Business Studies - Diploma & Advanced Diploma

Awarding Body: The Institute of Commercial Management (ICM)

Course Structure

The Certificate in Business Studies - Part 1

1. International Business Communications
2. Business Management & Administration
3. Interpreting & Analysing Information (Numeracy & Statistics)
4. Marketing Principles (Marketing)

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

The Diploma in Business Studies - Part 2

5. Accounting Techniques (Accounting)
6. Economics for Business
7. Introduction to Business Law (Business Law)
8. Analysing and Improving Organsational Behaviour (Organisational Behaviour)

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

The Advanced Diploma in Business Studies - Part 3

9. Strategic Management in Theory & Practice (Strategic Management)
10. Marketing Planning & Decision Making (Marketing Management)
11.Theory & Practice of Human Resource Management (Human Resources Management)
12. Customer Service for Manager and Supervisors (Customer Service)

(The ICM Advanced Diploma in Business Studies is awarded on completion of all Part 1, 2 & 3 subjects)

Programme Objectives:

To provide prospective business and management students with a body of knowledge which will:

a) increase their employment opportunities
b) prepare them for eventual supervisory and management careers in industry and commerce
c) provide 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 qualifications for career advancement or promotion purposes.

Recommended Course Duration:
One year of full-time study for the Diploma in Business Studies and six months study for the Advanced Diploma in Business Studies.

Examination Grades

Grade A - Distinction 70% and above
Grade B - Credit 60% to 69%
Grade C - Pass 50% to 59%
Grade D - Marginal Pass 40% to 49%
Grade F - Fail 39% and under

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

Entry Requirements
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 the Diploma and Advanced Diploma programmes:

Diploma in Business Studies
The minimum age for registration for this programme is 18.

1. The ICM Business Studies Group Certificate
2. The ICM Certificate in Commercial Studies
3. One GCE A-level plus Three GCSEs (or equivalents)
4. Five GCSEs at grades A, B or C (or equivalents)
5. A suitable BTEC National Award
6. Any qualification equivalent to one of the above.

Advanced Diploma in Business Studies
The minimum age for registration for this programme is 18.

1. The ICM Diploma in Business Studies (or an equivalent level business studies qualification)
2. A suitable BTEC National Award
3. Any business studies qualification equivalent to one of the above.Continuing Education

The Diploma and Advanced Diploma in Business Studies are recognised by other professional examining bodies for subject and level exemption purposes. They may also be offered as an entrance qualification for degree studies (subject to status and examination grades obtained).