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Studying online gives you total flexibility to study when and where works for you. You'll have access to a set of online learning tools, including study materials written by our team of specialist authors, links to useful websites and resources, and forums where you can share your thoughts and ideas with other learners.
| Start date | Application closing date | Duration | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13 April 2026 | 30 March 2026 | 12 months | £2990 | Apply online |
| 06 July 2026 | 22 June 2026 | 12 months | £2990 | TBC |
| 12 October 2026 | 28 September 2026 | 12 months | £2990 | Apply online |
| 11 October 2027 | 27 September 2027 | 12 months | £2990 | Apply online |
What is the Level 5 Diploma in Housing?
This qualification explores areas of ethical practice, leadership and management, strategic business planning, housing in context, managing partner relationships, customer focused housing services and professionalism in housing.
On completion of this qualification you will be eligible for chartered membership CIHCM status. You must complete all mandatory units, as well as the professionalism in housing unit to be eligible.
This qualification meets the requirements for the Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing.
Who is this qualification for?
The Level 5 Diploma in Housing is for aspiring professionals, supervisors and managers who wish to achieve CIH chartered membership (CIHCM) and have two years experience of working in a housing or housing related sector at a management or supervisory level.
Experience requirements
- You have two years’ experience working in housing or a housing related sector at a supervisory or management level and are aspiring to or working in a strategic role.
- You have completed the CIH Level 4 Certificate or equivalent qualification.
Learners must also meet the follow criteria:
- 18+
- Are working or resident in the UK or Ireland
- Are confident in using IT and have access to a computer
- Have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification
- Are aware that this qualification will be assignment based as the Housing Academy’s chosen method of assessment and that other centres may be approved for other assessment methodologies
- Are aware that they must demonstrate an understanding of all the learning outcomes to achieve each unit of study within the qualification.
Level five descriptors
Please read the following level five descriptors that indicate the level that a learner must be working at to achieve the qualification and are confident that they are able to meet these requirements.
Knowledge descriptors
- You have practical, theoretical, or technological knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work and find ways forward in broadly defined, complex contexts
- You can analyse, interpret, and evaluate relevant information, concepts and ideas
- You are aware of the nature and scope of the areas of study or work
- You can understand different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.
Skills descriptor
- You can determine, adapt, and use appropriate methods, cognitive and practical skills to address broadly defined, complex problems
- You can use relevant research or development to inform actions
- You can evaluate actions, methods and results.
How long does it take?
- Approximately 13 months, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing provides you with knowledge and understanding across key areas of housing policy and practice, at a recognised professional standard. The qualification aims to give you the knowledge and skills required to perform in a senior management role.
How to apply
You can apply to study this qualification by selecting a start date from the table at the top of this page and completing our online application form.
You will be asked to provide evidence of your qualifications and/or your experience of working in the housing sector as part of the application process, and may be eligible to claim Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) for the professionalism in housing unit.
Please note as our qualifications are regulated by the CIH Awarding Organisation you will be required to provide ID evidence before you start your course.
You will be asked to select a payment option during the application process.
To create your account, visit My CIH page and click the 'Sign up now' link to follow the steps to create your account. You can read our step-by-step guide to creating an account.
If you already have a My CIH account, just follow the sign in by entering your email address and password as usual.
Are you having trouble logging in or creating your account? Please read our step-by-step guide or call our membership services team on 024 7685 1700 or email membership.services@cih.org.
Individuals or purchasers (making the booking on an individual’s behalf) booking onto all courses are required to pay their full fees within seven days of receipt of the invoice or prior to the start date* of the course.
Payment can be made by credit or debit card.
Failure to complete payment prior to the start date may mean that your course date will need to be changed or services stopped.
*The start date is the day of the advertised closing date for applications.
If payment for fees is to be made by the individual’s organisation, a purchase order is required.
It is the individual’s responsibility to provide this to CIH at the time of booking so please ensure you have this to hand before you begin your application.
Multiple learner bookings
We welcome organisations who want to work with the CIH Housing Academy to provide learning to their workforce. If you'd like to know more about possible discounts for multiple learners, please contact us on 024 7685 1700 or email partnerships@cih.org.
What can I expect as a CIH Housing Academy learner?
We will support you throughout your qualification, offering guidance when personal or work-related problems arise that may affect your studies.
- At the beginning of the qualification you will be provided with a brief introduction to the qualification and information on how it is delivered, structured and assessed.
- You will be allocated an academic tutor who will offer you support throughout your qualification.
- You can contact your tutor through ‘messenger’ when logged in to our online learning platform, My Housing Academy.
- Your tutor will mark your assignments and give you feedback as well as providing you with advice and support on any academic issues.
- You will be able to communicate and share ideas with other students via My Housing Academy.
CIH membership included for eligible Housing Academy learners
CIH offer a concessionary learner membership that can be purchased by learners undertaking a CIH qualification*. This discounted rate provides access to all standard member benefits.
If you choose to study with the CIH Housing Academy eligible learners will be provided two year’s of learner membership worth £164 when studying a full qualification at level five.
When you register with the Housing Academy, we will automatically transfer your details to the CIH membership team who will confirm if you are eligible to receive this special offer and will be in touch with how to access the membership package.
Although not an essential requirement to complete your qualification, CIH membership provides a wealth of resources, services and networking opportunities that will enhance your learning experience and benefit your professional development long into the future.
*Eligibility criteria apply.
