The BSc Hons Marketing degree produces dynamic graduates who pursue professional careers in the field of Marketing in NI and abroad.
The overarching aim of the BSc (Hons) Marketing course is to provide specialist education in the discipline of marketing which will immerse and engage students in an academically challenging and stimulating educational experience; and, produce dynamic graduates who are intellectually competent and vocationally prepared to build and develop professional marketing careers.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
In this section
Four years full-time study at the Belfast campus (including optional Industrial Placement year).
Modular in design – normally complete 6 modules per academic year.
Each semester lasts 12 weeks and is followed by an examination period.
Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS
Students are expected to attend all classes associated with the course and be punctual and regular in attendance.
The aim and objectives of the course will be achieved in a variety of ways through the application of a range of Learning and Teaching methods across all modules which embrace a wide range of technologies including Blackboard Learn and online assessment.
Lectures
Lectures are the traditional form of communication between the lecturer and the students. However, it must be noted that the term "lecture" is interpreted in a wider sense with an emphasis on encouraging two way communication. Handouts, worked examples, overhead projector presentations and videos are used, but a range of student/group activities are also incorporated to encourage student participation. Similarly, the lectures are structured in such a way as to stimulate and guide further reading and other student activity and to relate to the seminar situations. As the course progresses, the traditional Learning and Teaching mechanism is incrementally reduced in favour of more participative and student-led systems, to encourage students to take progressively more responsibility for their own learning.
Laboratory/practical classes
The objectives of laboratory/practical classes are to develop subject specific skills, reinforce and validate material exposed in lectures, synthesise knowledge and provide opportunities for innovation. The Department has a strong commitment to providing realistic work experiences and various simulated exercises are included in the skills laboratories and through practical sessions.
Seminars
Seminars are organised for groups of students, under staff supervision. Here the emphasis is on student participation and initiation, with the overall aim of developing independent learning abilities. Each group of students can therefore, consolidate the knowledge gained through lectures and independent study, develop their problem solving and analytical skills and play a more active role in the teaching/learning effort. As the course develops, seminars become a progressively more important teaching/learning vehicle in order to encourage independent and self-centred learning and to develop abilities, attributes and competencies which students will use in their marketing positions. These include the transferable skills of communication, negotiation, group dynamics and self‑presentation. The seminars also feature case studies.
Case studies
Case studies of varying complexity are used within the course. They develop an understanding of the nature and skills of logical reasoning, a capacity for creative thinking and problem solving and a facility for the enhancement of effective communication and interpersonal relations. Many of those in use have been developed by staff, based on previous industrial and/or research experiences. The main aims underlying this learning/teaching mechanism are to allow students to develop powers of analysis and evaluation in defining problems, formulating and implementing solutions and assessing their impact in relation to either the organisation(s) or to the consumer(s) involved.
Tutorials
Tutorials may be conducted on a small group or more usually, on an individual basis. They are used to assist those who are experiencing learning/personal difficulties.
Workshops
Workshops are forums for open discussion. Students will research aspects of a given topic or case study and will discuss their findings with their peers in the workshops. They also provide a practical vehicle upon which certain theoretical perspectives can be applied, tested and evaluated.
Guest speakers
Guest speakers will be invited to present on a range of issues within particular modules. This exposes students to a wider set of issues and will give them the opportunity to apply their studies in a broader context. It also increases collaboration between the students, employers and external agencies.
The content for each course is summarised on the relevant course page, along with an overview of the modules that make up the course.
Each course is approved by the University and meets the expectations of:
As part of your course induction, you will be provided with details of the organisation and management of the course, including attendance and assessment requirements - usually in the form of a timetable. For full-time courses, the precise timetable for each semester is not confirmed until close to the start date and may be subject to some change in the early weeks as all courses settle into their planned patterns. For part-time courses which require attendance on particular days and times, an expectation of the days and periods of attendance will be included in the letter of offer. A course handbook is also made available.
Courses comprise modules for which the notional effort involved is indicated by its credit rating. Each credit point represents 10 hours of student effort. Undergraduate courses typically contain 10, 20, or 40 credit modules (more usually 20) and postgraduate courses typically 15 or 30 credit modules.
The normal study load expectation for an undergraduate full-time course of study in the standard academic year is 120 credit points. This amounts to around 36-42 hours of expected teaching and learning per week, inclusive of attendance requirements for lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical work, fieldwork or other scheduled classes, private study, and assessment. Teaching and learning activities will be in-person and/or online depending on the nature of the course. Part-time study load is the same as full-time pro-rata, with each credit point representing 10 hours of student effort.
