Is the Certificate right for me?
Ideally, you will already have some experience of tactical marketing, for example using social media or email, or creating content for a website.
Perhaps you are ready to advance your marketing career or are keen to perform professionally at an operational level within your workplace.
Past Candidates
We find the Certificate is a really good starting point if you have one or two years experience, and are keen to gain the professional credentials and knowledge that this type of professional development course offers.

Certificate Marketing
Three modules to complete:
* Applied Marketing
* Planning Campaigns
* Customer Insights
Certificate Digital Marketing
Three modules to complete:
* Marketing Principles
* Planning Campaigns
* Digital Marketing Techniques
Your Career. Our Support.
Certificate Choices
Consider your career and/or workplace needs to help you choose between the digital and non-digital Certificate qualifications.
Making sure you choose the right course
Important Considerations!

Time available
This will influence whether you enrol for a CIM Award or the full Diploma. Let us explain what this means:
CIM Award
All modules can be taken as distinct and self contained CIM Award qualifications.
A CIM Award is a good choice if you can’t commit to studying a full qualification just now but you still want to keep your professional development moving forward.
Certificate
If you are keen to achieve the CIM Certificate, as soon as possible (within 9-12 months) you will need to complete and pass each of the three modules.
Most candidates opt to do this sequentially, one module after the other. It’s a great choice if you can set aside regular time to study and make progress.
Learning Preferences
This will influence whether you enrol for the Virtual mode (attend live sessions) or Distance Learning mode (access recordings on demand), for example:
Virtual mode is ideal for if you want to progress through the course with the support and encouragement of your tutor. A great option if you enjoy enjoy hearing about the experiences of other students.
You’ll still have access to session recordings should you miss any live classes!
Distance Learning mode is ideal for those unable to attend the live tutor led sessions, and who are more comfortable working through the session recordings and resources at their own pace.
You will have access to the session recordings, all course materials and will be able to book 1-2-1 sessions with a tutor.
Digital or Not Digital?
Dual qualification
If you find it difficult to choose between the different versions of the Certificate, you could opt for the Dual Qualification.
This means you can achieve both Certificate qualifications by taking 4 modules:
- Applied Marketing
- Planning Campaigns
- Customer Insights
- Digital Marketing Techniques!

Frequently Asked Questions
Our courses start at various points during the year: January, April and September. The schedule for the next intake in Sept 2023 will be published in August.
You’ll need a minimum of one year’s experience in the industry or a relevant level 3 qualification to study the Certificate.
If you have studied at one of CIM’s Accredited Degree Universities, you will have gained exemptions from CIM qualifications, meaning you only need to complete one module instead of three. Get in touch to see if you qualify for this!
If English is not your first language, you will also need to provide evidence of achieving one of the following English Language qualifications within the last two years: IELTS Academic Module with overall score of 6.5 (each component pass mark must be 6.0 or above) or Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English grade B or above. CIM will consider other equivalent alternatives.
Check out the page for the course you are interested in, for the exact costs involved.
Note: there are always two sets of fees associated with completion of any CIM qualification:
- Tution Fees (payable to study centre) and
- CIM Fees (payable directly to CIM)
Our Certificate timetable will be published shortly for the Sept 23 intake. The timetable is designed to fit around your busy working work and will include evening sessions and some weekend ones too.
Assuming you take one module after the other, sequentially, you can complete the Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing or Certificate in Professional Marketing within 9 – 12 months.
Alternatively, you can opt to complete it at a pace that meets your needs.
The Total Qualification Time (TQT) per module is 170 hours. This includes guided learning hours, practical and work-based learning, assessment preparation time, assessment time and supported self-study time.
Applied Marketing is assessed by an online multiple-choice examination. Examinations are conducted online under controlled, invigilated conditions.
Planning Campaigns, Digital Marketing Techniques and Customer Insights are assessed by assignment.
Assessment methods used are employer-driven, practitioner-based, relevant and appropriate to business needs. The assessments are meaningful and active and use methods which embrace the modern marketing industry.
There are three assessment sessions per year taking place in December, April/May and June/July.
All CIM qualifications are designed to be flexible.
For example, assuming you have completed one module, gaining a CIM Award in the process, then need to take a break before starting the next one, you can! When you are ready, you can return and complete the other modules to gain the full qualification.
Need Help with Course Choice?
If you find it difficult to choose a Certificate qualification, let us know – we have lots of experience providing this sort of guidance and we will do our best to ensure you are on the right course and the right level of course.