BA (Honours) Marketing Communications and Advertising

UCAS code

N590

Attendance

Full-time

Four years full-time (including one year work placement) or three years full-time

At a glance

Develop the skills needed for a career in the growing marketing communications industry. You have the opportunity to take a one year work placement in industry, building your knowledge and increasing your employability. Then in the final year you complete a client-sponsored project that tests the skills and knowledge you have learnt throughout the course.

Key points
• Build skills and experience needed for a career in multimedia marketing communications.
• Develop a professional portfolio that demonstrates your communications ability.
• Apply for placements at major national companies.
• Gain automatic membership of the Chartered Institute of Marketing and Sheffield Hallam Marketing Student Chapter.

What is marketing, communications and advertising?
Marketing is the management process responsible for identifying, anticipating and satisfying customer requirements profitably (Chartered Institute of Marketing definition). A specialism in communications and advertising provides valued skills in promoting brands, products and services to customers.

About this course

Develop the knowledge, skills and expertise needed to work in the evolving marketing communications industry, on a course designed in conjunction with employers. You learn to use up-to-date multimedia solutions to develop integrated marketing communications strategies.

You also gain
• in-depth understanding of marketing communication concepts and techniques
• a wide range of commercial communication skills
• work experience in marketing communications
• a portfolio of work to show future employers your creative development skills

You are taught by experienced professionals with a range of advertising, public relations and marketing communications experience. Several tutors have been appointed as examiners for the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

In year three, you can take a one year paid work placement. This is a great opportunity to develop your practical knowledge and increase your employability.
We help you to find a suitable placement and provide support throughout. Previous students have found placements in a range of agency and in-house organisations around the UK.

In your final year, you can complete a client-sponsored project, which lets you demonstrate managerial and creative marketing ability in an organisational setting. You develop your professional skills by working on real business problems.

Another way to prepare for your career is to make the most of your automatic membership of the Sheffield Hallam Marketing Student Chapter. This membership gives you access to the CIM and local branch masterclasses and activities.

We are one of the few universities in the UK to have a student chapter linked to the CIM. This is a student learning community that complements and enhances academic learning and links students to local professionals.

Key areas of study
You can study a range of specialist areas including • advertising and promotion • retail marketing • corporate public relations • media and campaign management • new product innovations • business, marketing and sales skills • psychology, behaviour and communications • digital communications strategy.

Associated careers

You can pursue a wide range of careers such as account management and communications officer roles.

You can practise marketing communications and specialise in • advertising • branding • public relations • selling • merchandising • direct marketing communications.

You can find work in an agency or in-house in a commercial or public organisation.

Course content

Year one modules

• advertising and promotion • understanding and managing customers • marketing research • business environment • business analysis • managing resources

Year two modules

• media and campaign management • psychology, behaviour and communications • business marketing and sales skills • retail marketing • marketing planning • managing financial resources for marketing

Year three

• optional work placement

Final year modules

• multimedia communications strategy • corporate public relations and advertising • product innovation and creativity • strategic relationships management • competitive marketing strategies • client-sponsored project (four year route only) • work-based learning (three year route only) • career management and professional development (four year route only)

Assessment

• coursework • examinations • client-sponsored projects • work placements by report

Entry requirements

2014 entry requirements

We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in or awareness of marketing or some level of practical experience.

Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following

• 300 points, including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.

• Access – an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.

If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 or above, with a minimum score of 5.5 in each skill.

Those with non-standard qualifications but relevant experience are welcome to discuss potential opportunities with the admissions tutor.

2013 entry requirements

We expect you to demonstrate through your personal statement an interest in or awareness of marketing or some level of practical experience.

Normally, five GCSEs at grade C or above including English language and mathematics, plus one of the following

• 300 points, including at least 160 points from two GCE/VCE A levels or BTEC National qualifications or one AVCE double award. We accept general studies. Key Skills qualifications are not included.

Fees

Home and EU students

2013/14 academic year

For 2013 entry, membership of a professional body is included in the course fee.

International students

2013/14 academic year

Typically £11,880 a year

2014/15 academic year

Typically £11,880 a year

How to apply

You apply for this course through UCAS.

Contact details

For more information or to check the progress of your application phone +44 (0)114 225 5555, fax +44 (0)114 225 2167, e-mail admissions@shu.ac.uk