ICM Awards and Professional Qualifications

In its capacity as a course developer and an Examining and Awarding body, the Institute provides a wide range of professional and vocational awards in more than 200 Business and Management subjects and areas. ICM programmes are designed to address the wide variety of personal development and training needs of those wishing to enter the commercial sector, and to support the continued development and workplace flexibility of those already in employment.

In addition to providing Business and Management Awards and qualifications, the Institute also develops specialist courses for those involved in the fields of social care, health care and community development.

Over a thirty year period, ICM programmes and Awards have achieved international recognition.

Tuition leading to the Institute’s examinations is provided by teaching institutions in Europe, North, East, West and sub-Saharan Africa, the Middle East, ACP countries, the Levant, the Balkans, Central and South East Asia, the Far East, Australasia, Eastern Europe and more than forty other countries around the world.

As well as providing a comprehensive knowledge of each of the major business functions, the structure of ICM programmes ensures that students have the widest possible range of career, employment and higher education options open to them on successful completion of their studies.

The Institute is a fully accredited UK Awarding body.

Course Structure

The Certificate in Commercial Management - Part 1
1. International Business Communications ^[1]
2. Business Management & Administration ^[2]
3. Interpreting & Analysing Information (Numeracy & Statistics) ^[3]
4. Marketing Principles (Marketing) ^[4](The ICM Certificate in Business Studies is awarded on completion of all Part 1 subjects)

The Diploma in Commercial Management - Part 2

5. Accounting Techniques (Accounting) ^[5]
6. Risk Management ^[6]
7. Introduction to Business Law (Business Law) ^[7]
8. Contract Negotiations ^[8]

(The ICM Diploma in Commercial Management is awarded on completion of all Part 1 & 2 subjects)

The Advanced Diploma in Commercial Management - Part 3

9. Strategic Management in Theory & Practice (Strategic Management) ^[9]
10. Marketing Planning & Decision Making (Marketing Management) ^[10]
11. Project Management ^[11]
12. Customer Service for Managers and Supervisors (Customer Service) ^[12](The ICM Advanced Diploma in Commercial Management is awarded on completion of all Part 1, 2 & 3 subjects)

The Graduate Diploma in Commercial Management - Part 4

13. Logistics and Supply Chain Management ^[13]
14. Financial Management ^[14]
15. Commercial Management Project ^[15]
16. The International Business Environment ^[16](The ICM Graduate Diploma in Commercial Management is awarded on completion of all Part 1, 2, 3 & 4 subjects)

Programme Objectives

To provide prospective Commercial Management students with a body of knowledge which will:

• increase their employment opportunities
• prepare them for supervisory and management careers in industry and commerce and;
• provide them with a qualification which will enable them to progress to higher level commercial management or specialised business/management programmes at a later stage in their business or academic careers.

The ICM Diploma in Commercial Management programme is also suitable for working supervisors and managers who require recognised management qualifications for career advancement or promotion purposes.

Student Registration, Exemptions & Entry Requirements

Students holding relevant recognised qualifications from other institutions or professional examining bodies may apply for exemptions on a subject-for-subject basis.

The Institute operates an ‘Open Access’ policy in respect of many of its vocational programmes but prospective students should note that the following entrance qualifications are recommended for those wishing to undertake the ICM Diploma programme:

• One GCE A-level plus Three GCSEs (or equivalents)
• A suitable BTEC National Award
• Any qualification equivalent to one or more of the above.

The minimum age for registration for this programme is 18.

Applicants over the age of 20 who do not hold one of the recommended entrance qualifications may also register for the programme providing they have been in full-time employment for a minimum of two years.

Advanced Diploma in Commercial Management

The minimum age for registration for this programme is 18.

• The ICM Diploma in Commercial Management (or an equivalent level business studies qualification)
• A suitable BTEC National Award
• Any business studies qualification equivalent to one of the above.

Subject and Level Exemptions

Students holding relevant recognised qualifications from other professional bodies may apply for exemptions on a subject-for-subject basis. Documentary evidence is required before any decision can be made.

Recommended Course Duration
It is recommended that these courses are delivered over a suitable period of time to give learners the best opportunity for success. A standard delivery structure would involve six units per academic year, although 5-8 units per year are acceptable depending on the weekly timetable used. Thus, the full Certificate, Diploma and Advanced Diploma programme would normally take two years full-time to complete, with the Graduate Diploma requiring a third year.

Examinations

Examinations are externally set and marked by the Institute.  Examinations are held in March, June, September and December each year.  Candidates must be registered and paid-up Student Members of the Institute at the time they undertake the examinations.

Examination papers are securely distributed to ICM approved centres and scripts are graded in the UK by ICM appointed examiners.

Full details of examination dates are sent to ICM Approved Centres and students should obtain the required information from their own Centre.

Examination Grades

Candidates entering for examinations must ensure that their completed examination entry forms and fees reach the Institute at least eight weeks before the date of the examinations.  Examination timetables indicate the closing date for receipt of entries for each sitting.

Examination Results

These are distributed within twelve weeks after each examination period.  Candidates are encouraged not to call the ICM direct for results as this confidential information cannot be disclosed over the telephone.

Study Methods

Your Teaching Centre has been provided with a detailed syllabus and reading list for each subject area.  Each subject syllabus clearly defines the areas that you will be required to cover for each subject and your examination questions will be based on the areas and topics detailed for each subject.  It is important to ensure that you obtain a copy of each subject syllabus from your Teaching Centre. Alternatively, this information can be obtained online at www.icm.ac.uk ^[17] in the “Study Centre” section.

Each subject syllabus is normally linked to one main textbook and the examiners base their questions on the contents of the nominated core text.

The subject syllabuses also give details of ‘Alternative Texts’ and texts recommended for further reading.  It is recommended that you should read one or more of the ‘Alternative Texts’ in order to develop your skills and broaden your knowledge of the subject area.

Continuing Education

The Commercial Management programme will serve as an excellent route for students who ultimately seek full professional status and will provide first class underpinning knowledge for the mainstream UK degrees in Commercial/Business Management and Business Studies.  Holders of an ICM Diploma in Commercial Management may enter the ICM Advanced Diploma programme and completion of this will enable entry to the final year of appropriate Honours degree programmes.  Similarly, Graduate Diploma holders will be able to gain access to appropriate postgraduate courses.

Certification

On successful completion of all the examinations in Part 1, students are awarded the ICM Certificate in Commercial Management. Similarly, on successful completion of all the examinations in Parts 1 & 2 students are awarded the ICM Diploma in Commercial Management.  Similarly, on successful completion of 12 subjects, students are awarded the ICM Advanced Diploma in Commercial Management, and a further four subjects will enable the attainment of an ICM Graduate Diploma in Commercial Management.