Studying: What do the CIM qualification changes mean?

In such a dynamic profession as marketing it’s vital to keep up with the latest developments. That’s why we’ve completed a strategic review and made some syllabus changes to our qualifications to ensure you stay ahead of the game. If you’re part-way through studying for your CIM qualifications you may be wondering what the changes are and what you need to do as a result.

What’s changing?

• The changes affect the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing and CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
• The PostGraduate Diploma (Level 7) syllabus won’t change at all until summer 2015

Key dates

• The new qualifications will be ready for the first intake of students in September 2014
• The first assessment for the new qualifications will be in December 2014
• The final assessment session for the existing qualifications will be in September 2015

What does it mean for me?

Anyone wanting to continue studying for their existing qualification can do so. For the Certificate and Diploma this must be completed by September 2015. You could choose to switch over to the new qualifications if you’re eligible. Or you might prefer to start afresh with the new qualifications. Take a look at the options open to you.

CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing

If you’ve already begun studying for your CIM Level 4 Professional Certificate here’s how the old modules you’re familiar with relate to the new module which everyone must take:

Your options if you began your Certificate studies from 2008

If you’ve passed the TWO existing ME and AME units, you can transfer to the new Certificate without having to gain the Marketing mandatory module.
If you’ve partly completed the existing CIM Level 4 qualification, but have not yet achieved both ME and AME, you will need to either:
Make sure you complete both the ME and AME modules that equate to the new mandatory Marketing module. Please bear in mind that the last assessment session for the existing CIM Level 4 qualification is September 2015
Or

• Start the new CIM Level 4 qualification afresh.

Your options if you began your Certificate studies from 2008

If you started your CIM studies before 2008, the choice is simple. You can either:

• Complete the existing CIM Level 4 qualification (remembering, of course that the last assessment session is September 2014)

Or

Start the new CIM Level 4 qualification afresh.

For any further advice to help plan your CIM study route, please see our Learning Zone or contact caroline@studentsupportgroup.co.uk by email or call 01784 463057 who will be delighted to advise you.

CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing

If you’re already on your way to getting your CIM Level 6 Diploma qualification here’s how the old modules relate to the new ones.

Your options if you began your Diploma studies from 2009

1. If you’ve already passed the TWO existing MPP and MM units, you can switch to the new CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing without having to gain the mandatory Strategic Marketing module.
2. If you’ve partly completed the existing CIM Level 6 qualification, but haven’t yet achieved both MPP and MM, will need to either:

• Make sure you complete both the MPP and MM units that equate to the mandatory Strategic Marketing module by the last assessment session in September 2015.

Or

• Start the new CIM Level 6 qualification afresh.

Your options if you began your Diploma studies before 2009

If you started your CIM studies before 2009 your options are either:

• Complete the existing CIM Level 6 qualification by the last assessment session in September 2015.

Or

• Start the new CIM Level 6 qualification afresh.

If you’d like help to plan your CIM study route, please see our Learning Zone or contact caroline@studentsupportgroup.co.uk by email or call 01784 463057 and she’ll be delighted to advise you.