About this course

If you want to pursue a career in marketing, this accredited course will give you an edge in the job market. With plenty of hands-on learning, you'll cover recent developments such as big data and digital marketing, and learn how to integrate them with more traditional techniques. You'll have many opportunities to interact directly with inspirational marketing leaders and use cutting-edge software tools.

Applications for 2022 entry to this course are now closed to all international applicants. View our undergraduate courses.

Ranked Top 10 in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2022)

Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.

With this marketing course, you can:

get hands-on experience by running real digital campaigns for organisations
benefit from the knowledge of guest speakers who are marketing leaders in small, medium and large UK companies
learn how to use consumer data to make effective marketing decisions - a skill that recruiters consider important
develop an understanding of how to measure the success of marketing efforts in different types of companies
get skills in related topics such as accounting, analytics and strategy
learn how to use the latest marketing software and tools

Graduates have gone on to work for Sony Pictures, Publicis, Kantar and Ogilvy.

This course is accredited by the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM).

Accreditations

The Institute of Data and Marketing

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Sensory Marketing: Why it matters and how to use it

Experience a taster lecture delivered by Marketing lecturer Dr Tugra Akarsu.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Entry requirements

Select the academic year you want to see entry requirements for

A-levels

AAB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies
The below subjects are considered as restricted. This means that we can accept two subject from the following list if combined with another academic subject
Applied subjects
Art; including Design, Fine Art, Photography, Textiles
Communication Studies
Communication and Culture
Creative Media
Creative Writing
Critical Thinking
Dance
Drama
Film Studies
Health &Social Care
Home Economics
Hospitality and Supervision
ICT/IT
Leisure Studies
Media Studies
Music Technology
Outdoor Education
PE
Performing Arts
Public Services
Sports Studies/Science
Theatre Studies
Travel & Tourism
World Development
Please note; Computing, Computer Studies, Product Design and Applied Business (single and double awards) are not considered to be restricted subjects

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer:

ABB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.

Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows:

ABB

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements.

Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the Business BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels

DD in the BTEC National Diploma plus A from one A-level

DDD in the Business BTEC National Extended Diploma

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience.
Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

BTEC qualifications should be in Business, please check with us if your BTEC qualification is in a different subject before applying.

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

D in the Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels

DD in the BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level

DDD in the Business BTEC Extended Diploma

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Select additional entry requirements to display

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6/B *). * We can accept a grade 5 in GCSE mathematics if you achieve grade B in A level Maths, Physics, Economics, Geography, Psychology or Business. Please note we can only accept grade 6 in GCSE mathematics if you are studying BTEC qualifications.

A-levels

AAB

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies The below subjects are considered as restricted. This means that we can accept two subject from the following list if combined with another academic subject Applied subjects Art; including Design, Fine Art, Photography, Textiles Communication Studies Communication and Culture Creative Media Creative Writing Critical Thinking Dance Drama Film Studies Health &Social Care Home Economics Hospitality and Supervision ICT/IT Leisure Studies Media Studies Music Technology Outdoor Education PE Performing Arts Public Services Sports Studies/Science Theatre Studies Travel & Tourism World Development Please note; Computing, Computer Studies, Product Design and Applied Business (single and double awards) are not considered to be restricted subjects

More information about A-levels

A-levels with Extended Project Qualification

If you are taking an EPQ in addition to 3 A levels, you will receive the following offer in addition to the standard A level offer: ABB and grade A in the EPQ

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: ABB

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level

More information about International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

D in the Business BTEC National Extended Certificate plus AA from two A levels DD in the Business BTEC National Diploma plus A grade from one A-level DDD in the Business BTEC National Extended Diploma

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

BTEC qualifications should be in Business, please check with us if your BTEC qualification is in a different subject before applying.

More information about BTEC

QCF BTEC

D in the Business BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus AA from two A levels DD in the Business BTEC Diploma plus A grade from one A-level DDD in the Business BTEC Extended Diploma

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Select additional entry requirements to display

Other requirements

UK students

International students

Other ways to qualify

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C) and mathematics (minimum grade 6/B *). * We can accept a grade 5 in GCSE mathematics if you achieve grade B in A level Maths, Physics, Economics, Geography, Psychology or Business. Please note we can only accept grade 6 in GCSE mathematics if you are studying BTEC qualifications.

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

Course structure

The course is made up of a combination of modules.

Compulsory modules will give you a thorough grounding in the theory and practice of marketing.

