How to choose the right study centre for you

We are well aware that getting started with CIPS can be a minefield.  Firstly there are so many different ways to study, will you choose a classroom in person, virtual, or a more flexible distance learning approach.  Then once you have decided this you’ve still got to choose between a variety of different study centres.

We have a couple of tips to help you on this journey.  We think there are some key questions you need to ask.

How flexible is the training?

There is still sometimes an ill-conceived notion that CIPS classroom in-person training is better than distance.  If you are looking at a classroom program consider the day the training falls on and the timing.  Can you attend every session at that set time?  Are you having to commute into the centre and arrive stressed from traffic? Is the timing after work when your brain is already tired and will fail to take all the information in?

Our CIPS distance learning package is entirely flexible where you can study as and when fits in with your lifestyle, and in small micro amounts rather than having to listen for hours and hours at a time.  You can choose a time that works for you where your brain is fresh, and studies into memory show that this will help you retain more information.

What materials are they providing you with?

It is really important to find out or be able to see a small sample of the material that you will be provided with.  No matter who the tutor is and how well they explain things you will need supporting documentation.  Do they have revision aids, sample questions, exercises?  Business Academy Online’s CIPS Training includes all of this and more, we even have a YouTube channel that goes through the key models and can be found here: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC8BBGzhTl_duVraS64LZUJA

What extra support do they provide?

Do they mark assignments for you? How available are they outside of classroom hours, can you have telephone calls or video calls with your tutor?  It is important that you feel supported on your CIPS journey and not isolated.

Business Academy Online’s CIPS training program is designed with extra support in mind.  You have access to unlimited telephone or video calls to your tutor to help guide you through the program.  Emails are responded to within 24 hours and we have trained CIPS assessors to mark your assignments.

Who is your tutor?

It is super important to know who your tutor is so that you can see whether they are a good fit for you.  Do you like them? Does the way they explain things make sense to you? Before parting with your money make sure you have a conversation with the tutor to see how you interact.  Our Training Director Laura likes to speak to all potential new starters, as it is her training videos that make up our course and her explanations.  Should you like her style, then you will do well with our training.  Samples of our videos can be found on our website here https://www.businessacademy-online.com/cips-training/diploma-training/

We hope you have found this article useful, there is so much more to consider than price.  For more info on our CIPS studies please look at our website https://www.businessacademy-online.com/cips-training/ or contact us at info@businessacademy-online.com

Level 3 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
2nd Oct, 16th Oct, 30th Oct
March 2024
M2 & M3
6
15th Jan, 29th Jan, 5th Feb, 19th Feb, 26th Feb, 4th Mar
May 2024
M4
3
15th Apr, 22nd Apr, 29th Apr
July 2024
M5
3
3rd June, 10th June, 24th June

Level 6 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
November 2023
M1
3
5th Oct, 19th Oct, 9th November
March 2024
M2 & M5
5
25th Jan, 1st Feb, 8th Feb,15th Feb, 29th Feb
May 2024
M4 & M7
4
18th April, 25th April, 2nd May, 9th May
July 2024
M3 & M8
5
30th May, 13th June,20th June, 27th June, 4th July

Level 5 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
May 2023
M3 & M8
4
29th Mar, 5th April, 19th April, 26th April
July 2023
M4
3
14th June, 21st June, 5th July
2023/24 Academic Year
November 2023
M1 & M2
4
27th Sept, 4th Oct, 11th Oct, 18th Oct, 1st Nov
March 2024
M5, M15 & M9
4
7th Feb, 21st Feb, 28th Feb, 6th March
May 2024
M3 & M8
4
10th April, 17th April, 24th April, 1st May
July 2024
M4
3
5th June, 12th June, 26th June

Level 4 Diamond Timetable

Exam Series Module No. of sessions Dates
May 2023 - Fully Booked
M4 & M6
4
28th March, 4th April, 25th April, 2nd May.
July 2023 - Fully Booked
M8
3
6th June, 20th June, 4th July.
2023/24 Academic Year
November 2023
M1 & M2
5
10th Oct, 17th Oct, 24th Oct, 31st Oct, 7th Nov
March 2024
M3, M5, M7
6
23rd Jan, 30th Jan, 13th Feb, 20th Feb, 27th Feb, 5th March
May 2024
M4 & M6
4
9th April, 16th April, 23rd April, 30th April
July 2024
M8
3
4th June, 18th June, 2nd July