Online plus combines all the benefits of online study with the addition of six face-to-face learning days or several virtual tutor-led sessions. These virtual sessions offer the opportunity to interact and share knowledge with other learners and tutors but still benefit from studying around work and life commitments.
| Start date | Application closing date | Duration | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 02 March 2026 | 16 February 2026 | 12 months | £3390 | Apply online |
| 25 May 2026 | 11 May 2026 | 12 months | £3390 | TBC |
| 31 August 2026 | 17 August 2026 | 12 months | £3390 | TBC |
| 23 November 2026 | 09 November 2026 | 12 months | £3390 | Apply online |
| 01 March 2027 | 15 February 2027 | 12 months | £3390 | Apply online |
What is the Level 5 Diploma in Housing?
This qualification explores areas of ethical practice, leadership and management, strategic business planning, housing in context, managing partner relationships, customer focused housing services and professionalism in housing.
On completion of this qualification you will be eligible for chartered membership CIHCM status. You must complete all mandatory units, as well as the professionalism in housing unit to be eligible.
This qualification meets the requirements for the Competence and Conduct Standard for social housing.
Who is this qualification for?
The Level 5 Diploma in Housing is for aspiring professionals, supervisors and managers who wish to achieve CIH chartered membership (CIHCM) and have two years experience of working in a housing or housing related sector at a management or supervisory level.
Experience requirements
- You have two years’ experience working in housing or a housing related sector at a supervisory or management level and are aspiring to or working in a strategic role.
- You have completed the CIH Level 4 Certificate or equivalent qualification.
Learners must also meet the follow criteria:
- 18+
- Are working or resident in the UK or Ireland
- Are confident in using IT and have access to a computer
- Have the potential and opportunity to gain the qualification
- Are aware that this qualification will be assignment based as the Housing Academy’s chosen method of assessment and that other centres may be approved for other assessment methodologies
- Are aware that they must demonstrate an understanding of all the learning outcomes to achieve each unit of study within the qualification.
Level five descriptors
Please read the following level five descriptors that indicate the level that a learner must be working at to achieve the qualification and are confident that they are able to meet these requirements.
Knowledge descriptors
- You have practical, theoretical, or technological knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work and find ways forward in broadly defined, complex contexts
- You can analyse, interpret, and evaluate relevant information, concepts and ideas
- You are aware of the nature and scope of the areas of study or work
- You can understand different perspectives, approaches or schools of thought and the reasoning behind them.
Skills descriptor
- You can determine, adapt, and use appropriate methods, cognitive and practical skills to address broadly defined, complex problems
- You can use relevant research or development to inform actions
- You can evaluate actions, methods and results.
How long does it take?
- Approximately 13 months, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The CIH Level 5 Diploma in Housing provides you with knowledge and understanding across key areas of housing policy and practice, at a recognised professional standard. The qualification aims to give you the knowledge and skills required to perform in a senior management role.
How to apply
You can apply to study this qualification by selecting a start date from the table at the top of this page and completing our online application form.
You will be asked to provide evidence of your qualifications and/or your experience of working in the housing sector as part of the application process, and may be eligible to claim Recognised Prior Learning (RPL) for the professionalism in housing unit.
Please note as our qualifications are regulated by the CIH Awarding Organisation you will be required to provide ID evidence before you start your course.
You will be asked to select a payment option during the application process.
To create your account, visit My CIH page and click the 'Sign up now' link to follow the steps to create your account. You can read our step-by-step guide to creating an account.
If you already have a My CIH account, just follow the sign in by entering your email address and password as usual.
Are you having trouble logging in or creating your account? Please read our step-by-step guide or call our membership services team on 024 7685 1700 or email membership.services@cih.org.
Individuals or purchasers (making the booking on an individual’s behalf) booking onto all courses are required to pay their full fees within seven days of receipt of the invoice or prior to the start date* of the course.
Payment can be made by credit or debit card.
Failure to complete payment prior to the start date may mean that your course date will need to be changed or services stopped.
*The start date is the day of the advertised closing date for applications.
If payment for fees is to be made by the individual’s organisation, a purchase order is required.
It is the individual’s responsibility to provide this to CIH at the time of booking so please ensure you have this to hand before you begin your application.
Multiple learner bookings
We welcome organisations who want to work with the CIH Housing Academy to provide learning to their workforce. If you'd like to know more about possible discounts for multiple learners, please contact us on 024 7685 1700 or email partnerships@cih.org.
What can I expect as a CIH Housing Academy learner?
We will support you throughout your qualification, offering guidance when personal or work-related problems arise that may affect your studies.
- At the beginning of the qualification you will be provided with a brief introduction to the qualification and information on how it is delivered, structured and assessed.
- You will be allocated an academic tutor who will offer you support throughout your qualification.
- You can contact your tutor through ‘messenger’ when logged in to our online learning platform, My Housing Academy.
- Your tutor will mark your assignments and give you feedback as well as providing you with advice and support on any academic issues.
- You will be able to communicate and share ideas with other students via My Housing Academy.
CIH membership included for eligible Housing Academy learners
CIH offer a concessionary learner membership that can be purchased by learners undertaking a CIH qualification*. This discounted rate provides access to all standard member benefits.
If you choose to study with the CIH Housing Academy eligible learners will be provided two year’s of learner membership worth £164 when studying a full qualification at level five.
When you register with the Housing Academy, we will automatically transfer your details to the CIH membership team who will confirm if you are eligible to receive this special offer and will be in touch with how to access the membership package.
Although not an essential requirement to complete your qualification, CIH membership provides a wealth of resources, services and networking opportunities that will enhance your learning experience and benefit your professional development long into the future.
*Eligibility criteria apply.
