Rules and-regulations

IDM Qualifications Rules and Regulations
© Version updated October 2012 The Institute of Direct and Digital Marketing. All rights reserved
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IDM Qualifications
Rules and Regulations
Commencing Study Year October 2012

CONTENTS
INTRODUCTION ............................................................................................................... 3
PART ONE – GENERAL...................................................................................................... 4
1.0 Special Consideration and Special Needs...........................................................................................4
2.0 Deferral/Transferral of Assignments, Examinations or Study Programme .........................................6
3.0 Appeals..............................................................................................................................................7
4.0 Complaints ........................................................................................................................................8
5.0 Malpractice .......................................................................................................................................9
PART TWO – ASSESSMENT..............................................................................................10
6.0 Assignment Preparation and Submission.........................................................................................10
7.0 Examinations Procedures ................................................................................................................11
8.0 Examination Rules and Regulations.................................................................................................12
9.0 How your Final Grade is Calculated .................................................................................................15
10.0 Online Assessment ..........................................................................................................................17

INTRODUCTION
This document describes the IDM’s rules and regulations for students of the following study
programmes:
 IDM Diploma in Direct and Digital Marketing
 IDM Diploma in Digital Marketing
 IDM Diploma in B2B Marketing Conversion
 IDM Certificate in Direct and Digital Marketing
 IDM Certificate in Digital Marketing
 IDM Award in Email Marketing
 IDM Award in Social Media
 IDM Award in Search Marketing
 IDM Award in Data Management
 IDM Award in Direct and Digital Marketing
This document covers assignments, examinations, assessment and final marks.
The IDM operates in accordance with the latest data protection legislation. Any information
you supply will be treated with the utmost confidentiality and will only be seen by the
relevant personnel at the IDM.
The IDM is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students. We therefore offer
a special consideration service for anyone with learning difficulties or requiring additional
support for any other reason.
“The IDM adopts and rigorously applies a policy which puts
students at the ‘heart’ of the organisation by ensuring
equality, transparency, fairness, consistency and robust processes”.
Amanda Rogers
Qualifications Director, IDM

PART ONE – GENERAL
1.0 Special Consideration and Special Needs
1.1 IDM commitment to equal opportunities
a. The IDM is committed to providing equal opportunities for all students. We therefore
offer a special consideration service for anyone with learning difficulties or requiring
additional support for any other reason.
b. You may be eligible for special consideration during your studies, assignments and
examinations in many different circumstances including:
 Learning difficulty i.e. Dyslexia
 Disability
 Illness
 Compassionate
 English is not your first language and you do not work in an English speaking country
1. 2 Special consideration process
a. Any student who has special requirements for their examinations or assignments must
inform the IDM Qualifications Department immediately or at the earliest possible time in
writing:
 Email: qualifications@theidm.com
 Post: The Qualifications Director, The IDM, 1 Park Road, Teddington, TW11 0AR
b. Medical or other appropriate supporting documentation should be submitted with your
request.
c. The IDM will send an acknowledgement of your ‘Special consideration request’ and on
approval will begin the process of making appropriate arrangements, as required, for
assignment submission and sitting examinations, including informing relevant personnel.
d. You will receive notification of the preparations that have been made for you from the
IDM once the arrangements are complete or prior to the time you require them, if
earlier.
e. In respect of each “special consideration” candidate the IDM will record the following
information:
 candidate name and number
 the disability from which the candidate is suffering
 extra time awarded (if any)
 details of any extra materials or equipment to be provided either by the candidate
or the IDM