You can also choose from a range of optional modules to reflect your personal interests or future career options. These include commercial law, management ethics and successful decision-making.

You can broaden your studies by choosing:

You do not need to select your modules when you apply. Your academic tutor will help you to customise your course.

Year 1 overview

Modules will introduce you to the key concepts and techniques in marketing and business analytics, as well as related areas of business and management.

Optional modules this year cover subjects such as management analysis and digital technologies.

Year 2 overview

You'll develop your ability to apply and analyse marketing theories and techniques by creating a digital marketing campaign for a real business. Previous students have run campaigns to promote local businesses, family firms and University events.

Optional subject areas include entrepreneurial management and successful decision making.

Year 3 overview

You'll demonstrate the breadth of your learning by completing a dissertation on a marketing topic of your choice. A module on business research will give you the skills you need in this extended writing task, and you'll be closely supervised by one of our academics.

You'll also have the chance to take part in an online marketing exercise. Working in small groups, you'll be asked to select a product or service, develop a pricing strategy, design and implement a marketing strategy, and evaluate the results.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2022-23

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

You must study the following modules in year 1:

Introduction to Accounting and Finance

The course seeks to provide an introductory, but comprehensive overview of financial accounting, management accounting, and financial management to non-specialist students. The course is delivered with particular emphasis on helping students of management...

Introduction to Management

This module provides you with a broad view on key management related topics. It also provides a chance for you to gain hands-on experience on teamwork through preparation and delivery of a group presentation as part of the module assessment. The lectures ...

Introduction to Marketing

The module introduces you to the basic concepts of marketing and explains its function in today’s business environment. You will discuss principal theory and practice of marketing and how marketing builds value to the firm and the customer with examples a...

Marketing Strategy

The module considers strategic marketing decisions and their implications for organisations in regard to achieving their goals and objectives. It focuses on employing a market-led strategic approach to decision making through providing value to customers ...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 1:

Analytics Implementation I: Spreadsheets and Databases

This course provides essential knowledge and skills required to support students’ future learning in future data analytic modules. Without prerequisite knowledge in data analytics, this module will cover spreadsheet analytics and relational database t...

Commercial Law

The purpose of the module is to provide a general overview of law relevant to students working in business and finance. The course provides an introduction to law, before focusing in more depth on areas of Contract Law and Tort Law. There is then an intro...

Digital Technologies in Business

Digital technologies ranging from the Internet to cloud computing, artificial intelligence, etc. are often not just a key part of organisational operations; they also create opportunities for developing new digital businesses and their applications can ha...

Foundations of Business Analytics

Business analytics is closely related to management science and operational research. It refers to the use of statistical methods and models as well as empirical data to support the process of making business decisions. This module provides general knowle...

Ideas that shape the contemporary world - work, change and organisations

This module helps you to build an intellectual foundation to business as a field of inquiry. The module links big topics to the everyday workings of organisations and individuals. You will locate the emergence of business, management, and the modern world...

Management Analysis

Management Analysis seeks to develop and enhance the basic mathematics and statistics knowledge and skills that are relevant to decision making in organisations. Management Analysis is a comprehensive module. It covers a wide range of fundamental quantita...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Consumer Behaviour

Marketing raises many problems about how consumers buy and use products and how they react to marketing interventions. This module is concerned with evidence from research and theory about issues relating to consumer behaviour, and its application to mar...

Digital Marketing

Important revolutions in communication emerged from long-term visions of freedom of expression, sharing ideas and connecting civilizations and knowledge for the benefit of societies – large or niche ones. The digital age transformed the communication proc...

Entrepreneurial Marketing

This module focuses on creative, innovative and cost effective marketing strategies for new and growing small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and larger entrepreneurial firms; including entrepreneurial decision making in terms of seeking and recognisi...

Foundations of Marketing Analytics

This module introduces some key concepts about the use of some basic statistical and analytical techniques within the marketing context. Students will learn through a combination of lectures, group work, practical (computer-lab) sessions (where needed), a...

Marketing Communications and Media Management

In this module you will learn about the different marketing communications tools available to marketers, including how they may be integrated with digital communications and the psychology behind them. You will also learn about the essence of creative app...

Marketing Research

This module aims to provide opportunities for you to develop an appreciation of marketing research in theory and practice. There are two broad objectives: (1) to enhance your knowledge of the research process and enable you to be aware of the problems ass...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:

Entrepreneurial Management

The aim of the course unit is to introduce students to the process of entrepreneurship and to the nature of entrepreneurial opportunity. You will explore the unique challenges that entrepreneurs face in identifying opportunity, creating new ideas and vali...

