BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising and Public Relations Bachelor's degree at Birmingham City University
BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising and Public Relations at BCU is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the purpose of gaining CIM qualifications through the Graduate Gateway, and the university holds Silver status for teaching quality in the Office for Students' TEF…
About this course
Looking to study for a degree in public relations? Our BA Marketing with Advertising and PR degree is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, and we have our own in-house marketing and advertising agency. Find out more. From the provider’s course page.
BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising and Public Relations is a Bachelor's degree (BA (Hons)) at BCU, based in City Centre Campus. It runs 3 years, studied full-time.
For Marketing graduates from this provider, 89% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, 70% in highly skilled roles, typical earnings around £25,000. (HESA Graduate Outcomes / LEO, via Discover Uni.)
For the typical curriculum, specialisations, career paths and graduate earnings for Business & Management, see the sections below.
Course evidence score
The arithmetic mean of the official measures available for this course: NSS satisfaction, graduate activity and continuation.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Moderate evidence Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Graduate Outcomes work or further study 89% (2021-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Published threshold met Discover Uni suppresses continuation data below its publication threshold. Cohort 2022-23. Continuation 86% (2022-23; Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Curriculum & modules
Real modules published for this course, grouped only where the source gives a year, stage or level.
First Year 6 modules
- Marketing Principles and PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
You will learn the role that marketing plays within an organisation and how to apply some of the key tools and techniques that professional marketers use on a regular basis.
- Design in MarketingCore20 credits
Module details
Develop your skills and understanding pertaining to the design aspects of marketing. This module significantly contributes to the programme philosophy, introducing the important elements of the design process, giving both an academic and practitioner perspective in line with programme aims.
- Introduction to Data Analytics and AICore20 credits
Module details
An in-depth exploration of Data Analytics and its application in different aspects of business. The module also explores Artificial Intelligence (AI) and its role in contemporary business practices. It is designed to provide you with a practical understanding of the real-life application of data analytics in Business settings.
- Finance for ManagersCore20 credits
Module details
This module will provide a gentle introduction to the world of accounting and finance for business managers of the future and is designed for those new to accounting or those studying on non-accounting related degree programmes.
- Digital Marketing PrinciplesCore20 credits
Module details
You will learn the pivotal role that websites play in driving digital marketing efforts, exploring how they integrate with key strategies such as search engine optimization (SEO), social media marketing, content marketing and email campaigns.
- Entrepreneurial ExperienceCore20 credits
Module details
A comprehensive exploration of entrepreneurship, equipping you with the skills, perspectives, and theories applicable across industries and professions. It covers both new venture creation and innovation within existing organisations, emphasising entrepreneurial thinking and mindset.
Second Year 8 modules
- Consumer BehaviourCore20 credits
Module details
Builds on foundational marketing concepts, deepening your understanding of consumer behaviour in both domestic and international contexts. It unpacks the complex factors that drive decision-making, offering an insightful exploration of individual, social, and cultural influences.
- Advertising and PR: Principles and PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
Explore principles involved in the professional practice of advertising and public relations (PR). It introduces you to the range of techniques and tools used in advertising and PR.
- Brand Management and Visual CommunicationsCore20 credits
Module details
Delves into the art and science of building successful brands. It equips you with the knowledge to develop and manage impactful brands by exploring both the strategic and creative aspects of branding. You will learn how to craft compelling brand identities and understand the vital role of visual communications in amplifying a brand's message and influence.
- Integrated Marketing CommunicationsCore20 credits
Module details
Explore the principles, tools and techniques of marketing communications and look at how these can be used to develop campaigns that resonate meaningfully with the desired audience.
- Marketing Research and ConsultancyOptional20 credits
Module details
Offers a comprehensive understanding of market research principles and their application in solving real-world business problems. In this module, you will explore the methodologies and tools used to gather and interpret data, enabling you to provide actionable insights to client organisations.