1.3 Special consideration in examinations if English is not your first language and you
do not work in an English speaking country – if you fall into this category then please
contact The IDM
 You are entitled to 30 minutes extra time prior to the start of each examination
 You will not be permitted to leave the examination until after 30 minutes of the
official examination start time
 All extra time allowances are added at the beginning of the usual examination
timetable to ensure that all candidates finish at the same time
1.4 Data confidentiality and privacy
a. Any information you supply in support of your ‘Special consideration request’ will be
treated with the utmost confidentiality and will only be seen by the Qualifications
Director and where deemed essential the examination invigilator.
b. When you write to the IDM please mark your envelope for the attention of ‘The
Qualifications Director’ marking Strictly Private and Confidential, Addressee Only, to
enable the IDM to treat the information with total confidentiality.
1.5 Special consideration for students once examinations have taken place
a. Students must provide the Qualifications Director with any relevant information on
personal or documented medical circumstances that may have affected your
performance within two weeks of your examination(s).
ANY CORRESPONDENCE RECEIVED AFTER TWO WEEKS
FOLLOWING THE EXAMINATION WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
b. If the information is confidential, the details will only be disclosed to essential IDM
personnel.
c. Failure to disclose relevant information, without due reason, cannot be used
subsequently as grounds for requesting a review of the decision of the Board of
Examiners.

2.0 Deferral/Transferral of Assignments, Examinations or Study Programme
A fee will be levied for those students who request deferral or transfer of their assignments,
examinations or programme of study.
All requests for transfer or deferral made on the basis of extenuating circumstances
should be made in writing, with supporting evidence (usually medical) to the
Qualifications Director for consideration.
2.1 Transferral of study programme
a. A course transferral may be considered up to a maximum of two years from original
programme start date.
b. A fee of £300 will be charged.
2.2 Deferral of assignments
a. Deferral of assignment(s) due to compassionate and health reasons (excludes work
related and holidays) – no charge as long as relevant supporting documentation
supplied.
b. Deferral of assignment(s) for any other reason but still within the study programme
timetable – £50.
c. If you require a deferral, please inform the Qualifications Director in writing as soon as
possible, providing supporting evidence of extenuating circumstances.
d. Deferred assignments must be submitted up to a maximum of two years from original
programme start date.
2.3 Deferral of examinations
See Section 7.2.
2.4 Completion of course
Once your course has started and there are specific reasons, notified to the IDM, why you
are not able to complete the course within the normal timescales, the IDM may, at its
discretion, allow you to take a break in the course provided it is completed within two years
of the original start date.

3.0 Appeals
3.1 Policy statement
The IDM recognises that all students have the right of appeal should they feel that they
have been treated unfairly during their course of study.
Students may not appeal against academic judgement.
3.2 The appeal process
a. A candidate wishing to appeal should complete the IDM appeal form within two weeks
of their result being issued and this should be sent to the Chair of Exam Board, The IDM,
1 Park Road, Teddington, TW11 OAR.
APPEALS RECEIVED AFTER TWO WEEKS WILL NOT BE CONSIDERED
b. The decision of the Chair of Exam Board is final and will be communicated to the
candidate in writing, once the matter has been fully investigated.
3.3 Original student’s exam papers
In keeping with higher education and other professional bodies, the IDM retains the original
student exam answer book for a period of one year after the Exam Board meeting, after
which it is destroyed in keeping with current data Protection guidelines. Students are not
allowed to have their original nor a copy of their exam answer book. The IDM will provide
feedback on request as per 3.4.
3.4 Feedback on exam results
A student may request written feedback on a failed exam paper provided the request is
made in writing within two weeks of the issue of the grades.

4.0 Complaints
4.1 Complaints procedure
a. Should you have a complaint or concern about the quality of your tuition or any other
issue relating to your IDM studies, your first action should be to contact the
Qualifications Director in writing.
b. Whenever possible, you should follow the Appeal procedure outlined in Section 3.0.
4.2 Guidance on extenuating circumstances
a. Pressure of work/holiday is not considered an extenuating circumstance.
b. Injury, illness and compassionate grounds are considered extenuating circumstances.
Supporting documentation will be required from the candidate.

