Professional 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.

When do the new courses start?

All students who are studying the current syllabus have until June 2010 to complete their course as distance learning students with us by exam

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 covering basic marketing theory as soon as possible.

What is new ?

• The Professional Diploma will now be assessed via three Projects/ Assignments and one exam.
• Previously you had the option to select either the examination or assignment route for the four modules
• Entry requirements have changed substantially for graduates. However, Oxford College of Marketing have prepared catch up material on basic marketing theory for graduates with no marketing in their degree but who have experience. In addition, we are offering a Graduate Foundation‘ programme covering basic marketing theory essentials’ over an intensive weekend with distance learning material .
• As 60% of the assessments will be on the application and evaluation of marketing theory, this 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.
• All assessments will be marked centrally by CIM.
• CIM have designed an on-line test which you can use in order to identify the most appropriate entry level, given your current knowledge, skills and experience.

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 give you a Graduate Foundation Programme with material 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

The Graduate Foundation Programme Intense Weekends covering the basic theory will also be held throughout the year.

Professional Diploma in Marketing (4 modules) If you are familiar with the current 2003 syllabus and have not completed it you will either need to finish it with us as by exam or assignment as a Distance Learning student by June 2010, or take an equivalent module from the new syllabus.

Topic current 2003 syllabus Replacement new 2009 syllabus
Marketing Planning = The Marketing Planning Process
Marketing Communications = Delivering Customer Value through Marketing
Managing Marketing in Practice = Managing Marketing
Marketing Research and Information = Project Management in Marketing

Syllabus
The Marketing Planning Process
Assessment will require you to complete a work based assignment involving the preparation of a marketing plan. This unit is designed to provide a detailed understanding of marketing planning, including the synergistic planning process and its links with the delivery of marketing strategy. It also considers a thorough assessment of the dynamic and complete nature of the marketing environment and its impact on developing marketing plans to achieve strategic outcomes and competitive advantage in the market place.

The strategic context of marketing planning is set against a background of external drivers, such as new digital technologies, global and international issues, sustainability, credit crunch and other such challenges along with a resource-based view of the organisation. Students should be able to apply their skills to a variety of organisational contexts and sectors such as B2B, B2C, Third Sector, Not-for-profit and international, and to account for their varying goals when developing marketing plans.

Delivering Customer Value through Marketing
Assessment is a three hour exam based on pre-seen case material. This unit’s primary focus is the development and execution of marketing activities that have been designed to achieve customer satisfaction and meet organisational objectives, through effective marketing mix strategies. It will include the development of the product portfolio, managing marketing channels, managing the communication mix and managing the service expectations of customers within the context of both domestic and international markets.

Managing Marketing Assessment is a work-based assignment. The focus of this unit is about developing the marketer as manager, including giving them the knowledge and understanding required to develop and manage the marketing infrastructure and the organisation’s talent development, capability and capacity. This includes developing effective quality systems and processes to support compliance and approaches to measuring and monitoring marketing activities. The unit will also include developing and managing marketing teams, and understanding how to manage the financial aspects of the marketing function.

Project Management in Marketing Assessment will be a work –based project requiring an in-depth study of a specific and focused area of business activity. This unit will focus on the proactive development and delivery of a justified management process to support the initiation, implementation and control of marketing projects, including the use of research and information and preparing proposals and briefs to identify needs comprehensively. It will include and in-depth view of project management. By the end of this unit students should be able to develop an effective business case within different organisational context and justify their project proposals in terms of fit with the marketing strategy, evaluation of risk and the effective use of organisational capacity and capability.

Professional Diploma in Marketing (Part-time Evening)
The Professional Diploma has been designed to give students the maximum amount of teaching and time to write and complete an assignment before going on to the next topic. There are generally between 10 and 12 sessions. Classes start at 6 p.m. and finish at 9 p.m. Please note that the 2003 Syllabus can be studied by Distance Learning
until June 2010, exam or assignment options are available.

Intensive Weekend Study

Induction Sessions for all levels/modes of study 9-10am are held at the first session in September.

As a weekend student, if you feel you would like additional support for your assignments, you can come to a part time evening class held for the assignment briefing and workshops.
All weekend sessions run from 9-5. Please note – for each module for the Certificate, Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma you ONLY need to attend 1 weekend plus the revision or review sessions if applicable.

Professional Diploma in Marketing Entry Requirements
This is a level 6 qualification for those working in marketing positions.

• for students who achieve the Professional Certificate and wish to go on to establish a marketing career
• for graduates who have completed degrees with at least 120 credits in marketing ( masters degrees need to have at least 60 credits in marketing)
• for graduates who are working in a marketing management role that has provided the potential student with knowledge and competence equivalent to the learning outcomes of the CIM Professional Certificate in Marketing and is sufficient to pass the Entry Test to Level 6