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CIM Marketing Courses and Qualifications

The CIM is synonymous with marketing excellence and employers recognise these prestigious qualifications as the gold standard for marketing professionals. By achieving a CIM certification, you'll gain a competitive edge in the job market and elevate your career.

As a Strategic Partner and Accredited Training Provider with CIM, we deliver an unparalleled learning experience tailored to your professional journey. With over 20 years of experience, we have a deep understanding of how to help marketing professionals succeed.

How marketing courses benefit you?

1. Gain knowledge and skills you won’t learn ‘on-the-job'.
2. Demonstrate your commitment to performing at the highest level to your employer.
3. Set yourself up for the next step in your career.
4. Have the satisfaction of achieving something worthwhile.

Why Study with Daystar University?

1. Access our comprehensive, structured online learning system designed to fit around your schedule, allowing you to study at your own pace, wherever you are.
2. Participate in interactive sessions with industry experts and receive one-on-one guidance and personalized support.
3. Attend live revision seminars to ensure you're well-prepared for your exams.
4. Engage in monthly online drop-in sessions, connecting you with fellow students to discuss current trends and share experiences.
5. Our study method offers bite-sized workshops with marketing specialists and additional tutor consultations.

Our CIM Courses

Level 3 New 2024 Syllabus Foundation in Professional & Digital Marketing

Who is Level 3 For?

The Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Professional and Digital Marketing is the ideal gateway to a professional marketing career. It is intended for new or junior marketers, or those who wish to switch to a marketing career.

The qualification will provide you with the essential skills you need to start in marketing and enable you to work professionally in a marketing support level role.

Length of Study and Assessment:

One or more of the following is required:

The level 3 qualification typically spans 6 months, requiring a commitment of approximately 3 hours per week of direct learning. This timeframe is flexible, allowing you to adjust the duration to fit your work or other commitments. Additionally, you will have extra learning hours for work-based learning, supported self-study, assessment preparation, and assessments.

All modules are assessed via an online multiple-choice question test comprising 50 questions to be completed within 90 minutes.

FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE STRUCTURE

The New 2024 Syllabus Level 3 Certificate consists of two modules, one mandatory and one elective. You may choose either of the two electives.

Marketing Essentials: (Mandatory)

1. Understand the purpose and function of marketing
2. Develop an understanding of marketing mix
3. Understand the concept and application of the marketing mix

Content and Channels: (Elective)

1. How communication channels are used in marketing
2. How to determine the best type of content to use in marketing
3. How to choose the most suitable channels and content for a marketing campaign

Marketing Insights: (Elective)

1. Key market research methods and insights that can be used to inform marketing decisions
2. Understand the key factors that influence consumer/customer behaviour
3. Understand the customer journey and how it impacts relationships
4. How to conduct a marketing audit to inform marketing decision-making

To obtain the Extended Level 3 Certificate you must complete all three modules.

Level 4 2024 Syllabus - Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing

Who is Level 4 For?

The Level 4 Certificate in Professional and Digital Marketing builds on your tactical marketing skills enabling you to advance your marketing career and perform professionally at an operational level.

This Certificate is intended for marketing executives, or similar level, who already have experience of working in marketing and wish to progress their careers.

Entry Requirements:

1. One or more of the following is required:
2. CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate in Marketing qualification.
3. Any relevant Level 3 qualification.
4. Any UK degree or international equivalent.
5. Professional practice (suggested one year in a marketing role) plus diagnostic assessment onto Level 4.

Length of Study and Assessment:

The level 4 qualification typically spans 6-9 months, requiring a commitment of approximately 3 hours per week of direct learning. This timeframe is flexible, allowing you to adjust the duration to fit your work or other commitments. Additionally, you will have extra learning hours for work-based learning, supported self-study, assessment preparation, and assessments.

The mandatory module is assessed via an online multiple-choice question test, comprising 75 questions to be completed within 120 minutes.

All other modules are assessed via an online multiple-choice test, comprising 50 questions to be completed within 90 minutes.