European Business Environment

Europe is the largest market in the world, and is also the most complex and highly regulated. This unique experiment has brought together the economies, politics and cultures of 28 different countries. In order to create a single market in which goods, s...

Human Resource Management

This module concerns issues in human resource management and organisational design. These are what ultimately implement the firm’s strategy. Although many organisations recognise the importance of managing the work force effectively and even "know" what a...

Making Successful Decisions

This module considers the generic aspects of decision processes that take place at individual and organisational levels and demonstrates how various lines of enquiry and analytical techniques can help achieve better quality decisions. It draws sharp atten...

Management Ethics

This module discusses issues related to business ethics. It covers philosophical foundations of ethical theories, and applications of ethical theory to real-life case studies and hypothetical dilemmas. It also discusses causes and consequences of unethica...

Prescriptive Analytics II: Simulation Business

MANG2002 introduces simulation. As an experimental technique, simulation is one the most widely used modelling techniques. This is because, unlike optimising techniques such as queuing theory, it requires few assumptions. As a result, analysts use it to s...

You must study the following modules in year 3:

Advanced Digital Marketing

This module aims to develop an understanding of the major issues facing marketers in the rapidly growing area of online marketing, with an emphasis on the managerial implications of evolving business models and the associated new marketing applications. S...

Advanced Marketing Analytics

Companies nowadays have collected a large volume of data from various sources. This module aims to introduce the key concepts of using ‘Big Data’ to improve marketing activities. Specifically, it focuses of the use of data analytics techniques and advance...

Measuring Marketing Effectiveness

In the contemporary business environment, data-based marketing is constantly increasing in importance. Being able to measure marketing performance and demonstrate how effectively marketing is conducted in organisations has also become a source of performa...

Services Marketing

This module is designed to enhance students’ knowledge of services marketing in a variety of service markets, both in the UK and globally. Hence, it sets out to develop an understanding of the nature of the marketing of services, key underpinning concepts...

Strategic Brand Management

This module builds on your prior marketing and strategy knowledge by focusing on the particular domain of brand management. The module highlights the ubiquitous presence of brands in our lives and how it can be used as an essential part of formulating a c...

You must also choose from the following modules in year 3:

Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainable Business

This module covers the development of the concept and the meaning of the term corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainable business (SB); how CSR and SB models are being implemented in today’s corporations, its impact and likely future directions...

Dissertation

To provide an opportunity to undertake a sustained piece of individually researched academic study. Inter alia this provides a context within which research skills may be developed and demonstrated.

Marketing Practice Based Dissertation

The Marketing Practice Based Dissertation provides an opportunity to undertake a sustained piece of individually developed project applied to a real-life marketing situation or problem which involves an extended, independent investigation. This module foc...

New Venture Development

This module provides you with practical skills and knowledge which are important in developing a new venture. The module will assist you in identifying opportunities to exploit, how to establish a business model and how to protect intellectual property. Y...

Project Management

Project management is an integrated approach to achieve non-routine business objectives. This module aims to introduce the ideas, techniques and tools of project management as used in practice. Students will be equipped with both knowledge and underst...

Risk Management

This is a holistic module because it emphasises that its constituent topics dealing with diverse aspects of risk management are highly interconnected. Mastery of the subject is conceived as requiring a strong understanding of these interconnections. For e...

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

23%

Scheduled learning & teaching

77%

Independent learning

How we'll assess you

dissertations
essays
individual and group projects
written exams

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

39%

Written exam

53%

Coursework

8%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Hongfei Liu is the course leader.

Careers

You’ll graduate with a combination of digital marketing and analytical skills that will give you an advantage when you enter the job market. This is an area where the industry is facing significant skills shortages.

You'll be prepared for roles such as:

marketing manager
digital account manager
brand manager
social media manager
consumer data analyst
marketing consultant

Companies our graduates have gone on to work for include:

Publicis
Kantar
Sony Pictures
Ogilvy

This programme is accredited by the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM). After you've completed your degree, you can choose to boost your career prospects by taking one additional exam to gain a professional IDM Certificate in Digital Marketing.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2019). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £19,300.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations.

Find out how to:

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant that's linked to your chosen subject area.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from underrepresented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Services Centre offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: N501
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for 2022 entry

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll aim to process your application within two to six weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.