Introduction

The Professional Diploma builds on the basic principles of marketing taught at Professional Certificate level. In particular, it looks in some detail at marketing planning, communications, research and management.

You might benefit from taking this course if:

• You have achieved the CIM's Professional Certificate in Marketing and wish to continue your studies.
• You are responsible for running any operational aspects of the marketing process.
• You are either a marketing manager or you are looking to become one.
• You are involved in one aspect of marketing (eg public relations) and you require a wider understanding of marketing.

This course will give you a comprehensive understanding of all the essential marketing theories and disciplines. The course builds on the basic principles of marketing taught at Professional Certificate level. In particular, it looks in more detail at marketing planning, communications, research and management. The syllabus has been put together following consultation with employers to ensure that students gain relevant skills for various stages of their marketing career.

Course content and assessment

Our Diploma course is run over two half-year semesters, with study breaks in each semester. Each semester covers two modules and lasts between ten and 13 weeks. Each module is assessed by a written assignment. You can alternatively be assessed by written examination.

We arrange our Diploma course to cover the qualification's four modules like this:

First semester (September-December 2008)

Marketing Research and Information including how to identify and implement appropriate marketing information and marketing research techniques, criteria by which to assess suppliers such as market research agencies, how to create a market research brief, the methods of interpreting research data and the legal, regulatory, ethical and social responsibilities of organisations involved in gathering, holding and using information.

Marketing Planning including the role of the marketing plan within the context of the organisation's strategy and culture and the broader marketing environment, how to conduct a marketing audit, the setting of suitable marketing objectives, the role of branding, different approaches to budgeting and the evaluation of the effectiveness of marketing plans and activities.

Second semester (January-June 2009)

Marketing Communications including the role of marketing communications, the application of different communications methods, the main elements and activities of a marketing communications plan, the setting of a marketing communications budget, the importance of developing long term relationships with customers and the way that the marketing communications industry works.

Marketing Management in Practice including the roles and structure of the marketing function, the use of research information to make appropriate recommendations for marketing and business decisions, the use of management techniques to plan and control marketing activities and projects, the use of techniques to develop, manage and motivate a team and the evaluation of the performance of marketing plans, activities and projects.

Entry requirements

The CIM's entry requirements for this course are that you should meet one or more of these criteria:

• Hold the CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing or CIM Certificate in Marketing Management Practice.
• Hold a Bachelor or Postgraduate degree.
• Hold EdExcel (BTEC) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in any subject (UK).
• Hold an NVQ or SVQ Level 3 in Marketing (UK).
• Hold an NVQ or SVQ Level 4 in any other subject (UK).
• Hold other appropriate qualifications approved by CIM.
• Have three years' work experience in a marketing practitioner role.

Enrolment

Please download an enrolment form that you can complete and post to us. Please contact us with any enrolment queries.

Fees

Here are our fees for the course, along with details of other costs for students or their employers:

* NOTES:

1. Payment by instalments is available to students who are paying for their own studies (ie if their employer isn't paying).

2. Payment per module is also possible if you wish to take selected modules rather than the whole course. There is a small surcharge of £25 per module to cover our administration costs.

Please contact us for information about paying by instalments or taking selected modules.