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Introductory Certificate in Marketing

Professional Certificate in Marketing

Professional Diploma in Marketing  

Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing

 

© Professional Diploma in Marketing (Stage 2)

Who is it for?

This qualification is ideal for marketers concerned with managing the marketing process at an operational level, as well as those who are looking to build on knowledge gained at Certificate level with a future marketing management role in mind. The content of the course has been based on the Statements of Marketing Practice, a set of practical statements defining the tasks marketers perform and therefore competencies they should have at various stages of their marketing career.

Overview

This qualification is designed to prepare you with operational marketing skills required for a role in marketing management.

Profile

The primary role of operational marketing is to plan and implement marketing activities to support the organisation business or corporate objectives and strategies. Marketers at this level may also have an input to business strategy and influence the culture of the organisation in order to ensure that both have a strong customer focus.

Aims and Objectives

  • Identify information and research requirements for business and marketing decisions.
  • Manage the acquisition of information and the Marketing Information System (MkIS).
  • Contribute information and ideas for business and marketing decisions.
  • Create a competitive operational marketing plan appropriate to the organisation's context.
  • Integrate appropriate marketing mix tools and manage them to achieve the effective implementation of plans.
  • Define and use appropriate measures to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing plans and activities.
  • Create an effective communications plan for a specific campaign.
  • Manage marketing communications activities.
  • Develop and manage support to customers and members of marketing channels.
  • Plan a marketing project.
  • Manage a team in undertaking a marketing project or tasks.
  • Make recommendations for changes and innovations to the marketing process.

Benefits

Gain the marketing skills you need at an operational level to maximise on opportunities for your company. Achieve an internationally recognised transferable qualification and become an Associate Member of CIM (ACIM). Understand how to write, implement and evaluate an effective marketing plan to meet your targets.

Deadlines

For December Assessments - First Friday in October.
For June Assessments - Last Friday in March.


Entry Requirements and Assessments

You must meet one or more of the following:

1. CIM Certificate in Marketing/CIM Certificate in Marketing Management Practice.
2. A Bachelor or Postgraduate degree.
3. EdExcel (BTEC) Higher National Certificate/Diploma in any subject (UK).
4. NVQ or SVQ Level 3 in Marketing (UK).
5. NVQ or SVQ Level 4 in any other subject (UK).
6. Other appropriate qualifications approved by CIM.
7. 3 years work experience in a marketing practitioner role.

Note: Qualifications over 10 years old will not be considered for exemption purposes.

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How will I be assessed?

This qualification is achievable within one year of part-time study and is taught by module. All modules are assessed by either examination or assignment. Some study centres do not offer assignment-based assessment so you should check in advance with your chosen centre.

Exemptions

There are no exemptions awarded at this level. You will need to sit all 4 of the modules that make up the qualification.

Qualification Modules  

Marketing Research and Information

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Identify appropriate marketing information and marketing research requirements for business decision-making. 
  • Plan for and manage the acquisition, storage, retrieval and reporting of information on the organisation’s market and customers.
  • Explain the process involved in purchasing market research and the development of effective client supplier relationships.
  • Write a research brief to meet the requirements of an organisation to support a specific plan or business decision.
  • Develop a research proposal to fulfil a given research brief.
  • Evaluate the appropriateness of different qualitative and quantitative research methodologies to meet different research situations.
  • Design and plan a research programme.
  • Design a questionnaire and discussion guide.
  • Interpret quantitative and qualitative data and present coherent and appropriate recommendations that lead to effective marketing and business decisions.
  • Critically evaluate the outcomes and quality of a research project.
  • Explain the legal, regulatory, ethical and social responsibilities of organisations involved in gathering, holding and using information.

Marketing Planning

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Explain the role of the marketing plan within the context of the organisation’s strategy and culture and the broader marketing environment (ethics, social responsibility, legal frameworks, sustainability).
  • Conduct a marketing audit considering appropriate internal and external factors.
  • Develop marketing objectives and plans at an operational level appropriate to the internal and external environment.
  • Develop the role of branding and positioning within the marketing plan.
  • Integrate marketing mix tools to achieve effective implementation of plans.
  • Select an appropriate co-ordinated marketing mix incorporating appropriate stakeholder relationships for a particular marketing context.
  • Set and justify budgets for marketing plans and mix decisions.
  • Define and use appropriate measurements to evaluate the effectiveness of marketing plans and activities.
  • Make recommendations for changes and innovations to marketing processes based on an understanding of the organisational context and an evaluation of past marketing activities.

Marketing Communications

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Explain the role of marketing communications and advise how personal influences might be used to develop promotional effectiveness.   
  • Explain how the tools of the promotional mix can be coordinated in order to communicate effectively with customers and a range of stakeholders.
  • Devise a basic media plan based on specific campaign requirements using both offline and online media.
  • Develop marketing communication and brand support activities based on an understanding of the salient characteristics of the target audience.
  • Explain the main elements, activities and linkages associated with the formulation and implementation of a marketing communications plan. 
  • Recommend a suitable marketing communications budget.
  • Explain the importance of developing long term relationships with customers, channel members, agencies and other stakeholders and transfer such knowledge to the development of marketing communication activities.
  • Suggest suitable methods to influence the relationships an organisation has with its customers, any marketing channel partners and other stakeholders, using marketing communications.
  • Use the vocabulary of the marketing communications industry and be able to communicate effectively with other marketing practitioners.

Marketing Management in Practice

By the end of this module you will be able to:

  • Explain the roles and structure of the marketing function and the nature of relationships with other functions within various types of organisation.     
  • Interpret qualitative and quantitative data and present appropriate and coherent recommendations that lead to effective marketing and business decisions.     
  • Develop marketing objectives and plans at an operational level appropriate to the organisation's internal and external environments.     
  • Use appropriate management techniques to plan and control marketing activities and projects.     
  • Use appropriate techniques to develop, manage and motivate a team so that it performs effectively and delivers required results.     
  • Define measures for, and evaluate the performance of, marketing plans, activities and projects and make recommendations for improvements.