5.0 Malpractice
Student malpractice includes, but isn’t restricted exclusively to:
 Being in possession of any materials, equipment, notes, books or other papers at
any time during examination, other than those issued or authorised
 Contacting, communicating, talking to, copying from any other candidate or
allowing work to be copied
 Helping or receiving help from another candidate
 Failing to abide by the instructions or advice of an invigilator
 Disruptive behaviour (including the use of offensive language)
 Leaving the examination (room) without the express permission of an invigilator
and without an escort
 Consulting any unauthorised materials or persons during periods of authorised
absence while the examination is in progress
 Attempting to make contact or influence the examiner or marker in any way (e.g.
by writing or attaching notes to the submitted script)
 Impersonation – pretending to be someone else; arranging for another to take
one’s place at examination
 Collusion – working collaboratively with other candidates
 Plagiarism – failure to acknowledge sources properly and/or submission of
another person’s work as if it were the candidate’s own
 Theft of another’s work
 Deliberate destruction of another’s work
 Alteration of any results document including certificates
5.1 Student penalties and sanctions
The IDM may, at its discretion, and depending on the seriousness of the allegation, impose
one or more penalties on the student, who will be informed in writing.
The student may be issued with a written warning from the IDM, or lose all marks for an
assessment(s) where malpractice has been proved.
In serious cases, the IDM reserves the right to invalidate all marks awarded to the student,
or disqualify them from the qualification. In proven extreme cases of malpractice the
student may be disqualified from any future IDM qualifications

PART TWO – ASSESSMENT
6.0 Assignment Preparation and Submission
a. Your assignments will be marked by your tutor and maybe moderated by the exam
board. Assignments must be submitted by the set deadline in your key dates.
b. Your assignment submission must be clearly marked with your name, securely fastened
and sent to the IDM via secure method. The IDM will provide an assignment cover sheet
which will incorporate the following information:
 Candidate name
 Word count
 Tutor’s name
 Signature of confirmation that the submission is entirely your own work
Please note if the cover sheet is not completed in full your assignment will not be sent for
marking.
c. Word counts define the scope of the task. Many students could write much more than is
required, but a word count introduces the discipline of the application of ideas and
concepts in a concise and clear way.
Assignment word count limits:
 Diploma between 4000 - 5000 words – 7 weeks assignment preparation time
 Certificate between 3000 – 4000 words – 5 weeks assignment preparation time
 Award – 3000 – 4000 words – 5 weeks assignment preparation time
 Appendices to be included in word count and to be taken into account when
marking. Budget is not included in the word count
 References, as applicable, will not be included in word count. (Please refer to
your How to Tackle your Assignment Notes)
IDM will check that the assignment submitted DOES NOT exceed word count. The
penalty for exceeding word count will result in the student’s work being returned
unmarked.
d. Assignments have to be completed and marked within the study programme timetable
to be eligible to enter the examinations for that period.
e. Extensions – a student may apply for an extension of an assignment. An extension will
only be granted for extenuating circumstances due to compassionate and health reasons
(excludes work related and holidays). Students applying for extensions must complete
the appropriate form provided by the IDM. Relevant supporting documentation to be
submitted with extension request form. Late submissions may be considered/marked at
the discretion of the IDM but marks will be deducted accordingly.

7.0 Examinations Procedures
THESE NOTES SHOULD BE READ WITH CARE BY ALL EXAMINATION CANDIDATES.
7.1 Examination frequency and timing
There will be two examination sittings each year in June and December for all qualifications.
7.2 Deferral of examinations
a. Students may defer their examinations up to a maximum of two times (within 2 years
from the start of the original course of study).
b. A charge of £50 will be levied for each resit paper.
c. A student who attends the examination but does not submit an examination paper will
be deemed a fail and therefore will be charged to resit at the next sitting.
d. The deferral charges are as follows: please see statement under Section 2.0.
 Deferral of examinations due to compassionate and health reasons (excludes
work related and holidays) – no charge as long as supporting documentation
supplied
 Ineligibility to sit examinations due to non-submission of assignment(s) – £200
 Deferral of examinations due to other reason – £100
7.3 Group project
a. If a group fails the project because of unsatisfactory overall performance the
circumstances will be investigated by the IDM and the outcome will be determined by
the Board of Examiners.
b. If an individual fails to attend meetings of the group or to make any reasonable
contribution, in the absence of good reasons (ill health and/or compassionate) then the
circumstances will be investigated by the IDM and the outcome will be determined by
the Board of Examiners.

