Qualifications

IoIC's qualifications in internal communication

A young man and young woman
Although there have always been people responsible for communications within companies and organisations, the specialisation of internal communication (IC), as a specific aspect of business, has intensified in the last decade.

Internal Communications over-arches every aspect of an organisation’s activities and, with the advent of modern technology, its professional practitioners now require far more varied skills and competencies than ever before.

As the Internal Communications specialism has grown so, too, has the need for an independent qualification that carries with it industry-wide recognition. Employers and practitioners alike need to know what good internal communication looks like in practice, what level of quality should be attained and what IC skills and knowledge they should expect to receive or deliver. Without a common understanding of proficiency in internal communication, standards of practice will vary widely and can even fall. Instead of playing a leading role in company decision-making and strategy, Internal Communication will then become marginalised.

Professional excellence in any field calls for consistency. The UK’s largest professional IC association, IoIC, now provides the answer with two independent industry-backed qualifications.

Our Foundation Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication is already available and the first students have graduated successfully - Read what they have to say about it.

Our Advanced Diploma is now also available for more experienced Internal Communication practitioners. IoIC is currently developing the curriculum for the third tier offering – more news of that in due course. A fourth tier offering is also planned.

IoIC now has a downloadable flyer that gives you everything you need to know about its qualifications.

Our present and planned offerings at each tier of the IoIC Accreditation Framework are:

Part One – an entry-level Foundation-level Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communication, accredited by IoIC and validated by senior industry practitioners. AVAILABLE NOW
Part Two – an Advanced Diploma of Proficiency in Internal Communications accredited by IoIC and validated by senior industry practitioners. AVAILABLE NOW
Third Tier – A higher-level qualification in internal communications management that balances theory and practice. The Institute recognises and endorses the existing Kingston University Postgraduate Diploma in IC Management at this level. AVAILABLE NOW
The Institute has also adopted a third tier curriculum of its own design and is seeking academic accreditation. IN DEVELOPMENT
Fourth Tier – A Masters degree-equivalent qualification in internal communications management that enables those who take it to contribute to the body of knowledge about IC through research. The Institute recognises and endorses the existing Kingston University MA in IC Management. AVAILABLE NOW
The Institute also supports the development of the proposed MA programme at the University of Central Lancashire. IN DEVELOPMENT

Our accreditation framework is based on work carried out a few years ago when IoIC pooled thinking with other internal comms member associations to draw up the internal communication knowledge and skills matrix. Subsequent work by the IoIC has refined and updated the knowledge, skills and experience levels expected for internal communication professionals at different stages of their careers (downloadable PDF).

As the largest and longest-established independent body for internal communicators in the UK, IoIC is uniquely placed not only to raise the standards of internal communication practice but also to lead the changes within the sector as well.

Here is what senior internal communicators have to say about the qualifications:

Ian Grogan, change and internal communications manager, Foreign and Commonwealth Office:

“At last! The time for talking has finished. This diploma is a great starting point and should be endorsed by all of us across the industry.”

Gavin Greig, internal communications manager, Royal Bank of Scotland, Edinburgh: “This is an exceptionally important development. It is long overdue and puts IoIC right at the heart of internal communication education.”

Mark Hill, senior internal communication manager, AXA-Sunlife, Bristol: “This has been needed for a long time. As a membership-based organisation, IoIC is perfectly placed to deliver this for the industry.”
Trish Tweddle, consultant and former internal communications manager, Anglian Water, Cambridgeshire: “It’s absolutely right for IoIC to give internal communications colleagues the right skills we know are essential to deliver the communication that is increasingly important to today’s business. The passion for good communication needs to be shared. I only wish the same qualification was available when I started out in internal communication.”
Richard Lomax, editorial director, Redhouse Lane, London:”You wouldn’t employ an unaccredited lawyer or plumber – why should internal communication be so different?”
Tim Buckley, managing director, AB, London: “Providing an accreditation programme to the internal communication profession is essential in developing the quality of internal communication professionals – this, in turn, is fundamental to improving the standing of the profession in business.”
Andrew Rushton, assistant director of communications, Department of Work and Pensions, Lancashire: “At last! A genuine opportunity to set universally accepted standards for the industry.”
Phil Weare, manager central employee communications, Peugeot Citroen Automobiles UK Ltd, Coventry: “Good skills not only give confidence, they also ensure internal communicators are taken seriously by senior people in their organisation.”
Nigel Curtis, managing director CW Corporate Communications, Worcestershire: “At last – an industry-recognised accreditation that establishes basic levels of competencies absolutely necessary to do an effective job in our profession.”
David Holmes, communications consultant, Middlesex: “At long last some practical steps towards an internal communication accreditation. The next step is to spread the word to create acceptance and recognition.”
Phillip Brooks, consultant, Norwich: “This diploma gives employers and employees confidence that the fundamentals of internal communication will be successfully achieved.”
Nick Andrews, client services director Sequel , London: “This is a welcome step forward at a time when internal communication needs to be taken more seriously than ever.”