Level 3 Diploma in Social Media and Digital Marketing

1. Principles of Social Media and Digital Marketing : Introduces digital marketing concepts, social media ecosystems, marketing objectives, online customer journeys, target audiences, digital value propositions, channel selection and the role of social media within wider marketing strategies.

2. Social Media Strategy and Community Management : Develops knowledge of social media strategy, platform selection, audience segmentation, community building, engagement methods, content scheduling, social interaction and approaches to maintaining consistent and professional online communities.

3. Digital Content Creation and Brand Communication : Covers content planning, copywriting, visual content, short-form video, storytelling, brand voice, calls to action, content calendars, audience relevance and consistent digital brand communication across multiple platforms.

4. Search Marketing, Paid Media and Digital Campaigns : Explores search-engine visibility, keyword selection, basic search optimisation, paid digital advertising, campaign objectives, audience targeting, advertising formats, budget considerations and campaign implementation across digital channels.

5. Influencer Marketing, Social Commerce and Emerging Channels : Examines influencer collaboration, sponsored content, social commerce, mobile-first marketing, emerging digital platforms, partnership selection, disclosure considerations and the responsible use of new technologies within digital marketing.

6. Digital Analytics and Marketing Performance : Develops understanding of digital marketing metrics, reach, impressions, engagement, traffic, conversions, click-through rates, campaign KPIs, basic reporting, audience insights and the use of performance data to improve marketing activity.

7. Integrated Social Media and Digital Marketing Project : Requires learners to integrate their knowledge through an applied campaign project involving audience research, channel selection, content planning, social media activity, digital promotion, performance indicators, campaign evaluation and recommendations for improvement.

• Develops practical social media marketing and digital marketing skills.

• Builds competence in social media strategy and online community engagement.

• Develops digital content creation and brand communication skills.

• Introduces search marketing, paid advertising and digital campaign planning.

• Builds knowledge of influencer marketing and social commerce.

• Develops practical understanding of digital analytics and campaign KPIs.

• Strengthens the ability to plan, evaluate and improve digital marketing campaigns.

• Provides an applied project demonstrating integrated digital marketing capability.

The qualification is suitable for:

• Learners seeking careers in social media and digital marketing.

• Junior social media executives and digital marketing assistants.

• Marketing staff moving into digital and social media responsibilities.

• Content creators and online communications personnel seeking formal qualification.

• Small-business owners and entrepreneurs developing digital customer-acquisition skills.

• Learners progressing from Level 2 marketing or digital-marketing programmes.

Assessment Format: Written examination, digital marketing case studies, social media planning activities, content-development assignments, campaign-analysis tasks and an integrated digital marketing project.

Total Questions: 40 questions, including multiple-choice, short-answer and scenario-based questions, supported by practical assignments and project evidence.

Passing Score: Minimum 50% in the written examination and successful completion of all mandatory unit assessments and the integrated project.

Duration: 90 minutes for the written examination, with additional assessment time allocated to assignments, campaign activities and the project.

Certification: Level 3 Diploma in Social Media and Digital Marketing

To deliver this Qualification, HiQual UK Approved ATPs must demonstrate the capability to deliver, assess, and internally quality assure qualifications in line with recognised regulatory principles and the expectations of the Regulated Qualifications Framework (RQF).

Approved centres must operate effective systems to ensure the validity, reliability, fairness, consistency, and security of assessment.

1. Centre Recognition and Legal Compliance

Centres must be formally recognised by HiQual UK prior to the delivery or assessment of any qualification. To maintain recognition, centres must: Be a legally constituted organisation operating in compliance with applicable legislation and regulatory requirements. Demonstrate effective governance, management oversight, and clear lines of accountability. Comply with all HiQual UK policies, procedures, and conditions of centre recognition. Notify HiQual UK promptly of any material changes that may affect delivery, assessment, or internal quality assurance arrangements.

2. Resources, Facilities, and Learning Environment

Centres must ensure that sufficient and appropriate resources are in place to support learning and assessment. This includes: Learning environments appropriate to the mode of delivery, including classrooms and, where applicable, specialist or practical facilities. Access to learning and assessment resources that enable learners to meet qualification outcomes. Secure systems for managing learner data, assessment records, and certification claims. Arrangements that support equality of access and reasonable adjustments for learners where required.

3. Staff Competence and Occupational Expertise

Centres must ensure that all staff involved in delivery, assessment, and internal quality assurance are competent and suitably qualified. Centres must: Appoint tutors with appropriate subject knowledge, teaching competence, and relevant occupational or professional experience. Ensure assessors are trained and competent in applying HiQual UK assessment requirements and standards. Appoint a qualified Internal Quality Assurer (IQA) responsible for monitoring assessment practice and decisions. Maintain records of staff qualifications, experience, training, and continuing professional development (CPD).

4. Assessment Practice and Internal Quality Assurance (IQA)

Centres must operate robust internal quality assurance systems to ensure assessment integrity. Centres must: Ensure assessment is valid, fit for purpose, and conducted in line with HiQual UK requirements. Implement effective IQA procedures to monitor assessor performance and confirm the consistency of assessment decisions. Maintain accurate, complete, and auditable records of learner registration, assessment evidence, and outcomes. Carry out regular internal reviews and standardisation activities to support continuous improvement.

5. Integrity, Risk Management, and Malpractice

Centres must take appropriate measures to protect the integrity of assessment. Centres must: Maintain policies and procedures for the prevention, identification, and management of malpractice and maladministration. Ensure secure handling, storage, and retention of assessment materials and learner evidence. Report any suspected or confirmed malpractice to HiQual UK in accordance with published procedures.

6. Health, Safety, Safeguarding, and Learner Protection

Centres must provide a safe, inclusive, and supportive learning environment. Centres must: Comply with applicable health and safety and safeguarding legislation. Conduct risk assessments for learning activities, particularly where practical or technical work is involved. Maintain procedures to safeguard learner welfare and wellbeing.

7. Learner Information, Support, and Fair Treatment

Centres must ensure learners are informed, supported, and treated fairly. Centres must: Provide clear and accurate information on programme requirements, assessment methods, and certification. Ensure learners receive timely and constructive feedback on assessment outcomes. Operate transparent complaints and appeals procedures aligned with HiQual UK requirements. Manage learner information securely in compliance with data protection legislation.

Successful learners who achieve the HiQual UK Level 3 Diploma in Social Media and Digital Marketing may progress to:

• HiQual UK Level 4 qualifications in Digital Marketing, Marketing, Business Management, Social Media Strategy or related disciplines.

• Higher education programmes such as Digital Marketing, Marketing, Media, Communications, Business Management or E-Commerce.

• Professional and specialist training in SEO, paid advertising, social media management, content marketing, influencer marketing, marketing analytics and e-commerce.

• Employment or career advancement in roles including Social Media Executive, Digital Marketing Assistant, Content Marketing Executive, Social Media Coordinator, Digital Marketing Executive and Marketing Assistant.

• Continuing professional development toward Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Content Strategist, Performance Marketing Specialist or broader marketing-management roles.

Progression and employment claims should remain accurately stated and appropriately supported within the approved qualification specification. HiQual UK's development policy specifically requires progression and employment claims to be evidence-based