- Data Analytics and AI in PracticeOptional20 credits
Module details
Progresses on from the Level 4 module Introduction to Data Analytics and AI. Artificial intelligence (AI) has transformed the business world and personal lives, and 'Big Data' is everywhere. This module will demonstrate how organisations apply analytical tools and techniques by harvesting and leveraging data to gain a competitive edge.
- Live Event ExperiencesOptional20 credits
Module details
Provide you with the practical industry skills in creating and developing a live event. In this module you will devise, plan, implement and evaluate the running of a live event to meet the business objectives of a live client.
- Entrepreneurial FeasibilityOptional20 credits
Module details
You will develop a deep understanding of the entrepreneurial process, focusing on the evaluation of the feasibility of new business ventures. You will explore how businesses are formed, structured, and strategically developed to achieve long-term sustainability.
Professional Placement 1 modules
- Professional Placement YearOptional120 credits
Module details
This module is designed to provide you with the opportunity to undertake a credit bearing, 40-week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Undergraduate Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability skills which will, through the placement experience, allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.
Final Year 11 modules
- Marketing Strategy and PlanningCore20 credits
Module details
Marketing is usually involved in providing information used in strategic decision-making and is often in the forefront of executing such decisions. It is very important for marketers to have an understanding of strategy and planning as it enables marketing activities to be directed to the specific needs of that organisation.
- Sustainable MarketingCore20 credits
Module details
Offers an alternative perspective of marketing and the critical role that it has to play in facilitating a sustainable future. During this module, you will explore some of the key drivers of the sustainability agenda, as reflected in the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), and develop an understanding of how marketing can develop strategies to support this agenda whilst still meeting the commercial needs of the business.
- Contemporary Advertising PracticeCore20 credits
Module details
Explore best practice advertising techniques. In this field creative, marketing communication tools and techniques are continuously evolving. Current examples pulled from real-world experiences, will be analysed from the view of a practitioner's perspective.
- PR Planning and Reputation Management in the Digital EraCore20 credits
Module details
Public relations is a strategic asset of any firm or organisation and the ability to appraise and analyse the characteristics of a successful PR strategy is fundamental to a successful practitioner. PR utilises a variety of techniques and skills to create the compelling content and word of mount media coverage that makes this PR, after personal recommendation, the most effective marketing channel.
- Digital Marketing Performance and AnalyticsOptional20 credits
Module details
Equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in the data-driven digital marketing landscape. It explores how digital transformation has reshaped industry practices, emphasising the shift from traditional methods to analytics-powered strategies.
- Customer Relationship ManagementOptional20 credits
Module details
To successfully market products and services, it's never been more important to apply the science of how people make decisions. However, marketing goes beyond the purchase decision, the ultimate destination for any organisation is the creation of loyal customers that repeat purchase and advocate the brand/organisation.
- Practical Applications of AI in BusinessOptional20 credits
Module details
This module builds on the previous modules (Introduction to Data Analytics and AI and Data Analytics and AI in Practice). The module offers hands-on experience of Artificial Intelligence (AI) based solution development for addressing a particular business challenge.
- Creative Digital Marketing ProfessionalOptional20 credits
Module details
An experiential and entrepreneurial module designed to help you grow as a confident professional in the dynamic digital marketing sector. It explores how creativity and innovation can shape the work you undertake, whether for clients or within your own digital marketing start-up.
- Sales and Channel ManagementOptional20 credits
Module details
Brings together two critical commercial areas: crafting an effective channel strategy, and mastering the sales, promotion, and negotiation techniques essential for delivering products or services to customers.
- Business Models for Digital EconomyOptional20 credits
Module details
Following from the discovery (L4) and practice (L5) phases of your journey into developing enterprise skills, this module focuses of the application phase (L6), where you are encouraged to learn and apply different techniques to launch a technology start-up.
- Management ProjectOptional40 credits
Module details
The module will allow you to demonstrate your ability to evaluate a business issue relevant to your discipline of study and utilize the theory from your study to date to generate recommendations at either a theoretical or practical level. It will allow you to demonstrate your analytic and time management skills in a practical way.
Source: provider course page. Modules can change; required/optional status, credits, descriptions and assessment are shown only when explicitly published.
