Marketing and Public Relations BA (Hons)
Study level: UndergraduateHNC/HND courses

This degree in Marketing and Public Relations (PR) aims to equip you with the knowledge, competences and skills that are required to be successful in contemporary marketing and public relations industries.
Year of entry
Location
CU Coventry (Coventry)
Study mode
Full-time
Duration
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC
Course code
N520 / 025N / 095N
Start date
May 2023
July 2023
Course overview
Recognised by and containing content from the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), you will become a member of this professional association for the duration of your course.
In recent years marketing and PR has gained increasing significance as organisations look to face local, national and international challenges.
Marketing and PR roles range from identifying customer needs, creating ideas and building and managing a positive brand reputation. This function is required across almost every industry, giving graduates a variety of sectors to work in such as fashion, retail, public sector, professional services, manufacturing and more.
Why CU Coventry
We offer a style of education which is flexible and designed to fit around your life, allowing you to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, reinforced by the quality and reputation of Coventry University. We aim to provide career-focused courses, wherever possible, coupled with placement opportunities to help prepare you for the world of work. We are dedicated to making higher education accessible and enjoyable to everyone, so we keep our fees low and made it a policy to cover one module at a time, allowing you to become a specialist in each topic before moving onto the next.
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
If the accreditation of this course changes we would seek to notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe. Students achieve both academic and vocational awards (including HNC/HND and Coventry University Honours Degree) and professional recognition from the CIPR. As members of the CIPR, students will have access to benefits offered by the professional body such as networking opportunities, extensive learning resources and improved employment opportunities.

Chartered Institute of Marketing
Students who complete the Marketing and Public Relations HNC will be exempt on an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) basis from the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing modules ‘Marketing’ and ‘Integrated Communications’. They will be required to pass one elective module to obtain the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing qualification. On completion of the BA (Hons) Marketing & Public Relations students will also be exempted on an APL basis from the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing module ‘Marketing & Digital Strategy’. They will be required to pass two modules, Innovation in Marketing (mandatory), plus one elective module to obtain the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
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What you'll study
This course aims to provide an understanding of best practices in the marketing and PR industry.
Alongside extensive knowledge of significant marketing functions within core business strategies, you will be given the opportunity to learn skills for the marketing sector. Within this course, you will have the opportunity to embark on study trips, as well as mandatory marketing training with local employers and industry experts.
Furthermore, you’ll learn to develop creativity with an entrepreneurial flair and successfully combine innovative ideas with strategic thinking.
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
There are two main taught options for this course. It is available as a full-time three year programme or an optional four-year sandwich course where you undertake a work placement or study year in a related field.
Our teaching methods are varied, offering a number of teaching styles to suit the needs of all our students, so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops and group work. You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week, made up of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning. We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Aula.
Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.
Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end of year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.
Assessment
The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes and your final feedback will refer to each outcome, as well as providing an overall percentage grade.
Breakdown of final grade assessment (may be subject to change):
- Coursework
- Interactive Assessments
Job ready
On successful completion, you will have had the opportunity to:
- Demonstrate understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical and practical aspects of marketing and PR.
- Understand environmental factors that influence sales and marketing strategies, policies and processes which includes the competitive marketplace, supply chain, technology, legislation, regulation and social factors.
- Sources of market information, analysis and research techniques. You will be introduced to the fundamental tools and techniques to undertake reliable market research activities, including an exploration of the role of an external marketing agency. You will also look at the most readily available sources of market information, as well as a consideration of the theories related to assessing the quality of market research information.
- Critically appraise theories related to the development of an international marketing strategy and the risk factors that need to be considered in the development of a successful strategy, including country, currency, cultural and competitor risk.
- Strategic leadership and management. You will examine the resources and operations in respect of sales and marketing operations within an international business context. You will also put together a critical analysis of strategic leadership theory related to the context of a marketing and PR function, including issues related to ethics and governance. You will also explore methods for workforce management and control, including managerial principles as well as tools and techniques.
International experience opportunities
Previous students have had the opportunity to participate in international field trips* to Barcelona, Amsterdam and Geneva, as well as getting involved in collaborative online learning projects with international universities, most recently Aalborg University in Denmark.
Entry requirements
Typical offer for 2022/23 entry.
Tuition Fees
We pride ourselves on offering competitive tuition fees which we review on an annual basis. Course fees are calculated on the basis of what it costs to teach each course and we aim for total financial transparency.
Student | Full-time | Part-time |
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UK | £6,800 per year | Not available |
International | £15,300 per year | Not available |
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How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?
We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the government's Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.
If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.
Facilities
All our facilities are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):
- Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
- A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
- Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
- Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
- Student support and careers advice teams
Careers and opportunities
With an ever-growing demand for marketing professionals in all industries, graduates of a marketing course have an expansive list of career pathways to explore.
Possible career routes include digital marketing, events management, account management and more. While many graduates progress directly into careers in marketing, PR and sales, this course could also lead to a master’s degree and professional qualifications.
Where our graduates work
Graduates from our marketing degree have progressed on to positions including Marketing Coordinator, Account Executive and Graduate Manager.
How to apply
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UK students
Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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International students
International students should apply directly to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.
How to applyFor further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.
If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.
Chat with our admissions team
Complete our contact form
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Disclaimers
Student Contract
By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the CU Group. A copy of the 2022/23 contract can be found here. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the CU Group will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at CU Coventry.
Tuition fees
The tuition fee for the course that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For UK and EU students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, we 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 inflation. Following the UK’s exit from the European Union, EU students should be aware that there may be a change to UK laws following the UK’s exit, this may change their student status, their eligibility to study part time, and/or their eligibility for student finance. We will act in accordance with the UK’s laws in force in relation to student tuition fees and finance from time to time.
For International students the tuition fee that is stated on the course webpage and in the prospectus for the first year of study will apply. We will review our tuition fees each year. For international students, we may increase fees for each subsequent year of study but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation.
Accreditations
Many of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the CU Group maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.
Facilities
Facilities mentioned on this page may not be relevant for every course. Due to the ongoing restrictions relating to COVID-19, some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) and some non-academic offerings (particularly in relation to international experiences), may vary from those advertised and may have reduced availability or restrictions on their use.
Placements and study abroad opportunities
Please note that we are unable to guarantee any placement or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be subject to additional costs (e.g. travel, visas and accommodation etc.), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the requirements in this regard, please contact the International Office for further details if you are an EU or International student.
Additional costs
This course may incur additional costs associated with any field trips, placements or work experience, study abroad opportunities or any other opportunity (whether required or optional), which could include (but is not limited to), equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas.