of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Course Level
Level 3
Duration
2 years full-time
Placement
40 days
Entry
September
Fees
View Fees
212,000 advertising and marketing research jobs in the UK*
*Statista.com
$21bn+ UK advertising expenditure**
**Statista.com
Do you love social media? Think you’ve got what it takes to work in the world of marketing? Our Level 3 Marketing and Social Media course will give you an essential introduction to these areas and pave the way for you to pursue further study and a future career in one of the UK’s largest and most successful business sectors.
Our BTEC marketing course enables you to gain a commercial grasp of marketing, teaching you key theories including life cycles and product portfolios as well as business fundamentals such as finance and management. You will gain a greater understanding of the business landscape both in the UK and internationally, while our state-of-the-art Digital Creative Studio offers you the chance to develop sought-after digital marketing skills ranging from podcasting to video production and livestreaming.
By completing our marketing college course, you’ll receive a BTEC National qualification (equivalent to 3 A-levels) widely recognised by industry and higher education, arming you with the blend of technical and academic skills sought after by employers and universities. You will be able to progress onto a range of business-related higher education courses as well as a variety of job roles within the booming marketing and advertising industry.
Find out more about this course and the college by ordering a physical copy of our college prospectus by clicking here.
Why choose this college course?
- BOOST YOUR SKILLS – Gain key marketing skills and knowledge of topics including markets, segmentation, pricing strategy and the Boston Matrix
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Enjoy opportunities to engage in creative problem solving and develop practical skills in our Digital Creative Studio
- RECOGNISED QUALIFICATION – Our BTEC Level 3 marketing course gives you a recognised work-related qualification to open the door to higher education and professional careers
- MOVE UP TO UNIVERSITY – Want to study at a higher level? This course will support your progression to degrees in business, marketing management, digital marketing and more
There are lots of reasons why we think you should study with us, but here are our top 5. View video.
Our facilities
Students on our marketing courses have access to our Digital Creative Studio, a cutting-edge facility where you can get hands-on experience creating podcasts, promotional videos and livestream content for social media.
Based in Camden House, our new Digital Creative Studio features state-of-the-art video and audio production facilities, including a video production studio with 4K cameras and green screen technology
Our Digital Creative Studio also houses a dedicated teaching lab complete with high-spec computers and industry-standard media technology, including Adobe Creative Cloud software
The Digital Creative Studio hosts audio podcasting, vision mixing and editing facilities, as well as a creative media and design lab with graphics tablets
Course breakdown
Topics you will study:
Year 1
- Exploring Business
- Marketing
- Personal and Business Finance
- Digital Marketing
- Creative Promotion
- Visual Merchandising
Year 2
- International Business
- Principles of Management
- Business Decision Making
- Market Research
- Branding
- Relationship Marketing
You will also have an individual study programme to help you build the skills and experience you need to progress onto higher education or gain employment.
Maths and English
To help you secure your dream career, you will also continue developing your maths and English skills alongside your full-time course. If you haven’t achieved GCSE grade 4/C in English and maths at age 16, you will continue to study these through resits or taking Functional Skills at an appropriate level.
How maths will support your career
- Calculating the costs of marketing and social media campaigns
- Working out the price of goods so you can stay in profit
- Ordering goods and services
- Working out your business accounts
How English will support your career
- Good quality speaking and listening skills are needed when communicating with colleagues and customers
- Customer service requires good English skills in speaking and written communication
- Accurate reading is vital for following instructions, reading documents and emails or understanding the ideas, aspirations and demands of colleagues and competitors
- English is important when preparing a CV or business proposal, and for putting together advertising and marketing plans for your business
Entry requirements
Our business lecturers are looking for students who are enthusiastic and passionate about business, together with a keen determination to succeed in the industry, so please contact Admissions if you do not have the specific requirements outlined below.
If you are unsure if your qualification is equivalent or if you wish to check if you meet the entry requirements for this course, please call 0121 214 2919, email feadmissions@ucb.ac.uk or use our live chat.
Academic requirements
4 GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C) including English Language and Maths, or equivalent.
English and maths
If you do not have a grade 4/C or above in English and maths and you are under 19, you will be required to study these subjects alongside your vocational subject. After enrolment you will complete an assessment with our teaching team so we can ensure you receive appropriate English and maths support.
Applicants over 19 are not required to complete maths and English.
Supporting documents required
- School applicants will be required to provide a good school report, which must include attendance. This will be assessed in conjunction with your qualifications and application during the confirmation of your place at University College Birmingham.
- If you are a school leaver (over 19), you will be required to provide a reference from a previous education provider or employer in support of your application.
Guaranteed progression
Students who achieve 56 UCAS points or more from this qualification, will automatically be guaranteed a place on a degree course at University College Birmingham. Some undergraduate courses require additional entry requirements, so applicants are advised to check entry requirements before applying.
Key information
Teaching and assessment
You will be assessed through coursework assignments and projects, some of which will involve industry-related visits and external assessment.
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Need some advice?
Our Schools Liaison team deliver drop-in sessions for you to ask any questions you have about college. Find out more here.
70%
Work placements
Work placements offer a wealth of benefits alongside your studies, helping you put your learning into practice, develop your skills and understanding of the workplace, boost your CV for your chosen career or enhance your UCAS application for higher education. Our hired@UCB team can help find the ideal placement for you.
As part of our college marketing course, you will undertake 40 days on work placement with one of our industry partners, ideally within marketing departments in business office settings.
This course provides a specialist business pathway at Level 3 in marketing and social media. Marketing is a key sector in the UK economy, with students able to obtain good salaries and career prospects. The course is also ideal preparation for a range of higher education courses including business enterprise, business management, digital marketing and marketing management.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Social media manager
Average salary: £25,000 – £32,000
Digital marketing specialist
Average Salary: £25,000
Brand manager
Average Salary: £35,000
Account manager
Average Salary: £27,000
Aspiring to a higher level career? Complete this course and you could progress onto our Digital Marketing BA (Hons) degree
Ed’s Story
When it comes to studying marketing, Ed’s own experience in management and business shows the benefits this knowledge can bring for your future career.
Meet your tutors
