Back to Certificated Courses index
Professional Certificate / Diploma in Government & Policy
What is it?
This is a professional qualification accredited by the Chartered Management Institute. It is designed specifically for Civil Servants and those working in the Public Sector, providing the essential skills for policy formulation and delivery.
It covers a comprehensive range of subjects, such as: policy, finance, stakeholder management, project management, performance management, and resource management.
Taken as a combination of day-release courses and distance learning units, this qualification is delivered in an extremely flexible manner so that it fits in with busy work schedules, enabling you to progress professionally without impacting on your workplace productivity. It is nationally and internationally recognised and gives you highly sought after transferable CATS points.
What level is it taught at?
It is taught at CMI Level 5, which for comparison purposes equates to Bachelor’s Degree level and above.
Who is it for?
- Any individual who wishes to develop their core professional capabilities and competencies
- Any individual who is seeking training that offers professional accreditation
- Any individual seeking to improve their skills and confidence
- Anyone who would like to develop their career and improve their CV with an accredited qualification from the CMI
How will I benefit?
- Gain a nationally and internationally recognised professional qualification
- Improve your personal performance and develop your career to suit your career plan and in your own timeframe
- Develop expertise in the relevant skills set out in the PSG framework
- The qualification will give you transferable CATS points, which means you carry the credit to Universities
- A year’s complementary membership of the Chartered Management Institute, with all the benefits that this provides for students, such as: access to CMI online management library resources, free legal helpline, attendance at CMI events and conventions
How will my employer benefit?
- Better value for money - investing in training that comes with professional recognition
- Return on Investment – demonstrably better quality outcomes through an up-skilled workforce
- More proficient management and leadership within the organisation, with associated benefits of improved service delivery and greater productivity
- Improved morale of employees, leading to reduced staff turnover, greater stability, and less need to spend money on externally recruiting new managers and leaders.
- Skills you learn are immediately applicable in the workplace, because of our tailor-made approach
- Quality assured – through the CMI’s tried and tested best practice management techniques
- Training is tailored to the requirements of Civil Service managers, rather than generic management theory that is given by many other training providers
When can I start?
You can start the programme at any point during the year, as modules are repeated regularly throughout the year. Most delegates take between 4—8 months to complete the certificate, and 8-15 months to complete the Diploma. However, the timescales are entirely at the delegates’ own discretion depending on how much time they have to devote towards the qualification.
What is involved?
Certificate: you will complete 2 units of your choice. Depending on your choice of units, you training will be delivered by means of seminars, a mixture of seminars and distance learning, or solely distance learning. You will also need to complete 2 assignments of 2000-3000 words (completed in your own time).
Diploma: you will complete 9 units in total. 6 of these units are mainly seminar-based and 3 are delivered through distance learning. You will also need to complete 9 assignments of 2000-3000 words (completed in your own time).
How much does it cost?
Certificate: £1950 & VAT.
Diploma: £3500 & VAT.
This covers all tuition, materials, assessments, and membership of the CMI for the duration of the course.
Unit Options
Unit 5006: Conducting a management project (policy) (10 CATS Points)This unit is about identifying, researching and producing a work-related project and evaluating its impact. Delivery Method – Seminars: |
Unit 5007: Financial control (9 CATS Points)This unit is about financial systems and controls and the impact of external factors on organisational financial management. Delivery Method – Seminars: |
Unit 5013: Leadership Practice (7 CATS Points)This unit is about the links between management and leadership, key leadership principles and leadership theory. Delivery Method - Distance Learning To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Unit 5003: Performance management (9 CATS Points)This unit is about the management of individual and team performance. Delivery Method - Distance Learning & Seminar To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Unit 5009: Project development and control (6 CATS Points)This unit is about understanding projects, developing project plans and management strategies, and ensuring projects achieve objectives with targets. Delivery Method – Seminar: |
Unit 5005: Meeting stakeholder and quality needs (6 CATS Points)This unit is about meeting stakeholder requirements to agreed quality standards and seeking improvements. Delivery Method - Distance Learning To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Unit 5001: Personal development as a manager and leader (6 CATS points)This unit is about improving individual management and leadership skills and competencies against objectives. Delivery Method - Distance Learning To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Unit 5002: Information based decision making (7 CATS Points)This unit is about the communication and use of information to support decision making. Delivery Method - Distance Learning To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Unit 5004: Resource Management (7 CATS Points)This unit is about identifying, planning, using and evaluating resources to meet objectives. Delivery Method - Distance Learning To access the distance learning materials please click here |
Teaching Methods
The seminars are taught by professional expert trainers in a classroom style setting, usually with a cabaret layout to encourage informality and small group working. Teaching methods include power point supported presentations, lectures, facilitated workshops and discussion, Q&A sessions, and presentations by expert guest speakers from Parliament and beyond.
The distance learning is a workbook-based training process. Delegates receive workbooks specifically designed for the appropriate unit, which take them through the skills and knowledge necessary to complete their written tasks and to demonstrate successfully the necessary assessment criteria and learning outcomes. Tutorial support is available if required.
Written Tasks
Each Unit has a written task associated with it, which candidates have to complete successfully to qualify for their Award, Certificate or Diploma. The written task is based on the content of the seminars or distance learning in the unit. Candidates are required to demonstrate their understanding of, and ability to implement, a series of learning outcomes as specified by the CMI. Detailed information about each task and its learning outcomes is available to delegates who have signed up for the course.
Assessments Methods
The written tasks are internally assessed by our professional assessors. They are then moderated by our internal supervisor to assure consistency of quality and achievement, and these moderated scripts are also verified externally by the CMI. Successful candidates are awarded their appropriate Award, Certificate or Diploma. Candidates whose work is referred can resubmit their work according to procedures described in detail in the course handbook.
