Big news for future marketers: our BSc Marketing degree’s CIM accreditation has been renewed

If you’re thinking about studying marketing at university, you’ve probably seen the letters CIM pop up a few times. But what do they really mean—and why should you care? We’re excited to share that our BSc Marketing degree at the University of Northampton has officially had its Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) accreditation renewed, and this is great news for both current students and anyone considering joining us.

Let’s break down why this matters, and what it could mean for your future career in marketing.

What is CIM accreditation and why is it a big deal?

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world’s leading professional body for marketers. When a degree is CIM-accredited, it means the course content has been carefully reviewed by industry experts and judged to be relevant, up to date, and aligned with what employers actually want.

In simple terms, CIM accreditation is a kitemark of quality. It tells you that the degree isn’t just academic—it’s designed to help you become a competent, confident, and work-ready marketer.

The fact that our accreditation has been renewed is especially important. It shows that our curriculum continues to meet CIM’s high standards in a fast-moving industry where trends, tools and platforms change all the time. From digital marketing and consumer behaviour to strategy, branding and analytics, our course reflects what’s happening in marketing right now.

Professional exemptions = a head start in your career

One of the biggest benefits of studying on a CIM-accredited degree is the opportunity to gain exemptions from CIM professional qualifications.

CIM professional awards are highly respected by employers, but they can take time and money to complete after graduation. Because our BSc Marketing is CIM-accredited, successful graduates may be exempt from selected modules on CIM qualifications, depending on their pathway and performance.

What does that mean for you?

• Less duplication of learning
• A faster route to professional recognition
• Reduced costs when progressing onto CIM awards
• A stronger CV when entering the job market

It’s a real advantage if you’re serious about building a long-term career in marketing.

Designed to create work-ready marketing graduates

Employability is at the heart of our BSc Marketing degree. CIM accreditation confirms that our course doesn’t just teach theory—it develops practical skills, commercial awareness and professional confidence.

Throughout the degree, students build skills that employers value, such as:

• Strategic thinking and problem solving
• Digital and data-driven decision making
• Understanding real consumer behaviour
• Creativity backed by insight
• Communication and presentation skills

Assessments are designed to mirror real-world marketing tasks, helping students graduate feeling prepared—not panicked—about entering the workplace. The renewed accreditation is a clear signal to employers that our graduates are ready to add value from day one.

CIM Marketing Club: benefits from year one

Another exciting benefit is that our current first-year students become members of the CIM Marketing Club.

This means that from the very start of their degree, students can access a wide range of CIM resources to support their learning and career development, including:

• Webinars on current marketing trends and skills
• Guest speakers from across the marketing industry
• Access to professional reports, insights and research
• A wider marketing community beyond the classroom

This exposure helps students stay connected to industry conversations, understand how marketing works in practice, and start building their professional identity early on.

Why this matters if you’re choosing where to study

Choosing a university is a big decision. A CIM-accredited degree gives you reassurance that:

• The course content is relevant and respected
• Your learning aligns with industry expectations
• Your employability is being taken seriously
• You’ll graduate with academic knowledge and professional credibility

For prospective undergraduate students who want more than “just a degree”, our BSc Marketing offers a blend of academic rigour, professional recognition and real-world relevance.

Looking ahead

We’re incredibly proud of this accreditation renewal, not just as a badge, but as recognition of the hard work that goes into designing a course that supports student success. Marketing is an exciting, creative and fast-paced career—and our goal is to make sure our graduates are ready to thrive in it.

If you’re passionate about brands, digital media, consumer behaviour or creative strategy, and you want a degree that helps you stand out to employers, our CIM-accredited BSc Marketing course could be the perfect place to start.

Your marketing career starts here—and we can’t wait to help you shape it.

Find out more about the benefits of BSc Marketing course by visiting an open day.

Visit an Open Day

Katie Pascoe

Katie Pascoe is Course Leader and Senior Lecturer for BSc Marketing.