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CIM Level 4 or Level 6? Choosing the right course for your team.

When it comes to upskilling your marketing team, the right training can make all the difference – not just to individual confidence, but to your business outcomes.

But with so many qualifications out there, it can be tricky to know where to start. At TMLA, we’re often asked:

“Should my team member do the CIM Level 4 or Level 6?”

The answer? It depends – on their experience, current role, and career goals. And sometimes, a short course or bootcamp might actually be the best place to begin.

Here’s a simple breakdown to help you choose the right path for your people.

In this article:
CIM Level 4: For marketers building strong foundations
CIM Level 6: For marketers ready to lead
Short Courses & Bootcamps: Bite-sized, real-world learning
Supporting your team = growing your business

CIM Level 4: For marketers building strong foundations.

The CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing is ideal for team members who:
  • Have 1–2 years of marketing experience
  • Are in executive or assistant roles
  • Are looking to gain a clearer understanding of strategy, planning and channels
  • Need to build confidence and structure in their day-to-day work

This qualification is focused on giving marketers a solid grounding in core principles – from understanding customer behaviour to crafting campaign plans that align with wider business objectives.

Perfect for:

  • Early-career marketers with hands-on experience but no formal training
  • Career changers stepping into marketing roles
  • Small business team members taking on multi-channel responsibilities

“Putting Emily through the Level 4 CIM course with TMLA has been a brilliant decision for both her growth and the wider team. We’ve seen a noticeable boost in her confidence, strategic thinking, and ability to create content that truly aligns with business objectives.”

– Laura Muller, Head of Marketing

CIM Level 6: For marketers ready to lead.

The CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing is the next step up – designed for professionals who:

  • Have 3+ years of experience in a marketing role
  • Are managing campaigns, teams or budgets
  • Want to deepen their strategic thinking and decision-making
  • Are looking to boost their credibility at management level

It’s more in-depth, and encourages learners to apply theory to real business challenges – making it highly valuable for both the individual and the organisation.

Perfect for:

  • Marketing managers and senior execs
  • Experienced professionals without a formal qualification
  • Ambitious team members preparing for promotion or new responsibilities
Choosing the Right CIM CourseMarketing Professionals Chatting in Office

Short Courses & Bootcamps: Bite-sized, real-world learning.

Not every team member needs a full qualification – or they might not be ready for one just yet. That’s where our short courses and our Digital Marketing Skills Bootcamp come in.

These are designed to:

  • Build specific skills fast (e.g. strategy, content, digital, AI in marketing)
  • Offer a taste of structured learning before committing to a qualification
  • Reignite motivation or refresh outdated knowledge
  • Fit around busy schedules without compromising on impact
Ideal for:
  • Team members needing targeted development
  • Testing whether someone is ready for Level 4 or 6
  • Upskilling after a role change or restructure
  • Building a more confident, capable team across the board

Supporting your team = growing your business.

Whether you’re a small business looking to reduce outsourcing, or a marketing leader focused on team development, investing in the right course brings measurable value:
  • More confident, independent team members
  • Better quality campaigns and decisions
  • Increased retention and engagement
  • Stronger ROI from marketing activity
And at TMLA, we make it easy to embed learning into your working rhythm – with flexible formats, expert tutor support, and real-world relevance baked in.
Junior Marketer taking Notes

Still unsure? Let’s talk.

We’re happy to chat through your team structure, roles and goals – and help you build the right learning pathway for every member.

Because when your people grow, your business moves forward.

Gain knowledge, create change.

Get in touch

Check you meet all these criteria before applying:

  • You’re aged 19–65 (if self-employed, you can be over 65).
  • You’ve lived in the UK for at least 3 years and can prove your right to work (e.g. passport, visa).
  • You currently live or work  in Derbyshire or Nottinghamshire.
  • You’re either:
    • looking for a job in digital marketing
    • self-employed
    • supported by an employer who will contribute to your place
  • You’re ready to start work as soon as the course ends.
  • You can join live lessons every Wednesday 9:30am-4:30pm.
  • You can commit to around 10 hours of learning each week for 12 weeks.
  • You haven’t joined another Skills Bootcamp in the last 12 months.
  • You’ll attend a 30-minute screening interview.
  • You’re willing to share personal information with MacMartin, the EMCCA and the DfE. We store data securely under GDPR.
  • You’ll provide evidence of your progress, such as proof of an interview, a new job, or an action plan showing how you’ve applied your learning.

Get in Touch

Fill out our contact form or use the details below and we’ll get in touch with you to answer any questions.