Advanced Certificate in Market & Social Research Practice BPP Learning Media An MRS Accredited Distance Learning Provider
What is the Market Research Society (MRS)? With members in more than 70 countries, MRS is the world s largest international membership organisation for professional researchers and others engaged or interested in market, opinion and social research. MRS members can be found at all levels of seniority in agencies, consultancies, clientside organisations, the public sector and the academic community. MRS is the only awarding body officially recognised by the UK government to provide vocationally-related qualifications in market and social research. MRS qualifications are linked to the UK s National Qualifications Framework and are designed to suit a wide range of candidates. For more details about MRS visit mrs.org.uk. Why study Market Research? Market research is vital for businesses seeking a commercial opportunity or for firms looking to grow their business. From discovering a gap in the market to ensuring customer satisfaction and planning effective marketing campaigns, research can provide the market intelligence needed to encourage success, enhance competitiveness and maximise profits. It can help target products and services to make them more profitable. New markets can be investigated. Insight into market trends can be assessed and business plans adjusted to advantage. The Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice The Advanced Certificate is part of a family of qualifications offered by MRS. It is designed to provide a practical grounding in the principles and techniques which underpin effective research. Successful completion of the Advanced Certificate enables the candidate to apply for Associate Membership of MRS.
MRS Advanced Certificate Qualification Developed by MRS and drawing on best practice across the profession, the Advanced Certificate is designed to provide a practical grounding in the principles and techniques which underpin effective research. The Advanced Certificate is designed principally for: Practitioners with limited experience in the fields of market or social research, or for those wishing to join the profession Marketing professionals whose work would benefit from a greater knowledge of the research process What does the Advanced Certificate cover? The Advanced Certificate is structured into 3 elements: Element 1 - The research context Element 2 - Developing a research project Element 3 - Analysing data and using research finding Assessment The qualification involves the completion of two types of assessment: A 3,500-4,000 word coursework assignment (the Integrated Assignment) A written exam lasting 2 1/2 hours There are two sittings per year, January and June. Completion of the Advanced Certificate is estimated to require approximately 90 hours of study and 30 hours of coursework.
BPP Learning Media s Distance Learning Courses BPP Learning Media is an accredited provider of distance learning courses for the MRS Advanced Certificate qualification. Our pass rates are consistently higher than the national pass rates. The distance learning materials are precisely targeted to the syllabus and packed with activities and learning hints. As a distance learning student, you can study in two ways: Essentials Route e-tutor Route Essentials Route Your distance learning package consists of distance learning materials and a personalised study timetable which guides you through the course, ensuring that you have enough time for revision. You submit your Integrated Assignment to BPP Learning Media for assessment and you sit the exam at an MRS-designated centre. Here s what you get: Study Material our material contains all you need to know to pass the exam and complete the Integrated Assignment Question Bank lots of past exam questions and suggested solutions covering the whole syllabus, plus two recent papers as mock exams Mock exam to attempt at home (and which if you wish will be marked by BPP Learning Media s e-tutor team, and detailed feedback provided for ( 120 including VAT) e-tutor Route As well as receiving the materials you also have e-mail access to one of BPP Learning Media s e-tutors who will offer invaluable advice on the preparation of your Integrated Assignment. As you work through the distance learning material following your personalised timetable, you submit each stage of your Integrated Assignment via e-mail to your e-tutor. Your e-tutor will review your submissions and offer constructive feedback. The e-tutor team will also mark your mock exam and give you detailed feedback. Entry Requirements Candidates for the Advanced Certificate normally have one or more of the following: One year or more of relevant experience in market or social research The MRS Foundation Course Certificate MRS/City & Guilds Level 2 Certificate in Market & Social Research Satisfactory nomination by employer Satisfactory nomination by course tutor, in cases where the Advanced Certificate is being taken alongside an undergraduate degree or CIM Certificate 2 A Levels (or equivalent) Additionally, MRS recommends Mathematics and English GCSE, at grade C or above (or equivalent) For candidates whose first language is not English, a measure of language competence can be provided through the following internationally recognised English language certificates: - Cambridge Proficiency in English (grade C or above) - Cambridge Advanced Certificate in English (grade B or above) - IELTS (6.0 or above) - TOEIC (880 or above) Registration Distance learning material will be dispatched upon registration to allow studying to commence. Access to e-tutor support commences a maximum of 26 weeks before the exam. Exam dates and prices For more information on the MRS Advanced Certificate qualification, or to download a brochure or registration form, please visit our website at bpp.com/mrs. Alternatively, email your MRS queries to mrsbpp@bpp.com
Comments from our students Where 1 is Poor and 5 is Excellent My e-tutor was very good, very helpful and kept me heading in the right direction. Personally, I would give her a 5! Most of all, I would say the e-tutor system was most useful for me as it gave me specific dates to finish specific parts of the IA, which pushed me to get things done! I would assess the support as 5 excellent. I found my e-tutor to be extremely prompt in responding and her feedback easy to understand and implement. My e-tutor steered me back on course when my IA started to go a bit wayward re the benefits of taking a qualitative vs a quantitative approach. I found my e-tutor friendly, willing to give advice and answer my questions, even where they weren t necessarily specific to the integrated assignment. I would rate it a 4 in support, 5 without question, my e-tutor was very responsive and helpful to all my queries. I would rate my tutor support 5. She was excellent and was always there when I needed her. She was very prompt returning my work and helped me with her advice. She was also very accommodating when I needed to change my student timetable. My e-tutor was very efficient in proving feedback with a very quick turnaround, which helped me a lot. I would give my e-tutor a 4. My e-tutor was quick in giving feedback and gave me useful suggestions for things to include / explain more thoroughly. On the whole I was very pleased with her support. I found the e-tutor support is very helpful, and my tutor s feedback was always given in good time (i.e. before the next deadline, to give me time to incorporate feedback into the assignment before handing in the next part). I would give a score of 4. BPP House Aldine Place 142-144 Uxbridge Road London W12 8AA Tel: +44 (0)20 8740 2385 Fax: +44 (0)20 8740 1184 Email: mrsbpp@bpp.com bpp.com/mrs