People standing by board with ideas pinned to it

Marketing Communications BA(Hons)

Seize the opportunity to study marketing communications in a dynamic studio-based environment.

Key details
Location
Falmouth Campus
Course duration
3 years / 4 years
Attendance
Full-time / Placement year
UCAS code
N592/FY33/PY50

Course overview

In a world where technology is rapidly transforming the way we live, work and play, where reputations are made or broken by an Instagram post, when consumers are starting to wonder whether the environment matters more than the bottom line, modern marketing and communications specialists need to be fast, flexible and future-focused.

From marketing theory and problem solving to strategic planning and understanding consumer behaviour, you’ll develop the skills, ideas and solutions to shape the industry’s future.

You will:

  • Develop a strong marketing portfolio, showcasing your creative problem-solving and strategic thinking skills
  • Learn by doing, in a variety of classes, including practical workshops, small group project work, team supervision and one-to-one tutorials
  • Meet and network with guest speakers who are experienced marketers working for well-known brands
  • Devise campaigns in response to real briefs set by our industry partners, working alongside Creative Advertising students
  • Gain experience of working in multidisciplinary teams, in a lively studio setting
  • Explore new and emerging marketing technologies, such as data-driven services, augmented reality, voice assistants and chatbots

Marketing Communications BA(Hons) is accredited by the leading professional marketing body, The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). This means students who successfully complete the full undergraduate degree are part-accredited for qualifications CIM offers professional marketing practitioners.

CIM accreditation logo

The Integrated Foundation Year and placement year pathways for this course are new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.

Course details

On this Marketing Communications degree, you'll have the opportunity to gain a BA(Hons) degree over three years or the option to study Marketing Communications BA(Hons) with an Integrated Foundation Year and/or placement year.

Throughout this degree you'll gain the knowledge, understanding and confidence to become a courageous marketing communications practitioner. You'll learn vital skills in pitching, copywriting, campaign creation and strategic thinking, acquire an understanding of the ethics and impact of communications in today's world, experiment with emerging technologies and take on live briefs as part of creative teams.

BA(Hons) Marketing Communications

In your first year, you'll delve into the fundamentals of marketing communications theory and practice. You'll learn core marketing principles, explore how to reach audiences in an engaging way while meeting business objectives, and develop a simple yet essential toolbox of methods to gather and analyse information about target audiences.

You'll also be introduced to the interdisciplinary nature of working in the marketing communications industry, through problem solving and teamwork.

Modules

Copywriting

Marketing Communications

Creative Problem Solving

Professional Practice

Marketing Essentials

Strategy & Planning

Your second year will involve a deep dive into aspects of creating effective marketing campaigns and understanding how consumers behave in different environments and media channels. You'll engage in debates about the ecological, ethical and social impact of business and the shifting expectations of consumers. You'll also learn how innovation can play a meaningful role in tackling some of these issues by taking on live challenges.

In this year you can choose to study abroad or further enhance your creative and digital skills with our specialist option modules.

Modules

Campaign Creation

Collaboration Module

Media Lab

Consumer Behaviour

You can choose to take an optional placement year after your second year on a three-year programme, or after your third year if you’re studying for a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year. 

You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, with support from the RealWORKS employability team. 

Choosing this option will enhance your industry experience and skills while studying. 

How you’ll study during your placement year 

You’ll spend time working in a professional context, as part of a business or organisation. This can be in one role, or up to three, and must be for a minimum of 24 weeks. 

You’ll develop in-demand workplace skills, deepen your insight into industry and grow your network of contacts, all of which could help you get ahead in your career after graduation. 

Throughout this year, you’ll develop a portfolio of work that includes critical self-reflection on what has been learned from the experience. You’ll be required to evidence your experiences, the skills you’ve learned and your professional growth. 

In your final year, you'll sharpen your critical and creative thinking as you build a professional portfolio that showcases your skills and individual voice. You'll have the chance to embark on an entrepreneurial project to help hone and challenge your creative process and practice. And you'll get the opportunity to top up your BA with a professional qualification from the Chartered Institute of Marketing – the most recognised marketing professional body in the world.

Modules

Final Year Project

Marketing Portfolio

Advanced Campaign Creation

Entrepreneurial Practice

Why study an Integrated Foundation Year route? 

If you’re taking on a new subject that you haven’t studied in depth before, have been out of education for a while or have a non-standard educational background then an Integrated Foundation Year degree may be the right choice for you. It is a four-year degree with an Integrated Foundation Year to start, which allows you to explore the primary elements of your subject before progressing on to the remaining three years of the BA(Hons) degree. 