Course in depth
What this course covers, who it suits and where it leads.
What you'll study
This degree combines marketing fundamentals with specialist study in advertising and public relations. You'll start with core business and marketing principles, how organisations function, customer segmentation and the marketing mix, and data skills for analysis. From there, a course like this typically moves into operational and strategic subjects: managing people and teams, supply chain design, and competitive strategy. In your final year, you'll choose from specialisations such as entrepreneurship, digital business, international business or consulting, whilst completing a capstone project or live client brief that brings together your learning. Throughout, you'll develop practical campaign and communication skills relevant to advertising and PR practice.
Who it's for
This course suits students interested in marketing, advertising and public relations. You'll explore specialisations such as Marketing, Finance, HR, Operations, Strategy, International Business, Entrepreneurship, Supply Chain and Consulting. Most entrants held A-levels or equivalent qualifications; the typical UCAS tariff band among accepted students was 112–127 points. Check the university's funding pages for information on bursaries and scholarships.
University & format
This BA (Hons) is delivered by Birmingham City University, a public university in the City Centre Campus. The course is 3 years full-time, taught in English. It is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for gaining CIM qualifications through the Graduate Gateway. The university's own in-house marketing and advertising agency provides practical learning opportunities. As a recognised UK degree-awarding body, your degree will be nationally recognised.
Student satisfaction
How students on this course answered the National Student Survey, by theme.
Share of students responding positively.
Published threshold met NSS publication requires sufficient responses; small differences are not a rank. NSS mean of 7 published themes (Discover Uni snapshot 2026-06-21)
Applicant information
The next application dates for this course, followed by facts the provider publishes.
- 2027 entryCompleted applications can be submitted
Your application needs a reference before you can send it.
- 2026 entryFinal date for 2026 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2026 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
- 2027 entryEqual-consideration deadline
18:00 UK time for most undergraduate courses.
Show 5 later dates
- 2027 entryUCAS Extra opens
Applicants who used all five choices and hold no offer may be able to add another choice.
- 2027 entryLast day applications go directly to providers
Applications received after 18:00 UK time are entered into Clearing.
- 2027 entryClearing opens
Eligible applicants can see vacancies and release themselves into Clearing.
- 2027 entryFinal date for 2027 applications
Applications must reach UCAS by 18:00 UK time.
- 2027 entryLast day to add a Clearing choice
Check that this course still has a vacancy before adding it.
Names detected beside accreditation or recognition copy on the provider course page; verify the route and intake.
Professional placement year. Availability, selection and pay can vary.
See and book current events. Dates can fill or change.
Entry & how to get in
Who gets in
What recently admitted students actually held, official admissions data, not a stated requirement.
UCAS tariff of entrants
Grades are the A-level equivalent of each points band. Tap a band to check your own chances below.
Qualifications held on entry
| Qualification | Share |
|---|---|
| A-levels or equivalent | 95% |
| an Access course | 5% |
Entry & your chances
An honest read from the official entry data, plus your personal match.
Entry is set by the university and based on your offer. Use your predicted grades to see how you compare, then check the university's stated requirements.
Will you get in? Plot your grades
Pick your predicted A-levels and watch your UCAS points land on the real spread of students admitted to this course.
Each bar is the share of admitted students in that UCAS-points band (lower → higher). Grades show the A-level equivalent.
Based on the official admitted-student tariff distribution. Many universities make contextual (reduced-grade) offers, so a result below the range doesn’t rule you out.
How to apply
Undergraduate applications go through UCAS. Here’s what matters for this course, the right deadline, the grades to aim for, and the steps in order.
- 1Register on UCAS Hub
Create your UCAS application and add this course. One application covers up to five choices.
- 2Write your personal statement
A single statement covers all your choices, so keep it broad enough for similar courses while showing genuine interest in this subject.
- 3Submit by 13 January 2027, 18:00 UK time
UCAS equal-consideration deadline for most undergraduate courses. Source: UCAS 2027 dates.
- 4Reply to your offers
When decisions are in, pick a firm (first) choice and an insurance (back-up) choice with slightly lower grades.
- 5Results day & confirmation
On results day (mid-August) your place is confirmed if you meet the offer. Just missed? Talk to the university, or find a place through Clearing.
Fees & funding
What this course costs and how UK student finance covers it.
Tuition per year
Provider fee page (England 2026/27 cap where not stated).
Check fees at BCU →For students who normally live in England
2026/27 Student Finance England figures. Maintenance support is means-tested and this two-point view is not an entitlement calculator. The course total uses its published length and home fee where both are available; a missing full-time fee uses the clearly labelled England-cap scenario, while part-time fees and unknown lengths are never guessed. Use the official calculator. Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland use separate systems: SAAS, Student Finance Wales, and Student Finance NI.
Starting on or after 1 January 2027?
The Lifelong Learning Entitlement is a separate system. A new learner’s tuition entitlement is currently stated as £39,160 (about 480 credits at 2026/27 fee levels), subject to prior study and eligibility. Check the official LLE guide.
Paying for it
- Tuition Fee Loan: can cover eligible tuition up to the applicable limit and is paid straight to the provider.
- Maintenance Loan: up to £10,830/yr away from home outside London (England, 2026/27), means-tested on household income.
- Repayment: 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below it; written off after 40 years.
- Earn alongside: most students work part-time in term, part-time roles on the StudySmarter job board.
England figures shown; Scotland, Wales & NI run their own schemes, check gov.uk.
Scholarships & bursaries you could qualify for
That does not mean no funding exists. Check the university directory for current amounts, eligibility and application dates.
We only display a named award when its provider source identifies the award and who it is for.
Still deciding what to study?
StudyKit brings course choice, applications and funding together in one place, with a personal AI assistant. Find what really fits you and start your UCAS application step by step.
Careers & earnings
What Business & Management graduates actually earn, from real outcome data, 15 months, 3 years and 5 years after graduating.
Graduate earnings: this course
| When | Median | Typical range | Graduates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 months after | £25,000 | £23,000 – £27,500 | 80 |
| 3 years after | £23,500 | £18,500 – £27,000 | 120 |
| 5 years after | £29,000 | £22,500 – £37,000 | 115 |
Nominal earnings for graduates of this course/subject at this provider. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23.
Graduate outcomes, 15 months on: this course
- 1Graduate / AnalystOn a scheme or first role · 0–2 yrs
- 2Specialist / ManagerOwning an area, marketing, finance, ops · 2–5 yrs
- 3Senior / Head ofLeading a function and a team · 5–10 yrs
- 4Director / FounderRunning a business unit or your own company · 10+ yrs
How pay grows: this course vs Business & Management nationally
National figures for Business & Management graduates, HESA Graduate Outcomes (15 months) and the Longitudinal Education Outcomes (LEO) dataset (3 & 5 years). These are national, not university-specific; actual pay varies by employer, region, role and experience. Different cohorts, so the bars are not one group over time.
Work out your pay
Headline figures hide a lot. Calculate realistic take-home pay for this field by role, region and experience, then check your CV before you apply.
What happened to 100 students?
Choose an outcome to translate the published percentage into a simple 100-person view. Each dot represents one percentage point, not an individual tracked student.
were in work or further study
15 months after graduation
Source: Discover Uni, using Graduate Outcomes and continuation data. Cohorts: 2021-23. Moderate evidence. Published sample: 80; avoid reading small differences as meaningful. Cohort 2021-23. Each tab is a separate published measure; categories can overlap and should not be added together.
Value compared with similar courses
How this course’s 5-year median earnings compare with Business & Management courses at the same study level.
Compared with 3,421 courses with compatible official earnings data. This is a course-value comparison, not a quality ranking.
UK occupations graduates enter
Published graduate destinations, joined conservatively to UK SOC 2020, ONS pay and Skills England demand.
- Business and public service associate professionalsSOC 2020 35 · 52% of published destinations · ASHE median £38,760
Discover Uni JOBLIST/JOBTYPE; ONS ASHE 2025 provisional, all employee jobs; Skills England Occupations in Demand 2025. SOC is shown only for an exact normalised label match; demand is shown only at exact four-digit SOC. Published sample: 185; response rate: 57%. Pay describes the occupation across workers, not a guaranteed graduate salary.
