Strategy & Planning
Set direction, priorities and evidence-led marketing plans.
Limited funded places from Kent Business College
Gain a CIM Diploma Level 6 in Professional and Digital Marketing
Advance your marketing career through a workplace-focused Level 6 apprenticeship that develops strategic thinking, commercial confidence, AI-enabled marketing capability and measurable business impact.
Limited funded places are available through Kent Business College. Final funding, suitability and programme terms are confirmed before enrolment.
Level 6
Strategic Professional Marketing
Customer Journey
Optimise experience, value, retention and loyalty.
Commercial Intelligence
Connect analytics, budgets and performance to growth.
AI in Marketing
Apply AI responsibly across insight, planning and delivery.
Applied progression
Build strategic marketing leadership capability.
Limited places
Fully funded routesSubject to eligibility and available funding.
Advanced Level 6Strategic judgement and commercial leadership.
Chartered pathway supportPreparation for professional progression.
Limited placesEarly eligibility review is recommended.
Why this programme
Strategic marketing leadership grounded in commercial reality.
Develop the strategic, analytical and leadership capability expected from senior marketing professionals while delivering measurable workplace value throughout the apprenticeship.
01
L6
From marketing execution to strategic influence
Move beyond campaigns and channels. Learn to shape strategy, influence investment, connect customer value to organisational priorities and lead cross-functional decision-making.
- Commercial marketing strategy
- Customer and market insight
- Leadership and stakeholder influence
- Performance, value and accountability
S
Set strategic direction
Translate business priorities into evidence-led marketing objectives, positioning and investment choices.
V
Lead people and delivery
Build alignment, manage agencies and teams, and strengthen marketing capability across the organisation.
A
Use insight and analytics
Interpret customer, competitor, channel and commercial data to recommend action with confidence.
AI
Apply AI responsibly
Use AI to accelerate research, analysis, planning and content while maintaining professional judgement.
Marketing Manager Level 6 curriculum
Four connected modules from strategic planning to AI-enabled marketing.
The curriculum follows the learner journey in the Marketing Manager Level 6 programme: Strategy and Planning, Customer Journey Optimisation, Commercial Intelligence and AI in Marketing. Each module develops relevant knowledge, skills and behaviours through live learning, workplace application, reflection and evidence building before Gateway and End Point Assessment.
01
Strategy and Planning
The foundation stage connects Level 6 marketing theory with strategic business decisions and organisational objectives.
- Strategic marketing theory and the extended marketing mix
- Product, service and brand development
- Market research, communications and business context
- Evidence-led marketing plans, risks and priorities
02
Customer Journey Optimisation
Develop a customer-focused view of the complete experience, from initial engagement to satisfaction, retention and loyalty.
- Customer behaviours across B2B and B2C contexts
- Journey mapping, touchpoints and friction analysis
- CRM, brand perception, feedback and channel choices
- Stakeholder collaboration and experience improvement
03
Commercial Intelligence
Strengthen commercial judgement by connecting data, financial awareness and marketing performance to business value.
- Campaign performance, KPIs and reliable information
- Return on investment, customer value and budget use
- Analytics, market insight and evidence-based decisions
- Business cases, recommendations and growth opportunities
04
AI in Marketing
Explore how emerging technology can improve marketing planning, personalisation, customer insight and performance.
- Artificial intelligence, automation and marketing systems
- Campaign planning, optimisation and content development
- Analytics, digital tools and faster insight generation
- Responsible, ethical and commercially appropriate use
Progression after the four modules
Learners consolidate workplace evidence and prepare for Gateway. The End Point Assessment can include the Multiple Choice Test, Project Showcase and Professional Discussion. Learners completing the CIM route may then complete the remaining CIM Level 6 assessments before graduation.
- EPA Gateway
- End Point Assessment
- Final CIM Level 6 assessments
- Graduation and progression
Core marketing disciplines
Build the capabilities behind effective marketing leadership.
A balanced curriculum covering strategy, customers, brand, communications, analytics, digital capability, innovation and leadership.
01
Strategy and planning
Business alignment, market opportunity, positioning, objectives, investment priorities and execution roadmaps.
02
Customer and market insight
Research, segmentation, behaviour, customer experience, competitor intelligence and evidence quality.
03
Brand and communications
Brand strategy, integrated communications, channel decisions, agency leadership and reputation.
04
Commercial analytics
Measurement frameworks, performance interpretation, attribution, forecasting and decision-ready reporting.
05
Digital and AI capability
Digital ecosystems, marketing technology, automation, responsible AI and data-informed optimisation.
06
Leadership and change
Stakeholder influence, team development, ethical practice, organisational change and strategic communication.
CIM Chartered Level 6 pathway
Turn advanced study into credible professional progression.
The programme develops strategic marketing capability and supports learners to organise professional evidence, CPD and career progression towards Chartered Marketer status.
Level 6 strategic capability
Demonstrate critical analysis, commercial judgement, leadership and the ability to apply marketing strategy autonomously.
Professional evidence and CPD
Build a portfolio of workplace outputs, reflective practice and continuing professional development that supports future professional applications.
Important: Chartered Marketer status is awarded separately by the Chartered Institute of Marketing and is subject to CIM membership, experience, CPD and application requirements. Completion of this apprenticeship does not automatically confer chartered status.