Postgraduate Master’s courses typically comprise 180 credits, taken in three semesters when studied full-time. A Postgraduate Certificate (PGCert) comprises 60 credits and can usually be completed on a part-time basis in one year. A 120-credit Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) can usually be completed on a part-time basis in two years.
Class contact times vary by course and type of module. Typically, for a module predominantly delivered through lectures you can expect at least 3 contact hours per week (lectures/seminars/tutorials). Laboratory classes often require a greater intensity of attendance in blocks. Some modules may combine lecture and laboratory. The precise model will depend on the course you apply for and may be subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. Prospective students will be consulted about any significant changes.
Assessment methods vary and are defined explicitly in each module. Assessment can be a combination of examination and coursework but may also be only one of these methods. Assessment is designed to assess your achievement of the module’s stated learning outcomes. You can expect to receive timely feedback on all coursework assessments. This feedback may be issued individually and/or issued to the group and you will be encouraged to act on this feedback for your own development.
Coursework can take many forms, for example: essay, report, seminar paper, test, presentation, dissertation, design, artefacts, portfolio, journal, group work. The precise form and combination of assessment will depend on the course you apply for and the module. Details will be made available in advance through induction, the course handbook, the module specification, the assessment timetable and the assessment brief. The details are subject to change from year to year for quality or enhancement reasons. You will be consulted about any significant changes.
Normally, a module will have 4 learning outcomes, and no more than 2 items of assessment. An item of assessment can comprise more than one task. The notional workload and the equivalence across types of assessment is standardised. The module pass mark for undergraduate courses is 40%. The module pass mark for postgraduate courses is 50%.
The class of Honours awarded in Bachelor’s degrees is usually determined by calculation of an aggregate mark based on performance across the modules at Levels 5 and 6, (which correspond to the second and third year of full-time attendance).
Level 6 modules contribute 70% of the aggregate mark and Level 5 contributes 30% to the calculation of the class of the award. Classification of integrated Master’s degrees with Honours include a Level 7 component. The calculation in this case is: 50% Level 7, 30% Level 6, 20% Level 5. At least half the Level 5 modules must be studied at the University for Level 5 to be included in the calculation of the class.
All other qualifications have an overall grade determined by results in modules from the final level of study.
In Masters degrees of more than 200 credit points the final 120 points usually determine the overall grading.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 60% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (19%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (22%) or Lecturers (57%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic and learning support staff (85%) are recognised as fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advance HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures from the academic year 2022-2023.
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Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
The overall aim of this module is to provide students with a knowledge and understanding of the concepts related to the financial aspects of businesses and to the environments in which they operate.
Year: 1
Status: C
The fundamental management functions of planning, organising, leading and controlling are pervasive activities that are central to the operation of organisations and integral to the marketing curriculum. Given that perceptions of the nature of this process of management have changed and continue to change quite radically, it is beneficial also to have informed insights of these changes and the changing external and internal context within which management takes place. The module therefore introduces a coherent range of concepts and ideas that provide the basis for further more specialised study of management.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module introduces the wonderful world of brands and branding. It is a world that students think they know, but often fail to fully appreciate. The latter is inculcated through a combination of self-reflection and formal instruction. Appreciation of the managerial dimensions of brands and branding figures especially prominently, though consumer and cultural perspectives also feature.
Year: 1
Status: C
Various kinds of value artefacts are constructed and exchanged via the Marketing Communications activities and processes engaged in and experienced by marketplace participants. Drawing on a broad range of perspectives, this interdisciplinary module enables students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the creative nature and influence of the diverse array of Marketing Communications activities and processes which permeate the marketplace.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature, scope and breadth of the fundamental concepts and principles of marketing. It represents a key underpinning to subsequent marketing related modules within degree programmes.
Year: 1
Status: C
The overall aim of this Skills Module is to help marketing students develop the range of academic, inter-personal, team-based, and professional skills needed to support their academic success and enhance their future employability as a marketeer. The Module provides a strong foundation for the development of a range of core skills that employers require of graduates working in contemporary organisations and the academic skills needed to be a successful graduate.
