Strategy & Planning module

Level 6 | Foundation Degree level |7/8 SQA
Advance your strategic marketing expertise

Gain the high-level knowledge and practical skills to audit markets, align plans, and lead strategic decision-making that drives business success.

Achieve a respected CIM Award and position yourself as a marketing professional ready to design and deliver powerful strategic plans.

Learn with nesma and get more tutor time! 

Accredited award

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online
Start anytime
Live cohort start dates
22 October 2025
January & April 2026
Duration
6 weeks
Course Lead
Kris Woods
Course fee

£870 +VAT
Plus Institutional fees
CIM Fees
Membership £65
Assessment £165
*Team discounts and payment options available

Get a recognised qualification

Join a 300,000 strong digital marketing community!

Over 75,000

Learners

5.0 (62 reviews) 

Why learn with nesma ?

We offer personalised learning that adapts to your changing situation at work and home, and more tutor hours to make sure you achieve your learning goals faster! 

Plus using our exclusive SkillsView™ and dedicated advisors, we work with you to help you build learning pathways to help you get that promotion! 

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Unique offers for this programme: 

We provide a unique range of offers to support your learning experience when completing this qualification:
  • Flexible dual award options to enhance your qualification portfolio such as SOSTAC® Planner
  • Free access to the Skills Lounge for revision sessions and networking.
  • Develop a Marketing Plan for your organisation
  • Dedicated expert support available throughout your learning journey.

Course description

This module explores the strategic role of marketing in achieving organisational goals and how to lead the planning process with confidence.

Learn how to audit the marketing environment, evaluate strategic options, and align resources to create an integrated marketing plan.

Perfect for experienced marketers ready to step up, influence direction, and lead strategy in a competitive business environment.
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What you'll learn

Here’s what you’ll be able to do after completing this module:
  • Evaluate organisational priorities and strategic direction to shape effective marketing strategies that align with wider business goals.
  • Conduct a comprehensive marketing audit using industry-recognised tools to generate meaningful insights that inform strategic decisions.
  • Develop a full strategic marketing plan that includes justified objectives, actionable strategies, and clearly aligned supporting plans.
  • Adapt and apply planning frameworks to create integrated, goal-driven plans across different marketing functions and activities.
  • Build and present an implementation plan with resource recommendations, a persuasive business case, and a timed action roadmap.
  • Establish control mechanisms to track progress and use performance data to recommend continuous improvements.
  • Confidently lead the creation of a strategic marketing plan, aligning teams and resources to deliver measurable business impact.

Your course includes

  • 6 weeks of expert-led live online classroom sessions
  • Interactive quizzes and practical assignments
  • 121 and revision sessions with tutor 
  • Live online learning with lifetime access 
  • Developing a marketing plan
  • Qualification Certificate

All of our learners gain access to the nesma learning hub via your own homepage.

From here you can access all of your courses, materials and activities, see your progress and work with other students. 

The platform provides broader benefits including skills passport, activity badges, and access to skills intelligence, offers and news!

Aims

Develop advanced skills and strategic insight to lead marketing planning, align activity with business goals, and drive long-term success.

On successful completion, you’ll earn a recognised CIM Award—certifying you as a marketing professional ready to design and deliver strategic plans that make a measurable impact.

Certification exam 

To complete the module, you’ll complete a written assignment alongside a two-hour exam. . The questions include multiple choice, scenarios, and single best answers. Achieve 60% to earn your CIM Award and progress towards the full Certificate.


We’ll set you up with a sample test and provide a focused revision session shaped around the topics you and your cohort want to revisit. By the end, you’ll be confident, exam-ready, and on your way to becoming a certified marketing professional.

CIM Membership  & Assessment Fees

We handle all the admin – you focus on learning
We’ll arrange your CIM membership (£65) , register you for assessments (£165 per module), and help you prepare with practice tests and revision sessions.
Plus, as a CIM member, you gain exclusive access to industry insights, practical toolkits, expert webinars, networking events, and career support resources—all designed to accelerate your marketing career and keep you connected to a global community of marketing professionals.
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Who is it for?

This course is designed for aspiring marketers and professionals ready to take the next step in their career with a solid grounding in marketing and digital strategy.

It’s ideal for marketing executives, team leaders, career changers, and small business owners looking to gain a recognised award and the skills to plan and manage effective campaigns.  If your not sure talk to us  

Your tutor

Kris Woods

Kris is an experienced marketing consultant and CIM tutor with over 30 years in media, advertising, and education.


She brings real-world insight to her teaching, with expertise in PR, strategic planning, and multi-channel communication.


Kris has taught CIM qualifications at all levels for over a decade and delivers marketing programmes at institutions including the University of Sunderland.


She’s passionate about helping learners grow in confidence, build practical skills, and apply marketing theory to real business challenges.

What our learners say

The qualification has been transformative for my role!

I can now approach marketing challenges with a more strategic mindset

Step up your game!

Your commitment, passion, and delivery were really amazing. We had a great start and the speed as well as intensity with which we rolled out globally over 3 years was unbelievable.

Concise and practical content

I learned a lot and now feel ready to implement these techniques into my organisation. 

Very Professional!

It was an excellent training program, and I am very pleased. The instructors were very knowledgeable, and the content was relevant to our industry.

Simple to understand!

Armed with the knowledge and techniques obtained from your school, I feel more equipped to navigate the challenging social aspects of the real world and become a professional in my field of choice.

Excellent Training Program!

The presenters were amazing. They were engaging, timely, and knowledgeable

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

If you have registered or attended a course
with us before, copy/ use the promo code
on the right when you enrol*
*We will of course verify you have previously learnt with us
Use promo code:

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Still not sure?  Talk to us 

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