CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing (Part Time)

The CIM Professional Diploma in Marketing at Southampton Solent University is aimed at professionals with a background in marketing operations, brand management, account management or other functional management and 2-3 years work experience who aspire to, or are just entering, marketing management positions.

The CIM Professional Diploma is a stretching and challenging course which allows you to develop the marketing management skills sought after in both the private and public sectors. Candidates will be taught the important skills of creative thinking, communicating effectively, planning, prioritising, evaluating risk, running projects and evaluating decisions in a marketing environment.

The Professional Diploma is particularly suitable for people wishing to build on a marketing career and who are looking to move into management roles. The qualification will also give you access to the world's leading professional marketing organisation. The courses cover a range of relevant business topics, in addition to marketing and sales.

On obtaining the Professional Diploma, which is a Degree level qualification, you may progress immediately to marketing courses at postgraduate level (eg CIM Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing or our MA Marketing Management).

Our students are taught by specialist marketing academics who have practical experience in industry, commerce, services and non-profit sectors.

Southampton Solent University has an excellent track record of running the previous Diploma for many years and has a pass rate which is above the national average. Students also benefit from a University atmosphere and access to all of our resources, including one of the best sets of books and on-line marketing resources in the south.

Course structure

Period 1 September - January (March assessment)

Managing Marketing

This unit aims to help students develop a practical approach to manage human and financial resources. It focuses on the marketer as a manager and tests candidates ability to apply their skills in a practical way.

Assessment: 6,000 word work based assignment

Delivering Customer Value through Marketing

The focus of this unit is on helping businesses manage their offering to their markets through reasoned control of such factors as brands, pricing, distribution channels, service and communications. Students will have to prepare a business case based on a case study. Familiarity with the other three units is assumed.

Assessment: 3 hour exam based on pre-issued case study.

Period 2 January - May (June assessment)

Marketing Planning Process

Students will learn about, and be able to carry out, the preparation of a marketing plan in the context of a thought through understanding of the environment the firm is operating in and the impact of these planning decisions on the business.

Assessment: 6,000 word work based assignment.

Project Management in Marketing

This unit will give students the skills to successfully design, promote and manage successful marketing projects through the application of information, development of cost and risk assessed business cases and the use of project management tools.

Assessment: 6,000 word work based assignment.

Assessment

In order to sit the appropriate assessment, all students must register as Studying Members with the CIM (enclosing the appropriate fee) and are themselves responsible for ensuring that registration is completed satisfactorily. CIM membership fees are currently tax deductible.

In addition, students are responsible for correctly entering the appropriate assessment with the CIM (again enclosing the appropriate fee).

Attendance

The Professional Diploma qualification can be taken entirely within one Academic Year or spread over two. This is to allow flexibility for students to be able to manage their work/life balance effectively to suit their individual circumstances.

One-year programme:

Normally on Tuesdays 2pm-9pm throughout the Academic Year, studying four subjects during the year. If there is sufficient demand we will offer the course two evenings per week to enable students who cannot obtain half day release to still complete the programme in one year.

Two-year Programme:

Normally on Tuesday evenings, studying two subjects per year.

Fees

Fees for the academic year 2013/14 are:

£320 per unit for UK and EU students

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