Marketing and Public Relations BA (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
HNC/HND courses
Two students outside the Hub on campus

The BA (Hons) Marketing and Public Relations (PR) degree aims to equip you with the knowledge, competencies and skills that are required to be successful in contemporary marketing and PR industries

Course option

Year of entry

Location

CU Coventry (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time
Sandwich

Duration

4 years sandwich
3 year - Degree
2 year - HND
1 year - HNC

UCAS codes

N520 / 025N / 095N

Start date

April 2024
June 2024


Course overview

In recent years, marketing and PR have gained increasing significance with the growth of digital marketing, social media and corporate social responsibility. Working in a marketing environment can be fast-paced, exciting and fun, and touches on all aspects of the business such as branding, positioning, and working towards building a sustainable image.

Recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), you will become members of these professional associations for the duration of your course and have the opportunity to gain a Level 4 CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing in addition to your degree, subject to additional fees.

Accreditation and professional recognition

The degree is currently recognised by the following bodies: the CIM and the CIPR for the 2023/2024 intake1.

CIPR logo

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe. For the duration of the whole course, students will have access to benefits offered by the professional body such as learning resources and networking and employment opportunities. Please see the following link for further information: Membership


CIM logo

Chartered Institute of Marketing

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) supports, develops and represents marketers, organisations and the profession all over the world. For the duration of the whole course, students will have access to benefits offered by the professional body such as learning resources and networking and employment opportunities. Please see the following link for further information: Contact us I CIM


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What you'll study

This course aims to provide an understanding of best practices in the marketing and PR industries.

Alongside extensive knowledge of significant marketing functions within core business strategies, you will be given the opportunity to learn skills for the marketing sector. Within this course, you will have the opportunity to embark on study trips, as well as mandatory marketing training with local employers and industry experts, subject to additional costs.

Furthermore, you may learn to develop creativity with an entrepreneurial flair and successfully combine innovative ideas with strategic thinking.

Students who successfully complete year one will be eligible for a Higher National Certificate (HNC).

Modules

As the course progresses, you will build on the knowledge gained in year one to cement a solid foundation of core principles. You will learn about technological systems to successfully develop and implement innovative marketing strategies. The course also introduces relationship management, innovative strategy, enhanced digital marketing practice and effective market segmentation.

Students who successfully complete year two will be eligible for a Higher National Diploma (HND).

Modules

We put a strong focus on getting our students ready to enter the job market. With this degree, you are given the opportunity to apply to undertake short- and long-term placements in between your second and third years2. While we would like to give you all the information about our placement/study abroad offering here, it is often tailored for each course every year and depending on the length of placement or study abroad opportunities that are secured. Therefore, the placement and study abroad arrangements vary per course and per student2. Request further information about going on a placement or study abroad year.

This course offers you the option to apply to undertake a professional placement or study abroad year2. If you wish to do so, you can opt to take either module which typically run for a full academic year between years 2 and 3 of your course. You can progress onto the relevant module if you have successfully completed the first two years of the course (i.e., having accumulated 240 credits) and provided that you confirm your interest in undertaking this option before the end of your second year, typically in August. 

While the professional placement or study abroad option modules you undertake are non-credit, if successfully completed, these modules will appear on your final academic transcript. In addition, if you complete this year, you will also gain an enhanced degree award title as the additional suffix of “With Professional Placement” if you’ve gone on a work placement and “With Study Abroad” if you’ve gone on a study abroad programme. 

Modules

In your final year of study, you will consolidate your expertise through professional placements and your own, self-defined marketing and PR research project. By the end of the course, you will have gained the skills and proficiency necessary for successful integration into the marketing industry.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

There are two main taught options for this course. It is available as a full-time three-year programme or an optional four-year sandwich course, where you undertake a work placement or a study year in a related field2.

Our teaching methods are varied, offering several teaching styles so in addition to lectures, we also utilise a blended learning approach, including online aspects, workshops, and group work. You can expect up to 20 hours of learning activities per week of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, online classes and independent learning.

