The Institute of Management (IM), Britain's leading professional organisation for managers, and Edexcel have joined forces in a unique partnership to provide new and extensive opportunities for students.

In an exclusive scheme, successful Edexcel management students are guaranteed a fast-track route to IM membership.

The link-up gives centres that offer the Edexcel management qualifications an enhanced profile by ensuring their management candidates have automatic membership of the IM upon completion of the following qualifications:

• NVQ 4 and 5 in Management
• Professional Development Diploma and Certificate in Management Studies
• BTEC HNC/D in Business, Business and Management, Business and Finance, Business and Marketing, Business and Personnel and Managing Health and Care Services
• BTEC HNC/D in Hospitality Management, Hospitality Management (Licensed Retail), Travel and Tourism Management, Tourism Management and Leisure Management.

Mary Chapman, Director General of the Institute of Management, said: "This IM-Edexcel partnership gives Edexcel management students a distinct advantage early in their careers.

"It will instantly provide them with access to facilities and information they would not have otherwise, and offers them a firm footing from which they can proceed with their working lives."

Tina Townsend, Edexcel's Chief Executive, welcomed the partnership, and said: "This is a good example of two major organisations working together collaboratively to provide a programme of action which offers real added value for our management candidates and centres.

"This joint venture will undoubtedly add cachet to candidates' CVs and centre prospectuses."

Under the IM-Edexcel scheme, the benefits available to successful Edexcel candidates will include:

• Free access to the largest and most comprehensive sources of management information anywhere
• On-line access to extensive databases, offering more than two million articles on management, business, products and markets
• Professional researchers ready to find information tailored to meet their specific requirements
• Preferential rates on IM publications, books and research reports
• Professional career development and guidance.

For more information ring the Edexcel Customer Response Centre on 0870 240 9800.