Chartered Diploma in Marketing

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) periodically reviews its qualifications to ensure that they are relevant to marketers' needs and the requirements of business. Over the years the core theories of marketing have changed very little, whereas, the role of marketing in business has changed quite a lot. This is largely due to technology, but also because the practice of marketing is impacting on a larger range of stakeholders and areas of the business.

The Professional Diploma and Professional Postgraduate Diploma were reviewed by CIM in 2009 and a NEW syllabus will be introduced in September 2009, along with a new Chartered Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing qualification. These changes have brought about a change in the academic requirements that are needed to enter at the various levels.

Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing

All students who are studying the current syllabus have until June 2010 to complete their course as distance learning students with us by exam. MMP is available as an assignment or exam.

When do the new courses start?

Students may start as distance learners on the new syllabus in May.

Part-time evening and intensive weekend classes will start in September 09.

If there is any doubt about the correct level of entry you will need to start your study on the Graduate Foundation Programme as soon as possible.

What's New?

1. There are now two stages to complete:

Stage 1: is a direct replacement for the current CIM Postgraduate Diploma. There are four new course units to replace the existing four.

Stage 2: is a transformational leadership development programme assessed by means of a contemporary marketing-focused, work based project. Students will be assigned a personal coach who will support them as they develop the leadership and personal skills required to move into a significant and strategic role in their organisation.

2. In total, you will now complete five course units to become a Chartered Marketer.

3. You will now be assessed via four Projects/ Assignments and only one Case Study exam. Previously you completed three or four exams and optionally one assignment. Entry requirement have changed but Oxford College of Marketing have prepared catch up material on basic marketing theory and intensive weekends for senior marketing managers with no marketing in their degree as the majority of the assessments will be based on the application and evaluation of marketing theory.

4. The emphasis on application and evaluation means that if you have a limited experience of marketing as a practitioner you may well find this level will not suit you. However, you may have a mentor within your organisation who may be able to help you apply your knowledge to the particular context in which you are working.

5. CIM will be marking your work directly.

6. CIM have designed an entry test which you can use in order to assess the level at which you are most likely to succeed

What is not new!

As with all assignments based on an assignments / projects you will be given a personal assignment tutor who will oversee your work

Speed up your entry level and save money and time...

It may be possible on the basis of work experience and/or qualifications to enter at the higher levels. We will be happy to make an assessment of your entry level, according to supporting evidence you can provide, and will help you with your application. Oxford College of Marketing will try to help students with marketing experience (but no marketing in their degree) to gain entry to a higher level of study.

In case you are a little rusty on theory, we will asl you to do the Graduate Foundation Programme that will help you to revise basic marketing theory covered in the lower level courses. This material is available to all students who apply for the Professional Diploma and the Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing and will help you to prepare for the CIM level entry tests. The test, along with advice from the college, should help you to decide your level of entry.

Graduate Foundation Programme - Intensive Weekends and Distance Learning Material

Intense Weekends covering the basic theory will also be held throughout the year.

The distance learning material for the basic theory weekend will be available at the end of April.

Syllabus

Emerging Themes
This module will help students relate their learning to the macro-, micro- and meso-environment (contemporary business issues, marketing professionalism and standards). Assessment is by writing a journal article on one of the themes, plus a discussion paper examining the impact on their business and industry in the future.

Analysis and Decision
This unit prepares students to undertake a strategic audit of the organisation in order to assess its ability to deliver its business and marketing strategy, and to make strategic choices and decisions based on that audit within the context of a dynamic global market place. The unit focuses on the tools for strategic decision -making of this type, including financial and risk analysis for each decision. It embraces the 2004 syllabus that covered Analysis and Evaluation, Strategic Marketing Decisions and the Case study courses. Assessment is by pre-seen case study and it is expected to be taught in a similar way to the 2008 Case Study paper.

Marketing Leadership and Planning
The purpose of this unit is to develop the skills to evaluate options, make strategic decisions and develop strategic plans based on a clear understanding of the organisation’s need for change and how best to manage it, providing clear and strong leadership. Assessment is by integrative work-based project encompassing a number of mandatory tasks needing leadership in given scenarios.

Managing Corporate Reputation
This module looks at the strategic role of marketing communications. It is concerned with the nature, characteristics, creation and management of reputation. This includes corporate brand and corporate positioning. Assessment is a work-related assignment with one compulsory task and one from three electives. The elective will involve writing articles, case studies, white papers and reports.

Transitional arrangements
Notes for students caught in the transition between the current 2004 syllabus and the new 2009 syllabus for the Professional Post Graduate Diploma in Marketing:

• Some students may not have completed the current 2004 syllabus – they can still do this with Oxford College of Marketing by exam (or by assignment for MMP) as we will be running all modules by distance learning until June 2010.
• Alternatively, they can move onto the new 2009 syllabus and take the additional module/s.

The rules are as follows:
1. If you have done any ONE of the CURRENT 2004 syllabus and the case study you will need to do:

• Emerging Themes
• Market Leadership and Planning
• Managing Corporate Reputation

2. If you have done any TWO of the CURRENT 2004 syllabus BUT NOT the case study you will need to do:

• Emerging Themes
• Analysis and Decision
• Managing Corporate Reputation

3. If you have done any THREE of the CURRENT 2004 syllabus you will need to do:

• Emerging Themes
• Managing Corporate Reputation

CIM Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing This is a completely new course which focuses on personal and professional development. The course requires students to complete a lengthy project (9-18 months) after which students should have everything needed to become a Chartered Marketer. It is more like a Masters or MBA dissertation than any of the existing CIM assessment methods. Students will be given a personal mentor.

Please note that additional days are held for Emerging Themes, Managing Corporate Reputation and Marketing Leadership to enable you to discuss your work in a group after you have your tutor feedback prior to your final
submission. The Analysis and Decision Case Study will be held after the delivery of the complete syllabus and will require 5 days preparation.