Designed with the housing sector, for the housing sector
Establish yourself as a professional in the housing sector by gaining the theoretical knowledge, essential skills, and practical learning needed to perform at the highest level in your job and advance your career.
CIH qualifications are delivered by approved external study centres but awarded by the Chartered Institute of Housing. These study centres will guide you throughout your learning journey, working to the CIH specification and the learning outcomes. You can view all our approved study centres here.
We’re committed to ensuring our qualifications are accessible and inclusive. Find out more about our EDI approach.
Find the right qualification for you
Whether you’re starting out in the housing or you're an experienced professional, we offer a range of qualifications suited to your needs. CIH qualifications range from level two for anyone new to the housing sector, through to postgraduate certificates for those in strategic leadership roles.
We’ve also introduced top-up short courses—ideal for managers working towards compliance with the competence and conduct standard. These courses are designed for those who already hold a partially compliant qualification and need to cover specific learning gaps.
If you are here looking for information about the Competence and Conduct Standard visit our dedicated page for more information on what might be right for you.
Browse all our qualifications below and select your level to find the right fit for your experience and career goals.
Level two qualifications
Our Level 2 qualifications offer a solid introduction to housing, perfect for those starting out in the sector. These courses are suitable for residents, assistants, and administrators.
Who are these qualifications for?
- Anyone new to the housing sector
- Anyone looking to pursue a career in housing
The CIH Level 2 Certificate in Housing Practice will provide you with an understanding of housing and introduce you to housing related skills and knowledge necessary for paid or voluntary work in the housing sector.
Suitable for:
- Anyone new to housing or work in a frontline position and want to improve their general awareness of housing or get their initial qualification.
- Anyone not currently working in housing but are considering a frontline housing position as a career option.
- Tenants, residents and board members wishing to enhance their personal involvement and understanding of housing.
- Anyone working in housing who wants to gain an initial qualification in housing.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 140 hours.
The objective of this qualification is to provide an understanding of tenancy law, property management and customer care in the private rented sector, to support entry into and progression in roles such as assistant property manager, estate agent, housing administrator, housing assistant, lettings negotiator, landlord.
Suitable for:
- anyone who has experience working as a landlords, or has experience in lettings
- Anyone in or wishing to enter the housing sector
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 110 hours
The CIH Level 2 Award in Involvement in Housing and Communities is designed to provide tenants with the knowledge required to be actively involved in local or community housing.
Suitable for:
Designed for tenants who wish to be actively involved in housing and communities.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 30 hours.
The CIH Certificate in Housing Practice SCQF Level 5 will provide you with an understanding of housing and introduce you to housing related skills and knowledge necessary for paid or voluntary work in the housing sector in Scotland
Suitable for:
- Anyone aspiring to or working in the housing sector in Scotland.
- It may also be beneficial for tenants, residents, and board members who wish to gain an understanding of housing.
This qualification is accredited by (Scottish Qualifications Authority) SQA at SCQF level 5 and intended for delivery to the Scottish market.
This qualification will provide the skills and knowledge required to maintain communal areas of housing estates and neighbourhoods.
Suitable for:
- Anyone aspiring to or working in estates or neighbourhood maintenance in Scotland.
Level three qualifications
Our level three qualifications are designed to provide you with contextual and specialised knowledge to support you in your role and advance your career. These courses are suitable for officers and co-ordinators. Completing a certificate at this level also makes you eligible to become a certified practitioner member of CIH.
Who are these qualifications for?
- Housing practitioners who are already working in the sector.
The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice will provide you with a range of technical knowledge and understanding across a broad range of frontline housing practices at an operational level including housing markets and professional practice.
Who is this qualification for?
- Anyone working in a frontline capacity in a wide range of housing and housing related roles
- Anyone who already have a level 2 qualification and/or experience of working in housing
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 260 hours.
The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Letting and Managing Residential Property aims to provide individuals with the knowledge and understanding of key areas of managing and letting property, to support entry into and progression in roles such as landlord, or property and housing manager.
Who is this qualification for?
- for individuals aspiring or working in a front-line role in letting and managing residential property, preferably in a front-line role.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 180 hours.
The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Providing Homelessness Services will provide you with the knowledge and understanding required to support people experiencing homelessness and develop approaches to achieve successful outcomes for clients.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for those who support people experiencing homelessness and are looking to develop their knowledge and understanding in this area.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 140 hours.
