Boost Marketing Performance

CIM Foundation Certificate Choices

Professional marketing practice

2 Course Choices at Foundation Level

Foundation Certificate MARKETING

Two modules to complete:

* Marketing Principles

* Communications in Practice

Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing

Foundation Certificate DIGITAL MARKETING

Two modules to complete:

* Marketing Principles

* Digital Fundamentals

Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing

Influences on your Course Choice

OPTION 1

CIM Award vs CIM Diploma

Consider how much time you have available to help you choose between a full Level 3 qualification or a Level 3 Award:

CIM Award (1 module)

All modules can be taken as distinct and self contained CIM Award qualifications. 

It’s 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. 

CIM Foundation Certificate (2 modules)

To gain a CIM Foundation Certificate, you’ll need to achieve a pass in both modules. 

Most candidates opt to do this sequentially, one module after the other. It’s a great choice if you are keen to progess and complete the Foundation Certificate in six months. 

OPTION 2

Virtual vs Distance Learning

Consider your learning style to help you choose between virtual learning or distance learning:

Virtual Learning

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

If you want to work through the materials at your own pace or because you can’t attend the live sessions, this is a great choice.

You will have access to the session recordings, all course materials and will be able to book 1-2-1 sessions with a tutor.

OPTION 3

Digital vs Non Digital

Consider your career and/ or workplace needs to choose between the Diploma qualifications: 

Digital

It’s not really a choice between marketing and digital marketing. It’s a choice about the extent to which you need to develop digital skills. 

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.

Non Digital

If you find it difficult to choose between the different versions of the Foundation Certificate, you could opt for the Dual Qualification.

This means you can gain both Foundation Certificate qualifications by taking 3 modules: Marketing Principles, Digital Fundamentals and Communications in Practice.

Need Help with Course Choice?

If you find it difficult to choose a Foundation 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. 

Frequently Asked Questions

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.

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.

Some typical job titles may include: marketing assistant, digital marketing assistant, communications assistant, social media assistant and content marketing assistant.

Our courses start at various points during the year: January, April and September. The next intake is Sept 2023 and the schedule will be published in August.

It is not necessary to have any previous experience or knowledge of marketing to study the Foundation Certificate in Professional Makreting 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 Membership* £65 per year

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.  

Yes! Our Foundation Certificate timetable will be published shortly for the Sept 23 intake. There are two timetables to choose from:

  1. Executive Weekend Timetable
    This is ideal for those keen to complete the qualification quickly and who are comfortable with intensive focused learning. It offers you the opportunity to attend 6 half day sessions (typically Saturdays) per module.
  2. Executive Evening Timetable
    This is ideal for those comfortable with regular burst of learning. It offers you the opportunitu to attend 6-10  evening sessions (typically Wednesdays) per module. 

You can choose to study the Foundation Certificate with us on a part-time basis, through virtual learning or distance learning.

 

Assuming you take one module after the other, sequentially, you can complete the Foundation Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing or Foundation Certificate in Professional Marketing 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.

Distance Learning is ideal for those unable to attend the live tutor led sessions, and who are more comfortable working through the study materials at their own pace.

All distance learners will receive access to study materials through our online learning platform where they can access on demand videos and webinars. 

In addition, distance learners will have the opportunity to arrange 1-2-1 tutorial sessions with a tutor.

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-drivenpractitioner-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.

Executive Weekend Timetable
Our Saturday session involve a number of intensive learning blocks which start at 9am and finish at 12pm. 

Executive Evening Timetable
Our evening sessions usually run from 7pm to 9pm. 

For all timetables, our sessions will involve several interactive activities and plenty of breaks to ensure the sessions are both enjoyable and informative.

Our pass rate is 100% across all of our CIM qualifications!

We use social media to publish details of the commendations we receive from CIM for the excellent standard of results achieved. And you can see these in the section below also!

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.

Expect a 5* Learning Experience!

At the core of our ethos is a student learning experience, that is flexible, people focused and inclusive. We have put in place a student support system that focuses on your development as a competent and confident marketer!

We will ensure that you feel supported, encouraged and motivated throughout your time with us!

Here are some of the features you can expect when you choose to study for a CIM qualification with us!