Year: 2
Status: C
The links between consumer behaviour research and marketing theory and practice are well documented. Drawing on perspectives from a range of disciplines (e.g. anthropology, sociology, psychology) the Consumer Behaviour module will enable students to develop their knowledge and understanding of the nature of consumer behaviour and the various ways in which consumer behaviour research can inform marketing decision-making
Year: 2
Status: C
This module is designed to provide students with an appreciation of and a limited engagement with enterprise. Students will understand that entrepreneurship is a process, and that it is important in their lives. They will learn about the constituencies of the entrepreneurial process, in particular the importance of creativity and innovation in entrepreneurship and the challenges facing entrepreneurial people in identifying and accessing critical resources. The module invites students to examine their own entrepreneurial potential.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module develops the fundamentals of marketing and applies the perspective of managerialism to these core principles. In this respect, the module's focus is on the 4 core marketing management activities marketing planning, marketing implementation, marketing leadership and marketing control. The module also explores how these core managerial activities will operate in various marketing contexts.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module examines the role of creativity in developing an effective strategic and integrated approach to marketing communication planning.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module immerses students in the practice of sales and events. The nature of events are explored together with competencies and capabilities needed for the successful strategic oversight of planning, selling, implementing and reviewing an event. The module provides a 'hands on experience of events and sales in an increasingly digital approach and supports students understanding of how sales and events meet marketing objectives in particular contexts of application
Year: 2
Status: C
This module introduces students to Digital Business Skills concepts. The module aim is to enable students to study and develop digital literacy skills in order to collect, analyse and report on data from a variety of digital sources. It seeks to develop the student's ability to identify appropriate methods and techniques for analysis from different data sources in order to report on this and to develop and enhance their employability skills.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides an opportunity to undertake an extended period of study outside the UK and Republic of Ireland. Students will develop an enhanced understanding of the academic discipline whilst generating educational and cultural networks.
Status: O
Year: 3
This module is optional
This module provides undergraduate students with an opportunity to gain structured and professional work experience, in a work-based learning environment, as part of their planned programme of study. This experience allows students to develop, refine and reflect on their key personal and professional skills. The placement should significantly support the development of the student's employability skills, preparation for final year and enhance their employability journey.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module deconstructs and redevelops the marketing concept within the digital context and through marketing technology. The module equips participants with a meaningful and robust evaluation process through which the application of digital marketing strategy, harnessed through marketing technology can be understood, applied and practiced.
Year: 4
Status: C
This module will equip students with the tools necessary to carry out an effective strategic analysis of any organisation. Students will understand the interconnected role of organisational functions which help achieve the strategic mission and goals of an organisation. Furthermore, they will learn the importance of strategic management in enabling organisations to identify, evaluate and respond to the forces and influences that impact upon their organisation.
Year: 4
Status: C
In an increasingly global environment this module seeks to develop students' understanding of the socio-cultural, economic, legal and political variables which will impact on the international decision making and planning processes of an organisation and influence international marketing mix strategies.
Year: 4
Status: C
The module specifically allows the student to apply the knowledge and skills acquired during the programme to undertake a relevant live Marketing consultancy project. The project topic will vary, depending on the requirements of the project organisation.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
In the course of this module, students will develop an understanding of, and the ability to use, the core theories and techniques underpinning business research - both academic research and applied research. This will be supported by providing students with the knowledge required to utilise appropriate software for the analysis and presentation of research
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
Creative Corporate Branding activities strategically influence how stakeholders (e.g. consumers, employees, publics) perceive an organisation's image and reputation. Drawing on a broad range of theoretical perspectives (e.g. corporate/marketing communication, public relations, organisational culture), the interdisciplinary Corporate Branding module enables students to critically explore, explain and evaluate the nature and impact of such activities.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module introduces the essential components of retail marketing and the principles on which retail marketing is based. Students will develop a range of skills, techniques and practices in marketing with specific focus on the retail industry and the environment it operates within.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
The module aims to explore a range of contemporary issues facing organisations operating in a digital world. Teaching provided will allow students to fully appreciate the impact and influence of the dynamic digital landscape.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module examines the particular nature of marketing in the rural, agri-food context and the challenges that must be addressed. It takes a multi-disciplinary approach and adopts multiple theoretical perspectives in examining the industry context, food systems, consumer motivations, and marketing approaches.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module provides students with an appreciation of the nature, scope and breadth of the concepts and principles of services marketing. It is based on enquiry based learning in relation to services in our economy and contemporary trends, challenges and opportunities impacting services.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
The module examines key aspects of entrepreneurial marketing management decision making within different contexts, industries and through the application of such theory to specific live cases. The module builds on the knowledge gained in the earlier modules.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
This module equips students with an understanding of how leadership and management is evolving in marketing organisations, the leadership challenges associated with a turbulent and unpredictable marketing environment, and of the strategies and techniques to ensure effective leadership and management within a professional marketing career.