What you'll study in your Foundation year

If you choose this pathway, you'll study five core modules in your Foundation year. These are all designed to help you explore the foundational elements of your subject. You'll gain relevant technical skills, learn to experiment and take risks, develop an understanding of professional practice, have opportunities to work across disciplines and collaborate with other students on live project briefs. 

Modules

Explore

You'll begin your foundation year by working collaboratively with others to explore themes of the future. You'll take risks, experiment through play and be supported to break through barriers.

Technique

You'll take subject-specific workshops and develop essential technical and practical skills in your area of study. You'll also enhance your analytical and organisational abilities.

Apply

You'll work with your peer group to think beyond discipline by addressing a societal or global issue. You'll then showcase your work to your peers and deliver and accompanying evaluation of your process.

Industry

You'll enhance your creative and practical skills in your subject specialism by responding to typical industry briefs, underpinned by focused research and experiments. You'll also gain industry insights through guest lectures and workshops.

Launch

You'll develop your unique identity in your specialism through the production of a self-initiated body of work. Your final project will be the bridge to your next year, fully supported by evaluative reviews and critical analysis of the work you have created.

After the Foundation year, you progress into Year One of the full three-year degree, equipped with a deeper knowledge of your subject, a clear understanding of your strengths, and develop a practical and technical skillset and the confidence to excel in your chosen subject. 

 

If you apply for and enrol onto a degree with an Integrated Foundation Year, you’ll have the option to switch onto a five-year version including a placement year. That means you’ll complete the first three years of your course before completing a placement in industry in your fourth year and returning to Falmouth for the fifth year of your programme. 

The Integrated Foundation Year pathway for this course is new for entry year 2023 and subject to validation.

The modules above are those being studied by our students, or proposed new ones. Programme structures and modules can change as part of our curriculum enhancement and review processes. If a certain module is important to you, please discuss it with the Course Leader.

How you'll learn

You'll learn through a combination of lectures, seminars, practical workshops, supervised studio time and group or individual tutorials. You'll also gain invaluable insights through lectures and masterclasses delivered by industry-leading guest speakers.

At Falmouth, we use a 'digitally enhanced learning & teaching' approach. Your experience will always be predominantly in-person, including seminars, tutorials and studio teaching, with some, more targeted elements, being online either live (synchronous) or pre-recorded (asynchronous). You can read more here.

How you'll be assessed

You'll be assessed with practical exams and coursework.

Assessment methods

We use a variety of assessment strategies over the course of this degree including:

  • Portfolios of practical work
  • Presentations
  • Essays
  • Written or verbal reports
  • Major research project
  • Peer group assessment

Your summative (final) assessments occur at the end of each module, usually at the end of the study block. However, you may have interim formative assessments part way through a module as well. These assessments help ensure that you remain on track with your work.

You'll receive continuous feedback on all your work throughout the year. This will be delivered through tutorials and while you're working in the studio. At the end of a module, you'll receive detailed written feedback and will have the chance to discuss this with your assessor.

Foundation year assessments are 100% coursework based.

Staff

You'll learn from a variety of industry professionals with experience working for agencies like VMLY&R, RAPP and NetBooster. We also have partnerships with agencies like Droga 5, Ogilvy, M&C Saatchi, Poke, VCCP, AMV BBDO, and Wunderman Thompson.

Some members of staff only teach on specific modules, and your course might not feature every staff member who teaches on the course.

Dr Cui Su

Head of Advertising

After her boss at Young & Rubicam told her 'you're the best account handler I've ever had but go...

Dr Cui Su

James Branch

Lecturer, Brand Design & Strategy

I teach across a range of modules at Falmouth including Creative Problem Solving, Startup, and Behav...

James Branch

Lucy Cokes

Senior Lecturer, Creative Advertising

Lucy Cokes kicked off her career in 1996 when she wrote her dissertation about search...

Lucy Cokes
Joel Ferguson staff image

Joel Ferguson

Lecturer, Creative Advertising

After studying multimedia design and branding, Joel began his career by teaming up to start the...

Joel Ferguson

Jon Paget

Lecturer

Jon's love of marketing started when he met an eccentric and brilliant lecturer whilst studying for ...

Jon Paget

Facilities

  • Digital labs, lecture theatres and seminar rooms.
  • Libraries housing 140,000 books, 17,000 DVD and video titles, and exhaustive electronic and journal resources.
  • The Lighthouse – a dedicated writers' room and events space
  • The Soundhouse – podcasting facility
  • The Shed – dedicated study area

Take a virtual tour

Through the window of the newsroom with lecturer talking to journalism students.
SoWJ Newsroom through window lecturer talking

Media Equipment and Facilities

Our industry-level facilities offer everything you need to practice and produce animation, film, TV,...

