of graduate employers say relevant experience is essential to getting a job with them
Why should I choose this course?
- PRACTICAL APPLICATION – Take on live digital marketing and consultancy projects to apply your theoretical concepts to practical situations
- SPECIALISE YOUR STUDIES – Choose from a range of optional modules to tailor your course for your interests, from advertising and media management to working with online communities
- ENRICHMENT – Hear from top digital and social media industry experts and engage with marketing agencies, as well as boosting practical skills in our Digital Creative Studio
- AWARD-WINNING UNIVERSITY – Study at the University of the Year offering the best Student Support in the UK (WhatUni Student Choice Awards 2022)
Our facilities
Students on our marketing courses have access to our Digital Creative Studio, a brand new facility where you can get hands-on experience creating podcasts, promotional videos and livestream content for social media. We also provide a range of support services for student entrepreneurs through our Enterprise Hive.
Course breakdown
- Modules
Core Modules
Creative Digital Innovation
This module provides you with the opportunity to explore, analyse and assess the processes of digital innovation and related product and service development. You will examine the development of new marketing products, services, digital processes and applications, emphasising the need for organisations to be creative and innovative in their endeavour to sustain competitive advantage within their markets.
Digital Planning and Analytics
You will develop your skills in order to analyse, integrate and appraise effective digital tactics to deliver enhanced marketing activities and strategic recommendations. You will also examine how the management of digital channels helps to achieve business objectives by learning how to selectively analyse data sets for effective decision-making in relation to marketing resources.
Managing On-line Communities
Building on previous modules that examined the motivations and behaviours of consumers in relation to online community management, this module inspects all aspects of online community engagement, from initially fostering online communities, to building and growing a productive digital community to merging offline and online activity management. Crisis management of online communities is also explored.
Marketing Showcase
This module enables you to demonstrate your capabilities in researching, planning and delivering an industry or community-related project. You will cultivate the desired graduate attributes of professionalism, critical enquiry and problem solving, enterprise, creativity and innovation. You will then exhibit your research findings in an event for peers and industry professionals.
Options:
Brand Management
The most valuable assets that a company has are the brands that it has invested in and developed over time. You will be given the theoretical knowledge and practical skills required to succeed in the management of complex brands and look at how brands are viewed, built, managed and measured to ensure superiority and sustainability.
Advertising and Media Management
You will be taken deeper into the management processes relating to advertising, focusing on the skills involved in matching business objectives and brand communication to target markets. You will be given a greater insight into detailed analysis of what makes advertising communications effective.
International Marketing
We live in an interconnected world, so it's important to examine how organisations explore new market opportunities beyond national boundaries. As a result, you will become more aware of the technological, communication and transportation challenges businesses face and the options they consider when seeking a foothold in a new country.
Enterprise Risk Management
Risk is becoming an important function for business managers and owners. You will learn about enterprise risk management techniques and strategies employed by businesses operating within increasingly complex and dynamic environments. Key risk areas include human resources, finance, IT, marketing, health and safety, innovation and product development, leadership and corporate governance and business continuity.
Social Entrepreneurship
The role of the not-for-profit sector is becoming increasingly significant on both a national and global scale. You will be analysing the business and marketing principles of the not-for-profit, and how they contribute to running an efficient organisation in a complex and dynamic environment. You will be able to look at business examples from a variety of sectors, including education, social services, charities and voluntary organisations.
The modules listed above for this course are regularly reviewed to ensure they are up to date and informed by industry as well as the latest teaching methods. On occasion, we may need to make unexpected changes to modules – if this occurs, we will contact all offer holders as soon as possible.
Entry requirements
Entry requirements
Academic: Students who wish to enter the final year top-up will need to have studied one module in marketing at HND with all modules passed with a merit profile, or a foundation degree with 240 credits.
If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can complete our enquiry form here or call us on 0121 604 1040
International students
Academic: European and International qualifications studied in a relevant subject matter will also be considered. Applicants will need to have achieved 120 ECTS or equivalent (European Credit Transfer).
If you are unsure if your previous qualification is suitable, please contact us before completing an application. You can call us on 0121 604 1040 or complete our enquiry form:
Key information
Teaching and assessment
Note: Indicative information only – actual timetables and assessment regimes will be issued at your induction.
Teaching
Example of a typical teaching week (up to 13 contact hours):
- Large group teaching – 5 hours
- Smaller group teaching – 6 hours
- Tutorials – 2 hours
You will also need to commit around 20 hours per week for individual study time.
Assessment
Estimated breakdown of assessment for this course:
- Coursework – 68%
- Practical assessment – 24%
- Written examinations – 8%
Our teaching and assessment is underpinned by our Teaching, Learning and Assessment Strategy 2021-2024.
Tuition fees
UK students
If you are a UK student enrolling on a standard-length Foundation Degree or a BA/BSc at University College Birmingham, your fee for this academic year will be £9,250. A half-year tuition fee is £4,625. There will be no change to this tuition fee for the forthcoming two academic years (2023/24 and 2024/25).
View undergraduate fees
International students
If you are an international student enrolling on a full-time foundation degree or a BA/BSc in 2023/24, your fee for this academic year will be £13,500 per year.
If you complete a placement year, there will be an administration fee of £500 for a full year or £250 for a half-year placement.
Kick-Start Scheme
As a new student studying this course full-time, you will receive £300 per year through our Kick-Start Scheme (UK students only, eligibility criteria applies). This scheme will support your studies and future career by contributing to course-related materials, uniform or selected items on campus. You may also qualify for an additional £500 per year.
Find out more about the Kick-Start Scheme here.
UCBconnect - meet other students on your course
Starting university is an exciting time, but we understand that it can sometimes feel a little daunting. To support you, we have created a platform called UCBconnect, where you can meet other students who have applied for the same course at University College Birmingham, before you start studying here.
As soon as you have been made an offer, you will be sent an invitation via text and email to complete your user registration and join UCBconnect. For more information, please visit ucb.ac.uk/ucbconnect.
Accreditations, endorsements and partnerships
University College Birmingham works with a wide range of organisations to ensure you receive the best possible training and qualifications recognised by industry.
Work experience
Work experience is vital for learning how to apply your training in the real world and for building your confidence and skills before you finish your course – and it may even lead to a job when you graduate. Our Hired team can help you find suitable work experience.
We encourage students on our BA Digital Marketing top-up course to gain work experience throughout your studies.
Work alongside experts in your sector
A snapshot of some of the employers we have worked with:
- Drakos DMC (Cyprus)
- Yiatros Group (Cyprus)
- The Sea Pines Resort (USA)
- Wintech-group (Wolverhampton)

I’ve studied not only marketing and management principles and theory, which is mandatory for any marketing manager, but I’ve also learned and practised skills that are in high demand right now, in a digital world. I have access to great lecturers that have real-world experience in business.
Career opportunities
The example roles and salaries below are intended as a guide only.
Digital marketer
Average Salary: £30,000
Analytics manager
Average Salary: £47,392
Social media manager
Average salary: £25,000 – £32,000
Advertising account executive
Average Salary: £35,000
Pay-per-click (PPC) specialist
Average Salary: £32,500
SEO specialist
Average Salary: £30,500
Want to take your studies to the next level? Completing the BA (Hons) degree will enable you to move onto our postgraduate courses such as Enterprise Management MSc/PGDip or Marketing Management for Events, Hospitality and Tourism MA/PGDip.

Kelly’s Story
Representing a well-known international brand on social media may sound daunting, but for Kelly, her degree had already shown her the way.
Meet your lecturers

