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Foundation Certificate (UK)

A journey through the entire brand communications process in just 30 hours of flexible online learning.

More than 17,000 people in over 70 countries have launched their careers by taking the IPA Foundation Certificate and putting the world’s number one professional advertising qualification on their CV.

 

Who is this qualification for?

Anyone with less than a year’s experience in an advertising, marketing or communications role. From recent graduates in their first year to people entering the industry from another profession.

What are the benefits?

  • Gain an essential overview of all areas of advertising.
  • Understand consumers, their motivations and how to influence purchasing decisions through the science of choice.
  • Learn how to write strategies that sell, the roles of different media, how to use data and how to measure the success of your work.
  • Earn the confidence to perform your role with confidence and expertise.

 View the full Foundation Certificate syllabus.

How is the qualification delivered and assessed?

  • Thirty hours of online learning accessible through the IPA website on any device.
  • You should allow for two months of study prior to sitting the exam.
  • Formal two-hour online exam. Three hours in non-English speaking countries.
  • If you pass the exam, you will be awarded a digital certificate of completion and two MIPA stars towards personal accreditation.

For more information, download the qualification brochure.

How do you book onto and access the qualification?

Please select your chosen exam date from the ‘Intakes’ drop down on this page and proceed to checkout.

Once booked, you can access and start your online learning via the IPA website. To access, please head to your personal IPA portal via the profile icon and click on ‘Training’. Or, visit your personal Training page.

If you are based outside of the UK, please visit the Foundation Certificate (global) booking page.

2023/2024 UK exam dates

  • 29 April 2024. Booking deadline 29 February 2024.
  • 24 June 2024. Booking deadline 26 April 2024.
  • 30 September 2024. Booking deadline 26 July 2024.
  • 25 November 2024. Booking deadline 27 September 2024.

Price 

  • Members: £275+VAT.
  • Non-Members: £550+VAT.

Policies

We operate a 14-day cancellation policy. Please view the policies for further details:

For more information, please email [email protected].

Please note: if you are taking one of our courses or qualifications through your employer or educational establishment, we may need to share your information – including your course or qualification results – with them. For further details about how we treat your personal data, please see our privacy policy.