Diploma in International Freight Management (Synchronous E-learning)
Commence Date:
Intake 75, 18 Nov 2026 (Registration is open)
Intake 76, 1 Mar 2027 to 8 Mar 2028
Objectives
The course aims to equip participants with key skills and knowledge required to perform effectively in a logistics management environment.
The Diploma’s training curriculum is customized towards
- Logistics Industry Transformation Map (ITM)
- the Skills Framework for Logistics – Freight Forwarding and Operations as well as Sales and Customer Service.
Who Should Attend
The program prepares the participants in their roles as Customer Service Officer/Executive, Freight Forwarding Officer/Executive, Import/Export Officer/Executive, Freight Supervisor, Freight Co-ordinator who perform all duties necessary for the intermodal transport of commodities across international borders on behalf of shippers. These roles are increasingly more essential in the booming of e-commerce.
Entry Requirements
Local Students
Qualification:
Obtained at least a C6 at N-Level in any 3 subjects or matured candidate who is 30 years old with at least 3 years of relevant working experience.
OR
Obtained a Full-Time Higher NITEC/NITEC or matured candidate who is 30 years old with at least 3 years of relevant working experience.
OR
Obtained TLA Certificate in Logistics Operations or matured candidate who is 30 years old with at least 3 years of relevant working experience.
OR
TLA Certificate in Logistics Operations with min N/O Level English at respectively specified grades / IELTS 5.5 / WPL Level 6 & above
Work Experience : 1 year
Age: from 18
Admission is solely at the discretion of TLA.
International Students
Obtained at least a pass at International Baccalaureate Primary Years Programme – Year 4.
For Malaysian, obtained at least Sijil Pelajaran Malaysia (SPM) with a pass in English and 3 other subjects
For other nationalities, obtained at least GCSE with a pass in English and 3 other subjects Language Requirement.
At least a C6 at N-level English
Please note: Advanced Diploma in DSC & Diploma in IFM/ILM are not pathway programmes.
Fees
| SLA Member Company | ||
| Programme | Diploma | Modular |
| Fee Type | Full Course Fee | Full Course Fee |
| Course Fee | $4,300.00 | $680.00 |
| Total Nett Fee (including 9% GST) | $4,687.00 | $741.20 |
| Non-Member Company | ||
| Programme | Diploma | Modular |
| Fee Type | Full Course Fee | Full Course Fee |
| Course Fee | $4,900.00 | $780.00 |
| Total Nett Fee (including 9% GST) | $5,341.00 | $850.20 |
Other administrative charges apply as follows:
- Application fee of $87.20 (non-refundable).
Duration
Part-time studies : Evenings from 7pm to 10pm
Diploma: 14 months (243 training hours excluding examinations)
Venue / Time
Venue : Synchronous online training session (via Zoom)
Time : 1900 – 2200 hours
Course Delivery
Synchronous online training session
Lectures, Case Studies, Group Discussions
Course Assessments
Tutorial Exercises, Group Projects, Written Examinations
Modules
IFM 101 International Trade Management (12 sessions)
IFM 102 Air Freight Forwarding Operations (14 sessions)
IFM 103 Sea Freight Forwarding Operations (13 sessions)
IFM 104 Multimodal Transport (16 sessions)
IFM 105 Customer Service & Relationship Management in Logistics (11 sessions)
IFM 106 Legal Issues in Freight Management (12 sessions)
IFM 601 Basic Management (10 sessions)
Coverage
IFM 101 International Trade Management (12 sessions)
- International Trade Management
- Incoterms
- Regional Economic Integration
- Major Trade Product
- Trade Finance: Documentary Collection and Letter of Credit
- Trade Documentation
- Cross Cultural Perspective in International Trade
- Business Entry Modes
- Infocomm Technology (ICT) in Freight Forwarding
IFM 102 Air Freight Forwarding Operations (14 sessions)
- Industry Regulators & Associations
- Document of Affreightment—Air Waybill
- The Air Cargo Agency, Airlines & Ground Handling
- Use of Guide Books
- Dangerous Goods & Security
- World Geography
- Conditions of Contract
- Air Cargo Claims Handling
- Air Cargo Rates & Charges
- Aircraft, Aircraft Unit Load Devices, BUP
- Air Cargo Import, Export, Transhipment
IFM 103 Sea Freight Forwarding Operations (13 sessions)
- Transport Geography, Shipping Routes and Major Ports
- Vessels: Operational and Design Related Metrics
- Shipping Documentation
