IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Brand Building - Distance

Overview

The IIE Postgraduate Diploma in Brand Building is designed for the student who has an undergraduate degree (NQF level 7 qualification) which is not in brand or marketing communication or management but wants to gain a postgraduate NQF level 8 qualification in the field of brand building. Students from various undergraduate fields are introduced to the concepts of brand and brand building, and the importance of brand communication in growing a business. Students produce a research paper and participate in a ‘live’ brand challenge where they develop and present a brand communication strategy to a real-world client. This programme enables students to enrol for a Master’s degree, subject to meeting the admission requirements should they wish to continue their studies.

Modules:

• Principles of Brand Building
• Brand and Business
• Brand Contact and Communication
• Channel Planning and Digital Media
• Integrated Planning for Brand Building
• Research Methodology

Brand and Business
The module focusses on the relationship between brand, marketing, and business that guides planning for brand building. Students will consider macro, market and microenvironments, as context for leveraging holistic brand and business strategies. Emphasis will be placed on profiling target markets and determining objectives on which to base strategic decisions regarding brand offerings, logistics, and pricing options.

Principles of Brand Building
Students will develop an understanding of the core frameworks, principles and concepts used for constructing and building purposeful brand identities and architecture. The role of brands in adding value to stakeholders and society will be explored utilising design and systemic thinking to develop innovative brand building solutions. The principles of brand leadership and brand management will be discussed.

Brand Contact and Communication
Students will construct integrated brand communications plans driven by positioning statements derived from brand elements and stakeholder insights. A variety of communication tools and platforms will be assessed, including advertising, public relations, sponsorship, and promotions. Emphasis is placed on practical application in context of a multichannel everchanging communication landscape.

Channel Planning and Digital Media
This module exposes students to the various media channels and platforms available for the practical implementation of a brand communications plan. Both ‘traditional’ and ‘digital’ media options will be evaluated, and a multichannel approach is taken to communicating coherent and authentic brand messages to various stakeholder audiences across multiple contact points.

Integrated Planning for Brand Building
This module provides the opportunity to apply theory covered in all programme modules to a given practical brand building scenario. Student teams will engage in the development and execution of original and meaningful solutions to briefs provided by members of industry. Emphasis is placed on research-based collaboration and ideation to develop practical innovative solutions which could be implemented in the workplace.

Research Methodology
The purpose of this module is to introduce students to the process of research and to develop their understanding of the techniques of gathering, analysing, interpreting, and evaluating data. Emphasis is placed on a controlled application of methods and techniques to solve a practical problem in the field of brand building. This module introduces the ways in which the processes and outcomes of research can be constructively embedded within professional practices.

Online delivery includes:

• An online learning system that leads students through the content, prescribed material and activities.
• Online academic navigators (tutors) who are subject experts and maintain the human experience of the learning process.
• Weekly live sessions with your online navigators.
• A dedicated success navigator who supports students throughout the learning journey.
• Purpose coaching pods that enable students to explore and develop their professional identity and potential.
• Our flagship Brand Challenge project – an online transdisciplinary collaboration with real world changes and clients.
• Access to our online information centre and resources.

Note:

While you can generally structure your study time as you need, there are scheduled online sessions during which you will get mediated support. Scheduled assessments in the form of online activities, assignments and exams are paced to ensure your studies progress.

What you need in terms of technology, time and materials:

• A reliable internet connection (we recommend 5-10GB of data per month), your own device with at least Windows 7 (Microsoft Office 365 is available as a free download for IIE students), and Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge Chromium or Firefox.
• Prescribed textbooks are available for online purchase.
• Online students need to commit to approximately 20-25 hours a week for online engagement (some of which is after hours) with material and assessments to succeed.
• All final semester exams need to be written at an IIE campus or other approved exam centre.

Please note synchronous sessions generally take place after hours.

To succeed in your online journey, you need to be:

• Self-motivated and invested in your learning journey.
• Disciplined and able to balance studying with work and family commitments.
• Able to direct your own studies, maintaining a diligent pace.

To assist you in succeeding in your online journey, our teaching approach is:

• Student-centric: we facilitate your thought processes to foster innovative ideas and creative solutions.
• Authentic: we use real-life examples and case studies.
• Activity-based: We move your learning forward through applied activities and assessments.
• Discussion-based: we ask you questions and stimulate debate to provoke deep thought and insights about course content.

Tuition Fees

Total Fee for 1st year modules for new registrations starting in 2024
R42 400 Full Settlement Total Fee
R44 560 Instalment Total Fee (6 Monthly Instalments)
R45 400 Instalment Total Fee (10 Monthly Instalments)

A *Pre-Registration Fee of R2 500 is included in the Total Fee
Deposit of R13 368 is included in the Total Fee for the 6 Instalments option.
*Refundable if admission criteria for the qualification is not met.

Total Fee for 2nd year modules (subject to an annual fee increase)
R21 200 Full Settlement Total Fee
R22 280 Instalment Total Fee (6 Monthly Instalments)
R22 700 Instalment Total Fee (10 Monthly Instalments)
Deposit of R6 684 is included in the Total Fee for the 6 Instalments option.

Please note:

• Applications for the 2024 intake are subject to a non-refundable application fee of R400.
• You will be required to complete a new contract annually which will include fees for that year.
• Returning students can consult the bill of costs on the website to obtain their 2024 fees based on their basket of modules.

Entry Requirements

• An appropriate HEQSF Level 7 Bachelor’s degree; OR
• An appropriate Advanced Diploma; OR
• An equivalent NQF Level 7 qualification
• Recognition of Prior learning (RPL) – Where candidates do not satisfy the formal admission requirements for this qualification, The IIE may consider an admission application in terms of the Credit Accumulation and Transfer, Recognition of Prior Learning and Qualification Completion Policy (IIE010).

International Admission

• A SAQA Evaluation Certificate with NQF L7 equivalence in an appropriate field.