Marketing BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Student writing on a whiteboard

Are you a creative and analytical thinker curious about how brands connect with people globally? This course explores modern marketing across various settings, from small businesses and charities to global companies and public sector organisations.

Course features

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

September 2027
November 2027
January 2028
March 2028
May 2028
July 2028


Course overview

This course is ideal for creative and analytical individuals who want to explore modern marketing, from brand strategy and market research to customer experience. This is achieved through hands‑on projects, live briefs2 and industry insight, preparing you for a role such as brand manager, marketing manager or CX manager.

The course aims to help you:

  • develop practical skills through a rich curriculum that blends theoretical knowledge with hands-on experience. Gain a thorough understanding of marketing strategies, tactics and tools, learning to apply them effectively to drive business growth and extend reach in new and existing markets
  • provide you with a range of transferable skills that are relevant to a variety of potential career destinations in profit and non-profit sectors, as well as options beyond marketing
  • give you the opportunity to prepare for a career as an ethical, globally minded, socially aware and responsible leader in marketing.
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 2026

Why you should study this course

  • Industry-relevant curriculum: the course helps you explore key areas in marketing, covering a wide range of competencies in marketing, marketing analytics for decision-making, marketing communications, brand management, public relations and customer experience.
  • Focus on sustainability: this course teaches you how to grow a business responsibly, with a strong focus on inclusion, ethical practices and how to better protect the environment in today’s connected world.
  • Innovative thinking: gain hands-on experience running simulations with industry-standard software in the DigiComm Lab4, where you could design, manage and evaluate digital campaigns.
  • Practice-led learning: apply marketing concepts to real-world scenarios using analytics to drive digital marketing decisions.
  • Industry-ready: learn to create campaigns aimed at engaging global audiences across diverse cultural contexts, encouraging communication authenticity and building brand trust.

A key highlight of my experience was the pool of different opportunities to get involved in. From cross-border projects to competitions, societies or volunteering, there was never a shortage of opportunities to improve our marketing knowledge and gain practical experience. I truly think that the eagerness to learn and broad range of experiences is what set me apart from my peers when it came to new projects and challenges, as I could much easier navigate in between the theory and practice.

Sabina Sabova, Marketing Alumnae, quoted 2024
A close up portrait of Sabina in front of a Coventry University building

What you'll study

Your first year is shared with students from closely related courses. This approach allows you to learn alongside other disciplines, broaden your perspective and develop strong collaboration skills from the very start.

The common first year also offers flexibility. If you discover a stronger interest in another subject area, you may have the opportunity to transfer to a related course at the end of the year, subject to meeting progression requirements.

Common first year courses:

  • Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Administration BBA (Hons)
  • Business Analytics and Management BSc (Hons)
  • Business and Human Resource Management BA (Hons)
  • Business and Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Business Management BA (Hons)
  • Events Management BA (Hons)
  • International Business Management BSc (Hons)
  • Marketing BA (Hons)
  • Sport Business Management BA (Hons)

Modules

Modules

A placement year2 provides optional first-hand industry experience and helps you discover where your skills and interests truly lie. Taken between your second and final years, it allows you to step into a professional environment, apply your learning and gain valuable insight into your chosen sector.

By spending an extended period in industry, you should develop confidence, build professional networks and strengthen the transferable skills that employers value most. This experience offers a powerful way to explore career paths and return to your final year with real-world expertise and a clearer sense of direction.

Key opportunities

  • Complete an approved work placement: gain practical experience aligned with your course and career ambitions, typically lasting at least 26 weeks.
  • Reflect on professional development: recognise and document the specific skills, knowledge and experience you gain during your time in industry.
  • Broaden your global perspective: optionally undertake an international work or study placement to experience a different professional or cultural context.

While this optional year is non-credit-bearing, successful completion ensures your experience is formally recognised on your final degree certificate to showcase your expertise to future employers.

Students sponsored by the University who opt for an international work placement must ensure they comply with the UKVI immigration regulations and should contact us for further guidance.

Modules

We regularly review our course content to keep it relevant and current for our students. Consequently, we may update modules to reflect the latest industry standards.


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 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.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 30-credit module requires 300 hours of study. Study hours are made up of teaching contact hours and guided and independent study.

Teaching hours

Teaching hours may vary, depending on where you are in your studies, but on average, you will have between 12 and 15 teaching and learning hours each week. You will also have the option to attend additional sessions, including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Guided and independent study

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You will be digging deeper into topics, reviewing what you’ve learnt and completing assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress to the end of your studies, you’ll spend more time on independent learning.

Online learning

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods, including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.


Assessment

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

Assessment methods may 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 guaranteed2.


Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC
GCSE GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards
BTEC DMM
T level Overall grade of Merit in the T level qualification in any subject.
IB Diploma 28 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.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual/Fair Access Offers

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Offer, you could automatically receive a contextual offer which is 16 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Offer.

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.

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.

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


Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK 2027/28 fees TBC
2026/27 fees: £9,790 per year
Not available
International 2027/28 fees TBC
2026/27 fees: £17,600 per year
Not available

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement2 or study abroad year, you will need to pay a tuition fee3 to cover your academic support throughout your placement year. Students commencing their professional placement in the academic year 2028/29 will pay £1,575 if they are paying UK fees, or £1,900 if they are paying international fees.

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.

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the table above for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permits an increase in tuition fees, the university may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with the Retail Price Index (RPI), a UK measure of inflation that tracks changes in the cost of living.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement or study abroad year, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2028/29. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above RPI.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) you may be charged the tuition fees in force at the time you take that additional period of study, and/or in line with any legislative changes that apply at that time.

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) which may include costs of travel, accommodation, equipment or uniform required for the placement and any visa-related costs.

*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.


Facilities

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

Take a virtual tour

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

Careers team

Our dedicated careers 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.

Facilities are subject to availability4. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.


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.

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.

The graduate destinations listed above illustrate potential career paths. You may need to gain additional qualifications or practical experience, pass professional examinations, complete training, cover associated costs and meet specific visa or immigration requirements to secure employment in these fields.

Further study

Upon successful completion of our Marketing BA (Hons) degree, 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.

I seriously can’t recommend undertaking a placement year enough! Even drafting an application taught me so much about the job landscape. I secured my place at Mondalez International and allowed me to grow as a marketing professional, deepen my knowledge and gain a competitive advantage in the graduate job market. Additionally, it has provided me with a new perspective of approaching university assignments in my final year and helped to bridge the gap between theory and practice.

Sabina Sabova, Marketing Alumnae, quoted in 2024
A portrait of Sabina at Cadbury's world in front of a Cadbury's illustration of a glass of milk
Two students sat at a desk working on a laptop

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