Course Overview
Course summary
Do you have the ideas, imagination and creativity to spot market opportunities, predict the next big thing and develop engaging communications that cut across the thousands of marketing messages that bombard us 24/7? As advancements in technology generate new marketing channels and trends, businesses are increasingly turning to marketing experts for answers, which is why you’ll find marketing and advertising on almost every list of the fastest growing industries worldwide.
Long gone are the days when traditional marketing was dominated by sales and advertising linked to traditional print and broadcast media. Today’s modern marketing relies on market research and consumer insights, databases and information systems, digital communications, advanced geo-demographic segmentation and a deep understanding of buyer psychology and behaviour. That’s why you’ll find all this and more on our exciting degree, which is continually reviewed to keep up with the fast pace of change in this field.
You’ll cover every aspect of marketing, from costing campaigns and managing marketing budgets to creating a new business, generating market intelligence or developing a new product development strategy. Acknowledging the importance of digital techniques and social media marketing, you’ll have access to our new digital marketing lab, Switch 23, which is set up to mimic a creative agency. It features a large touch screen and individual workstations that students can connect to, using laptops and mobile phones to present their campaigns.
You’ll also relate your learning to real-world marketing practice during a range of exciting field trips and project-based work. Past students have studied tourism marketing in Paris, the most popular city in France, while closer to home, others were tasked with creating a marketing campaign to promote the Tower of London. Expect to be given tasks based on real-life projects, such as developing the marketing plan to launch a small, independent hotel, as an example.
Past graduates within the Business School have found successful employment as management, marketing and advertising trainees, as trainee accountants and brand managers, recruitment consultants, retail managers and as assistants in market research, PR and global brand.
Our course was designed with input from a range of industry professionals from industry sectors including– retail, public relations, marketing, pharmaceuticals, government and the NHS.
Top reasons to study with us
- Study at one of London’s leading centres for business education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene
- Programmes are delivered by a multicultural and international teaching body, who come from professional practice and/or regularly publish in top international journals
- Employability embedded across the curriculum, with dedicated specialist modules at every level
- Optional placement year to gain valuable work experience, for example, one previous student worked as a marketing executive for ICG Medical
- Opportunity to undertake an internship which has enabled previous students to gain experience with for instance the NHS and Disney
- Guest lectures from industry practitioners have previously included speakers from IBM, Tableau, Coca Cola and LinkedIn
- Past Business School graduates have secured jobs with prestigious organisations, including the Bank of England, BT, Coca Cola, PricewaterhouseCoopers and Goldman Sachs
Course structure
This degree offers great flexibility and combines a general understanding of businesses with the specialist knowledge of marketing management. You’ll cover the core concepts, practices and techniques of management and marketing, such as decision-making, marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, marketing research, market analysis, brand building and communications, and gain an understanding of the wider economic context of business.
The following subjects are indicative of what you will study on this course.
You are introduced to the functions of business organisations, the broader business environment, and key management skills and competences, including information gathering and analysis, accounting, economics, marketing and organisational behaviour. We consider business organisations – their purposes, structures and governance in a global context – together with key marketing concepts and an evaluation of emerging marketing tools. In the first year, we try to bring all our marketing students together off-site, to introduce them to each other and begin to give them practical marketing challenges, such as how to attract more visitors to the Tower of London.
Subjects of study include:
- The Global Marketing Environment
- Business Analytics for Marketing
- Introduction to Organisational Behaviour for Marketing
- Accounting and Finance for Marketing
- Innovative Marketing
You will also have the opportunity to take an option module that broadens your skills or helps you gain more in-depth knowledge of your specialist area. Your option module may be a foreign language.
Credit Level 4
You will investigate and learn how businesses operate, looking at how people are managed, how you manage business operations from both traditional and digital perspectives and how managers make key decisions, taking a more in-depth look at market research. You’ll learn how to deliver a marketing research project, designing appropriate research, gathering primary and secondary data, conducting both qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and using the findings to improve marketing decision-making. Optional modules allow you to choose topics that interest you most. For example, retail marketing examines the challenges facing online and store-based retail multiples and the drivers behind industry change, drawing on real-life experiences from the worlds of fashion and food retailing. In B2B marketing, you’ll be introduced to the complex buying and selling relationships between organisations and marketing issues, such as e-commerce, key account management and supply-chain ethics, sports marketing and marketing services.