Certificate Structure

The New 2024 Syllabus Level 4 Certificate consists of four modules, one mandatory and three electives. You MUST select at least one module from each of the Groups.

Option 1

Marketing Impact (Mandatory):

1. The purpose and contribution of marketing to an organisation
2. Factors and trends in the marketing environment and how these impact on marketing decision-making
3. How to effectively manage the implementation and control of a marketing plan.

Elective Group 1

Planning Integrated Campaigns

1. Understand how the marketing mix can be adapted to meet both societal and commercial objectives
2. Understand customer engagement with media and content
3. Understand how to develop a customer centric and integrated campaign plan

Responsible Marketing

1. The impact of the marketing environment on an organisation’s ethical, responsible, and sustainable decision-making
2. The role marketing plays in supporting an organisation’s ethical, social and sustainable agendas
3. How the marketing mix can be adapted to meet both societal and commercial objectives

Elective Group 2

Content marketing

1. Recognise the importance of content marketing to organisations
2. Understand different content formats across a range of contexts
3. Understand how to create a content marketing plan

Search Engine Optimisation

1. Understand the importance of search engine marketing for organisations
2. Recognized the success factors for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
3. Understand how to develop effective paid search campaigns

MarTech

1. Understand the significance of MarTech for an organisation
2. Recognise applications of MarTech across the customer journey
3. Understand customer insights delivered by web analytics platforms

Social Media Marketing

1. Recognize the importance of social media for organisations
2. Understand the different applications of social media
3. Understand how to develop a social media marketing plan

Select Option

Marketing Impact (Mandatory):

1. The purpose and contribution of marketing to an organisation
2. Factors and trends in the marketing environment and how these impact on marketing decision-making
3. How to effectively manage the implementation and control of a marketing plan.

Elective Group 1

Planning Integrated Campaigns

1. Understand how the marketing mix can be adapted to meet both societal and commercial objectives
2. Understand customer engagement with media and content
3. Understand how to develop a customer centric and integrated campaign plan

Responsible Marketing

1. The impact of the marketing environment on an organisation’s ethical, responsible, and sustainable decision-making
2. The role marketing plays in supporting an organisation’s ethical, social and sustainable agendas
3. How the marketing mix can be adapted to meet both societal and commercial objectives

Elective Group 2

Content marketing

1. Recognise the importance of content marketing to organisations
2. Understand different content formats across a range of contexts
3. Understand how to create a content marketing plan

Search Engine Optimisation

1. Understand the importance of search engine marketing for organisations
2. Recognized the success factors for Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
3. Understand how to develop effective paid search campaigns

Marketing Technology: MarTech

1. Understand the significance of MarTech for an organisation
2. Recognize applications of MarTech across the customer journey
3. Understand customer insights delivered by web analytics platforms

Social Media Marketing

1. Recognize the importance of social media for organisations
2. Understand the different applications of social media
3. Understand how to develop a social media marketing plan

Level 6 New 2024 Syllabus

Diploma in Professional & Digital Marketing

Who is Level 6 For?

The Level 6 Diplomas in Professional Marketing and Professional Digital Marketing will establish the knowledge, skills and understanding to be able to perform at a management level and to carry out an essential and successful professional marketing role within the workplace.

It is aimed at the professional marketer working in an operational, supervisory or management role who wishes to develop their knowledge and skills across a range of areas to succeed and progress their career in marketing.

Entry Requirements:

One or more of the following is required:

1. CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing or CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing
2. Any relevant Level 4 qualification.
3. Foundation Degree in Business with Marketing.
4. Bachelor’s or Master’s degree from a recognised university, with at least one-third of credits coming from marketing content (i.e. 120 credits in Bachelor’s degrees or 60 credits in Master’s degrees)
5. Professional practice (suggested two years marketing in an operational role) plus diagnostic assessment onto Level 6.

Length of Study and Assessment:

It is anticipated that each module takes 170 hours of Total Qualification Time (TQT).

TQT includes guided learning, work-based learning, supported self-study time, assessment preparation time, and assessment time.

