Future proof your career - with ILM Qualifications

For over 30 years, ILM has proudly supported members of the Armed Forces in turning their military experience into recognised leadership qualifications - helping to ease the transition into civilian life and unlock new career opportunities.

Turn your military experience into recognised qualifications

Whether you're a junior leader or a senior officer, the leadership skills and knowledge you've gained through military training can be formally recognised with an ILM qualification. These qualifications are mapped directly to your military training, making them instantly meaningful to civilian employers and helping you build a powerful CPD portfolio - without any extra coursework.

Why Choose ILM?

Nationally Recognised: ILM leadership qualifications are among the most widely respected in the UK.
Mapped to Military Training: Your existing training is aligned with ILM standards, so you can gain qualifications with minimal additional effort.
Career-Ready: Demonstrate your leadership capabilities and transferable skills to employers across all sectors.
Flexible and Accessible: Qualifications are available to serving personnel and those who have left the Armed Forces
Post-nominals: Validate your skills and boost career prospects with our lifelong recognition signs, reflecting City & Guilds’ commitment to professional development.

Army Accreditation Offer (AAO)

If you’re currently serving in the British Army - or have left within the past two years—you may be eligible for funding through the Army Accreditation Offer (AAO). This scheme covers the cost of mapped ILM qualifications for both Regular and Reserve personnel. Please note: international personnel not serving in the British Army are not eligible for AAO and would need to self-fund.

Real stories, real impact

“For me, ILM was absolutely life-changing. My qualification gave me a massive confidence boost when I had decided to change career.”

Alex Firmin, former Army Captain, now Commercial Director for The Chapel House Group

Get more from your ILM qualification with a free studying membership

All candidates undertaking an ILM-accredited military course receive 12 months of free studying membership with the Institute of Leadership (IoL). This includes:

Access to a wealth of online leadership resources
Free tutor membership for instructors
Invitations to exclusive events and professional forums

This membership supports your development throughout your military career and beyond, helping you stay connected and prepared for your next step.

Ready to get started?

Choose your service branch to explore your qualification options:

Army

Did you know that you can gain an internationally recognised qualification from completing your Army courses?

At ILM, we can help you to directly translate the leadership skills and knowledge you have gained through your military training into a qualification that civilian employers understand and value.

Depending on the mandatory military course you completed, ILM accreditation can be funded via the Army Accreditation Offer (AAO) for those serving personnel within the British Army. International personnel that are not serving in the British Army are not eligible for the AAO scheme and would be required to self-fund. The Army Accreditation Offer extends to both Regular and Reserve personnel and can be used to pay for mapped ILM qualifications, providing eligibility meets the criteria. The AAO is available for serving personnel in the British Army or for those that served and are within 2 years of leaving the service.

Find your Army course and see what the ILM equivalent for that would be and how to apply

Centre Name	Course	Qualification title
Army Education Branch	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - LCpl (Lance Corporal)	Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - Cpl (Corporal)	Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - Cpl (Corporal)	Level 4 Award for Professional Recognition – Licentiateship (PRA)
	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - Sgt (Sergeant)	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - Sgt (Sergeant)	Level 5 Award for Professional Recognition - Affiliateship (PRA)
	RMQ (Range Management Qualification)	Level 3 Award in Leadership and Management
	Army Leadership Development Programme ALDP - WO (Warrant Officer)	Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management
		Level 7 Award for Professional Recognition – Membership (PRA)
	JCSCL (Junior Command and Staff Course) (L) / CWC (Captain Warfare Course)	Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management
		Level 6 Professional Recognition Award - Graduateship
	JOLP (Junior Officer Leadership Programme) & JOTAC (Junior Officers Tactical Awareness Course)	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
Royal Military Academy Sandhurst	RMAS - Commissioning Course Short PQO (Professionally Qualified Officer)	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	RMAS UOTC (University Officer Training Course)	Level 5 Award in Leadership and Management
	RMAS - Commissioning Course	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	LEOC (Late Entry Officers Course)	Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management
Defence Academy	ICSC(L) (Intermediate Command and Staff Course Land)	Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management
	ICSC(L) (Intermediate Command and Staff Course Land)	Level 7 Award for Professional Recognition – Membership (PRA)
	ICSC(LR) (Intermediate Command and Staff Course Land Reserves)	Level 7 Certificate Strategic Leadership and Management
Army Foundation College	Army Foundation	Level 2 Award for Young Leaders

RAF

Our qualifications are mapped to the content and assessment of your RAF training to help you make the most of the accreditation opportunities available. They present the skills and abilities you gain during your RAF training in a way that employers recognise and find valuable.

