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Start date Application closing date Duration Price
20 January 2025 06 January 2025 12 months £2965 Enrol online
14 April 2025 31 March 2025 12 months £2965 Enrol 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 relationships and developing professional practice skills for 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 professional practice skills in housing unit to be eligible.

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 2 years experience of working in a housing or housing related industry at a management or supervisory level.

Entry requirements

Experience requirements

  • You have two years’ experience working in housing or a housing related industry 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 5 descriptors

Please read the following level 5 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 12 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.

Qualification units

Mandatory

Ethical practice in housing

View unit

Ethical practice in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Including theories of ethical practice
  • Ethical dilemmas in housing
  • Current ethical issues affecting housing professionals
Mandatory

Leadership and management in housing

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Leadership and management in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Theories of management and leadership
  • The attributes of successful leaders and managers
  • Reflective practice
Mandatory

Strategic and business planning for housing

View unit

Strategic and business planning for housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Social versus commercial objectives
  • Theory and practice of strategic management
  • Developing business plans
Mandatory

Housing in context

View unit

Housing in context

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The historical development of housing policy
  • The influence of political ideology
  • Comparative housing studies
Mandatory

Managing relationships in housing

View unit

Managing relationships in housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • The changing profile of housing customers
  • Understanding housing customers’ needs
  • Effective partnership working
  • Principles of contract management
Optional

Professional practice skills for housing

View unit

Professional practice skills for housing

In this unit, you will cover the following:

  • Being a professional
  • Skills required to be a housing professional
  • Assessing your performance and managing your own professional development

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 professional practice skills in housing unit.

You will be asked to select a payment option during the application process.

Payment options
Individuals

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.

Organisations

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.

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 ‘Moodle messenger’ when logged in to our online learning platform, Moodle.
  • 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 Moodle.
Get in touch
If you have any questions or if you'd like to register your interest in this qualification, please get in touch with us.
Meet our tutors
We have a team of tutors, who have a wealth of knowledge and experience, both in housing and education and will support you throughout your qualification.
Terms & conditions
You can read our full terms and conditions here.

View our range of CIH qualifications from Level 2 to Level 5, available to study online or online plus.