- Role & Responsibilities of Carriers, Agents and Ports
- Freight Consortium and Global Alliances, Containerization and its Operational Forms
- Freight Tariff Systems
- Freight Quotation, Job Costing and Payments
- Cargo Packing and Damage
- Basic Principles of Material Handling and Cargo Operations: Vessel, Warehouse, Port
- Classification and Handling of Dangerous Goods
- International Conventions for Transportation of Goods
IFM 104 Multimodal Transport (16 sessions)
- Introduction & Definition of Multimodal Transport
- Types of Multimodal Transport & Its Operations
- Multimodal Transport Documents
- Plan & Execute an Export Shipment & Import Shipment
- Project Transportation
- Household Removals (Int’l Relocations) & ASEAN Framework for Multimodal
- Introduction on Road & Rail Transport
- Alternative Transport Solutions
- Safety & Security
IFM 105 Customer Service & Relationship Management in Logistics (11 sessions)
- Customer Servicing in the Logistics Industry
- Marketing and Logistics Operations Interface
- Principles of Quality Customer Service
- Customer Service Performance Metrics
- Development of Customer Service Program
- One-Stop Customer Service
- Concept of Customer Relationship Management
- International Trade & Transport Organization and Global Customs Knowledge
IFM 106 Legal Issues in Freight Management (12 sessions)
- Legal Framework of Multimodal Transport Operators
- Carriage of Goods by Sea
- Application—Carriage of Goods by Sea
- Introduction to Insurance & its Practices
- Cargo Policy Coverage
- Cargo Insurance Claims
- Carriage of Goods By Air, Road and Rail
- Remedies and Enforcement
- Forwarders’ Liability Claims
- Handling Liability Claims
IFM 601 Basic Management (10 sessions)
- Managing & Manager
- Basic Management Functions
- Coaching, Problem Solving & Decision Making
- Communication
- Leadership
- Performance Appraisal
- Managing Conflict
- Managing Creativity & Innovation
- Managing Group, Managing Effective Meeting
Participant’s Support Services
Please CLICK HERE for details
Graduation
Participants must pass all the required modules to be awarded the Diploma Certificate which will be presented at the TLA Graduation Ceremony scheduled at least once a year.
FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding (by Vocational Training & Examination)
TLA Diploma graduates are qualified to apply for the exclusive globally recognised dual qualification – FIATA Diploma in Freight Forwarding (By Vocational Training & Examination).
Part-Time Lecturers: Industry practitioners
Average Teacher-Student Ratio – 1:30
IFM 101 International Trade Management
Peter Chua, Master of Business Administration, University of Melbourne
Dr Thomas Sim, Doctorate in Arts, European Institute of Management and Technology
IFM 102 Air Freight Forwarding Operations
Ang Peng Chua, Master of Marketing, University of New South Wales
IFM 103 Sea Freight Forwarding Operations
Tan Eng Soon, Master of Logistics, Curtin University of Technology
Thomas Chee, Bachelor of Business, Royal Melbourne Institute of Technology
IFM 104 Multimodal Transport
Tan Eng Soon, Master of Logistics, Curtin University of Technology
Dr Thomas Sim, Doctorate in Arts, European Institute of Management and Technology
IFM 105 Customer Service & Relationship Management in Logistics
Charles Doo, Master of Science, NTU
Roger Tan, Master of Arts in Lifelong Learning, Institute of Education, University College London, UK
Dr Thomas Sim, Doctorate in Arts, European Institute of Management and Technology
IFM 106 Legal Issues in Freight Management
VCS Vardan, Bachelor of Law, University of London
Dan Yeo, Bachelor of Law, NUS
601 Basic Management
Wong Kim Siong, Master of Business Administration, Charles Strut University
Career Opportunities
TLA graduates from this programme can typically expect good employment/career prospects across the industry, particularly from SLA member companies which regularly look for talents with competencies in international trade, airfreight & seafreight operations, multimodal transport solutions, customer & relationship building, legal & transportation insurance, amongst other skill sets, to join them as Import/Export Manager/Executives, Project Freight Leaders, Sales Executives/Coordinators, Customer Service Manager/Coordinators, Airfreight/Oceanfreight Executives, etc.
