If you’re looking to combine a strong interest in marketing with general business studies, this newly updated course is the one for you. It offers you a great deal of flexibility as you enter the job market, whether you wish to work in marketing organisations, or marketing departments within large businesses, or work more generally in business, with an extensive knowledge of marketing strategy.
You’ll learn the latest in business and marketing with a curriculum that integrates developments in the digital and data environments. You’ll also benefit from our strong links with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM); the Business School is a CIM Strategic Partner and hosts the regional CIM Club. Learning for professional qualifications is embedded into the curriculum, with the chance to gain a professional CIM qualification within the first year and additional CIM qualifications during the second and final years.
There is a strong focus on your employability needs, giving you the transferable skills and attributes sought after by employers. You’ll benefit from a balanced and broad programme of business and marketing modules that combines core business subjects such as accounting, economics, project and people management and leadership, with marketing modules including consumer behaviour, branding, and marketing communications. You’ll also gain practical industry experience through live projects, industry speakers, events, and employability modules. You can enhance your CV further through an optional year’s study abroad, placement or short internship.
What's the course about?
This course uses a mix of teaching methods, including software and practical workshops, lectures, tutorials, individual coursework and groupwork. You’ll learn through experiential learning and through live business projects and field trips. Knowledge is enhanced through engagement with the wider Hertfordshire Business School (HBS) research community. Study includes blended learning materials, such as online modules and recorded lectures to enable flexibility for students’ learning needs.
You’ll be assessed through a wide variety of assessment types designed with employability and academic skills in mind. There will be a wide mix of assessments including the production of digital artefacts, projects, portfolios, pitches, and opinion pieces, as well as the more traditional essays, reports, and exams.
Your first year focuses on understanding the basic Principles of Marketing, and an Introduction to Marketing Communications. Core business studies include Accounting for Managers, Economics for Business, Quantitative Methods for Business and The Global Business Environment. Study will be underpinned with Essential Skills in Marketing and you’ll start to plan your career through Preparing for Professional Success.
In the second year you’ll deepen your critical and analytical skills in marketing through studying Marketing, Insight, Analysis and Planning and Consumer Behaviour. Core business management modules include Exploring Business Ethics, Project Planning and Control, and Cross-cultural Management. You’ll be introduced to entrepreneurship through Innovation and Business Model Design. Employability skills will be further enhanced through proactively Working in Industry and learning about Managing People.
Work placement/study abroad option: Between your second and final year, you’ll have the option to study abroad or do a work placement for up to a year. Not only will this give you an amazing experience to talk about but will also give your CV a boost. The University actively encourages and supports students through the Careers and Placements Office and the Hertfordshire Business School Employability team. Students who gain experience through an Internship, may also have the opportunity to have this recognised in their degree title. If you’d rather go straight to your final year, that’s absolutely fine too.
In the final year you’ll develop your strategic thinking through Branding and Communications Strategy, Business Strategy and Global Marketing. You will develop a deeper understanding of the Digital Economy, and Leadership and Organisations. At this level you will enhance your Business and Commercial Awareness, whilst learning how to make Data Driven Marketing Decisions. Whether you want to work in industry, not-for-profit organisations or set up your own business, you’ll benefit from the latest contemporary thinking in The Future of Marketing.
