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 International Business Studies - Part 1

1. Economics for Business ^[1]
2. Export Office Practice ^[2]
3. International Business Communications ^[3]
4. Management Theory & Practice ^[4]
5. Marketing Management ^[5]

(The ICM Certificate in International Business Studies is awarded on completion of all Part 1 subjects)

The Diploma in International Business Studies - Part 2

6. Accounting ^[6]
7. Business Law ^[7]
8. International Marketing ^[8]
9. International Trade & Payments II ^[9]
10. Quantitative Methods for Managers ^[10]

(The ICM Diploma in International Business Studies is awarded on completion of all Part 1 & Part 2 subjects)

Programme Objectives
This programme is designed for those students who wish to join an international trading organisation and provides the business knowledge required for positions within such organisations. In addition, the qualification is designed to assist students by:

a) increasing their employment opportunities
b) preparing them for eventual supervisory and management careers in industry and commerce
c) providing them with a qualification which will enable them to progress to higher level general management or specialised business programmes at a later stage in their business or academic careers

The programme is also suitable for working supervisors and managers who require a recognised business studies qualification for career advancement and promotion purposes.

Student Registration, Exemptions & Entry Requirements

The minimum age for registration for this programme is 18. The Institute operates an ‘Open Entry’ 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 this programme:

1. The ICM Business Studies Group Certificate
2. Two GCE ‘A’ levels (or equivalents)
3. Five GCSEs at grades A, B or C (or equivalents)
4. A suitable BTEC National Award
5. Any qualification equivalent to one of the above.

Applicants over the age of 21 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.

Subject and Level Exemptions
Students holding relevant recognised qualifications from other professional bodies may apply for exemptions on a subject-for-subject basis.

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 and Diploma programme would normally take one and a half to two years full-time to complete.

Examinations
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 Grades

Examination Closing Dates
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 normally distributed twelve weeks after each examination date.

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.

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

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

Continuing Education
The Diploma in International Business Studies may be offered as an entrance qualification for relevant International Trade degree level studies (subject to examination grades obtained). A number of the subjects are also accepted for subject exemption purposes by other examining bodies.

Certification
On successful completion of all the examinations in Part 1 students are awarded the ICM Certificate in International Business Studies, on successful completion of all the examinations in Parts 1 & 2 students are awarded the ICM Diploma in International Business Studies.

Status of Qualification
Professional Vocational Diploma. Students obtaining A & B grades will have reached an academic level equivalent to the first year of a business studies degree.