Advice on study, training and progression

Welcome

The College Principal Dr Stephen Lawson, the Vice Principal David Lawson (both pictured) and the hard-working staff of the College, invite you to enrol with CIC to improve your knowledge, understanding, competence, confidence and career success; you can study at your own pace and at the level which suits you.

Advice and Support

Before, during and after completing CIC Study, Training and Education you are welcome to ask (by email, telephone or letter) CIC’s team of experienced consultants for advice on which CIC Courses would be most suitable for you, and what study and training could best further and improve your career prospects and advancement.

However, in most cases, our initial advice is simple:-

Select a Study Program / Level you feel comfortable with

  • For many people CIC’s expertly produced, popular and very successful ‘Career Development’ Diploma Programs will be the ideal starting point.  These are carefully and professionally written in a friendly style to ensure that the contents are easy-to-understand and assimilate; they include a clear and concise introduction, and cover a wide-range of important and relevant topics, with careful explanation, clear detail and many illustrations.  Depending upon previous education and studies and work experience, many people will choose to enrol on to a Higher Programme such as Advanced Business Administration or Baccalaureate, Executive Business Administration or Executive Mastery of Business Administration.
  • Each of the expertly prepared Modules can be studied section by section, and a Study Guide and Study Advice is included; self-assessment tests with model answers and/or Training Tests are also provided to help check and ensure full understanding of what is taught.  Additionally, the practical, interesting and vocational manner in which the content is written and taught means that the ideas, concepts and knowledge can be (for Members already in employment) put into practice and implemented immediately at work.
  • Members will grow in ability and understanding, and will find the confidence to progress - if they need or wish - to study other related or relevant Courses, or to progress onwards to higher study and training.

Select a Subject or Course relevant to your career aims

  • Select a Subject or course category which will benefit or help improve, or is related in some way to, your current or intended future career; or choose a subject which will add useful skills and knowledge to your existing abilities; or which you simply find interesting. 
  • The more relevant a course is to your current work or future aspirations, and the more interesting you find it, the more you are likely to enjoy the course and reap the full benefits from its study; also, the more quickly you are likely to be to complete it, and the better your final grade is likely to be.

Be confident in your ability to complete - CIC will help, and wants you to succeed

  • Be realistic about the time you have available for study; you can succeed even if you have only a few hours a week to spare.  Do not worry about variations in your work schedule or busy periods in your life; you can extend your Study Period if needed, BUT you can also complete more quickly if you can - remember that the time taken to complete is flexible to suit YOUR circumstances.
  • With CIC you can progress from Diploma all the way through to graduate-degree level study.  Studying one or more Diploma Programs (some Members enrol and study 2, 3 or even 4 at a time), or an Honours Diploma, will usually gain Study Exemptions from Advanced Business Administration and Baccalaureate and Executive Business Administration programmes, which in turn can gain Study Exemptions from the Executive Mastery of Business Administration (EMBA) programme.
  • There is no "fixed" progression route - you are treated always as a mature adult with your own personal goals and ambitions - but as stated already, you are always welcome to ask CIC’s staff and consultants for advice.

Think about the level you want to undertake, and match that to your needs and ambitions

  • CIC offers professional diplomas and awards involving study and training at levels which correspond to levels widely used to describe certificates, diplomas, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.
  • The level and equivalence of the courses offered by CIC is based upon the framework below, which broadly describes the skills and knowledge needed to perform a job or career role effectively and professionally. CIC allocates each of the courses offered an equivalency guide “Study Level”, from level 3 to level 7.  The levels are based upon a vocational competence framework; the framework levels describe the competence, skills and knowledge which are generally needed to perform a job or work role effectively; those levels also describe the competence, knowledge, ability and skill which you should reach and attain after completing that level of CIC course in the relevant subject area.  The Framework description for each level is given below:

Level

Framework description - competence and skills to be achieved:

3

 

Description of competence and skills: Competence in a range of work activities which are often non-routine. There is some responsibility involved, and work/tasks may sometimes require the control or guidance of subordinates.

Equivalent/similar level awards and qualifications: A levels; Senior School/Secondary School-leaving Certificate

4

Description of competence and skills: Competence which involves applying knowledge in a range of relevant professional work activities, often with personal responsibility for the work undertaken, and with some autonomy as standard.  There is usually responsibility for the work of others and for the allocation of resources.

Equivalent/similar level awards and qualifications: Certificate/Diploma of Higher Education; CIC Diplomas

5

 

Description of competence and skills: Competence to apply a range of work-related principles in various situations, many of which are unusual and non-standard. Self-control, self-motivation and the ability for self-management are common requirements. There may be significant responsibility for others and for work resources; work undertaken typically involves analysis, planning and evaluation. 