Please contact your training school for more details.

Centre Name	Course	Qualification title
RAF Halton	Aviator Development 1 (AD1) (new name for JMLC)	Level 3 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	Aviator Development 2 (AD2) (new name for IMLC)	Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	Aviator Development 3 (AD3) (new name for AMLC)	Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	Aviator Development 4 (AD4) (New name for HMLC)	Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management
Defence Academy RAF	IOD 5/C (Intermediate-level Officer Development Programme)	Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management
	IOD 5/C (Intermediate-level Officer Development Programme)	Level 7 Professional Recognition Award - Membership (PRA)
	IOD3/A (Intermediate-level Officer Development Programme)	Level 6 Professional Recognition Award - Graduateship (PRA)
RAF Officer Training Academy (OTA) Cranwell	MIOTC (Modularised Initial Officer Training Course	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	SOIT (Specialist Officer Initial Training)	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	ROIT (Reserve Officer Initial Training course)	Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	NCAIT (Non-Commissioned Aircrew Initial Training course)	Level 4 Diploma in Leadership and Management

Royal Marines

ILM qualifications complement the Royal Marines’ leadership training, enabling you to showcase your achievement to future employers in a language that employers understand.

Please contact your training school for more details.

Centre Name	Course	Qualification title
CTCRM (Commando Training Centre Royal Marines) CTCRM-A CTCRM-B	CLDC	Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	SLDC inc. TCC - Senior Leaders Development Course	Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	SLDC exc. TCC - Senior Leaders Development Course	Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	WO ALDP - Warrant Officer	Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management
	SCCOC - Senior Corps Commission Officers Course	Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Leadership and Management
	RMYO - Royal Marines Young Officers	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management
	JCSC (L) - Junior Command and Staff Course (Land)	Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management
	ICSC (L) - Initial Command Staff Course (Land)	Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management

Royal Navy

ILM qualifications enhance the leadership training provided by the Royal Navy, allowing you to present your accomplishments to future employers in a way that resonates with them.

Please contact your training school for more details.

Centre Name	Course	Qualification title
RNLA	LRLC/LRLC RNR - Leading Rates Leadership Course & Reserves	Level 4 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	LRLC/LRLC RNR - Leading Rates Leadership Course & Reserves	Level 4 Professional Recognition Award – Licentiateship (PRA)
	SRLC/SRLC RNR - Senior Rates Leadership Course & Reserves	Level 5 Certificate in Leadership and Management
	SRLC/SRLC RNR - Senior Rates Leadership Course & Reserves	Level 4 Professional Recognition Award – Licentiateship (PRA)
	WOSC - Warrant Officer Staff Course	Level 7 Award in Strategic Leadership and Management
Defence Academy RN Division	ICSC (M) - Initial Command Staff Course (Maritime)	Level 7 Extended Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management
Defence Academy RN Division	ICSC (M) - Initial Command Staff Course (Maritime)	Level 7 Professional Recognition Award – Membership (PRA)
BRNC Dartmouth	INTO/SUY - Initial Naval Training & Senior Upper Yardman	Level 5 Diploma in Leadership and Management

Or, if you’ve completed a qualifying course in the last three years, contact your military training school today to apply.

Useful links

Professional Recognition Awards (PRA) validate leadership and technical expertise gained in the military, giving employers confidence in proven, high-performing professionals ready to deliver results.

Government resources

Gov.uk sites for Army, Navy and RAF regarding Standard Learning Credits:

Access to studying membership

In collaboration with The Institute of Leadership, learners on ILM leadership and management qualifications receive complimentary access to The Institute’s studying membership.

Find out more