International Trade Courses
International trade is one of the most complex fields of commerce. It's all about the differences between cultures that make trade difficult and how to overcome them. Anybody working in international trade needs training designed to prepare them to deal with the broad sweep of international trade, not just one little bit.
The Advanced Certificate is an open entry course that fits this purpose. By covering the legal, logistical and financial aspects of moving goods across national boundaries, as well as including a broad coverage of export marketing, the course is relevant to people dealing with perhaps shipments to and from a single other country, to people working in export sales, in import purchase offices and their managers.
The Advanced Certificate in International Trade
The Advanced Certificate is an Institute of Export (IoE) qualification, generally recognised as a benchmark in international trade skill and competence. It is particularly suitable for:
- importers and exporters,
- shippers and manufacturers,
- distributors and transporters,
- forwarders, vessel or commodity brokers,
- inventory managers and warehousemen,
- marketers, and
- anyone who comes into contact with the freight and export industry, including accountants, lawyers, tax and insurance consultants, and training organisations.
You need to pass four exams:
- The Business Environment,
- Finance in International Trade,
- Operating in the Global Economy, and
- International Physical Distribution.
We run each of these as a separate course.
The Business Environment (Course 125)
This subject introduces the economic, legal and commercial influences on international trade. It covers issues and ideas such as the UK economy as a mixed economy, business growth by acquisition, merger and organic development, marketing concepts, customer needs, change in the commercial environment, limits of markets, competitors, suppliers, monetary/fiscal policy, government policy, contract law, sale of goods legislation in international trade, UK and EU competition law, and agency.
Finance in International Trade (Course 126)
This subject deals with the financial aspects of international trade. The focus is on the movement of capital and includes a look at the types of commercial organisations involved in international trade, financial reporting, costs and costing, exchange rates, international business comparisons, and international payments and methods of paying.
Operating in the Global Economy (Course 127)
Here we look at the customer side of things. This involves examined those factors that can be used to stimulate trade, and those economic, cultural and governmental factors which may inhibit it. The course covers international marketing, the marketing environment, marketing research and analysis, market segments, marketing services, the trading organisation's commercial environment, free trade areas, protected trade areas, and balance of payments issues.
International Physical Distribution (Course 128)
Finally we deal with the logistical aspects of trade. We cover issues such as transport modes, freight rates, Incoterms 1990, export and import procedures and documentation, order administration, customer service, the statutory controls on exporting from the UK and importing into the EU, packing, marking, and cargo insurance.
Programme details
The Advanced Certificate typically takes between 8 to 12 months to study. If you want to sit exams for the IoE Advanced Certificate, you will need to be either:
- at least 18 years old, with one A level plus four GCSEs (grades A to C), one of which is English Language (or equivalent qualifications acceptable to IoE),
- at least 18 years old, with NVQ Level 2 in International Trade and Services, or
- at least 21 years old, with three years’ relevant experience in international trade (IoE will decide whether your experience is acceptable).
In addition, if you are not currently employed in international trade you should have a letter from us stating that you are studying the Advanced Certificate.
