Marketing BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Student writing on a whiteboard

This course focuses on the discipline of marketing and will appeal to those with an interest in brands as commercial products and services, as ideas, and as charities and symbols in a variety of organisational settings.

Course option

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

3 years full-time
4 years sandwich

UCAS codes

N500

Start date

January 2025 - condensed


Course overview

Marketing plays an enormous part in our everyday lives and it is present in almost every exchange of goods and services. For those with creative flair, analytical minds and a love of communicating, our Marketing BA (Hons) course could lead to a potential future career in this exciting field.

The January start for this course is condensed in Year 1. Please see the ‘How you’ll learn’ section below for more details.

A star in the centre of a rosette.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

Five stars in a speech bubble.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

City buildings next to a tree.

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

This course offers you the chance to:

  • Explore areas of sales and marketing from the creative to the analytical – whether that is advertising and brands, consumer behaviour and retailing, or new product development and market research.
  • Develop your awareness and understanding of contemporary marketing and advertising concepts and theories and utilise appropriate analysis tools to investigate a marketing and/or advertising problem and develop appropriate solutions.
  • Gain hands-on experience in - developing marketing plans and strategy, working in teams to create innovative solutions to an advertising brief and then pitching them to a client2.
  • Experience presentations and networking opportunities with practitioners, from both global businesses and small, niche advertising agencies, together with both real and virtual field trips2. Prepare for a future career in marketing with a work placement2.
  • Past students have secured placements at IBM, L’Oreal, Rolls Royce, Microsoft, Procter and Gamble, Goldman Sachs, Disney and Warner Brothers.
  • Learn from experienced staff, many of whom have previously worked in roles such as marketing executives, managers and directors of private and public sector organisations. (Staff may be subject to change.)

If you choose to start this course in January you will study exactly the same course but over a slightly shorter timescale in Year 1. This is ideal if you missed the September start, want to transfer from a different university or course or just need a bit more time to prepare for life at university.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

CIM logo

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Graduate Gateway Programme

This course is part of the CIM Graduate Gateway programme, with the modules of the course aimed to map to certain CIM professional qualifications. This means that students who successfully complete the Marketing BA (Hons) course at Coventry University are exempt from certain modules of CIM qualifications. Please visit the CIM Graduate Gateway website for further information. Direct application and additional fees apply to study modules with the CIM.



What you'll study

This course has a common first year.

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.

We want your degree to fit around you, so upon successful completion of your first year, you could swap degrees with another course in your common first year (subject to meeting progression requirements).

Common first-year courses

  • Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Administration BA (Hons)
  • Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
  • Business and Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Management BA (Hons)
  • Enterprise and Entrepreneurship BA (Hons)
  • Event Management BA (Hons)
  • International Business Management BSc (Hons)
  • Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Sport Management BA (Hons)

In the first year, the curriculum is shared across related courses allowing you to gain a broad grounding in the discipline before going on, in the second and third years, to specialist modules in your chosen field.  

Modules

In year two you will start to drill down into core marketing subject areas, such as consumer behaviour and marketing insight. You will also explore areas such as integrated marketing communications and digital marketing. The knowledge gained within the year provides a solid foundation for your ability to understand and analyse the marketing function. 

Modules

There’s no better way to find out what you love doing than trying it out for yourself, which is why a work placement2 can often be beneficial. Work placement or study abroad years usually occur between your second and final year of study. They’re a great way to help you explore your potential career path, whilst developing transferable skills for the future.  

If you choose to do a work placement or study abroad year, you will pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,2503. During this time you will receive guidance from your employer or partner institution, along with your assigned academic mentor who will ensure you have the support you need to complete your placement. 

Whilst we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depends on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year. 

Modules

Year three aims to bring you to the level to enter the world of work by consolidating your knowledge and skills from years one and two. You could also work on a large final project in an area of your interest, with the support of a mentor.  The final year also allows you to personalise your learning experience depending on your interests or future career aspirations, there is a choice of five specialist modules, from which you select two.  

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

This course benefits from a focus on practical marketing skills and enables you to fully explore the marketing discipline. You will have the opportunity to develop cutting-edge skills in marketing and communications research, analysis and planning, and the chance to work with others to develop advertising campaigns2.

The course aims to offer opportunities to:

  • Get involved in live and simulated cases2 which aim to bring the subject alive, for example, you could find yourself simulating marketing planning in the international smartphone market.
  • Hear from guest speakers from the industry2 who are invited to give talks about their experiences. In previous years this has included speakers from McCann Erickson, ITV Studios, Kantar, Marston’s and the Mixed Reality Studio amongst others.
  • Participate in industry field trips2, with past examples taking place at Jaguar Land Rover and Cadbury’s , as well as visiting professional exhibitions, such as the Digital Marketing Show.

If you choose to start this course in January it will be run as a condensed programme. You’ll start your course in January and finish your first year in August. Upon successful completion of Year 1, you will progress onto Year 2 in September and then continue to start subsequent years of your course in September, completing your degree at the same time as the September starters unless you opt to do a placement year.


Teaching contact hours

We understand that everyone learns differently, so each of our courses will consist of structured teaching sessions, which can include:

  • On campus lectures, seminars and workshops
  • Group work
  • Self-directed learning
  • Work placement opportunities2.

If you would like more information, you can request information about teaching hours.

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from semester to semester, however, on average, it is likely to be around 12 contact hours per week in the first and second year dropping to around 8 contact hours per week in the third and final year as you become a more independent learner.

