Introduction

This is intended to be a comprehensive guide to most of the academic and administrative issues which will be encountered by delegates on the Diploma Stage of the MA in Marketing Course.

It is therefore important that you read this carefully and throughly, and use it as a first source of reference for any queries you may have.

Clarification can of course be obtained by contacting the appropriate Diploma tutor.

The Diploma Stage has been designed with your business and previous academic experience in mind. It builds upon that experience, and will call upon many of the generic skills you have already learned, skills of academic study, and the skills in practical business managemant.

However, it is important that you are aware of the nature of the Diploma work in relation to that of a Certificate. It will be more demanding in terms of work load, and in terms of the academic standards expected - the intention is that you build on your Certificate achievement, but develop beyond that into a higher plane. In particular, we ask you to recognise that, at its best, business management is the intellectual equal of the traditional professions - the law, medicine, engineering etc. Consequently, there is a pressing need for managers who are well - educated, with enquiring minds who can challenge conventional wisdom.

Success at the Post Graduate Diploma stage of the MA in Marketing Management can lead to membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing (two CIM exams would have to be passed).

The format of the programme is modular. Following the Induction Module, four modules cover the Diploma stage syllabus. For each module, you will have material for directed self study which will be assessed. A four - day workshop then provides extensive, active, group - based coverage of the application of the principles. Following the workshop, assignments will allow you to relate what you have learned to your own management and organisational situations.

In all, the material you cover will give you a solid grounding in current marketing thinking and practice. The Course Team hope you find it challenging and beneficial.