Condensed first year
Our condensed first year degrees allow you to start your course full-time in January and continue your second year in September.
Explore your study optionsOverview
This exciting honours degree in Marketing & Public Relations (PR) aims to equip students with the knowledge, competences and skills that are required to be successful in contemporary marketing and public relations industries. Recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) students will become members of this professional association for the duration of their degree.
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 London
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.
To ensure an optimised and continual student experience, CU may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via emerging online technologies and methods across all courses.
Employability
Dedicated Careers & Employability department who will assist you in finding employmentTop Quality Courses
Taught by industry professionals, awarded by Coventry UniversityNo End of Year Exams
Our modern teaching techniques mean no last-minute cramming and less stressProfessional Recognition
Specific courses contain additional industry recognised qualifications from awarding bodies
Accreditation and Professional Recognition
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.
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Students who complete the HNC Marketing & Public Relations will be exempt on an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) basis from the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing modules ‘Marketing’ & ‘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 ‘Strategic Marketing’. They will be required to pass two modules, Mastering Metrics (mandatory), plus one elective module to obtain the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
What our students say
My course has helped me to become more attuned to marketing practises everywhere. Because of the modern-day focus, I can notice and apply aspects of what I learn in class to current operating businesses – which is great for what I want to do.
Course information
This course aims to provide a thorough understanding of the marketing industry and PR best practice.
Alongside extensive knowledge of significant marketing functions within core business strategies, you will be equipped with skills essential for successful entry into 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.
Course Specification
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Modules
Coventry University is ranked 15th in the UK in the Guardian University Guide 2020. CU London is part of the Coventry University Group.
In more detail...
If you are excited at the prospect of making a difference to the way companies interact with customers by creating compelling marketing strategies, our degree will equip you with aligning skills and knowledge to excel in the industry.
Facilities
You’ll be based in the spacious Civic Centre building, which provides an outstanding learning environment. You will have access to our Library & Learning Services, fully equipped seminar rooms and impressive IT suites.
Staff
This course has been developed and is taught by practising professionals and industry experts. Our academics bring a wealth of expertise to the classroom with many continuing to undertake research and other projects alongside teaching, meaning our students gain a well-rounded and relevant teaching experience.
Placements
At CU London, we put a strong focus on getting our graduates ready to enter the job market. This can be done in a variety of ways—one key element is work placements. With this degree, you are given the opportunity to undertake short and long-term placements in between your second and third year.
- Upon completion of this course, you will receive a qualification awarded by Coventry University.
- In order to make higher education accessible to as many people as possible, we keep our tuition fees competitively priced.
- Small tutorial group sessions ensure that you receive the mentoring help and support you need.
- We deliver one module at a time during each block. This means you can dedicate your time to specialise in each subject without the distraction of numerous modules and multiple deadlines.
- You will have the opportunity for multi-campus learning in London, Coventry and Scarborough.
- Leadership and Management: Sales and management resources, ethics and governance, managerial principles, management tools and techniques, development, management and exploitation of information and communication systems.
- International Marketing: Critical appraisal of the theories related to the development of an international marketing and sales strategy, including risk factors, country, cultures and competitors.
- Industry Adaptation: Environmental factors that influence sales and marketing strategies, policies and processes which includes the competitive marketplace, supply chain, technology, legislation, regulation and social factors.
- Research Methods: Critical analysis, reflection, information searching and experimental design in the biological sciences. Data collection, analysis and presentation.
Additional study themes include:
- Innovation and creativity
- Entrepreneurism
- Marketing and PR strategy development
- Marketing and PR practice
This course is available as a full-time three year or optional four-year sandwich course, the latter incorporating a work placement or study year in a related field. Alternatively, part-time study is also available and with our Saturday University programme, this course can be completed in as little as three years. 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.
We also operate an open-door policy, with additional availability via email and our online learning platform, Moodle.
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.