Additionally, you will be expected to undertake a significant self-directed study of approximately 12 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

Part of university life is undertaking self-directed learning. During a typical week, you will have time that allows you to work independently to apply the skills and knowledge you have learnt in taught or facilitated sessions to your projects or assignment briefs. This self-directed learning allows you to use your research skills, consolidate your knowledge or undertake collaborative group work.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Phase tests
  • Essays
  • Group work
  • Presentations
  • Reports
  • Projects
  • Coursework
  • Exams
  • Individual assignments
  • Simulations
  • Critical reflections
  • Role play

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

The fundamental nature of this course is international in its outlook, drawing on best marketing practices from around the world. We currently have long-running collaborations with KH Leuven in Belgium, School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) in Hong Kong and PSB Academy in Singapore.

We run a number of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects on the course, which aim to enable you to work with students across the world on a live project tackling a specific marketing challenge in global virtual and multicultural teams2. In the past, previous students have worked with peers in the USA, South America, India and many European countries, undertaking business challenges as part of the international X-Culture competition.

Throughout the course, you will have opportunities2 to visit relevant companies to gain a real-life experience in marketing, either at home or abroad. Previous cohorts of students have visited Leuven in Belgium, Dubai and Malaysia to experience other cultures and take part in marketing activities in international teams.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements and are therefore not guaranteed.

This is an ideal course for those who want to develop a well-rounded understanding of marketing, where flexibility is created to allow different marketing career pathways to be pursued. As the course progresses and the areas of marketing interest are developed, there will be opportunities to develop more market specialisms.

Dan Zhang, Marketing Course Director BA (Hons), quoted in 2021
A lecturer and students using a think board

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 120
A level BBB
GCSE 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics
BTEC DDM
IB Diploma 24 points
Access to HE The Access to HE Diploma to include 30 Level 3 credits at Merit. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Chat with us

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying this course with an international foundation year. Upon successful completion our International Foundation Year - Business will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0 overall (with at least 5.5 in each component area)

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Chat with us

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.


Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our undergraduate finance page and see the University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our international scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

Condensed course – January start date

If you choose to start this course in January please make sure you check the Fees and Finance page for more information. Although starting this course in January does not prohibit you from being eligible for student finance, the way it is paid in your first year differs from those who start their course in September.

If you start the course in January, your tuition fees will be paid in accordance with the university’s Tuition Fees, Refund and Withdrawal Terms and Conditions for January starters and for any further years of study, your fees will be paid in accordance with the terms for September starters.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

We have a range of facilities available4 to support our marketing students in putting the theories you are taught into practice.

Two students working in the Digicomm Lab

DigiComm Lab

Designed to build creative minds, the DigiComm Lab is equipped with the latest industry-standard marketing and advertising software and devices to support your creative development.

 
Students sat with a tutor in the Business Simulation Suite

Business Simulation Suite

Coventry Business School's Business Simulation Suite utilises the latest business simulation software to give you the opportunity to improve your business skills.

 

A student with a Talent Team adviser

Talent Team

Our dedicated Talent Team can assist you in applying for work placements, graduate-level jobs and offer skills development workshops. They also organise networking events to introduce you to potential employers and industry contacts2.


Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

  • Demonstrate a comprehensive knowledge and understanding of the essential principles and practices of marketing and advertising, and how an organisation interacts with its external environment customers and stakeholders.
  • Identify and analyse relevant sources of marketing information and research techniques across different contexts and cultures.
  • Appreciate current contemporary issues including sustainability, ethics and CSR in marketing and digital marketing.
  • Effectively use specialist tools in digital and social media marketing using appropriate software4.
  • Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the holistic nature of a business organisation, the financial management of organisations and the strategic management and operational aspects of marketing, within a business context.

This course seeks to equip you with the latest skills in marketing, helping to provide a springboard for a successful career in marketing. The course is aimed at students wishing to pursue a career in marketing, in roles such as Brand Manager, Market Research Manager, Customer Experience Manager and Marketing Manager.

Designed to prepare you for work, this course aims to present you with opportunities to gain industry experience, such as field trips, live cases with clients, work experience and paid internships2. Past students have done work placements such as International TC Marketing Placement at Warner Bros, Marketing Intern at Bosch and Marketing Placement at SAP.

In addition, careers-based modules are embedded into the course designed to help build transferrable skills which aim to enhance your potential future career options. In your first year, you can explore the skills needed to be successful during your studies, while in your second and third years, more tailored modules give you the opportunity to prepare to potentially enter the world of work, with a focus on potential future career options in marketing.

Where our graduates work

Some of our previous graduates have gone on to a range of careers in marketing, advertising, PR, brand management, marketing research, digital marketing, sales and general management with a wide range of large and small organisations such as:

  • Haines Watts
  • Listers Group Reckitt
  • Duracell
  • Blum UK
  • IBM
  • L’Oreal
  • Rolls Royce
  • Warner Brothers
  • Disney
  • Huawei
  • Purity Brewing
  • Philips
  • KIA Motor Cars
  • Molson Coors

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Marketing BA (Hons) course, you may wish to continue to further your studies at postgraduate level. You can do that right here at Coventry University, with our International Marketing Management MSc. You could continue to build on what you have learnt, further exploring the skills which may be needed to work within an international businesses, using marketing to drive growth and business success.

We also offer alternative postgraduate degrees if you decide to take a slightly different route. You can explore all of your options using our postgraduate course search tool. You may be entitled to an alumni discount on your fees if you decide to extend your time with us by progressing from undergraduate to postgraduate study.

Hear from our marketing students

Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

Discover Phoenix+

Phoenix+ brings you together with other students to learn, experience and develop essential knowledge and skills. Whatever destination you choose, it's about preparing you for life after university.

Learn more about Phoenix+

How to apply

You may also like


Discover Uni stats