Marketing courses 2025: PR, digital marketing and CPD

Studying a marketing qualification can advance your career, increase your earning potential and help you keep up to date with the latest industry trends

Do I need a degree to work in marketing?

You don't need a degree to break into the marketing field. Marketing courses at all levels offer a structured learning experience, equipping you with a deep understanding of marketing principles and techniques and allowing you to develop effective marketing strategies and campaigns.

What marketing qualifications are available?

Marketing degrees

The British Council reports that over 850 higher education marketing programmes are available at more than 140 UK institutions. This includes three of the QS World University Rankings for Marketing 2024 top institutions:

The University of Oxford (2nd)
The University of Cambridge (3rd)
London Business School (6th).

Some marketing programmes combine studies with related fields like economics, psychology, design, or fashion. However, standalone marketing options are also available. For instance, you could pursue a BA marketing degree at:

Marketing Masters degrees

To further develop your knowledge, consider a postgraduate marketing course. Although not essential for employment, it can enhance your job prospects in a competitive industry and expand your professional network, giving you an edge over undergraduate candidates.

A variety of universities offer postgraduate marketing courses. To keep your options open, consider a general marketing programme like:

Alternatively, if you'd like to specialise in a particular area of marketing, consider a more specific course like:

When choosing a degree, consider if it's accredited by a professional body. This ensures quality, industry recognition, and may exempt you from additional entry-level marketing qualifications.

For example, the Market Research Society (MRS), a leading global research organisation, accredits several Masters programmes in market research. These courses are offered by institutions such as Aston Business School, Cranfield University, and Newcastle University Business School.

View the range of courses on offer at MRS - accredited Masters degrees.

CIM qualifications

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the industry's professional body, accredited by the European Marketing Confederation (EMC). Regulated by Ofqual, the CIM offers a range of globally recognised marketing qualifications, including bite-sized flexible modules.

There are five levels of CIM courses:

Foundation Certificate in Professional & Digital Marketing (Foundation, Level 3) - Ideal for entrepreneurs, non-marketing managers, new entrants, and apprentices.
Certificate in Professional Marketing/Professional Digital Marketing (Intermediate, Level 4) - Provides the knowledge and skills to progress your marketing career if you work in marketing support as a marketing assistant or if your job involves aspects of marketing.
Diploma in Professional and Digital Marketing (Intermediate, Level 6) - Equivalent to a Bachelors degree, suitable for strategic-level marketers, such as marketing managers, marketing executives, business development managers, and account managers seeking career development.
Postgraduate Diploma in Professional Marketing (Advanced, Level 7) - A two-stage diploma at Masters degree level for experienced marketers and those working in senior strategic roles. After the first stage, you will have achieved the CIM Professional Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing. The second stage involves a work-based assignment to be completed within nine months. Note that this course is only available to residents outside the UK.  
CIM Marketing Leadership Programme (Advanced, Level 7) - A combination of mandatory and elective modules over a minimum of 18 months, either face-to-face or blended learning including online courses. Designed for strategic and management-level marketers, small and medium business owners looking to grow their businesses, or Level 6 Diploma holders seeking the highest CIM qualification. Note that this course is only available in the UK.

To keep access its Exchange online content hub, attend webinars, events, and benefit from discounted training, you must be a CIM member.

Digital marketing courses

Traditional marketing degrees cover online and offline techniques and business fundamentals. However, in today's digital age, a strong grasp of technology is essential for all marketers. University courses dedicated to this growing field are now available. Learn more about your options and explore how to get into digital marketing.

The Institute of Data & Marketing (IDM) offers a variety of programs to suit diverse learning styles and schedules. These include online digital and direct marketing courses, as well as part-time, day release, and intensive professional diploma courses.

Marketing managers seeking to refine their strategy and campaign planning will find the IDM Professional Marketing Diploma (Level 6) ideal. Experienced marketers can deepen their expertise with the Postgraduate Marketing Diploma (Level 7), which delves into strategy, brand building, financial analysis, and customer insights.

The IDM also offers an intensive online Professional Certificate in Social Media for focused learning, as well as 12 awards, ranging from Level 4 to Level 7, for those with work experience seeking to develop skills in a specific discipline, such as:

content marketing strategy
digital copywriting
data driven marketing planning
digital marketing strategy
email marketing strategy.

Finally, if you're studying an IDM accredited course at university or college, you can book to sit the two-hour online exam to achieve a certificate in digital and data-driven marketing.

Online marketing courses

The Digital Marketing Institute provides online marketing diplomas for beginners and professionals. Their courses cover key specialisms like SEO, PPC, and social media marketing.

Options include:

a 30-hour Professional Diploma
a 44-week Postgraduate Diploma.