Subjects of study include:
- Marketing Channels, Operations Management and Digital Business
- Marketing Management and Leadership
- Discovering Consumer Insights
You can also choose three options from: Decision Making for Marketing Managers, Retail Marketing, Ethics and Social Responsibility in Marketing, Marketing Services, Marketing B2B, Sports Marketing. You will also have the opportunity to study a module from other parts of the University, including a foreign language.
Alternatively, in place of the option modules listed above, you may be able to take the WBS Study Abroad Experience (subject to eligibility) or the WBS Work Experience.
Credit Level 5
Optional work placement/study abroad year
Between Years 2 and 3, you can take an optional work placement or study abroad year. The work placement year is a one-year full-time business work placement.
Past students have completed placements in a variety of small to medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and prestigious organisations, including Barclays Bank, British Airways, Disney UK, IBM and the National Health Service (NHS).
The study abroad year allows you to follow a programme of study at one of our partner institutions, giving you an opportunity to experience life in another country and learn Business from a different cultural viewpoint.
You can also choose to split your year abroad into a first semester exchange and a second semester work placement, both conducted overseas.
Find out more about the costs involved in taking a study abroad or placement year.
Marketing is a dynamic discipline, constantly innovating and adapting to changes at both global and local levels. Expanding your marketing knowledge, we consider current trends in marketing and their impact on business, such as globalisation, consumption patterns, sustainability, social responsibility, ethics and social choices, for example. A diverse range of optional modules covers topics including new product development, managing brands and global marketing management.
Subjects of study include:
- Strategic Perspectives for Marketing
- Contemporary Issues in Marketing
- Practice and Leadership in Marketing
- Applied Marketing Management
You can also choose two options from: New Product Development, Destination, Cultural and Heritage Marketing, Global Marketing Management, Interactive and Digital Marketing, Managing Brands. You have the opportunity to study one module from across the University, including a foreign language.
Credit Level 6
Professional accreditation
The Business Management (Marketing) BA Honours is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) with a Graduate Gateway programme status. After graduating, you’ll be exempt from the Level 4 “Applied Marketing and Planning Campaign” module towards the CIM Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing / Professional Digital Marketing qualification, and from the Level 6 “Marketing & Digital Strategy” module towards the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification.
For more details on course structure, modules, teaching and assessment Download the programme specification (PDF).
To request an accessible version please email [email protected]
Get your copy of the University of Westminster prospectus and browse the range of courses on offer.
Contact us for general course enquiries:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 EXT 65511
(Mon–Fri, 10am–4pm GMT)
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Open days
Join us at an open day online or on campus. Get a feel for student life at the University of Westminster and talk to course leaders and our support teams.
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Careers
This course is designed to prepare you to become a business leader, an entrepreneur or seek employment in SMEs, blue chip organisations, the public, private or third sector. If you’re seeking a career within the marketing department of an organisation and want a broader understanding of general business and management, our degree combining both disciplines, will prepare you for a broad range of roles. It is designed to develop your analytical and problem-solving, providing you with a breadth of knowledge in business, along with the specialist knowledge required to carry out strategic marketing in challenging new contexts. You could go on to work in-house or within an agency in a wide range of roles, including marketing executive, account executive and trainee management roles.
The University's Careers and Employability Service has built up a network of over 3,000 employers around the world, helping all our students explore and connect with exciting opportunities and careers.
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills
Develop your innovation and entrepreneurial skills in The Big Idea competition, sponsored by Santander.
Kickstart your career
Learn how to use social media in your job hunt or LinkedIn to kickstart your career.
Develop your CQ
Develop your cultural intelligence – or ‘CQ’ – studying alongside students and staff representing more than 100 nationalities.
Industry links
Westminster Business School is one of London’s leading centres for business education based in the heart of London and its political, media and financial services scene. Through our connections with professional bodies, our alumni network and Employability Advisory Board, we have excellent links with industry. Staff who currently teach on this course have extensive professional experience in a range of business sectors with many staff maintaining links with industry through consultancy and training work.
Job roles
The course will prepare you for a wide variety of roles in business. Examples of these from our recent graduates are:
- Advertising executive
- Brand manager
- Market researcher
- Marketing associate/manager
- Product development officer
- PR officer
- Social media executive/manager
Westminster Employability Award
Employers value graduates who have invested in their personal and professional development – and our Westminster Employability Award gives you the chance to formally document and demonstrate these activities and achievements.
The award is flexible and can be completed in your own time, allowing you to choose from a set of extracurricular activities.
Activities might include gaining experience through a part-time job or placement, signing up to a University-run scheme – such as mentoring or teaching in a school – or completing online exercises.
Read more about our Westminster Employability Award.