Status: O
Year: 4
This module is optional
Within this module the broad context of the service industry is explored with particular focus on emerging issues within the services sector. A research-led approach will be taken to examine contemporary developments in service provision within different industry sectors.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
In this section
The A Level requirement for this course is BBC
RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/ OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma
Award profile of DMM
We will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications.
To find out if the qualification you are applying with is a qualification we accept for entry, please check our Qualification Checker - our Equivalence Entry Checker.
We will also continue to accept QCF versions of these qualifications although grades asked for may differ. Check what grades you will be asked for by comparing the requirements above with the information under QCF in the Applied General and Tech Level Qualifications section of our Entry Requirements - View our Undergraduate Entry Requirements
112 UCAS Tariff Points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at Higher Level) to include English and Maths at H6 if studied at Higher Level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level
Grades BBCCC
Grades CCD.
Overall profile is minimum 25 points (including 12 at higher level).
Overall profile of 63% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)
Overall profile of 15 credits at distinction and 30 at merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)
To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma.
For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language and Maths.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.
Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills - Application of Number will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE Maths.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
Pass HND with overall Merit to include 45 Distinctions in Level 5 credits
Pass HNC with overall Distinction to include 75 Distinctions in Level 4 credits
You may also meet the course entry requirements with combinations of different qualifications to the same standard as recognised by the University (provided subject requirements as noted above are met).
The majority of students enter the full-time degree programme in year 1. Some students may, however, enter at year 2 or year 3 with appropriate recognition of credit accumulation. The Course Committee requires that such students should have covered substantially the subject matter of the modules in the first and second years of the degree up to their point of entry and have reached an acceptable level of attainment. For example students can transfer into Year 2 from the P/T or F/T Business Studies degree where a compatible suite of modules has been successfully completed to allow progress to Year 2 BSc (Hons) Marketing.
There are transfer opportunities within the Ulster Business School where similar/common modules are delivered on other related programmes (e.g. honours programmes in Business). Graduates of the BSc (Hons) Marketing course would be equipped to progress to more advanced programmes of study.
In this section
Graduates from this course are now working for:
With this degree you could become:
BSc (Hons) Marketing graduates have been employed as marketing analysts, brand ambassadors, marketing officers/assistants, market researchers, business development managers, customer service representatives, management consultants, advertising executives, sales representatives and project assistants. Typical employers include, L’Oreal, The Hastings Group, PWC, Randox, Marks and Spencer (Head Office), Tesco (Head Office), Diageo, Mintel, Belfast Telegraph, Northern Ireland Chamber of Commerce and Power NI. Honours graduates are also well positioned to avail of the Ulster Business School’s full and/or part time postgraduate learning opportunities. For example, the Department’s postgraduate portfolio currently includes Masters programmes in Marketing and Business Development and Innovation.
The skills and knowledge developed during the first two years of the course will then be applied and enhanced in the workplace environment during the optional 48-week placement. The University has extensive links with private and public sector employers nationally and internationally and the Department has a network of contacts with Marketing professionals through the existing MSc in Marketing and through our Marketing alumni. Such links assist in securing a range of high quality placements. A Diploma in Professional Practice (DPP) will be awarded to students who successfully complete the placement and attain a mark of 40%. Although the industrial placement is optional, students will be encouraged to avail of this opportunity to gain industrial experience and develop their practical skills.
Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2025/26 fees will be announced in due course.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2024/25 entry.
Marketing Excellence Awards;
Year 1 Deans Award (awarded to students with an overall average of 70% and above)
Year 1 Best Overall Student: Department of Management, Leadership and Marketing Prize for Excellence
Year 2 Best Overall Student: Hastings Hotel Prize for Excellence.
Final Year Best Overall Student: Marketing Institute of Ireland Prize for Excellence.
Highest Achieving Student in The Digital and Marketing Nexus Module: Belfast Telegraph Prize for Excellence.
Highest Achieving Student in Global Marketing: Chartered Institute of Marketing Prize for Excellence.
N/A
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
“The Marketing degree at Ulster has enabled me to build the foundations of a career that I could only have dreamt of. Working in the fast paced, innovative environment of the Belfast Telegraph as part of the digital marketing team I was able to draw upon knowledge gained from modules such as Digital Marketing whilst using analytic and strategic thinking skills acquired throughout the course. My move back into full time academic study was no doubt inspired by the solid academic underpinning and positive experience I received from the degree”. Clare Quinn, recent graduate.
Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance.
At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda.
We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships: Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals.
Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals.
Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals.
