For many of us, finishing full-time education meant we could say goodbye to gruelling revision and draining exams. Yet no matter what career you’ve chosen, once you start employment, you’ll probably find you need a few more qualifications to get yourself moving up the career ladder. And marketing is no exception.
As staffers at a Manchester digital marketing agency, we’re continually encouraged to broaden our marketing knowledge and clock up CPD hours. However, there are few professional marketing qualifications that can really boost your CV. We’ve picked out three that’ll truly make your CV standout in your next interview.
1. IPA Foundation Certificate
An award winning and internationally recognised course, the IPA Foundation Certificate is ideal for those just starting out in their marketing career. It provides the kind of comprehensive overview of all areas of advertising that would take a number of years to accrue from ‘experience’ alone. The course content is updated annually to stay relevant. The course covers a mix of advertising and communication history, exploring clients’ business challenges, different types of briefs, the strategic planners’ toolkit, appropriate media choices and how to effectively evaluate your campaign.
What do I need to do?
To gain the qualification, you must complete the online curriculum of 35 hours, as well as a 2-hour, written exam which is held in February each year. A digital certificate of completion is issued to all candidates who pass.
Do I qualify?
The qualification is open to all IPA member agencies, no matter what discipline or individual level.
Find out more about the IPA Foundation Certificate.
2. CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) also offers industry qualifications, with one of the most popular being the Certificate in Professional Marketing. The course, which is perfect for marketers looking to progress their career, is broken down into three sections, with two mandatory components and a choice of your final study topic. Subjects covered are marketing, integrated communications, and then a choice between customer experience and digital marketing.
What do I need to do?
To be awarded the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, you’ll need to pass all three modules. Each module is assessed via an external exam and requires around 130-150 learning hours, covering the following:
- Marketing: 2-hour multiple choice exam.
- Integrated Communications: 12-page assignment with three tasks. The assignment is based on a scenario and organisation of choice.
- Customer Experience: 12-page assignment with three tasks. The assignment is also based on a scenario and organisation of choice.
- Digital Marketing: a three-part portfolio comprising of research, plan and report.
Do I qualify?
To enter the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, you need to have either a relevant Level 3 qualification, any UK degree or equivalent, International Baccalaureate equivalent to NQF level 3 and above, or have over one year in professional practice along with a diagnostic assessment onto Level 4.
Find out more about the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing.
3. IPA Excellence Diploma
A challenging marketing qualification for those with at least 3 years’ experience in the industry, the Excellence Diploma is the IPA’s pinnacle certification. The course aims to challenge individuals to become experts in branding; forming their own vision of what a brand really is and how it can add value to a business. The course examines how to build a great bran, covering shared theories and historical case studies.
What do I need to do?
Candidates are required to work their way through a comprehensive reading list on brands compiled over a 12-month period, contribute to group workshops led by module editors and voice their opinion in a number of essays. To complete the course, candidates will have to produce a final thesis which is assessed by a panel of senior practitioners and industry experts.
Do I qualify?
Although not required, it’s advised that candidates complete more basic courses before pursing the Excellence Diploma, as well as having 3-5 years’ industry practice under their belt.
Find out more about the IPA Excellence Diploma.
As a member of the IPA, some of us here at Delineo have already taken a few professional marketing qualifications. Find out what it’s really like to take the IPA Foundation Certificate and give yourself a head start!
Looking for an accredited and award-winning digital marketing agency in Manchester to design and execute a creative digital marketing campaign for your brand? Get in touch!