for apprenticeships and skills has now agreed a final funding band of £14,000.
- The new version of the apprenticeship is available for new starts in place of the current version from 29 March 2021.
Find out more
- Level 7 Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship (SLMDA) – version 1
Successful completion of the Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship EPA through ILM also includes:
Professional Recognition Awards (PRAs) - Providing formal acknowledgement under Royal Charter of on-the-job learning and lifetime post-nominal letters.
Digital Credentials - Enabling higher education institutions to track the progress of their alumni and to reach new audiences as their careers develop.
Download the full Senior Leader Masters Degree Apprenticeship Assessment Plan
Download our guide to the Senior Leader Master's Degree Apprenticeship Standard
Download the EPA Pack and recording form by logging into Walled Garden (existing customers only)
Sign up to receive updates on this service please complete the enquiry form
On successful completion of assessment, very apprentice will receive their Digital Credential.
Providing a verified, visual representation of knowledge and skills attained during a Management Apprenticeship, Digital Credentials allow your apprentices to raise their online professional profile and bring their skills to life.
Visit the digital credential webpage to learn more
Unlike other End-Point Assessment Organisations (EPAOs), we align our EPA fees to ESFA funding payments. ILM customers pay a learner registration fee upfront and the balance when EPA is completed. No high initial costs locking you in.
Enhancing our service with EPA Pro
New 8 Stage Journey in EPA Pro
Download the 8-step guide
EPA timelines – from gateway to results
We are always listening to customer feedback and continually evolving our service to meet customer needs.
Our commitment is to ensure that providers and apprentices can proceed through to End-point assessment as quickly as possible, as well as being responsive to preferred dates and times.
Our improved service, utilising EPA Pro, means that the average timescale from the planning meeting to the EPA event has improved significantly – with the average time now 3-4 weeks to complete.
Please view our graphic below that outlines the indicative timings for each stage of the journey.

EPA Pro is our new EPA service delivery platform bringing the end-to-end EPA journey, from registration to results, all into one place.
- Top three benefits of EPA Pro
- Simplified and streamlined – We've simplified all aspects of EPA delivery from registration to evidence upload and exam booking through to results and certification, reducing the administration and allowing you to reach EPA success sooner..
- Clarity and control – The end-to-end journey is made clearer for you and your apprentices. with real-time information sharing, two-way planning meetings and speedy results and action planning, you're more in control of EPA than ever.
- Fully supported – EPA Pro centralises your EPA support from City & Guilds and ILM, giving you a single platform where we help manage and improve your EPA experience.
- Key features
- Single sign on – You only need to access one system, saving time and reducing the admin burden of EPA.
- EPA journey mapping – Maps the entire apprenticeship journey with a calendar of events and apprentice profiles showing progress for greater clarity.
- Simplified gateway submissions – Evidence requirements are clearly mapped to each standard speeding up gateway acceptance.
- EPA component scheduling – Assessment components are booked via a virtual, planning meeting that allows everyone to discuss and agree the key dates upfront.
- Reporting and analytics – Comprehensive data and user dashboards give visibility of cohort progress and enable you to report on key success measures.
- Virtual IEPA meeting – A virtual planning meeting means apprentices meet the assessor (IEPA) before the event, reducing nerves and improving confidence.
- Packed with support – Role-specific support resources including, checklists, exemplar materials help increase your assessment success.
- Instant results and feedback – Results at component level are visible as soon as they are approved and you can download and print your statement of achievement straight away.
- Defined next steps – With faster results, you can celebrate success sooner of gain meaningful feedback and guidance on the next steps and actions needed to progress.
- Digital Credentials – We’re also now issuing digital credentials to all apprentices who are successful in their EPA. Learn more on our dedicated page.
- Key stages of the EPA Pro journey – view our step by step guides
From getting started and set up with EPA Pro, to navigating gateway and progressing with assessment, we have produced a series of recorded presentations to support your understanding of each stage.
You can view the recordings and slides here;
Getting started with EPA Pro – Watch the recording | Download the slides
Submitting gateway and the planning meeting – Watch the recording | Download the slides
EPA Assessment evidence and results – Watch the recording | Download the slides
- Our EPA service – information, terms and conditions
Manual for our EPA service
Our T&Cs and guide to our expert-led EPA service are now in one handy manual. When you enter an EPA agreement with us, you are accepting the T&Cs in this manual. It is therefore essential that all parties read this document.
Download version 6.0 (PDF)
Download - version 5.2 *expires 30 July 2022 (PDF)
If you want to talk about EPA with us in more detail please contact us and we’ll do our best to help.
Getting started
New to ILM or City & Guilds?
Please complete our application form to be approved to offer ILM End-point assessment for leadership and management apprenticeship standards.
New customer EPA application
Already working with us?
To apply for EPA through the quality portal on Walled Garden select EPA Application from the drop-down list in ‘Online Forms’.
Apply for EPA through Walled Garden
Other EPA enquires
If you are an employer, a training provider or an assessor and would like to speak to us about End-point assessment please complete our enquiry form.
Other EPA enquiries