Foundation Certificate

Training isn't time away from the agency. It's time growing

The award-winning learning program provides graduates and junior staff members with the knowledge to perform their roles with confidence and expertise regardless of discipline.

Written for the industry, by the industry, using webinars, forums, expert opinion videos, and podcasts, the Foundation Certificate is the definitive program for newcomers to advertising.

Who is this qualification for?

Individuals with less than a year's experience in an advertising, marketing, or communications role. From recent graduates in their first year to young professionals just starting or people entering the industry from another profession.

What are the benefits?

Prove the value of your contribution to your client’s business.
Improve your client relationships by speaking their language.
Design a measurement program to evaluate multi-platform activity, from sponsorship, digital, and promotional to CRM and DM activity.
Confidently and correctly analyze the impact and effect of any campaign.
Write a brilliant effectiveness paper.

How is the qualification delivered and assessed?

This qualification is delivered via 30 hours of online learning, delivered in 7 modules that can be accessed and downloaded when it suits you on any browser or device or via the IPA Learning app.
Gwyn March is the dedicated tutor for this qualification, available to answer candidates’ queries right up until their exam date.
This qualification is assessed via a formal 2-hour online exam, 3-hours for non-native English speakers in non-English speaking countries.
Candidates will need to answer five short-form essay questions. The passing grade for the final exam is 50%. Candidates who pass will be awarded a digital certificate of completion and 2 MIPA stars for personal accreditation.

The 2022 Intake Dates

The 2022 intake commences on 30 May 2022.

Module 1

The Business of Creativity

This opening module celebrates the role of creativity in both communications and the wider business community. Exploring the history and evolution of creativity, and its exciting future.

Module 1

Module 2

The Communications Landscape

This module highlights the transformation of the communications landscape and how agency models have changed as a result of the increasing fragmentation in the industry. This includes the arrival and influence of newcomers such as Facebook and Twitter and the significance of the communications industry to both culture and the economy.

Module 2

Module 3

The Client & Agency Roles

This module has three parts: the first is client focused, including the dynamic role of the marketing director and considering clients’ work and priorities. The second part centres on agency response and interaction, while the third part outlines some of the necessary paperwork and processes.

Module 3

Module 4

Theories, Tools & Techniques

The focus of this module is the key theories, techniques and tools at the disposal of today’s marketers and agencies. This includes behavioural economics and the role of memory, the planning cycle and the role of data, and how these theories help brands grow.

Module 4

Module 5

Communications Review

This module demonstrates the media’s invaluable role as a source of inspiration and enhancer of the creative process. It is approached from a media neutral standpoint and includes relevant theories to illustrate the relevance of different types of media.

Module 5

Module 6

The Creative Development Process

This module focuses on the creative development process. From fostering creativity in your everyday environment through to the creative communications development process: from receipt of the client brief to creation of the internal briefs, and to the art of creative feedback.

Module 6

Module 7

Evaluating effectiveness

This module outlines the importance of effectiveness to our industry. It illustrates the ways in which the IPA has been at the vanguard of this drive with the globally renowned IPA Effectiveness Awards and the development of theories such as those from Les Binet and Peter Field.

Module 7

Become qualified in evaluating and measuring advertising and marketing effectiveness

Pricing

Member Price

S$750

Member discount

Non-Member Price

S$850

Testimonials

Ed McDermott

The Specialist Works

"I think the IPA foundation certificate was excellent and taught me more practical knowledge about the world of marketing and advertising than my entire undergrad in communications did. I thoroughly enjoyed learning and think it should be a requirement for all new starters to the industry."

Camille Chinneck

McCann

"It was beneficial for me as someone with a different background who doesn't know about the history and reasoning behind advertising and marketing. This course gave me that and made me think about my own experience in my job and how it applies to the 'theory.' It expanded my expertise in advertising and gave me case study knowledge that I can share and use in the future to justify any relevant decisions. It helped motivate me to read around my area more broadly, which aligned with my career goals in my position. It is also a great industrial qualification that I can add to my portfolio."

Anna Pay

PHD Media

"Easy to follow, Interesting; it has helped me with my day-to-day job to have more of a solid understanding of the industry and to know the ins and outs of advertising. I am delighted I was allowed to do this exam and would recommend it to all future grads!"

Katie Gilles

GTB

"I think this does what it says in the name. It offers newbies in advertising a great foundation to build their careers. I learned about sectors I have never worked in before and now understand things such as the self-regulatory system - which is useful! It's not something you would pick up in your day-to-day job."

Sebastian Rule

JWT

"I work in finance, so this was an opportunity to understand more about what goes on in my building and the wider industry.
I enjoyed learning the fundamentals and gaining a more expansive knowledge of industry issues and more interesting reflections on society such as behavioral economics, which I have continued to read about post-exam."

Rocio Sols

360i

"I had the chance to deep dive into the industry, something you do not necessarily see on your day-to-day in an agency: how the system works, how it is regulated, how each department works, etc. I particularly enjoyed the videos. I found them useful not only for the exam but also for real life. I took plenty of notes, as they discussed many interesting aspects, e.g., your attitude towards a challenging client. Overall the content was exciting, and after reading about it, I felt more confident about my job and the industry I am part of. Thank you"

Orla Broderick

Starcom Mediavest (Publicis Media)

"I enjoyed taking part in this course - it has worked incredibly well in introducing a new start to advertising. I now feel more confident in my role and always come across the theory I've learned in my day-to-day job. Thank you!
Great intro to the industry, great learning aids, inspirational speakers."