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 Advanced Diploma in Business Studies - Part 1

1. Customer Service for Managers and Supervisors ( ^[1]Customer Service) ^[1]
2. Theory and Practice of Human Resource Management (Human Resources Management) ^[2]
3. Marketing Planning & Decision Making (Marketing Management) ^[3]
4. Strategic Management in Theory & Practice (Strategic Management) ^[4]

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

The Graduate Diploma in Management Studies - Part 2

1. Corporate Policy ^[5]
2. Financial Management ^[6]
3. Leadership Studies ^[7]
4. The International Business Environment ^[8]

* Corporate Policy is examined by means of a Research Project and a Report
Please click here to download the Corporate Policy Approval Request Form ^[9] (PDF 41Kb)


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

Programme Objectives

This programme is designed to provide senior supervisors, managers and advanced level business students with a post-graduate/post experience level management qualification for career development purposes.

It is also suitable for holders of degrees in non-business and management disciplines who require a high-level management qualification.

Student Registration, Exemptions & Entry Requirements

Applicants should note that the following entrance qualifications are recommended for those wishing to undertake this programme:

1. The ICM Diploma in Business Studies at Grades A, B or C (or an equivalent level qualification)
2. A first degree
3. A Higher National Diploma in Business Studies.

Applicants over the age of 21 who do not hold one of the required entrance qualifications may register for the programme providing they have been in full-time employment for a minimum of three years and hold a senior supervisory or managerial position.

Caution: Those applicants who do not hold the required Entry Requirements are advised that a prior knowledge of Accounting, Marketing and Behavioural Studies is assumed.

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 Graduate Diploma programme (incorporating the Advanced Diploma) would normally take up 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 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 Graduate Diploma in Management Studies may be offered as an entrance qualification for relevant degree studies and for entry to a wide range of MBA’s (subject to examination grades, age and work experience). A number of the subjects are also accepted for subject exemption and credit purposes by other examining bodies and universities.

Certification
On successful completion of the examinations students are awarded the ICM Graduate Diploma in Management Studies and may use the designatory letters Grad.DMS after their name. The qualification also entitles them to apply for full Membership of the Institute.

Status of Qualification
Professional Vocational Diploma. Post Graduate/Post Experience.