Why learn with us?

We’ve done our homework on what works best for busy people studying part-time for professional qualifications.

Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Structure and flexibility
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Structure and flexibility

Our carefully structured curriculum keeps you on track, with enough flexibility to fit around work and family life.

Small-group learning
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Small-group learning

Learn with a small group of highly motivated peers who work in research agencies, small and large businesses, and the public sector.

Online learning suite
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Online learning suite

Everything you need is at your fingertips, from bite-sized video lessons and catch-up recordings to our friendly 24/7 chat forum.

Personal attention
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Personal attention

You'll have a named personal tutor who's experienced and passionate about research. They'll support you by email and in video calls.

Personalised feedback
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Personalised feedback

You'll get clear and constructive feedback on your coursework drafts, followed by a call with your personal tutor.

Extensive exam prep
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Extensive exam prep

Get ready with our exam tutorials, video briefings, a live mock exam and debrief, and tons of mock exam tasks with answer guides and sample answers.

Research-active tutors
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Research-active tutors

Our tutors all work in market or social research, with clients ranging from government bodies and charities to high street brands.

Evidence-based teaching
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Evidence-based teaching

Our unique approach is based on research with our students, literature on adult pedagogy, and the latest in e-learning technology.

Award-winning students
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Award-winning students

Our students have won the coveted MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice Award. With our support, you too can aim high!

Accredited by the MRS
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Accredited by the MRS

We meet rigorous standards set by the Market Research Society (MRS) for our MRS Advanced Certificate and MRS Diploma courses.

Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Structure and flexibility
Small-group learning
Online learning suite
Personal attention
Personalised feedback
Extensive exam prep
Research-active tutors
Evidence-based teaching
Award-winning students
Accredited by the MRS
Why learn with us? Research Academy
Why learn with us? Research Academy

Real student stories

Studying for a professional qualification is tough, but worthwhile. Our students to tell it like it is.

Why learn with us? Research Academy

I now can make more secure, well-founded decisions

I am an Account Manager in South Africa, working for an international market research company. I decided to enrol for the MRS Diploma course with the Research Academy as I have worked in market research for eight years but didn’t ever feel as though I knew everything I needed to since I ‘happened upon’ my career in market research.

In South Africa there aren’t many courses that offer the kind of training the Research Academy offers. The online approach suited me and has worked exceptionally well. The Research Academy provides excellent training and guidance and really prepare you well for all the tasks and exams. I could never have done as well as I did without them.

After doing this course the biggest benefit to me as a market research professional and my career has been my confidence – I now can make more secure, well founded decisions on an every day basis. Being a quantitative researcher I wouldn’t have gone near a qualitative project before doing this course, but now I would gladly take one on, as I feel fully equipped to do so – I think that’s amazing.

I also received a distinction for the qualitative unit – definitely due to the Research Academy’s preparation and support. Mia and her team are incredibly knowledgeable. This is truly an excellent course for professionals who are after that extra bit of confidence to push them further in their careers.

Camila Dixon

Account Manager - GfK
Why learn with us? Research Academy

I’ve gained the confidence to move into a senior position

I really value the time I’ve had with Research Academy studying for my MRS Diploma. I have a perhaps unique perspective in that I did my first unit with a different distance learning provider, but was unhappy about the way the course was run so switched to Research Academy at the start of Unit 2. They couldn’t have been more helpful in the transition, and the way the course is run is a world apart from my experience throughout Unit 1.
Research Academy staff are very supportive and encouraging, always making time for their students. The instructors have a wealth of expertise. I’ve found the course itself incredibly helpful – it’s quite a lot of work but very rewarding – and I’ve gained the confidence to move into a senior position at work. I wouldn’t hesitate to recommend Research Academy and the MRS Diploma to other market research professionals.

Ginny Cartmel

Consultant - Morris Hargreaves McIntyre
Why learn with us? Research Academy

The course helped me improve my professional practice

Studying with the Research Academy has been great. It’s immensely encouraging to work with such a knowledgeable, enthusiastic team, who are clearly committed to high-quality research. Fitting the course in around work was challenging – the Research Academy expect a lot from their students in terms of self-directed study, preparation and participation. Ultimately though, their programme definitely helped me get the most from the Diploma, and to improve my professional practice.

Rebecca Green

Consultant - Morris Hargreaves McIntyre
Why learn with us? Research Academy

I’m more confident in voicing my opinions

Thank you so much, Mia and Sia, for all your teaching and support over the last two years. The MRS Diploma course has given me a real confidence boost and showed me that I know more than I thought I did. My practical experience is now backed up technically with the theory, which has made me more confident in voicing my opinions about how to approach a project. I’m so glad I did this.