8.0 Examination Rules and Regulations
8.1 Before the examination
a. It is your responsibility to attend the correct examination on the scheduled dates.
b. Examinations last three hours including reading time.
c. It is to your advantage to arrive outside the examination room at least 15 minutes
before the official start time.
d. Non-programmable pocket calculators are permitted – under no circumstances are
programmable calculators or calculators on mobile phones allowed to be used in the
examination room.
e. Answers must be completed in blue or black ink or biro. Pencil is not permitted.
8.2 Entry to examinations
a. You must put briefcases, bags, coats, etc., in the designated area of the examination
room as directed by the invigilators. Any digital devices must be switched off and left in
bags. Neither the IDM nor the examination centre will be responsible for any loss or
damage of personal articles.
b. You must not bring any programmable calculators or unauthorised written or printed
materials into the examination room.
c. As several exams take place at the same time, it is the student’s responsibility to ensure
they are sitting the correct paper. The Chief Invigilator will make several
announcements and the title of your exam will be clearly printed on the front of the
question paper. Please ensure you are sitting the correct examination.
8.3 During the examination
a. On the first day of your examinations you will be asked to complete both an address
sheet and attendance slip. THE ADDRESS SHEET IS THE ONLY DOCUMENT ON WHICH
YOUR NAME SHOULD APPEAR and this must be completed exactly as required. All
forms will be collected during the first 30 minutes of the examination. Any answer
booklets found with a candidates name on will NOT be marked. Your candidate number
must be written on all examination material you submit for marking.
b. Candidates must not write any notes to the Examiners on any part of their answer
booklet.
c. All the invigilators are there to help you; ask them if you are not sure about any rule or
aspect of examination conduct. However no form of advice or guidance may be sought

from the invigilating staff on the meaning or interpretation of any part of the
examination paper.
Should you require assistance of an invigilator raise your hand to attract his/her
attention.
d. Silence must be maintained at all times during the examination session, including entry
to, and exit from, the examination room. Candidates causing a disturbance may be
required to leave the examination room.
e. You must ensure that the examination paper provided is the examination for which you
have been entered.
f. The Chief Invigilator will make an announcement before starting the examination. You
should LISTEN TO ANY ANNOUNCEMENT the Chief Invigilator makes – it may be an
important instruction relating to the examination paper.
g. You should read and follow the detailed instructions given on the front of the answer
book.
h. The Chief Invigilator will give you time warnings towards the end of the examination and
tell you when to stop writing. At this time you must cease writing at once and close
your answer booklet.
i. Candidates may not permanently leave the room until the examination has been in
progress for 30 minutes. Any candidate leaving the room after this time must hand the
question paper, answer booklet and any supplementary sheets to the Invigilator.
j. An unmarked pocket English Dictionary is permitted for all candidates. When a
candidate’s first language is not English then an unmarked translation dictionary is
allowed i.e. French to English/English to French, in addition to the pocket English
Dictionary. Please note that invigilators will make random checks on dictionaries
brought into the examination room.
k. Students must not attach any correspondence to their answer book – any breach to this
rule will result in their examination being considered null and void.
l. Candidates are not allowed to leave the examination during the last 30 minutes of the
examination.
YOU MAY NOT:
 Leave your seat without permission to do so
 Communicate with anyone other than the invigilator/s
 Borrow instruments or other materials from another candidate
 Help or receive help from another candidate
 Cause a disturbance in the examination room

Late Arrivals
Candidates are advised to check the exact start time and location of the examination venue
and the time it takes to get there, and allow additional time for parking, finding the correct
room etc. No student will be allowed in the examination room 15 minutes after the start of
the examination unless special permission has been granted by an Invigilator.
8.4 After the examinations
a. At the end of the examination CHECK you have correctly completed the front of the
answer book, that your candidate number appears at the top of all other papers used
and that these papers are safely tagged together.
b. Once the examination has stopped, remain seated and silent until all papers have been
collected by the invigilators and you have been given permission to leave.
c. When you leave please take with you your personal belongings and items you may have
used during the examination.

