Certificate and Diploma in Business Support

Business Support Qualifications

The Certificate and Diploma in Business Support have been designed by the Chartered Management Institute working with the IC for those who undertake business support practices in their work, and facilitate career progression in providing business support by developing skills, knowledge and understanding.

Candidates who take the initiative to learn about their chosen profession via a qualification from the professional body demonstrate both their compliance to professional standards and a dedication to their own professional development. Candidates who undertake the Certificate or Diploma in Business Support will acquire a valuable insight into the profession whilst gaining an upper hand in terms of their knowledge of the marketplace and the role of a Business Adviser.

The units in these awards relate directly to the specifications of the Small Firms Development Initiative (SFEDI), Business Support National Occupational Standards and are available to download as individual documents from this page.

The Certificate and Diploma in Business Support are work-orientated qualifications and facilitate career progression in providing business support by developing skills, knowledge and understanding.

Both the Certificate and Diploma in Business Support are aimed for all business support professionals; whether you are considering embarking upon a career in this field or are already a practicing business adviser. Studying for these qualifications can be adapted to suit the individuals' particular needs.

In order to obtain the Certificate candidates must complete units 1-8 of the syllabus. Assessment for these units can include evidence drawn from observation of client contacts, simulation, candidate reflective accounts, professional discussion, oral and written questioning, testing and evidence from prior experience.

To obtain the Diploma candidates must take the additional unit (unit 9) which is a 4,000 to 4,500 word work related project.

There are no specific entry requirements for this qualification.

The qualification is offered via external training organisations who are all accredited by the CMI. For details of when the courses are running, the format and prices please contact the training centre under the 'Where to Study' section.