International Opportunities
Many of our courses offer international study and work experiences, and the University provides other global opportunities that all students can apply for - so whatever you're studying, you'll have the chance to go abroad.
Opportunities could include:
- Taking part in semester or year-long exchanges at institutions around the world
- Attending an international summer school or field trip
- Developing your CV through volunteering or work placements abroad
International experience broadens horizons, boosts self-confidence, and improves global understanding, alongside being fantastic for your career.
Find out more about our international opportunities, including funding options and where you can go.
Course Leader
Dr Pinar Demir
Senior Lecturer
Dr Pinar Demir is a Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Fellow of Higher Education Academy. She joined Westminster in 2018 and is currently leading a number of modules, both at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. After completing a Master’s degree in Marketing Management Pinar pursued doctoral research and completed her PhD in Consumer Research. Her research interests are in Consumer Behaviour and Advertising Creativity.
With a passion in student learning and engagement, Pinar teaches Contemporary Issues in Marketing and Destination Marketing for final year undergraduate students and Creativity and Innovation for postgraduate students. In previous years, her teaching revolved around marketing communications, advertising, research themes and practices in marketing. She is currently the course leader for BA Business Management (marketing) course.
It is a great experience to observe students’ progress developing knowledge and friendships in this course. I am happy to be guiding them throughout their university journey and witnessing their success as confident professionals.
Course Team
Business and Management Courses
Learn more about Westminster's Business and Management courses from our students. Find out about their experience studying at Westminster, including what it's like to study at the University's Marylebone campus in the heart of central London.
Why study this course?
Combine theory and practice
Link theory to global practice through real-life case studies, guest lectures, field trips and insight from one of the world’s largest financial databases.
Outstanding facilities
Access to our digital marketing lab, Switch 23, which is set up to mimic a creative agency.
Build connections
Build connections with peers and future business leaders.
Entry Requirements
- A Levels – BBC (112 UCAS Tariff points)
- T levels – 112 UCAS Tariff points
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis
- BTEC Extended Diploma – DMM
- BTEC Diploma – D*D*
- Access – 112 UCAS Tariff points from the Access course
In addition to one of the above, you should have:
- GCSE English Language grade 4/C – IB grade 4 Higher Level, GCSE Maths grade 4/C – IB grade 4
If your first language is not English, you will need an IELTS of 6.0 overall, with 5.5 in each component.
We also welcome applications from students who are taking a combination of qualifications listed above. For further information, please contact Course Enquiries.
View more information about our entry requirements and the application process
- International Baccalaureate – 112 UCAS Tariff points from all components of the Diploma Programme. International Baccalaureate Career-related Programme will be considered on a case-by-case basis. You can refer to the UCAS calculator to determine your point score
- We accept a wide range of international high school level qualifications. Please see information on Country-specific entry requirements
- We work in partnership with Kaplan International College London who provide International Foundation Certificate and International Year One courses for students who don’t meet our entry requirements. Upon successful completion, you can progress to your chosen degree at the University of Westminster. Find out about a range of university preparation courses that are accepted for entry.
English Language Requirements
- If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS score of 6.0 overall, with a score of 5.5 in each component. Please note we accept a wide range of English language qualifications and assessments. Find out more at English language requirements.
- If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, then we offer online and on campus pre-sessional English programmes to help develop your English language skills to the required level before you start your course. Find out more about our pre-sessional English programmes.
More information
What our students say
Mariia Kogan
Business Management and Marketing BA - 2020
I spent five amazing days in Paris with Westminster Business School students. It was a fun and educational journey, where we learned a lot about tourism marketing, while visiting the most popular attractions in Paris. Field trips like this provide students with opportunities to practise the theory they learn at the University and become familiar with the way businesses operate in different countries. This experience is just priceless.
Anika Chiara Kleversaat
Business Management and Marketing BA - 2020
The course is designed for students who are open-minded, creative, communicative and most importantly have a passion for marketing. Additionally, it gives you a solid background of how businesses work and cope in the changing environment. The teaching team enables students to take responsibility and motivate you to do your best, as reflected by my awards. The course enabled me to complete two internships in the term breaks and gather work experience in marketing agencies. The degree has changed my perspective of learning and made me develop further as a person, which is why I am continuing with a Master's degree in International Marketing Management. Studying at the University of Westminster was one of the best life decisions so far!
Learn new skills
Develop your creativity
Develop your creativity to think outside the box.
Learn to critically evaluate
Learn to critically evaluate the strategies that managers use to help organisations adapt in an uncertain or complex environment.