Jenny Merry

Consultant - Morris Hargreaves MacIntyre
Why learn with us? Research Academy

I’ve applied my knowledge already

I did the MRS Advanced Certificate with a different learning company five years ago. Since then my role has expanded, making me responsible for customer research and insight across my organisation. I really needed to broaden my knowledge to ensure that our research methods were fit for purpose and based on sound theory and principles. The MRS Diploma with Research Academy (RA) fit the bill perfectly.
Having done well in the Advanced Certificate, I was a little complacent with Unit 1 of the Diploma. I soon discovered that the Diploma standards were higher and that RA’s standards were higher still! If you’re looking to do the bare minimum to scrape a pass, then RA isn’t for you. RA commit to helping you aim high. They enrich your learning with examples from their own experiences, hands-on webinars, extra reading, one-to-one tutorials and homework. It can be a lot when you have a busy work and home life, but it’s well worth it.
Coming from a primarily social research background, I struggled with some of the commercial market research elements. The Unit 2 assessment focussed on this and despite my initial fears, support from my RA tutor plus great discussions with classmates in tutorials helped me through successfully. I’ve had many opportunities to apply my new knowledge already and am delighted to report that the investment my employers are making in my training is paying off.

Julia Frost

Insight and Intelligence Manager - Aster Group
Why learn with us? Research Academy

An online course was a great advantage for me

I decided to take this course thanks to the support of my employer, Rare. Although the company is in London, I work and live overseas, so the simple fact that it was an online course was a great advantage for me. I only had to travel to UK to take the exam… twice. Yes, I failed in my first attempt. The Research Academy team were very helpful, always following my evolution through all the exam preparations, and helping me improve.
In the beginning I was scared of the idea of having to attend online live classes due to my poor English. It is true that it was difficult, but I found a really considerate and very kind team, always keen to help. They were very, very patient teachers when correcting the assignment drafts. Their recommendations were all accurate and led me to hit the target. I think the results would be very different without so many corrections and suggestions. And it helped me to improve my English at the same time, as well!

Javier Amor

Research Analyst - Rare: Training & Consulting

Employer views

Most of our students are funded by their employers. Here’s why employers think it’s a good idea!

Why learn with us? Research Academy

I particularly appreciate the personal engagement from Mia and her team

BDRC’s researchers have taken the MRS Advanced Certificate under the guidance of the Research Academy for two years now, and we have three researchers on the course this semester. We use the online tutoring sessions, which work really well for students who work full time and find face-to-face sessions less convenient. The Research Academy provides great quality, interactive tutoring, which is truly invaluable.
I particularly appreciate the personal engagement from Mia and her team. They keep me up to date with the course content, help arrange enrolments and are quick to resolve any queries we have. The team has worked hard to accommodate the needs of our students.
It is clear that Research Academy staff care about providing a genuinely useful course, not only helping students gain the MRS qualification but also imparting skills they will use throughout their research careers.

Rebecca Joyner

Director - BDRC Continental
Why learn with us? Research Academy

The expertise of the tutors played a pivotal role in our transformation

As Head of Citizen Engagement, my team and I support Welsh Parliament committees by facilitating primary research projects with those with lived experience, service users and front-line staff. The MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice has proved to be essential training for the team. It has further improved our skills to conduct high-quality social research with reliable insights for committee inquiries. The training has bolstered our ability to deliver an excellent parliamentary service and provide internal and external stakeholders (including Welsh Parliament Members) with necessary assurance on the qualifications and expertise of our work.
I must commend the Research Academy and the remarkable lecturers for their invaluable contribution to our journey. Successfully completing the course whilst also delivering on the day job can be demanding, but the dedication and support from our tutors ensured success. Moreover, the fantastic learning materials and expertise of our tutors played a pivotal role in our transformation and learning, and we are immensely grateful for their guidance and support.
From application, to help with exam preparation, the Research Academy team gave my team all the support, guidance and expert teaching needed to reach their potential.

Rhayna Mann

Head of Citizen Engagement - Senedd Cymru / Welsh Parliament
Why learn with us? Research Academy

The Research Academy has a good track record

We’re delighted that all four of our employees who undertook the MRS Advanced Certificate qualification in the 2015/16 academic year passed both elements of the assessment (exam and coursework). As a company we are thrilled to achieve a 100% pass rate! Our specialist support partner, the Research Academy, has been instrumental in making this happen, along with our in-house mentoring system. We chose the Research Academy as they have a good track record in this area. They provide personal tutors who have worked in market research at a senior level, and they have a good face-to-face and webinar training programme on key topics.

Graham Craigmile

Vertical Head – Experience Division - Future Thinking

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