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 approximately:
- 65% Coursework
- 35% Interactive Assessments
On completion, you will be able 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.
Full-time
If you choose to study full-time you can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week. The majority of this will be face-to-face teaching, with the addition of individual and group tutorials and independent/online learning.
Classes usually run Monday to Friday at a fixed time each day, either in the morning (9am-1pm) or afternoon (1.30pm-5.30pm).
Part-time
If you choose to study part-time you’ll usually receive seven hours per week direct face-to-face delivery and three hours per week blended learning. Outside of this, there will also be independent study and online support.
Teaching normally takes place on Saturday 9am-6pm, or if the demand is high enough, selected courses may be able to run on weekday evenings.
Please note: part-time courses run subject to numbers.
Teaching groups are kept low. This way, students can take advantage of small numbers to increase contact time with lecturers.
What our students say
My course has helped me to become more attuned to marketing practises everywhere. Because of the modern-day focus, I can notice and apply aspects of what I learn in class to current operating businesses – which is great for what I want to do.
Entry Requirements
Unconditional offers
We want to recruit the best students to CU London. We assess an applicants' past, current and predicted performance and commitment to the course, and we may feel that it is appropriate to reward consistently high-achieving students with an unconditional offer to CU London. It is a commitment from us with regard to an applicants’ potential as an excellent undergraduate and we hope that this will encourage such applicants to join CU London.
Personal statements and references will also be taken into account and, for some degree courses, an interview will form part of the assessment. Requirements for specific courses differ and not all degree courses will be taking part in the scheme. The unconditional offer will be confirmed once a selected applicant has made CU London their firm choice.
CU London has assessed that you can achieve the required grades and we have demonstrated this belief by making you an offer. This is our commitment to you so then we ask that you reciprocate this commitment by selecting us as your ‘firm’ choice and activating your offer.
We will consider other qualifications for a pre-result unconditional offer if you have an appropriate proven performance at GCSE (or equivalent) level and predicted grades in line with grades that we expect to see at A-level. Other qualifications that we may consider for a pre-result unconditional offer include: The International Baccalaureate Diploma, BTEC Level 3 qualifications, Cambridge Pre-U and combinations of qualifications (e.g. BTECS plus A-levels).
An unconditional offer is what it says it is. So, if you don’t meet your predictions then your place is still guaranteed. However, we would hope and expect that you continue to work hard to make the most of your potential and be best prepared to study at university level.
No, the unconditional offer is only available to those who will take up their place in the year for which they applied.
If you don’t meet the entry requirements for this course, we have a number of programmes which upon successful completion and meeting any additional entry criteria, qualifies you onto a place on this degree course, such as Foundation Years.
What our students say
My course has helped me to become more attuned to marketing practises everywhere. Because of the modern-day focus, I can notice and apply aspects of what I learn in class to current operating businesses – which is great for what I want to do.
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.
Fees & Funding
We price our courses competitively in an attempt to make higher education accessible for a wide range of people. Your tuition fees will cover all of your classes, online tutorials, some of the learning materials and access to our Library & Learning Services.
Funding
As a full-time or part-time student resident in the UK or EU, you can apply for a loan to cover the cost of your tuition fees at CU London from Student Finance England.
What our students say
My course has helped me to become more attuned to marketing practises everywhere. Because of the modern-day focus, I can notice and apply aspects of what I learn in class to current operating businesses – which is great for what I want to do.
Career prospects
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. With many students CU progressing directly into careers in marketing, PR and sales, this course can lead also to a master’s degree and professional qualifications.
Where our graduates work
Graduates from the Marketing & PR Degree have progressed onto positions including Marketing Co-ordinator, Account Executive and Graduate Manager.
What our students say
My course has helped me to become more attuned to marketing practises everywhere. Because of the modern-day focus, I can notice and apply aspects of what I learn in class to current operating businesses – which is great for what I want to do.
Disclaimer
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 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 planned 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 at that time.
