Achieving a CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate in 2024: How you could complete it through a marketing apprenticeship instead
In a previous blog, I discussed the various routes available through marketing apprenticeships to obtain a CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate. That blog covered how to use the apprenticeship as an exemption, to achieve the Level 3 Foundation Certificate 2019.
In this article, I will shed some light on the new and simplified method we’d recommended with the revamp of the qualification.
How things have changed
All modules of the 2024 revamped Foundation Certificate are now assessed through Multiple-Choice Question (MCQ) exams, getting rid of the need for assignments, including the 4750-word Digital Fundamentals (2019 module) assignment.
These exams consist of fifty questions, each with four possible answers, and participants have ninety minutes to complete each exam. To achieve a Distinction, a score of at least 80% is required, which equates to a minimum of forty correct answers. Here is a further breakdown of the grading criteria:
- Distinction: 80%
- Merit: 70%
- Pass: 60%
- Fail: 59% or less
However, if you take the apprenticeship route, you’re only required to complete one of the modules instead of two. This is good news for those who do not like exams. This is what the approach looks like:
Our recommendation
We recommend using the Multi-Channel Marketer apprenticeship to replace the “Marketing Essentials” portion of the Foundation Certificate. This is because the Multi-Channel Marketer(MCM) apprenticeship standard integrates effectively with the curriculum of the CIM Foundation Certificate and this means that learners will study towards not one, but two qualifications naturally at the same time, gain on-the-job experience, and will simply have to complete one optional exam module instead of two.
Once the MCM apprenticeship is complete, the grade achieved in the optional module, Content and Channels or Marketing Insights, will be the overall grade of the qualification.
The apprenticeship route explained
Typically, a CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate is completed over six to twelve months. It is usually pursued by individuals looking to enter the field of marketing or those new to the industry looking to build upon their knowledge and credentials.
A CIM qualification at Level 3 provides the essential skills and knowledge needed to enter the marketing industry and perform professionally in a support-level role. It covers areas such as the marketing mix, customer behaviour, digital marketing tools, and more.
The new CIM Level 3 Foundation Certificate (2024) offers two pathways:
- Foundation Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing
- Foundation Extended Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing (requires both optional modules to be completed)
The apprenticeship pathway allows for obtaining the Foundation Certificate, not the extended certificate, unless paid for additionally.
However, our Multi-Channel Marketer Apprenticeship curriculum includes all the content from all three modules (including Marketing Essentials, which will be exempted), ensuring comprehensive knowledge and skills acquisition, regardless of your chosen assessment route.
Considerations before enrolling on a non-apprenticeship CIM route
The Level 3 Foundation Certificate has associated fees, including membership, assessment, and training delivery costs for both modules, starting at £600.
The learning format involves teaching sessions, with feedback intervals, and relying heavily on the student's motivation towards self-driven learning. This approach may pose challenges for some, raising questions about the feasibility of investing time and money in this qualification, despite the high regard for CIM qualifications in the marketing industry.
The apprenticeship route
For employers or candidates looking for a marketing assistant role, this information is worth noting.
The new Multi-Channel Marketer (MCM) apprenticeship, introduced in December 2023, replaced the now defunct Digital Marketer and Marketing Assistant apprenticeships. The MCM apprenticeship is a revamped version, addressing the job role suitability issues of the past and requiring more training in areas like content marketing, sustainability, and digital strategies.
As mentioned above, individuals that choose to take this route will typically get assistance in finding their first marketing role, study towards the CIM Foundation Certificate, gain around fifteen months of hands-on marketing experience, and graduate with two qualifications.
Conclusion
The apprenticeship route may not be the perfect match for everyone, but for some, it is an ideal way to obtain a CIM Level 3 Qualification without the cost and time sacrifice whilst also developing practical marketing skills. Preferences and circumstances will ultimately determine whether to complete a CIM Foundation Certificate in isolation or through an apprenticeship. Whichever route you decide to take, you’ll be studying towards a widely recognised and sought-after qualification which will put you in good stead for the future.
About Marketing Trainer
The Marketing Trainer is a CIM Accredited Apprenticeship Provider that specialises in marketing and market research apprenticeships. The fantastic thing about apprenticeships is that they’re free for learners and cost-effective for employers. They’re an excellent way for people from all manner of education and backgrounds to land their first role within marketing and build a fruitful career from the foundation up.
Find out more about The Marketing Trainer
About the Author
Ashleigh Gorton graduated from Sheffield Hallam University in 2013 and completed his CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing in 2020, with Distinction. He has worked in the apprenticeship industry since 2015 and as of 2023, set up The Marketing Trainer, who are a CIM-accredited apprenticeship training provider delivering marketing and market research apprenticeships. Ashleigh is proud to be recognised as one of the youngest apprenticeship training provider owners in England.
