The IML represents the pinnacle of the mountain walking and trekking leadership awards available in the UK and Ireland under the umbrella of Mountain Training – and indeed worldwide. The UIMLA International Mountain Leader is a professional qualification that demonstrates the highest quality of leadership standards and recognition. UIMLA – the Union of International Mountain Leader Associations is represented by National Associations like BAIML in 28 countries. The IML award has also gained recognition equivalent to a postgraduate degree on the Scottish Credit and Qualifications Framework. The IML is the only Mountain Training qualification that qualifies the leader to work at altitude.
An outline of the whole process according to the 2012 UIMLA Standard is given below. Most people would normally be expected to take 2 to 5 years to complete their IML award after obtaining the Mountain Leader Summer award. Note the the delivery of the scheme is under review for implementation of the 2024 UIMLA Standard.
For more information on Quality Mountain Days (QMDs) click here
Where can you work as an IML?
The UIMLA IML qualification trains and qualifies you to lead groups throughout mountain regions worldwide, during all seasons, on snow and to altitude.
It is important to note that the UIMLA IML qualification offers much more scope than leading in one or two central European/Alpine countries. Also, there are a growing number of countries where the profession of International Mountain leader is regulated by law and holding the UIMLA IML and being a full member of your National Association is a requirement for gaining recognition to work legally in those countries. Full information is available in the member’s area of this website.
Being part of a growing UIMLA umbrella gives UIMLA IMLs more opportunities for using the qualification abroad recognition of its value and qualities as a leading Standard – the UIMLA IML is the defacto standard. All UIMLA members can be seen here.
Where do the different organisations fit into all of this?
Whilst it may be a confusing picture of who exactly does what, simplistically:
MTUKI
Oversees the scheme registration through the Candidate Management System (CMS), and management of the training and assessment processes.
Glenmore Lodge & Plas Y Brenin
The National Centres deliver the IML training and assessment courses on the ground, both at home and overseas.
UIMLA
Own the qualification of UIMLA IML and licence its use through its national association members (that’s BAIML for UK & Ireland)
BAIML
Represent the needs of its professional membership post-qualification primarily. Ensure the delivery of the award in collaboration with our above stakeholders meets the UIMLA requirements and our members maintain the required professional standards. And not least manage the issuing of the all-important ‘carnet’ (licence) to our IMLs.
Where to get the ball rolling
Head over to the MTUKI site and find out more about the schemes. Here, you will register for the schemes and start your journey.
Who delivers courses?
Training and assessment at Summer Mountain Leader level is provided by a number of commercial providers in addition to the national mountain centres of Glenmore Lodge in Scotland and Plas-y-Brenin in Wales, but only the national centres are able to deliver training and assessment courses at IML level. Whilst three of the four courses are delivered overseas they are still delivered by the national centres.
To see the full syllabus and guidance notes for the IML award and entry requirements, go to the MTUKI website.
I haven’t done my Summer Mountain Leader yet, do I have to commit to the IML scheme right at the start?
No need to commit at the start as it is not for everyone, a key strength of the MTUKI scheme is the space for personal development and taking it at a pace that suits. You can’t register until after you have completed your Summer ML, so you have plenty of time to consider it.
Joining BAIML
Aspirant membership of BAIML is available once you have completed your IML summer training and is complementary for the remainder of the year, this process happens automatically and you shouldn’t need to do anything. Prior to qualification, you can choose to renew as an aspirant member to stay in touch with the Association. Aspirant membership of BAIML in 2025 is £30 per year when paying by direct debit.
Upon qualification, you hold the Mountain Training International Mountain Leader award, but to become a UIMLA IML and wear the UIMLA badge, full membership of BAIML is a requirement and it is BAIML that will issue your carnet. To achieve this, you must have a passport style portrait photograph in your CMS profile and uploaded a certificate of professional liability insurance and a valid first aid certificate to the CMS. For ongoing full membership and continuing UIMLA IML status, there are also requirements for completing Continuing Professional Development (CPD) at an average of 1 day per year post qualification. Your Mountain Training IML qualification does not expire, but professional status is only maintained with full membership of a UIMLA National Association (which is BAIML in the UK & Ireland). If you have questions, please contact us at info@baiml.org.
Total minimum effort
The total minimum effort required including the prerequisites is 40 days of training, 14 days of assessment, first aid, 8 nights camping with 4 nights wild camping, and 100 QMD’s (Quality Mountain Days) – In total, a minimum of 154 days or 964 hours. A document describing the total minimum effort required to complete the MTUKI IML award can be downloaded from the Working Abroad pages in the members area of the website.
For more information about becoming an IML (from completing the Summer IML Training course to qualifying) and how BAIML is supporting you, please see the PDF file Becoming an IML. This also includes information about complimentary membership.