They also offer shorter online courses in digital and social selling, social media marketing, digital strategy and planning, and search marketing.

Advertising courses

If you're interested in marketing communications, you'll find qualifications in advertising and PR to suit your specialisation, whether it's corporate, employee, consumer, or investor relations.

The Communications Advertising and Marketing (CAM) Foundation offers a selection of awards designed for those in a range of advertising and PR roles, from assistants and executives to senior managers and directors.

The foundation's diploma in marketing communications covers marketing and consumer behaviour, digital marketing essentials, and digital marketing planning. Tuition fees vary depending on the mode of study (either face-to-face or via distance/online learning). Assessment fees and a CAM membership fee are also charged.

The three most popular qualifications from the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA) are:

IPA Foundation Certificate - An internationally recognised, 30-hour programme for advertising industry newcomers. Exams are held in various cities (London, Manchester, Birmingham).
IPA Advanced Certificate in Communications Planning - Designed by senior agency practitioners, this 45-hour course in communications and channel planning is for those with four to nine years of industry experience.
IPA Excellence Diploma in Brands - Over a 12-month period (150 hours), delegates can delve into the nature of brands and have their ideas challenged.

PR qualifications

The PR industry's professional bodies, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA), provide qualifications for PR practitioners at all levels and in all sectors.

The CIPR offers short specialist courses in internal communications, crisis communications, and public affairs, while the PRCA offers a range of flexible and practical training courses that can be studied online or at a designated location.

The PRCA's professional qualifications are designed for:

PR professionals working in agencies or in-house roles
PR professionals seeking to advance their careers
management personnel seeking to enhance their own performance and that of their team.

PRCA's professional qualifications include:

PRCA Foundation Certificate (FCert PRCA) - a fast-track, entry-level programme that can be completed within one year.
PRCA Advanced Certificate (AdCert PRCA) - a management-level qualification for PR professionals with at least three years of experience. The training must be completed within two years.
PRCA Online Certificate (OCert PRCA) - an intermediate-level qualification that requires completion of 18 online webinars at your own pace, with no assessment.

See PRCA - Courses for more information.

Other marketing training

The Institute of Promotional Marketing (IPM) offers industry-recognised certificates and diplomas in promotional marketing. The IPM Foundation Certificate can be completed online within four months, with three complementary lectures. The IPM Diploma and IPM Incentive & Motivation Diploma can also be studied online within six and five months, respectively.

The Market Research Society (MRS), a leading global research association, offers professional development qualifications for market researchers, including:

Certificate in Market & Social Research
Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice
MRS Diploma in Market and Social Research Practice.

Marketing CPD

Continuing professional development (CPD) is essential for marketers, keeping you up-to-date with the latest industry trends and technologies. This allows you to effectively implement innovative strategies and maintain a competitive edge. By expanding your knowledge base, marketers can gain a deeper understanding of consumer behaviour, resulting in more targeted and impactful marketing campaigns. See CPD opportunities for graduates for more guidance.

The CIM offers a diverse range of individual and customised training solutions. With over 90 one-to-three-day courses at various levels, you can explore a range of marketing techniques and topics. These range from advanced copywriting skills to managing marketing communications and planning a business' social media strategy.

In addition to training for journalists and media professionals, the Press Association (PA) offers a variety of one- and two-day PR and communications courses in London, as well as customised training. These courses provide an introduction to PR, teach you how to plan and develop effective PR strategies, and keep you informed of the latest developments in the rapidly changing media industry. Find out more at PA - Media Academy.

CPD is often specialised for your field. Some examples of industry-specific providers include:

For a full list of certified CPD providers, see The CPD Certification Service - PR & marketing.

How much do marketing courses cost?

Marketing course fees can vary widely depending on several factors:

Course format - online courses, in-person workshops, and university degrees have different price points.
Skill level - beginner courses are generally more affordable than advanced or specialised courses.
Course length - shorter courses typically cost less than longer programmes.
Institution or provider - reputable institutions and experienced instructors may charge higher fees.
Location - courses in major cities or countries with higher living costs can be more expensive.

For example, the cost of a CIM qualification varies based on the level of study. Tuition fees are payable to your chosen CIM study centre starting at £65 per year, and additional assessment fees apply. The total assessment fees range from £250 for Level 3 to £870 for the Level 7 Marketing Leadership programme.

Courses from the Digital Marketing Institute range from £1,590 to £6,215, while marketing course costs from the PRCA, IPM, and MRS vary depending on your membership status.

See student loans and finance 2025 for information about undergraduate fees, or visit our guide to funding postgraduate study for more details on Masters degree fees.

Find out more

Take a look what's on offer in the marketing, advertising and PR sector.

Marketing courses