The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Services will provide you with knowledge and understanding across a range of housing practice at an operational level, specifically in relation to housing management.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for those working in front line or operational roles within housing or a housing related industry who wish to develop knowledge and understanding to carry out their work effectively.
Estimated study:
- Approximately 130 hours.
The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Maintenance and Asset Management will provide you with the technical knowledge and understanding of housing maintenance and asset management required to be effective in an operational role.
Who is this qualification for?
The qualification is designed for individuals working in housing maintenance or other housing-related backgrounds who seek to acquire specialised knowledge in housing maintenance and asset management.
It is also suitable for those in tenant liaison roles within private construction.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 130 hours.
The CIH Level 3 Award in Housing Practice will provide you with an introduction to housing practice at an operational level.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for those entering or working in a front-line housing role who wish to develop a foundational knowledge of housing.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 110 hours.
This qualification is accredited by (Scottish Qualifications Authority) SQA at SCQF level 6 and intended for delivery to the Scottish market.
The learning outcomes of this qualification are identical to the CIH level 3 Certificate in Letting and Managing Residential Property, regulated by Ofqual and Qualifications Wales.
The objective of this qualification is to provide individuals with the knowledge and understanding of key areas of managing and letting property, to support entry into and progression in roles such as landlord, or property and housing manager.
Who is this qualification for?
- for individuals aspiring or working in a front-line role in letting and managing residential property, preferably in a front-line role.
Estimated study time:
- Approximately 163 hours.
Level four qualifications
Our level four qualifications explore deeper into the contextual and specialised knowledge required for housing professionals. They are suitable for supervisors and managers looking to enhance their expertise. Completing a qualification at this level qualifies you to become a certified practitioner member of CIH.
Who are these qualifications for?
- Individuals in, or aspiring to, a supervisory or management role in housing
The CIH Level 4 Certificate in Housing aims to equip individuals with the knowledge and skills essential for effective management within the housing sector.
It covers various topics, including housing law, policy, customers, and professional practice, alongside a wide range of optional units tailored for management-level professionals.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for individuals currently in, or aspiring to, supervisory or management roles in housing.
Estimated study time
- Approximately 360 hours.
The CIH Level 4 Certificate in Managing Housing Maintenance aims to provide you with knowledge and skills in housing maintenance and asset management in housing.
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for those who are working in or aspire to work in a supervisory or management role in housing maintenance or asset management.
Estimated study time
- Approximately 360 hours.
Ideal for managers working towards compliance with the competence and conduct standard. These courses are designed for those who already hold a partially compliant qualification and need to cover specific learning gaps.
Available level 4 top-up units:
- Housing law and regulation
- Housing policy
- Customer focus in housing
- Professionalism in housing
- Resident involvement in housing
- Law, policy and regulation for repairs and maintenance
Level five qualification
Our level five qualification focuses on contextual and specialised knowledge for housing managers. Completing a qualification at this level qualifies you to become a chartered member of CIH.
Who is this qualifications for?
- Individuals currently in a management role in housing.
The CIH level 5 Diploma in Housing will equip you with strategic skills and knowledge essential for senior management roles in housing, covering key areas such as leadership, management, and ethics.
Successful completion of the qualification will make you eligible for CIH chartered membership (CIHCM).
Who is this qualification for?
This qualification is designed for those working in or aspiring to a strategic housing management or executive roles in housing.
Estimated study time
- Approximately 380 hours.
Ideal for managers working towards compliance with the competence and conduct standard. These courses are designed for those who already hold a partially compliant qualification and need to cover specific learning gaps.
Available level 5 top-up units:
- Ethical practice in housing
- Leadership and management in housing
- Strategic and business planning for housing organisations
- Housing in context (contains law and policy)
- Managing partner relationships in housing
- Customer focused housing services and communication
Choose how you study
Once you’ve chosen your qualification, the next step is to decide where and how you want to study. Our approved study centres offer a variety of options, including part-time, full-time, online, and blended learning. Each centre will support you throughout your journey, ensuring the course meets the required specifications and learning outcomes.
Find an approved study centre
The CIH awarding organisation partners with approved centres to deliver a range of qualifications to the housing and property management sectors. Find out more about being able to deliver our qualification programmes to the housing and property management sectors.
Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion
As an awarding body specialising in housing, we are committed to equity, diversity and inclusion (EDI).
We’ve committed to the Federation of Awarding Bodies EDI pledge and completed Cognassist’s neurodiversity training for awarding bodies. These steps are part of our commitment to making our qualifications and processes accessible, fair, and reflective of the diverse communities we serve.
