Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
This course is endorsed by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
About this course
Why This Course
The Level 8 Diploma in Strategic Leadership and Management is a CMI-endorsed Level 8 qualification designed for senior executives, directors, and experienced leaders who are ready to operate at doctoral level.
Delivered entirely online and fully self-paced, this programme builds the advanced strategic capability required at the highest levels of organisational leadership.
Across six rigorous modules, you will engage with advanced decision-making, organisational change, strategic financial management, innovation, global business strategy, and research methods, all at the depth and intellectual rigour that doctoral-level study demands.
Each module concludes with a comprehensive analysis project, grounding advanced theory in real executive practice.
On completion, you hold a 180-credit Level 8 qualification and gain direct entry to the advanced dissertation stage of the Doctorate of Business Administration at Acacia University, placing a full DBA within reach without repeating what you have already mastered.
Programme Modules
What You'll Study
Study the disciplines that matter most, from finance and marketing to leadership, operations, and sustainability, all connected directly to your working life.
Inside the programme
Your Learning Journey
Key learning outcomes
This qualification prepares you not for the next step in your career, but for the final frontier of it.
You will graduate with a CMI-endorsed Level 8 diploma worth 180 credits, the highest qualification level available outside of a doctorate itself. You will have developed the advanced strategic intelligence, analytical rigour, and executive leadership authority that the most consequential leadership roles in global organisations demand.
You will be equipped to lead complex change, drive innovation at scale, evaluate performance with precision, and conduct doctoral-level research that contributes meaningfully to business knowledge.
Most importantly, you will hold direct entry to the advanced dissertation stage of the Doctorate of Business Administration at Acacia University, positioning you to complete a full DBA with only your doctoral thesis remaining.
Check Your Eligibility
Entry Requirements
This programme is designed for motivated people who are ready to invest in their future. Here is what we look for.
If you have formal qualifications:
- A master's degree or equivalent qualification, plus a minimum age of 25.
- An IELTS score of 7.0 or equivalent. This reflects the advanced academic reading and writing demands of Level 8 study. A free online English assessment is available if you are unsure of your level.
Or
If you do not have formal qualifications:
- A minimum of five years of senior managerial or executive experience.
- The same English language and age requirements apply
- However, to enter the DBA final stage with Acacia University, you must complete a master's degree.
Accreditation
Programme Accreditations and Recognitions
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
LIBT is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA)
LIBT is a full member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA).
Continue your journey
Where this takes you next.
On successful completion you may progress directly into:
Fees & Payment
Regionalised Pricing and Flexible Payment Plans
We offer regional discounts to keep education accessible worldwide. Select your country of residence below to get your local fee.
Tier 1
£4,800
Application feeFree
Pay in full (5% off)£4,560
6 instalments£800 × 6
Awarding Body
Why choose the London Institute of Business and Technology
The London Institute of Business and Technology (LIBT) is a British online institution committed to making world-class professional education accessible to working adults everywhere. We deliver accredited, industry-aligned qualifications to learners in more than 100 countries, combining rigorous academic standards with the flexibility that busy professionals need to advance their careers without pausing them.
Quality and Regulation
LIBT is a full member of the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education (QAA), the UK's independent body responsible for safeguarding standards and improving the quality of higher education. This membership confirms that LIBT's programmes, processes, and academic practices meet the rigorous standards expected of a recognised UK higher education provider.
Our qualifications are further recognised and regulated by Ofqual, the Office of Qualifications and Examinations Regulation, an executive non-departmental public body of the UK Government, through our partnerships with ATHE and Qualifi. LIBT is also recognised by the Awards for Training and Higher Education (ATHE).
Professional Accreditations and Endorsements
LIBT holds accreditation and endorsement from some of the UK's most respected professional bodies:
The Chartered Management Institute (CMI) accredits and endorses a range of LIBT programmes, recognising them as meeting CMI's rigorous standards for management and leadership education. Completing a CMI-accredited programme at LIBT makes graduates eligible for Chartered Manager status, one of the most respected professional designations in management globally.
