Digital, Creative & Business
Digital Advertising
Plan, run and optimise paid advertising campaigns on a budget.
Syllabus at a glance
Around 4 weeks of guided study, with weekday evening or weekend sessions and short practical tasks between sessions.
| Unit | Study block | Module |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Week 1 | Ad platforms and account setup |
| 2 | Week 2 | Audience targeting and creative testing |
| 3 | Week 3 | Budgets, bidding and campaign structure |
| 4 | Week 4 | Tracking, optimisation and reporting |
Module breakdown
- 1
Ad platforms and account setup
Week 1Build a shared working vocabulary for ad platforms and account setup and set the standards this course expects of you.
What you cover
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind ad platforms and account setup
- Step-by-step methods and templates for ad platforms and account setup
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in ad platforms and account setup, and how to avoid them
- Applying ad platforms and account setup in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Case study discussion applying ad platforms and account setup to a local scenario.
- 2
Audience targeting and creative testing
Week 2Work through the methods and tools used for audience targeting and creative testing in day-to-day programme work.
What you cover
- Step-by-step methods and templates for audience targeting and creative testing
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in audience targeting and creative testing, and how to avoid them
- Applying audience targeting and creative testing in low-resource and community settings
Assessed work: Practical task: draft one working document related to audience targeting and creative testing.
- 3
Budgets, bidding and campaign structure
Week 3Practise budgets, bidding and campaign structure on realistic case material drawn from Sierra Leonean community and field settings.
What you cover
- Common problems, risks and mistakes in budgets, bidding and campaign structure, and how to avoid them
- Applying budgets, bidding and campaign structure in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your budgets, bidding and campaign structure work
Assessed work: Group simulation using budgets, bidding and campaign structure under time pressure.
- 4
Tracking, optimisation and reporting
Week 4Turn tracking, optimisation and reporting into documents, plans and decisions your team or employer can actually use.
What you cover
- Applying tracking, optimisation and reporting in low-resource and community settings
- Recording, reporting and communicating your tracking, optimisation and reporting work
- Key concepts, terminology and standards behind tracking, optimisation and reporting
Assessed work: Portfolio entry: reflect on how you will use tracking, optimisation and reporting in your role.
Who this course is for
- • Learners, freelancers and small business owners who want practical, job-ready digital skills.
- • Programme, project and community staff who need structured, practical training.
- • School leavers and graduates building a first professional portfolio.
Entry requirements
- • Open to all learners; no formal qualification required.
- • Access to a phone, tablet or computer for online and blended study.
- • Commitment to attend sessions and submit assignments on time.
How you are assessed
- • Short module tasks completed during the course.
- • Practical component: Portfolio piece completed and reviewed in class.
- • A final assessment or portfolio review covering the full syllabus.
- • Participation in guided sessions, discussions and group exercises.
Materials and support
- • Session handouts, checklists and templates you keep after the course.
- • Practice files and design or campaign briefs for each tool covered.
- • Tutor guidance by WhatsApp between sessions.
Certification
Learners who complete all assessments receive an SLIHSD professional certificate of completion. This records completion of an SLIHSD short course and is not presented as an accredited academic award.
Learning outcomes
By the end of the certificate you should be able to:
- Launch a structured ad campaign
- Test creatives and audiences
- Optimise spend against results
Practical component
Portfolio piece completed and reviewed in class.
How this programme is delivered
Online
Guided sessions and assignments you can follow from anywhere with a connection.
Face-to-face
Classroom sessions at our Mile 91 learning centre, including weekend and evening options.
Blended
A mix of online study with periodic in-person workshops, field exercises and simulations.
Ready to start Digital Advertising?
Applications for the Founding Student Intake 2026 are open. Register your interest and we will guide you to the right programme.