AI-enabled marketing
Use AI to strengthen strategy while keeping leaders accountable.
Learners use AI as a practical marketing tool for research, planning, analysis and content development, while applying responsible governance and human review.
Applied AI capability
Plan
Structure research and priorities
AnalyseExplore customer and performance data
ChallengeTest assumptions and scenarios
CreateDevelop and refine outputs
Professional controls
- Human review for important decisions
- Confidentiality and approved data use
- Evidence checks and source validation
- Bias, ethics and brand-risk awareness
- Clear accountability for final outputs
Eligibility Criteria
Check that you meet the apprenticeship funding requirements.
Who is eligible?
Eligibility Criteria
- UK resident for the past 3 years
- Must not require sponsorship to work (must hold a British Passport, Indefinite Leave to Remain, or Tier 2 visa with at least three years of UK residency)
- Not enrolled in other government-funded training at the time of this programme
- Self-employed individuals are not eligible for DfE funding
- Paid employment in England (normally 30+ hrs/week; minimum 16)
- Employer based in England and registered with the Apprenticeship Service
- Spend at least 50% of their working hours within England
Limited
Funded apprenticeship spaces
Please note: We have a limited number of funded apprenticeship spaces available, and they are offered strictly on a first-come, first-served basis. Due to high demand, we encourage early applications to avoid disappointment.
Check EligibilityLearner testimonials
What our learners say about Kent Business College.
Hear directly from learners about the teaching, support, learning platforms and practical value of their programmes.
Gill Stoney
Workforce Scheduling Team Manager at St John Ambulance
It was really good to go through all the system elements, especially considering how confused we were and that we had all been together for nearly two weeks. If we had had this before the course started, it would have been much easier and far less stressful. Affan was very good at explaining the elements of the online system for recording our work and hours, and I now feel much more comfortable using it.
Andrew Hurll
Commercial Manager at SCA Group Limited
I am currently studying on the Executive Marketing Manager Level 4 programme at Kent Business College. The course is very well organised and delivered, and the lecturers are engaging and friendly. I am thoroughly enjoying the content, and all materials and support are easily accessible. I am looking forward to completing the course and gaining my qualification.
Lauren Hiney
Digital marketing, strategic marketing, B2B and B2C
The team at Kent Business College has been extremely supportive. Since starting my diploma, I have received great advice, clear information, and excellent teaching from the team.
Alicia Mouskovias
Internal Sales and Marketing at 2B Heard and Sontronics
I am really enjoying the Level 4 Marketing training with Kent Business College. The lectures, one-to-one tutor support, and online learning platforms have all been very helpful. The resources provided make it easy to stay on track, and the experience has been extremely positive for my career development.
Inga Lightley
Administrator and Marketing Professional
I am enjoying the Level 4 Executive Marketing programme at Kent Business College. The lecturers are knowledgeable and friendly, and I really enjoy the live sessions with high-quality slides and the option to rewatch recordings later. The additional quizzes also make the learning experience engaging and interactive.
Dawn Taylor
Head of Projects at Roadchef
For all project management professionals, I would highly recommend this course. I have been enrolled for over two years and have thoroughly enjoyed it while learning a great deal of relevant content. The lecturers are excellent, the cohort is incredibly supportive, and the fact that the programme is fully funded makes it a complete win-win.
Joanna Monika Jablonska
Project Control Professional Level 6
Overall, my experience with the provider’s leadership and management has been very positive, with clear communication, good support, and effective programme delivery.
Giles Magee
Project Control Professional Level 6
I have had little direct experience with the management or leadership, but from the brief interactions I have had relating to it, the provider seems well organised and is very supportive of their learners.
Employer value
Develop marketing leadership that stays in the business.
The apprenticeship connects learning to real organisational priorities, giving employers practical outputs as well as long-term capability.
Stronger links between marketing objectives, customer value, investment and business outcomes.
More confident planning, prioritisation, challenge and decision support at senior level.
Responsible use of AI, digital capability and experimentation to improve marketing effectiveness.
A visible development route for high-potential marketing professionals and future leaders.
Frequently asked questions
Clear answers before you take the next step.
Is the Marketing Manager Level 6 Apprenticeship fully funded?
It may be fully funded for eligible learners and employers through levy funding, levy transfer or applicable government support. Funding is confirmed after suitability, prior-learning and employer checks.
Are funded places limited?
Yes. Kent Business College has limited funded places for each intake, and places are confirmed only after the funding and suitability process is complete.
Does the programme automatically make me a Chartered Marketer?
No. Chartered Marketer status is awarded separately by CIM and is subject to its current membership, experience, CPD and application requirements. The programme supports advanced capability and professional evidence for progression.
Who is the programme designed for?
It is designed for employed marketing professionals whose role includes strategic planning, customer or market insight, integrated campaigns, performance management, leadership or cross-functional influence.
Can an existing employee become an apprentice?
Yes, where the apprenticeship develops substantial new knowledge, skills and behaviours and all eligibility and funding requirements are met.
How do I secure a limited funded place?
Book an information session or request an eligibility review. Kent Business College will discuss your role, employer support, prior learning and available funding before issuing an enrolment offer.
September 2026 intake
Ready to lead marketing with greater strategic and commercial confidence?
Start with an eligibility and funding review. Limited fully funded Marketing Manager Level 6 places are available through Kent Business College.
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