ICYMI, being CIMA-qualified opens the door to lots of career opportunities. It’s recognised in pretty much every industry, all over the world. Hey, 81 out of 100 FTSE companies employ a CIMA student or member. So CIMA is the ideal qualification if you know you want to build a career in business once you graduate, even if you’re not sure exactly what you want to do.
We know that studying while you’re working and building your career can seem daunting. But, as a CIMA student, you’ll be sharing your journey with thousands of others around the world. And we’re here to support you at every step in your journey, whether it takes you two years or 20.
That’s another great thing about the CIMA Qualification: it’s really flexible. You can study how you want, when you want; sit exams when and where suits you; and take a break from it all if you need to.
We’ve developed a whole host of resources to support you on your CIMA journey, all included in your student membership – you won’t pay anything more to access them. Here are the top six ways we’ll support you through your CIMA Qualification and beyond.
Join a ready-made study group
We ran our first cohort programme last year and feedback was so positive that we’re planning on rolling it out regularly. Here’s the deal: when you’re planning to sit your next exam, you can sign up to this 13-week, interactive programme that connects you with students at the same stage as you. It’s totally free and you’ll get (drumroll):
- A step-by-step weekly study calendar, complete with learning resources
- Regular online tutorials and drop-in sessions to keep you on track
- A dedicated Facebook group to network with other students sitting the same exam, at the same time, as you. It’s the ultimate supportive space to chat, share experiences, find study buddies and even rant, if you need to
- The option to resit your exam for free if you don’t pass (terms and conditions will apply).
Pretty good, right? Read more about last year’s programme here.
50 hours of guided learning content
You’ll find loads of useful resources to help you get exam-ready on the CIMA Study Planner – 50 hours of guided learning support content, to be exact. Log on to access question practice and online tutorials, as well as tips on exam techniques and insights from CIMA insiders. You can also set up a personalised study plan to keep you on track and set and prioritise goals. And it’s also home to our very own Wellbeing Hub (more on that later).
One-to-one personalised support
Our Student Support Team is at your disposal for dedicated advice on all aspects of the CIMA Qualification. You can reach out to them at any time, whether you’ve just joined or have already taken a few exams. The best bit? The support you receive will be fully personalised.
One of the team can work with you to develop a bespoke study plan that builds on your strengths and study preferences, as well as taking into account things like work and family commitments. You can even book one-on-one coaching sessions to help make sure you’re on your way to exam success.
The Student Support team doesn’t like to brag (though they’re well in their rights to do so, in our opinion), but they’ve helped thousands of students with their exam progression since being established in 2019.
Wellbeing support
Exams are undeniably stressful. According to a recent CIMA survey, a quarter of students felt exams had an impact on their mental health. It’s a statistic that is too high – and one we’re determined to bring down.
We launched our Wellbeing Hub with this goal in mind. It’s a place to access resources to help combat any apprehension you may feel on your CIMA journey. Packed with guides, videos and external resources geared towards protecting your mental health, we hope it goes some way to alleviating some of that exam induced anxiety.
Virtual learning events
2021 saw us hosting our second online Learning Support Forum. Our students loved it so much that we’re aiming to turn it into an annual event. A half-day of live webinars with CIMA examiners and academics, the 2021 event covered topics like Quick Wins To Boost Your Exam Marks and an interview with a Case Study examiner. There’s no pressure to attend the whole thing – you can dip in and out. Access the 2021 Learning Support Forum here and keep your eyes peeled for the next one.
Exclusive jobs listings and careers advice
Have you taken a peek at our Global Careers Hub yet? Every job on there has been carefully vetted by our recruitment team, so you know it meets our standards. The employers who advertise on there are specifically looking for CIMA members or students, or for candidates interested in working towards the professional qualification, so you know you’ll be putting your skills and knowledge to good use. If you’re not quite at the job-hunting stage, there’s lots of career advice on the hub, too.