Improve your problem-solving skills
Improve your problem-solving skills to better understand and tackle people management issues.
Westminster Business School blog
Read our blog and get an insight into life and studies at Westminster Business School.
Fees and Funding
UK tuition fee: £9,250 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
Funding
As well as tuition fee loans, there is a range of funding available to help you fund your studies.
Find out about undergraduate student funding options.
Scholarships
The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible undergraduate students, which cover all or part of your tuition fees.
Find out if you qualify for one of our scholarships.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
International tuition fee: £17,000 (Price per academic year)
When you have enrolled with us, your annual tuition fees will remain the same throughout your studies with us. We do not increase your tuition fees each year.
Find out how we set our tuition fees.
EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme
If you are an international student accepted on an undergraduate programme starting in September 2024 or September 2025 at level 3 (Foundation) or level 4 (first year) on the basis of an eligible EU qualification only, you will be awarded a tuition fee reduction which will align your fee more closely to the one for UK students. For more information, see the EU Qualifications Welcome Award Scheme.
International student funding
Find out about funding for international students.
Additional costs
See what you may need to pay for separately and what your tuition fees cover.
Student work
Students on the Destinations Cultural and Heritage Marketing module spent a week in Paris, France, learning about tourism marketing while visiting some of the city’s most popular attractions, such as Musée du Louvre, Musée d’Orsey, Eiffel Tower, Catacombs, Galerie Lumières and Sacré Coeur. They were given tourism marketing workshops by staff and heard from a former student, now working as marketing communications manager (Southern Europe) at Evaneos, who work with more than 2,000 travel agents worldwide.
In September 2019, during the first week of term, first-year marketing students spent the day visiting the Tower of London, exploring over a thousand years of history at this famous attraction. The main objective was to bring together new students across all of the University’s marketing programmes, including Marketing Management BA, Marketing Communications BA, International Marketing BA and Business Management (Marketing) BA.
Students were also given a series of marketing challenges to undertake, all relevant to their areas of study. These involved developing marketing plans and promotional campaigns to build awareness of the Tower of London across the world and attract more visitors. As well as making friends and developing their teamwork skills, students had a taste of what it’s like to work as a marketing manager or for an advertising agency.
Find out more about this field trip on our WBS blog.
Teaching and Assessment
Below you will find how learning time and assessment types are distributed on this course. The graphs below give an indication of what you can expect through approximate percentages, taken either from the experience of previous cohorts, or based on the standard module diet where historic course data is unavailable. Changes to the division of learning time and assessment may be made in response to feedback and in accordance with our terms and conditions.
How you'll be taught
Teaching methods across all our undergraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application. Learning typically falls into three broad categories:
- Scheduled hours: examples include lectures, seminars, practical classes, workshops, supervised time in a studio
- Placement: placement hours normally include placement opportunities, but may also include live projects or virtual activity involving employers
- Independent study: non-scheduled time in which students are expected to study independently. This may include preparation for scheduled sessions, follow-up work, wider reading or practice, completion of assessment tasks, or revision
How you'll be assessed
Our undergraduate courses include a wide variety of assessments.
Assessments typically fall into three broad categories:
- Practical: examples include presentations, videos, podcasts, lab work, creating artefacts
- Written exams: end of semester exams
- Coursework: examples include essays, reports, in-class tests, portfolios, dissertation
Data from the academic year 2023/24
Supporting you
Our Student Hub is where you’ll find out about the services and support we offer, helping you get the best out of your time with us.
- Study support — workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills
- Personal tutors — support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential
- Student advice team — provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas
- Extra-curricular activities — volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more
Facilities
The Learning Platform
Lecture theatres
Library
Bloomberg Financial Market Suite
Digital Marketing Lab
Meeting spaces
Cafe
Course Location
Our Marylebone Campus has benefitted from a multi-million-pound refurbishment resulting in new workshops, digital studios and development of the Marylebone Library. The campus is home to Westminster Business School and our award-winning Architecture, Planning and Tourism courses. For more details, visit our Marylebone Campus page.
Westminster Business School
Based in the heart of London's political, media and financial services, Westminster Business School has excellent industry links and a strong commitment to social enterprise.
Our courses are accredited by professional bodies including the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants (ACCA), Chartered Institute of Building (CIOB), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development (CIPD) and Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS).
Our practical teaching relates learning to the real world, and we develop graduates who are ready to respond to contemporary business challenges.
Contact us
Call our dedicated team on:
+44 (0)20 7911 5000 ext 65511
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
Opening hours (GMT): 10am–4pm Monday to Friday
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