Got questions? Read on, or give us a call on +44 20 3130 1431.
Admissions
You can apply any time up to the course start date in August and January. Check our calendar for the next start dates!
It’s easy! Just fill in an application form.
For the MRS Advanced Certificate: please use our online application form.
For the MRS Diploma: please request an application form. Simply send us a message to tell us whether you or your employer is paying for the course. We’ll send you the correct form right away.
Yes. The MRS Advanced Certificate and MRS Diploma are demanding courses. Our eligibility criteria ensure that you have enough experience or training to succeed.
You can read the entry criteria on our admissions page.
There are no entry criteria for our short courses or bespoke training.
Yes, but only for the MRS Advanced Certificate. Having said that, employers in the market research sector are keen on work experience. It’s a good idea to gain a bit of work experience before or during the course. Many big agencies hire phone and street interviewers, and the hours can be compatible with other employment.
We’re happy to advise you, so just book a call with MRS Advanced Certificate course leader Sia Shah.
No, unless you’re not sure which course to take, or want to discuss the entry requirements. Just book a video call with our course leaders!
MRS Advanced Certificate: Book a call with Sia Shah.
MRS Diploma: Book a call with Mia Walker.
Yes! All candidates can apply through their original registration centre to transfer to another accredited centre. This is particularly useful for the MRS Diploma, as you can transfer to us for your final units. We’re happy to advise you, so just book a call with MRS Diploma course leader Mia Walker.
Costs and financial support
Our fees cover the full cost of tuition as well as the MRS course registration fee. The MRS Diploma exam venue fees are also included for UK-based students.
MRS Advanced Certificate course fees
MRS Diploma course fees
Yes. You’ll need to buy the set textbooks.
MRS Advanced Certificate: You’ll need the latest edition of Yvonne McGivern’s The Practice of Market Research.
MRS Diploma: You’ll typically need two textbooks per unit, all of which you’ll use throughout the course. For Unit 1, for instance, you’ll need Bryman’s Social Research Methods and Wilson’s Marketing Research: Delivering Customer Insight. Overseas MRS Diploma students will also need to pay fees related to their exams. Please see ‘Studying outside of the UK’ below.
You may incur additional charges if you need to resit an exam, resubmit coursework, or defer your studies. In some instances, however, these charges are waived. You can download our full list of additional charges here.
No, but you can get a significant discount on MRS membership while you are studying with us. Membership also gives you access to publications that you’ll find useful during your studies.
Yes!
MRS Advanced Certificate: If you’re paying for the course yourself, you can pay in instalments by direct debit. We charge a £16 processing fee for this.
MRS Diploma: You or your employer can pay for each unit separately. There’s no fee for this. Some employers prefer to pay for the entire course up front. That’s fine too; just let us know when apply!
Yes! The MRBA Skills programme may pay for some or all of your MRS Advanced Certificate course fees.
Workloads and student wellbeing
You’ll want to set aside about 6 hours a week for the MRS Advanced Certificate, and a bit more for the MRS Diploma.
First, your friendly and experienced personal tutor is always on hand. You can talk to them about both academic and personal matters.
Second, we’ve been doing this for a long time and we know that life doesn’t always go to plan. Our established support procedures include early deferral and staggered assessment. Just talk to us!
Third, the entire Research Academy team is dedicated to your welfare. We want you to succeed, so you’ll find little extras throughout the course to help you along.
Fourth, we’re easy to reach, and we respond quickly to questions and comments. You can reach out on the 24/7 course forum, by email or phone, or by booking a video chat.
We’ve got recordings of each tutorial, so it’s easy to catch up if you miss a session. It’s one of the many features you’ll love about our online learning suite!
We’re here for you! If you need some help with our learning resources, we’ll help you out. If you need extra time or other support during an exam, we’ll work closely with the MRS to make suitable arrangements. Just give us a call and we’ll take it from there.
MRS Advanced Certificate: Book a call with Sia Shah.
MRS Diploma: Book a call with Mia Walker.
Assessment and graduation
MRS Advanced Certificate: The exam is held online, so you can participate from your home or office.
MRS Diploma: You can take the exams in London or Manchester. If you’re outside of the UK, please read the next section of the FAQ.
If you were given extra time or resources during exams at school or university, you can request additional time or resources during your MRS exam. You’ll need to provide relevant documentation to us.
The MRS will issue a digital certificate when you graduate. They send it to us about two months after the grades are released. We then send it to you via email.
Studying outside of the UK
Yes! You’re welcome to join us. Our live online tutorials are scheduled so that they’re convenient across many time zones.
You need a language qualification unless you can demonstrate that you’ve worked in an English-language environment for at least three years, or completed a degree-level course that was assessed in English.
This depends on which course you take.
MRS Advanced Certificate: The exam is held online, so it’s easy to participate.
MRS Diploma: You’ll need to make arrangements with your local British Council office. The Market Research Society (MRS) is a British Council partner, so they’ll know what you need. You’ll need to pay the British Council for the invigilation, along with a £55 fee to the MRS for posting your exam paper securely to the British Council.
No.