About this course
Explore marketing techniques for the digital age. You'll learn how to integrate recent developments in big data with traditional approaches. You'll also gain practical experience whilst spending a year abroad studying at one of our international partner institutions.
Applications for 2022 entry to this course are now closed to all international applicants. View our undergraduate courses.
With this marketing course, you can:
- spend a year studying abroad, with the opportunity to learn new skills and enhance your employability
- 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
The study abroad year is a unique opportunity to experience another culture, improve your language skills and enhance your CV.
Your A level results will determine which core or compulsory modules you'll need to take.
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
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.
Entry requirements
For Academic year 202223
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
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
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level
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.
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.
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.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Access to HE additional information
Offers typically exclude Social Care/Healthcare pathways
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2
Irish certificate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels
or
AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
There are no additional requirements
Welsh 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.
European Baccalaureate
79-85% overall
Other requirements
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.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
For Academic year 202324
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
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
International Baccalaureate Diploma
Pass, with 34 points overall with 17 points at Higher Level
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.
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.
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.
Access to HE Diploma
60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 39 must be at Distinction and 6 credits at Merit
Access to HE additional information
Offers typically exclude Social Care/Healthcare pathways
Irish Leaving Certificate
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)
H1 H2 H2 H2 H2 H2
Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)
A1, A1, A1, A1, A1, A2
Scottish Qualification
Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.
Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.
Cambridge Pre-U
D3 D3 M2 in three Principal subjects
Cambridge Pre-U additional information
Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer
Welsh Baccalaureate
AAB from 3 A levels or AA from two A levels and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate
Welsh Baccalaureate additional information
Welsh 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.
European Baccalaureate
79-85% overall
Other requirements
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.
You might meet our criteria in other ways if you do not have the qualifications we need. Find out more about:
-
our Access to Southampton scheme for students living permanently in the UK (including residential summer school, application support and scholarship)
-
skills you might have gained through work or other life experiences (otherwise known as recognition of prior learning)
Find out more about our Admissions Policy.
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
This degree programme is made up of 4 years, with the study abroad segment taking place in year 3.
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 in year 1 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 microeconomics 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 take part in a mandatory study abroad year in year 3. This takes place at one of our International partner HE Institutions, which have been selected to reflect excellent reputation in education.
You will be taught in English but may choose to study a language in Year 2 of your programme to allow for better communication whilst studying abroad. You will be provided with an International Student Placement Handbook, which will detail the full regulations regarding the placement.
The study abroad is an assessed component of your programme, which means you are required to pass the equivalent of 45ECTS/90CATS in order to pass the year of study abroad.
Any marks achieved whist on the year abroad are not used in the calculation of the degree classification, although the Year Abroad must be passed to be awarded the programme with Study Abroad. If you do not pass this component you will be transferred onto the 3 year programme.
Year 4 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. 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 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
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...
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 ...
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...
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:
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...
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 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...
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...
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 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...
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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:
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
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...
Year 3 modules
During this year of the course there are no modules to study.
Year 4 modules
You must study the following modules in year 4:
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...
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...
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...
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...
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 4:
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...
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.
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...
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 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...
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
- coursework
- individual and group projects
- independent learning (studying on your own)
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.
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
Careers services at Southampton
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £9,250.
- This course is not available to EU and international students.
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: N502
- UCAS institution code: S27
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.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
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
