Is the Foundation Certificate right for me?
It is not necessary to have any previous experience or knowledge of marketing to study the Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing.
The Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing is aimed at those both in a job that alreadys involves digital marketing or those who wish to find out about digital marketing with the intention of starting a digital marketing career.
Past Candidates
Some typical job titles may include: marketing assistant, digital marketing assistant, communications assistant, social media assistant and content marketing assistant.
So if you are an aspiring marketer, new to a marketing support role or in a job that already involves marketing or digital marketing, the Foundation Certificate is a good choice for you.
Foundation Certificate Marketing
Two modules to complete:
* Marketing Principles
* Communications in Practice
Foundation Certificate Digital Marketing
Two modules to complete:
* Marketing Principles
* Digital Fundamentals
Your Career. Our Support.
Foundation Certificate Choices
Consider your career and/or workplace needs to help you choose between the digital and non-digital Foundation 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 Foundation Certificate. 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.
Foundation Certificate
If you are keen to achieve the Foundation Certificate, as soon as possible (within 6-9 months) you will need to complete and pass each of the two 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 virtual mode or distance learning mode, 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?
This will influence whether you enrol for a CIM Award or the full Foundation Certificate. Let us explain what this means:
If you need less specialised digital content opt for the Marketing pathway and likewise, if you need more specialised digital content opt for the Digital Marketing pathway.
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 Foundation Certificate qualifications by taking 3 modules:
- Marketing Principles
- Communications in Practice
- Digital Fundamentals
Frequently Asked Questions
It is not necessary to have any previous experience or knowledge of marketing to study the Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing or Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing.
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.
There are two sets of fees associated with completion of a CIM qualification:
- Tution Fees (payable to NW School of Marketing) and
- CIM Fees (payable directly to CIM)
NW School of Marketing Tuition Fees
Tuition fees include: face-to-face tuition; access a range of online resources; access to 1-2-1 tutorial support; access to webinars, online learning materials and revision sessions.
To learn more about our tuition fees for the CIM Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing or CIM Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing, please get in touch!
Chartered Institute of Marketing Fees
In addition to your NW School of Marketing tuition fees, you will be required to pay CIM membership and assessment fees:
CIM Assessment – £220 in total (£110 per module).
Based on successful completion at first attempt. Additional fees are required if resits are taken.
*Please note – if you are a UK based and intend to pay the CIM membership fees yourself, the cost is tax deductible. See Tax relief for professional fees and subscriptions on the HMRC website.
We encourage all students to become a CIM member as soon as possible after enrolment so that they can enjoy all of the benefits and content resources from CIM membership.
Our Foundation 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 Foundation Certificate within six months.
Alternatively, you can opt to complete it at a pace that meets your needs.
The Total Qualification Time (TQT) per module is 120 hours. This includes guided learning hours, practical and work-based learning, assessment preparation time, assessment time and supported self-study time.
Marketing Principles is assessed by an online multiple-choice examination. Examinations are conducted online under controlled, invigilated conditions.
Communications in Practice and Digital Fundamentals 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.