Progression through the modules develops knowledge and skills, including communication (written and oral), study skills, research methods, project management, presentation, and career development. We will also encourage you to consider your employability and/or entrepreneurial development.

Unlike traditional institutions, there are no end-of-year exams. Instead, learning is assessed through coursework and phase tests, which is more reflective of our learning model.


Teaching contact hours 

The number of full-time contact hours may vary from module to module; however, on average, it is likely to be around 20 contact hours per week. Additionally, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of approximately 30 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods, which will vary depending upon the module. The learning outcomes of modules, assignments and projects will be clearly stated. Your work will be marked according to how well you achieve these learning outcomes, and your final feedback will refer to each outcome and provide an overall percentage grade.

Breakdown of final grade assessment (may be subject to change):

  • Coursework
  • Interactive Assessments
  • Presentations and pitches
  • Individual projects

The Coventry University Group’s assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Previous students have had the opportunity to participate in international field trips to Barcelona, Prague Amsterdam and Geneva, as well as getting involved in collaborative online learning projects with international universities.

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability, and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements (and are therefore not guaranteed)2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2023/24 entry.

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, we offer several programmes to help you secure a place. Successful completion of one of the below programmes guarantees you a place on an eligible degree course with us, subject to meeting specified criteria.

Access to HE course
Successful completion of our Business Studies Access to HE course will guarantee you progression onto this degree programme, subject to meeting specified criteria.

If you undertake an Access to HE course, you may qualify for an Advanced Learner Loan. If you are eligible and awarded an Advanced Learner Loan, and successfully complete an eligible Higher Education course, the outstanding balance from your Access course could be written off. For full information and to check your eligibility visit www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Are you eligible for the CU Support Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background.

CU Support Scheme

Entry level What we're looking for
HNC 64 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
HND 80 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.
Degree 104 UCAS tariff points. Minimum 5 GCSEs graded 9-4 / A* - C including Maths and English. Minimum two A2 levels or BTEC equivalent qualification.

Visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 6.0

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

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Fees and funding

2023/24 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £7,950 per year Not available
EU £7,950 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£16,800 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £16,800 per year Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees3 and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of international scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees3 cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

If you choose to do a work placement2, you should consider travel and living costs to cover this. There is also a tuition fee3 of £1,250 that will cover your academic support throughout your placement year.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees3:

  • Any optional overseas field trips or visits.
  • Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

At CU Coventry, you will have the opportunity to benefit from a modern, forward-thinking higher education institution, and upon graduation, get a degree awarded by Coventry University. Our courses are career-focused and wherever possible include opportunities for you to source internships and placements to help boost your employability and prepare you for the world of work. Our Mile Lane campus is close to Coventry City Centre, Coventry Railway Station and bus links.

All our CU Coventry facilities4 are located at Mile Lane. Our building has been designed to enable collaboration, creativity and innovation to flourish, and includes (subject to availability):

  • Indoor and outdoor social spaces, including a café
  • A library that includes loan laptops, over 115,000 eBooks and a silent study area
  • Open access IT suites and 83-inch teaching screens
  • Engineering lab, science lab and a moot courtroom
  • Student support and careers advice teams

Careers and opportunities

Upon successful completion of this course, you will have had the opportunity to:

  • Demonstrate your understanding and knowledge of the theoretical, analytical, and practical aspects of marketing and public relations.
  • Gain insights into the environmental factors that influence sales and marketing strategies, policies, and processes. 
  • Critically appraise theories related to the development of an international marketing strategy. 
  • Explore strategic leadership and management within the context of sales and marketing operations in an international business setting.
  • Possible career routes include digital marketing, events management, account management and more.

Further study

Successful completion of the degree programme will allow you access to discounted postgraduate studies at Coventry University.


How to apply

Full-time UK undergraduate students apply through UCAS. Otherwise, you will need to apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
CUCU064

International students should apply to CU directly. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International pages or Coventry University Group's International hub.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

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