Job market & outlook
How Business & Management graduates fare in the labour market, and how AI is reshaping the work.
How AI is changing the work
AI doesn't replace the profession, it shifts it: routine tasks get automated, while judgement, working with people and using AI well become more valuable.
What AI takes off your plate
- Routine reporting and data pulls
- First-draft decks and copy
- Standard forecasts and reconciliations
- Scheduling and admin workflows
More human than ever
- Strategy and judgement under uncertainty
- Leading, negotiating and selling
- Sense-checking and owning what AI produces
- Relationships with clients and teams
The strongest graduates pair subject depth with the ability to use AI tools critically.
Roles & employers
Where Business & Management graduates typically go, indicative destinations from graduate career data. Each role links to live openings on the StudySmarter job board.
Roles graduates go into
Where they work
- Consultancies
- Corporate graduate schemes
- Retail & FMCG
- Startups & scale-ups
Jobs after this course
Current roles from the StudySmarter job board that suit Business & Management graduates.
Is this course right for you?
The essentials UK applicants ask about: finance, outcomes, entry and quality.
Student finance
For comparison, the standard full-time England tuition cap is up to £9,790 per year in 2026/27; the actual fee varies by course and provider. If you normally live in England, eligible students can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan, plus a Maintenance Loan for living costs. Under Plan 5 you repay 9% of income above £25,000, nothing below that, and the balance is written off after 40 years.
Where graduates go
89% were in work or further study 15 months after graduating, with a median salary of £25,000. See the full breakdown in Careers & earnings above.
Your entry chances
Use the UCAS points calculator above to see how your predicted grades compare with admitted students, and whether a contextual offer could apply.
Official-data snapshot
Averaging the official measures published for it, this course scores 8.9 out of 10: NSS 92.9% · in work or study 89% · continued 86%.
Who studies here and in this subject?
Provider- and UK subject-level context.
Birmingham City University
Business and management across the UK
HESA student record 2024/25. Counts are rounded.
Local crime-data context
A neutral snapshot around the published teaching location.
Around City Centre Campus
4,178 street-level reports returned within roughly one mile across 2026-04 to 2026-06.
Police.uk street-level API. Approximate locations, not confined to campus. England, Wales and Northern Ireland; not Scotland.
Is Business & Management right for you?
Tick what applies to you and see how good a fit it is.
International students
What applying to BCU from outside the UK involves: fees, English, visa, funding and living costs.
Tuition fees
International tuition is £18,570 / year for this course (from the provider’s fee page). You’re not eligible for UK Tuition Fee or Maintenance Loans, so plan for fees plus living costs upfront.
English language
Most UK undergraduate courses ask for around IELTS 6.0–6.5 (no band below 5.5–6.0), or an accepted equivalent. If you’re just short, most universities run a pre-sessional English course that counts towards the requirement.
Student visa
You’ll usually need a Student visa (Student Route). After you accept an offer the university issues a CAS; you then show funds for fees plus about £1,023–£1,334/month living costs and pay the Immigration Health Surcharge for NHS access.
Scholarships & funding
Many universities offer international/global scholarships (often £2,000–£6,000/yr), check BCU’s funding pages.
Living costs
Budget roughly £1,100–£1,400/month outside London and £1,400–£1,800/month in London for rent, food and travel; the figure also matters for your visa.
Working while you study
A Student visa usually allows up to 20 hours/week in term time and full-time in holidays, useful alongside study, though not something to rely on for fees.
Visa rules and fees change. Always confirm the current requirements with BCU and gov.uk before you apply.
Related courses
More at BCU
Business & Management at other universities
Common questions
How competitive is entry?
What are the entry requirements?
What do graduates go on to do?
What will it cost me?
Request information about BA (Hons) Marketing with Advertising and Public Relations
Prospectus, key dates, entry and funding, free to your inbox.