The Association for Project Management (APM) has recognised LIBT's Postgraduate Diploma in Project Management under its Pathway 2 Recognised Assessment for the Chartered Project Professional (ChPP) designation, making LIBT one of a select group of institutions whose assessment meets APM's professional standard.
University Partnerships
LIBT's qualifications are designed as direct pathways to prestigious university degrees. On completing an LIBT diploma, graduates gain advanced entry to the final taught stage or dissertation of a master's, bachelor's, or doctoral degree at one of our partner universities, without repeating what they have already studied.
LIBT's current university partners include:
University of London — Global MBA and specialist MBA pathways in Accountancy, Entrepreneurship and Innovation, Finance, Health, Law, and Leadership
Coventry University — Global Business MBA, MSc in Business and Organisational Psychology, MSc in International Project Management, MA in Education, and BA (Hons) in Business Management and Leadership
University of Lancashire (UCLan) — LLB (Hons) Law, MSc in Finance and Management, and BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security and Networking
University of Portsmouth — MSc in Security and Risk (Work-based, for military personnel)
University of Essex — BA (Hons) in Business and Management
University of Wolverhampton — International MBA
Acacia University (USA) — Doctorate of Business Administration (DBA), advanced entry
These articulation agreements are based on each university's independent review of LIBT's learning programmes and outcomes, confirming that LIBT graduates arrive academically prepared for degree-level progression.
Our Commitment
LIBT believes that a demanding professional life should never be a barrier to academic achievement. Every programme we offer is built to the highest standard of academic rigour, delivered with the flexibility working professionals require, and recognised by the institutions and professional bodies that matter most to employers worldwide.
From our community
Reviews from students across programmes we offer.
Hear from the professionals who studied with LIBT, the skills they gained, the goals they reached, and the moments that changed how they work.
FAQ
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is this diploma designed for?
This programme is designed for senior executives, directors, and experienced leaders who hold a master's degree and are ready to pursue doctoral-level study. It is particularly suited to those who want to bridge the gap between senior management practice and doctoral research, developing the advanced analytical and strategic capabilities needed to undertake a Doctorate of Business Administration with intellectual confidence and credibility.
How does the DBA pathway at Acacia University work?
Completing this 180-credit Level 8 diploma provides direct entry to the advanced dissertation stage of the Doctorate of Business Administration at Acacia University, provided you also meet the other entry criteria. Rather than completing a full taught DBA programme, you proceed directly to your doctoral thesis, earning a full DBA at significantly reduced time and cost. The taught elements you have completed here satisfy the doctoral coursework requirements.
What is the difference between this diploma and a standard master's degree?
This is a Level 8 qualification, one full level above a master's degree on the Regulated Qualifications Framework. It is designed for leaders who already hold a master's and want to develop at doctoral level, building the advanced research, synthesis, and strategic leadership capabilities that distinguish scholars and executive leaders who contribute to knowledge as well as practice.
Can I apply without a master's degree?
Yes, through our professional entry pathway. Applicants without a master's degree may be considered if they can demonstrate at least five years of senior executive or strategic management experience, including documented responsibility for organisational governance, significant financial oversight, and strategic decision-making. Applications are evaluated on an individual basis, and an interview may be required to confirm readiness for Level 8 study. However, you will still need to complete a master's degree to be accepted for the DBA at the Acacia University. Please talk to our L&D Director for guidance on how you can fulfil the entry requirements.
Can I complete this diploma faster than 12 months?
Yes. The programme is fully self-paced, so you can progress as quickly as your executive schedule and the intellectual demands of the content allow. Learners with prior doctoral-level study or highly relevant executive research experience may also be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), which can reduce the number of modules required subject to individual assessment.
What support is available at this level of study?
You will have 24-hour access to on-demand academic tutoring at no additional cost, with tutors who understand the demands of Level 8 study. They are reachable via email, phone, or video call. If executive commitments require you to pause your studies, our student support team can arrange a formal deferral. Your academic progress and credits are always protected.