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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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 25 August 2025 | 11 August 2025 | 12 months | £2430 | Enrol online |
| 06 October 2025 | 22 September 2025 | 12 months | £2430 | Enrol online |
What is the Level 4 Certificate in Housing?
The Level 4 Certificate in Housing is a one year vocational qualification and is at the same level of learning as the first year of an undergraduate degree.
The qualification is designed to provide you with a deeper understanding of how your organisation and others in the housing industry work. It equips you with advanced technical knowledge in housing practice at a management level, empowering you to excel as a proficient and effective housing professional.
On completion you will be able to progress to Level 5 Diploma in Housing and CIH Chartered membership CIHCM.
Who is this qualification for?
The CIH Level 4 qualifications are for individuals in or aspiring to a supervisory or management role in housing. They are designed to explore in greater depth the contextual and specialised knowledge for the housing professional.
Experience requirements
- You should be working in housing or a housing related industry, preferably at a management or supervisory level.
- You should, as a minimum requirement, have completed one of the following:
- The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice
- An equivalent Level 3 qualification or higher
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 4 descriptors
Please read the following level 4 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 descriptor
- You have practical, theoretical, or technical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to address problems that are well defined but complex and non-routine
- You can analyse, interpret, and evaluate relevant information and ideas.
- You are aware of the nature of approximate scope of the area of study or work
- You have an informed awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work
Skills descriptor
- You can identify, adapt, and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills to inform actions and address problems that are complex and non-routine while normally fairly well defined.
- You can review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods actions and results.
How long does it take?
- 12 months, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The level 4 Certificate in Housing qualification explores areas of housing policy, law, customer focus, and professional practice.
You'll need to complete four mandatory units:
- Housing law and regulation
- Housing policy
- Customer focus in housing
- Professionalism in housing
Then two optional units:
- Housing management
- Managing people, teams and change
- Strategies for delivering independent living services
- Finance in housing
You'll complete six mandatory units:
- Housing law and regulation
- Housing policy
- Customer focus in housing
- Professionalism in housing
- Housing management
- Managing people, teams and change
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.
You will be asked to select a payment option during the application process.
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.
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 receive a year’s learner membership worth £80 when studying a full qualification at level 4.
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 a comparable number of 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 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 06 October 2025 | 22 September 2025 | 12 months | £2940 | Enrol online |
| 17 November 2025 | 03 November 2025 | 12 months | £2940 | Enrol online |
| 23 February 2026 | 09 February 2026 | 12 months | £2940 | Enrol online |
| 06 April 2026 | 23 March 2026 | 12 months | £2940 | Enrol online |
What is the Level 4 Certificate in Housing?
The Level 4 Certificate in Housing is a one year vocational qualification and is at the same level of learning as the first year of an undergraduate degree.
The qualification is designed to provide you with a deeper understanding of how your organisation and others in the housing industry work. It equips you with advanced technical knowledge in housing practice at a management level, empowering you to excel as a proficient and effective housing professional.
On completion you will be able to progress to Level 5 Diploma in Housing and CIH Chartered membership CIHCM.
Who is this qualification for?
The CIH Level 4 qualifications are for individuals in or aspiring to a supervisory or management role in housing. They are designed to explore in greater depth the contextual and specialised knowledge for the housing professional.
Experience requirements
- You should be working in housing or a housing related industry, preferably at a management or supervisory level.
- You should, as a minimum requirement, have completed one of the following:
- The CIH Level 3 Certificate in Housing Practice
- An equivalent Level 3 qualification or higher
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 4 descriptors
Please read the following level 4 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 descriptor
- You have practical, theoretical, or technical knowledge and understanding of a subject or field of work to address problems that are well defined but complex and non-routine
- You can analyse, interpret, and evaluate relevant information and ideas.
- You are aware of the nature of approximate scope of the area of study or work
- You have an informed awareness of different perspectives or approaches within the area of study or work
Skills descriptor
- You can identify, adapt, and use appropriate cognitive and practical skills to inform actions and address problems that are complex and non-routine while normally fairly well defined.
- You can review the effectiveness and appropriateness of methods actions and results.
How long does it take?
- 12 months, with an average of eight hours study a week.
What will you learn?
The level 4 Certificate in Housing qualification explores areas of housing policy, law, customer focus, and professional practice.
You'll need to complete four mandatory units:
- Housing law and regulation
- Housing policy
- Customer focus in housing
- Professionalism in housing
Then two optional units:
- Housing management
- Managing people, teams and change
- Strategies for delivering independent living services
- Finance in housing
You'll complete six mandatory units:
- Housing law and regulation
- Housing policy
- Customer focus in housing
- Professionalism in housing
- Housing management
- Managing people, teams and change
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.
You will be asked to select a payment option during the application process.
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.
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 receive a year’s learner membership worth £80 when studying a full qualification at level 4.
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.
