ITIL® Foundation (Version 5)

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Course overview

This introductory-level course explores the ITIL (Version 5) framework, the global best practice for managing digital products and services. It’s the starting point for your ITIL journey and leads to a recognised certification that unlocks further progression through advanced modules.

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Gain clarity on digital service management

This course gives you a solid foundation in managing digital services and products using the ITIL framework. Whether you're new to ITIL or want to align with the latest version, this two-day course provides the insight and certification to build your knowledge and confidence.

Learning objectives

Understand key terms in digital product and service management
Learn how services create value through outcomes, costs, risks and experience
Explore service offerings and roles of sponsor, customer and user
Identify types of service relationships and their role in value delivery
Understand the Four Dimensions and how external factors influence them
Learn the purpose and flow of the ITIL lifecycle activities
Understand the ITIL Value System and its five core components
Apply the seven ITIL guiding principles to real-world scenarios
Explore value chain activities and supporting management practices
Understand governance, continual improvement and their impact on performance

What you’ll learn

Understand the modern approach to service management and how ITIL (Version 5) helps individuals and organisations create measurable value. From lifecycle activities to governance and experience design, this ITIL Foundation course builds practical knowledge that supports your digital service delivery goals.

Digital product and service management

This section introduces the core terms and definitions used in ITIL (Version 5), helping you understand what digital products and services are, and how they differ from traditional offerings. You’ll learn how modern service management supports user experience, continual improvement, and strategic value delivery across digital environments.

The ITIL Value System

The ITIL Value System brings together essential components like guiding principles, governance, value chain activities, and management practices. You’ll explore how these elements interact to help organisations create, deliver, and improve services. The system supports flexible adoption and ensures all activities are aligned with business outcomes.

ITIL guiding principles

You’ll learn the seven guiding principles that underpin all decisions and behaviours in ITIL. These include "focus on value", "start where you are", and "progress iteratively with feedback". Each principle helps teams adapt service management to their unique context, driving continual improvement and practical application.

Value chain and lifecycle activities

This part of the course covers the ITIL Product and Service Lifecycle, a non-linear model for managing services from discovery through to support. You’ll understand how lifecycle activities support the value chain and how organisations use this structure to deliver consistent, high-quality digital services.

ITIL and AI, automation and other frameworks

Discover how ITIL (Version 5) supports emerging technologies like AI and automation, and how it integrates with frameworks such as Agile, DevOps, and PRINCE2. This section highlights ITIL’s relevance in fast-changing environments and its ability to help teams adopt technologies responsibly and strategically.

What's included

Accredited ITIL Foundation (Version 5) training
ITIL Foundation (Version 5) exam
Official ITIL Foundation (Version 5) manual
Tutor support
Optional extras include Take² exam insurance

Key facts

Certification

ITIL Foundation (Version 5)

Who it’s for

Anyone working with digital products and services, including IT professionals, product managers, service designers and support teams.

Prerequisites

No prior ITIL certification is needed

Exam information

60-minutes, closed book, 40 marks available with a 65% pass mark (26/40)

Optional extras

Hardcopy of official ITIL Foundation (Version 5) manual for the live virtual classroom course, Take2 exam insurance

Pre-course

There is no pre-course work for this training course.

FAQs

This ITIL Foundation course helps you understand the fundamentals of ITIL (Version 5) – from its terminology and principles to how it supports AI-driven service environments.

What’s the difference between ITIL 4 and ITIL (Version 5)?

ITIL (Version 5) builds on ITIL 4 with updated practices, AI-native guidance, a unified product and service lifecycle, and enhanced focus on experience and measurable outcomes.

Find out more about the changes to the syllabus in our blog, ITIL® (Version 5): What’s new?

Is the ITIL Foundation (Version 5) course suitable for beginners?

Yes, it’s designed for all levels and introduces the foundational concepts of service and product management in a digital-first world.

What if I already hold an ITIL 4 certification?

You don’t need to retake the Foundation course. ITIL 4 is recognised as a valid prerequisite for advanced ITIL (Version 5) certifications.

For a more detailed explanation of the transition pathways, take a look at our blog, Transitioning from ITIL® 4 to ITIL (Version 5)

Do I need to attend the Foundation course before I do any of the advanced modules within ITIL (Version 5)?

Yes, ITIL Foundation (Version 5) is the mandatory starting point for all learners. It introduces the shared language, core concepts, and lifecycle model that underpin the entire framework. You must complete the Foundation course and pass the exam before progressing to any of the advanced modules in the qualification scheme.

What our customers say

"Was an exceptional service, responded promptly to my needs and got me on a course within a week. They helped me coordinate with my employer to get payment sorted. Everything ran seamlessly and it was a pleasure to do business with ILX"

Philip Snarey, ITIL learner

"It was one of the most interactive training I've ever attended. Also, the internal QA sessions were very unique and interesting. The concepts were explained in a simple manner but with exceptional clarity.”

Subhiksha Devi Rajendran, ILX learner

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