Equivalent/similar level awards and qualifications: HNDs; Associate degree; CIC Honours Diplomas; CIC Baccalaureate and Advanced Business Administration

6

 

Description of competence and skills: Competence, initiative, personal responsibility and problem-solving skills are all regularly required; there is the need for detailed knowledge, and for it to be applied in a range of work situations.  Work activities require the qualities and ability to be able to evaluate data and information, to reach sound judgements, to make appropriate decisions and to communicate effectively with subordinates, work colleagues and others.

Equivalent/similar level awards and qualifications: Bachelor degree; First or undergraduate degree; CIC EBA

7

 

Description of competence and skills: Competence to deal with complex issues systematically and creatively, to make sound judgements and decisions, to communicate clearly with a range of people including non-professionals and colleagues; the ability and confidence to plan and implement tasks at professional level; significant initiative, self-direction and drive to complete requirements successfully and with high-quality professional results.

Equivalent/similar level awards and qualifications: Master degree; Second or Graduate degree; CIC Graduate Diplomas; CIC EMBA

Everyone is an individual with their own aspirations and goals, needs and desires; CIC provides study, training and education to meet the requirements of its Members!   The range of courses offered by CIC should allow almost everybody to select the level and subject of Study they need. CIC is proud of being an experienced, caring College providing high-quality study content and materials, from foundation to higher levels, which is delivered in a way to increase the opportunity for career development and success.

A summary guide is given below:

  • CAREER FOUNDATION CERTIFICATE COURSES AND LEVEL 3 DIPLOMA PROGRAMS: CIC offers introductory Courses designed and written especially for ‘beginners’ in a field of Study, and for those with only a little practical or theoretical knowledge, and Level 3 Diplomas which provide a good introduction to the subjects and provide a solid foundation for further or related study at Level 4 (Diploma Programs).
  • DIPLOMA PROGRAMS: CIC offers a range of comprehensive Diploma Programs prepared and written especially for rapid career enhancement, progress and development. They provide the essential knowledge and understanding needed for career success - and often a CIC Diploma may be all that is required for a member to achieve his or her career ambitions.  These Diploma Programs also provide an excellent route and basis for progression to Honours Diplomas (level 5), Advanced Business Administration, Baccalaureate and Executive Business Administration Programmes (level 6), and even Graduate Diplomas.  Most CIC Diploma Programs are rated or equated as Level 4.
  • HONOURS GROUP DIPLOMA PROGRAMMES: CIC offers specially selected ‘groups’ of four related and complementary subjects and courses which comprise an Honours Group Diploma Programme (level 5). Holders gain automatic acceptance for progression to Advanced Business Administration, Baccalaureate and/or the Executive Business Administration Programmes (level 6) - often with a number of Study Exemptions - and even to Mastery of Management Graduate Diplomas and Executive Mastery of Business Administration Programmes depending upon experience and ambition.
  • BACCALAUREATE PROGRAMMES: CIC offers a flexible-duration ‘Two-Study Year’ Business Administration Programme with a range of specialisations.  These also provide for further specialisation with the Executive Business Administration, CIC Mastery of Management Graduate Diplomas and progression to CIC Executive Mastery of Business Administration Programmes, and often to degree and other studies with other higher institutions and universities.
  • EXECUTIVE BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME: CIC offers a flexible-duration ‘Three Year’ Business Administration Programme (level 6) with a wider range of specialisations.  It is a popular route for progression to level 7 studies such as the CIC Executive Mastery of Business Administration, and graduate (MBA, Masters, MSc) degree and other studies with other higher institutions and universities.
  • MASTERY OF MANAGEMENT GRADUATE DIPLOMA PROGRAMS: CIC offers a range of specialist subjects for higher level management development. If Members have gained a CIC Honours Diploma or Baccalaureate or equivalent, they may study any one or more of these Programs. They are demanding high-level programs of graduate degree level.
  • EXECUTIVE MASTERY OF BUSINESS ADMINISTRATION PROGRAMME: CIC offers this structured three ‘Study Year’ Programme which involves the study of thirteen Core Subjects plus a Project/Thesis; there is a choice of Third "Study Year" specialisations.  Members may join the Programme if they have gained a CIC Honours Diploma or completed an Advanced Business Administration, Baccalaureate or Executive Business Administration Programme or equivalent; Executive Mastery of Business Administration is Level 7 which is the highest level which CIC offers.

 

CIC's award titles are intended to reflect the level and content of the programmes offered, the extent of study required to be undertaken, and the effort required in order to complete these programmes.

CIC is an accredited British College, authorised to offer its quality-assured Programs internationally, and has been recognised as meeting international quality standards and authorised for: 

“The provision of professional and international Study, Training and Educational Programs inclusive of Study Materials, College Administration, Examinations and Assignments, Assessments and Awards delivered across the Globe.”

For clarification the College is an accredited British College not a university and does not offer or award degrees, however, university Bachelor and Master degrees may additionally be awarded based upon successful completion of various CIC Programmes - you may request further details from the College.

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