Bournemouth University - BA (Hons) Marketing Communications (with Foundation Year option)

Bournemouth University

BA (Hons) Marketing Communications (with Foundation Year option)

Create persuasive communications and campaigns that make use of marketing, advertising, digital media, and PR. Develop strategic skills and learn how to use the marketing communications toolkit to the best effect for clients and organizations. Adapt to a variety of roles in the industry by developing a critical understanding of integrated marketing communications.
Work on real industry briefs for unit assessments and gain knowledge from experts who present guest lectures and workshops every year.
collaborate with staff to develop academic and professional research, as well as consulting initiatives for industry clients.
You can select the marketing communications course that best suits your interests and career goals at the conclusion of your first year.

Graduate with a BU degree and more

BU is a Strategic Partner of The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) – the world’s leading professional marketing body. Our partnership gives you the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Graduate Gateway. 

As a BU Marketing Communications student you'll also have the opportunity to organise the annual Mike Warne Event in your final year. This is the only student-organised event in the CIM’s national event programme, bringing together leaders in the industry.

Entry Requirements

  • UCAS 104 - 120 tariff points including a minimum of 2 A levels or equivalent. BTEC Extended Diploma: DMM.
  • Foundation year: 48-72 UCAS tariff points. For more information check out our full entry requirements.
  • If English is not your first language you'll need IELTS (Academic) 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each component of writing, speaking, listening and reading, or equivalent. 

Career Prospects

This course will give you all the skills you need to get ahead in this thriving sector and the work placement will allow you to make contacts and build relationships with those already working in the industry.

Among the roles you could take on are:

  • Marketing Manager
  • Media Executive
  • Media Planner
  • Marketing Executive
  • Press Assistant
  • Events Manager
  • Business and public service associate professionals
  • Media professionals
  • Managers, directors and senior officials


Course Details

This degree has been developed to give you a critical understanding of marketing communications, consumer behaviour, branding, customer relationships and digital communication. You’ll learn how to place the knowledge you gain into the wider context of the media and contemporary communication issues, allowing you to create comprehensive marketing strategies across a range of channels and market types.

On this course you will usually be taught by a range of staff with relevant expertise and knowledge appropriate to the content of the unit. This will include senior academic staff, qualified professional practitioners and research students. You will also benefit from regular guest lectures from industry.

Foundation Year

Core units
Academic & Professional Practice
Collaborative Communication Project
Media & Current Debates
Media Work

Year 1

Core units:
Principles of Marketing and Marketing Communications
Academic and Professional Practices for Marketing Communications
Contemporary Debates in Marketing Communications
Digital Essentials
Consumer and Stakeholder Principles
Integrated Marketing Communications

Year 2

Core units:
Marketing Communications in a Global Context
Research Principles and Practice
Content Creation
Brands and Branding
Customer Experience
Marketing Communications Campaigns in Practice

Final Year

Core units:
Strategic Marketing and Planning
Marketing Communications Portfolio
Dissertation
Options units (choose two):
Behavioural Economics
Brand Meaning
Consumer Insights
Corporate Communications
Influencer Marketing
Race, Media and Inequality
Persuasion and Influence
Promotion, Power and Democracy
Relationship Marketing
Social and Intercultural Communication
Social Media Management

*The information’s are correct at the time of publishing, however it may change if university makes any changes after we have published the information. While we try our best to provide correct information, It is advisable to call us or visit university website for up to date information.

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