9.0 How your Final Grade is Calculated
Marking structure
 Pass – 45%
 Credit – 60%
 Distinction – 70%
a. Final mark to result from following equation:
Diploma – Assignment average mark + Exam 1 + Exam 2 + Exam 3 / 4
At least two examination papers to be at Credit or Distinction level to enable those final
award levels to be honoured – see example below:
Assignment
Average Mark
Ex 1 Ex 2 Ex 3 Overall grade = all 4 marks / 4
75% 58% 58% 75% 66.5% = Pass as two papers are under 60%
62% 50% 70% 70% 63% = Credit as two papers are 60% or more
64% 64% 75% 78% 70.25% = Distinction as two papers are 70% or
more
Diploma – with group presentation
Assignment 1 + Assignment 2 + Group Mark / 3 = X.
X + Exam 1 + Exam 2 + Exam 3 / 4
At least two examination papers to be at Credit or Distinction level to enable those final
award levels to be honoured – see example below:
Ass 1 Ass 2 Group Total Ex 1 Ex 2 Ex 3 Overall grade = Total + Exams / 4
75% 55% 47% 59% 58% 58% 75% 62.5% = Pass as two papers are under 60%
62% 55% 60% 59% 50% 70% 70% 63% = Credit as two papers are 60% or more
64% 70% 64% 66% 64% 75% 78% 70.75% = Distinction as two papers are 70% or
more
Certificate – Assignment average mark + Exam 1 + Exam 2 / 3
At least two elements to be at Credit or Distinction level to enable those final award
levels to be honoured – see example below:
Assignment Average Ex 1 Ex 2 Overall grade = all 3 marks / 3
58% 59% 78% 65% = Pass as two elements are under 60%
60% 58% 65% 61% = Credit as two elements are 60% or more
75% 60% 75% 70% = Distinction as two elements are 70% or
more
Award – Assignment + Exam / 2

b. For group work please see Section 7.3.
c. Any assignment average or examination paper below 45% will result in a resit and will
forfeit the ability to gain a Credit or Distinction. Resit in an assignment will require the
student to achieve an overall average of 45% when replacing the lower of their previous
scores.
d. If a resit student passes – the final mark will be capped at a Pass.
e. If a resit(s) is failed on its 2nd
attempt, the course will be deemed to be failed.
Exemptions - all disciplines
a. Certificate to Diploma – exemption from first assignment, 10% discount.
b. Diploma to Certificate – exemption from first assignment, 10% discount.
c. Diploma to Diploma – exemption from first assignment, 10% discount.
d. Certificate/Diploma to Award – no exemptions, 10% discount.
e. Award to Certificate/Diploma – no exemptions, 5% discount.

10.0 Online Assessment
The IDM now offers online assessment for one or more of its short qualification (online
learning) programmes (e.g. The IDM Award in Data Management and The IDM Award in
Direct and Digital Marketing).
Naturally, the preceding general rules and regulations of assessment require common sense
interpretation in the context of online assessment. Not all the rules and regulations apply
literally to online assessments.
Notwithstanding, the following should be noted by students:
 The process, conditions and marking of each online assessment will be explained in
the assessment module. In general:
o Online assessment comprises a set of multi-choice questions that must be
answered within a specified time period.
o The final mark is a percentage score based on the proportion of right
answers adjusted according to weighting attributed to particular questions.
In line with the priority of the learning outcomes, some questions might be
worth more than others.
o A minimum percentage is required to attain a Pass, there being only two
grades available: Pass or Fail.
 Penalties and sanctions for malpractice will be as described above under
‘Malpractice’.
 Plagiarism (such as assessments undertaken by someone else on your behalf and in
your name) will incur the maximum penalty.

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