There are four assessment sessions per year.

The Mandatory module is assessed through an online plan submission and online short and extended answer questions of 120 minutes.

All other modules are assessed via an online multiple-choice test, comprising 50 questions to be completed within 90 minutes.

Diploma Structure

The New 2024 Syllabus Level 6 Diploma consists of four modules, one mandatory and three electives. You MUST select at least one module from Groups 1 and 2.

Option 1

Strategy and Planning (Mandatory)

Elective Group 1

Commercial Intelligence

Societal Impact

 

Elective Group 2

Customer Journey Optimisation

Brand Preposition

Content Strategy

 

Elective Group 2

Customer Journey Optimisation

Brand Preposition

Content Strategy

 

Option 2

Strategy and Planning (Mandatory)

Elective Group 1

Commercial Intelligence

Societal Impact

Elective Group 2

Customer Journey Optimisation

Brand Preposition

Content Strategy

Elective Group 3

AI Marketing

Ecommerce

Search Engine Optimisation & Paid Search Management

Social Media Management

 

Module Details

Strategy and Planning

Understand the organization’s priorities, purpose, direction and their impact on marketing strategy

Understand how insights drawn from marketing audits inform the marketing plan.

Develop an implementation plan to achieve objectives

Develop a strategic marketing plan to deliver an organisation’s objectives

 

Commercial Intelligence

Understand the metrics used to measure marketing performance

Understand how to manage marketing resources to meet marketing objectives.

Understand how forecasting and financial techniques support the marketing budget

 

Societal Impact

Understand the changing societal and environmental landscape and its wider concepts, and what that means for business and society

Understand how marketing can align and support the business, societal and environmental agendas

Understand the process of long-term planning to implement societal change and measure results

 

Customer Journey Optimisation

Understand the stages involved in creating an integrated customer journey map

Understand how the use of data and insight can determine how customer journeys can be improved

Understand how metrics can be used to measure the success of improvements to the customer journey

 

Brand Proposition

Understand how to develop propositions that differentiate the organisation

Understand how the brand supports the proposition

Determine the factors that drive brand identity and strategy for success

 

Content Strategy

Develop a targeted content strategy to meet wider marketing goals

Plan the creation and distribution of effective content

Rationalise effective copy and select appropriate channels for selected target audiences

 

AI Marketing

Identify the application of AI within marketing

Understand the challenges of AI within the business environment

Understand how to plan the utilisation of AI in marketing activities

 

Ecommerce

Utilise a business case for an Ecommerce proposition

Understand best practice in Ecommerce to support site transactions

Implement an effective inbound marketing strategy for Ecommerce

 

SEO & Paid Search Management

Utilise research methods for organic and paid search

Understand how paid search is managed

Understand how organic search can be optimised

 

Social Media Management

Utilise an integrated social media strategy

Understand how to manage social media

Utilise key measures and tools to analyse social media activities

 

To obtain the Extended Level 6 Diploma you must complete a fifth module from either Group.

Level 7 Postgraduate Diploma

This qualification is only available to international delegates.

The CIM Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing develops creative, innovative and entrepreneurial strategic thinking to respond to international marketing challenges as demanded by global employers. It is aimed at the professional marketing working at a senior level, wishing to move to a more strategic management role, and develop their knowledge and skills across a range of areas to succeed and progress in their marketing career and add value to their organisations across global markets.

WHEN CAN YOU START?

You can register for your CIM course anytime to get started. Alternatively, feel free to get in touch today to discuss your study plan.

QUALIFICATION OVERVIEW

Those who successfully achieve this qualification will be able to develop creative, innovative and entrepreneurial strategic thinking to respond to international marketing challenges as demanded by global employers. This qualification provides the knowledge and skills to successfully develop organisation planning and change at a strategic level.

ENTRY REQUIREMENTS

One or more of the following is required to gain entry onto this qualification:

CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing (either 2003 syllabus or 2009 syllabus).   

