Oxford College of Marketing

The summer’s here, you’ve just done your A-Level exams and you’re wondering if that university place is what you really want after all – it’s not that you want to stop studying, it’s more the constant news that graduate unemployment is high coupled with burden of student debt. And, on top of all that, there’s a shortage of university places this year….. Only 16,000 course places will available on A-level results day, compared with 43,000 in 2008, it is claimed by the Telegraph 1 July 2009. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/education/universityeducation/5697504/University-clearing-places-to-plummet-by-two-thirds.html

The disclosure raises fears that thousands of students failing to meet conditional offers – given out before the publication of results – face missing out on university altogether.

 Well, here’s an alternative!

If you are looking for a career in marketing, university may not always be the best route for you especially if you are short of money. The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)’s Professional Certificate provides you with practical knowledge which you can use in any marketing role, helping you to progress your career more quickly. You can work while you study, in fact, you are positively encouraged to! Many employers pay, fully or in part, for you to undertake this qualification if it is relevant to your job, and even if you are not sponsored, you are at least earning while you learn, so you won’t have any debt at the end of your studies.

The Professional Certificate allows you entry onto the Professional Diploma in Marketing, which in turn grants you entry onto the Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. In just over 3 years, you can be a fully qualified marketing professional, without the debt burden of many new graduates, who will be just entering the job market. Marketing graduates are often required to undertake the CIM Diploma and Postgraduate Diploma to validate their degrees, so you will be ahead of them! You also have the opportunity to gain Chartered Marketer status via the Chartered Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing, a Masters level qualification.

‘Our marketing and sales qualifications taught by some of the best minds in global marketing and driven by what’s happening in the industry: 95% of UK employers see CIM qualifications as the marketing qualification to attain.’

                                                                                                (CIM Website)

So, the Professional Certificate provides you with:

• a relevant professional qualification which provides skills employers are looking in today’s competitive employment market
• the opportunity to study while working
• No student loans/debt – the cost of tuition fees for studying Certificate and Diploma is less than 50% of the cost of a degree
• a huge advantage in terms of employability and career development  
• ‘A’ level entry to study which could lead eventually to Masters Degree in Marketing and Chartered Marketer status

If you are not sure about committing to a year-long qualification, why not think about the Introductory Certificate in Marketing? This shorter course gives you the basics for further study and insight into the field of marketing.

Rosie Phipps, Founder and Principal of the Oxford College of Marketing, said:

“We are delighted to offer a professional qualification pathway as an alternative to the traditional degrees in marketing. In the current competitive employment market, professional qualifications demonstrate practical ability as well as knowledge and are often required by employers. Our pass rates affirm the success of our students, both in their studies and in their working lives.”

 For more information about the Oxford College of Marketing, please contact: Jane Young on 01865 515255; email janey@oxfordcollegeofmarketing.ac.uk

 About the Chartered Institute of Marketing

The Chartered Institute of Marketing offers four levels of professional qualification at study centres in 130 countries. The CIM qualifications are internationally recognised qualifications that can help marketers at both an operational and strategic level. About 27,500 people sit CIM qualifications every year, 15,000 of which are overseas students.