CIM Advanced Certificate in Marketing  

CIM Digital Diploma in Professional Marketing

A business or marketing Bachelors or Masters degree (or an equivalent qualification) where a minimum of half of the credits come from marketing modules.

AND

A range of experience working (normally three years) at Senior Marketing Management level that has provided potential candidates with ability to evidence that they can meet the learning outcomes for the CIM Professional Diploma in marketing if required.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate that you have achieved one of the following English language qualifications in the last two years:

IELTS Academic Modules with an overall score of 6.5 (each component pass mark must be 6.0 or above).

Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English grade B or above.

CIM will consider other equivalent alternatives.

HOW LONG WILL IT TAKE?

There are three CIM assessment deadlines in a year and you can begin your studies at any time. Each of the modules can be completed in a 3 - 6 month period, with the entire qualification taking from 9 - 18 months. Guided learning hours for each module are 200 hours TQT (Total Qualification Time) including assessment.

For more information about assessments, please visit our website page.

To find out more about the CIM, visit the CIM website today.

WHAT MODULES WILL YOU STUDY?

Global Marketing Decisions | Work-based assignment

Aims of the module

To prepare you to undertake a strategic audit of a global organisation and assess its capability and capacity to deliver across a range of business and marketing strategies before making recommendations, based upon a full critical evaluation of the various options available. You will be required to apply a range of financial and risk assessment models to support decision making in relation to achieving the organisations vision, mission, and strategic business and marketing objectives.

Module structure

Three units with two learning outcomes each. Each learning outcome will be covered by the related assessment criteria.

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

Unit 1: Strategic Audit

Develop an audit of the external marketing environment

Develop an audit of the internal marketing environment

 

Unit 2: Strategic Options

Critically assess strategic marketing decisions

Appraise strategic options available to a growing global organisation

 

Unit 3: Making Strategic Marketing Decisions

Critically assess and justify strategic marketing decisions, including financial assessment

Evaluate corporate and reputation risk of strategic marketing decisions

 

Assessment: Assignment

Assignment based on a case study and organisation of choice (this has changed from an examination due to the impact of COVID-19).

 

Corporate Digital Communications | Work-based assignment

Aims of the module

Senior level marketers need to be able to identify and prioritise key stakeholders, and the influence they have in determining the role for corporate reputation management in organisations. This module will enable you to critically appraise the corporate brand and the importance of digital communications in developing corporate positioning and building brand equity. Learners will be able to recommend and justify digital channels and tools effectively to support corporate reputation.

Module structure

Three units with two learning outcomes each. Each learning outcome will be covered by the related assessment criteria.

Unit 1: Communication Context and Stakeholders

Identify key stakeholders and their influence

Determine the role for corporate reputation management in organisations

Unit 2: Building the Corporate Brand

Critically appraise the contribution of the corporate brand in maintaining and developing the corporate positioning

Assess the role of corporate reputation in supporting and building brand equity

Unit 3: Integrating Digital Communications Strategies

Appraise trends and innovation in the digital experience

Evaluate the effective use of integrated channels to support corporate reputation

Assessment: Assignment

An assignment based on a given scenario relating to an organisation of choice.

 

Creating Entrepreneurial Change | Work-based assignment

Aims of the module

The new constant is a disruptive state of flux, winning managers will be those who embrace entrepreneurship and create transformational change and value for their organisation. You will investigate the dynamics of innovation and change, and this unit will enable you to identify the key learning processes in driving distributive strategies.

 

Module structure

Three units with two learning outcomes each. Each learning outcome will be covered by the related assessment criteria.

 

Unit 1: Disruptive Strategies

Establish the key drivers for change within the global marketplace

Apply learnings from existing disruptive strategies

 

Unit 2: Entrepreneurial Innovation

Critically assess organisation capability for change

Recommend entrepreneurial strategic change

 

Unit 3: Transformational Change

Evaluate approaches to developing an innovation culture

Critically assess how innovation can contribute to value creation

 

Assessment: Assignment

An assignment based on a given scenario relating to an organisation of choice.