Media Equipment and Facilities
Library interior with 'group study' written on large pillar and students reading
Penryn library group study area

Library Facilities

Offering extensive collections, our two libraries provide a wealth of digital resources, magazines, ...

Library Facilities
Falmouth University Sports Centre building exterior with blue sky and a path
Sports Centre - Outside
Sports Centre

Sports Centre

Our Sports Centre, on Penryn Campus, includes a spacious gym with up to 90 of the latest, new statio...

Sports Centre

Careers

As a graduate you could become:

  • A brand manager
  • A public relations specialist
  • A market researcher
  • A social media manager
  • A communications strategist

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

Ready to join us? You can apply through UCAS. You'll need to reference the course and University code (F33).

Apply now

Applying as an international student? 

International students can apply for a course through UCAS, via an agent or directly with the university. For more information about how to apply as an international student, visit our international applications page.

International applications

Course route UCAS code
Marketing Communications BA(Hons) three year degree N592
Marketing Communications BA(Hons) with Integrated Foundation Year (new for entry year 2023) FY33
Marketing Communications BA(Hons) with placement year (new for entry year 2023) PY50

We consider all applications on their own individual merit and potential. We invite all applicants to an interview day or audition to give them the opportunity to demonstrate this along with what inspires and motivates them in their field. Applicants will also be able to show their portfolio or give a performance depending on the course. We welcome applications from all subject backgrounds, whether you’ve specialised in STEM, the arts or humanities.  

Course route Entry requirements
BA/BSc(Hons) three year degree 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points
BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with placement year 104 – 120 UCAS Tariff points
BA/BSc(Hons) four year degree with Integrated Foundation Year 80 – 120 UCAS Tariff points

Check the title of your course to see if it's a BA or BSc award. UCAS Tariff points will primarily be from Level 3 qualifications such as but not limited to A-levels, T Levels, a BTEC/UAL Extended Diploma or a Foundation Diploma. 

Check how many points your qualifications are worth

For applicants whose first language is English we require you to have or be working towards GCSE English Language Grade 4 (C), or equivalent. 

If English is not your first language you will need to meet the same standard which is equivalent to the IELTS Academic 6.0 overall score, with at least 5.5 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. We accept a range of in country equivalencies and approved tests.  

If you need a student visa to study in the UK, you may need to take a recognised language test. You can read our English Language Requirements for more information.

For starting your studies in 2023

UK applications: 25 January 2023 (for equal consideration)

Applications after the 25 January will be considered on a first-come, first-served as long as there are places available. Apply for this course now.

International fee payers

International fee payers can apply throughout the year. But we recommend applying as early as possible, to make time for visa and travel arrangements.

Fees, costs & funding

Tuition fees

Annual tuition fee Student
£9,250 per year Full-time UK
£17,460 per year Full-time EU/international
Annual tuition fee Student
£9,250 per year Full-time UK
£17,460 per year Full-time EU/international
£1,850 per placement year Full-Time UK and EU/international

Tuition fees are set annually and are subject to review each year. The University may therefore raise tuition fees in the second or subsequent years of a course, in line with inflation and/or the maximum permitted by law or Government policy. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. 

The figures above don't include accommodation and living costs

Typical course costs

  • £260 - One off costs for the course duration (compulsory trips, CIM professional membership and application fee)

If you need to bring equipment or materials with you, these will be outlined in your Welcome Letter

Additional typical course costs for Integrated Foundation Year pathway

  • £250 for materials
  • A laptop/desktop computer
  • Adobe Creative Suite

In order to participate in our digitally enhanced learning approach, you'll need to have a personal laptop/desktop computer. Depending on your subject, you may need a specific type of computer. If you're unsure about what you might need, please contact our course advisors.

Ask a student

What better way to find out about life at Falmouth University than by asking our current students?

From course details and academic support, to the social scene and settling in, our students are ready and available to answer any questions you might have. Simply set up your account, send them a question and they'll get back to you within 24 hours.

Similar courses

Visual Communication student drawing on a tablet
BA(Hons) Visual Communication (Online)

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)

Get ahead in the vibrant, ever-evolving field of visual communications with this exciting online cou...

Visual Communication BA(Hons) (Online)
A printed piece of paper with green ink annotations and pens
Creative Writing Online_2022

Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online)

Whether you dream of penning novels, writing for games, creating compelling digital campaigns or wri...

Creative Writing BA(Hons) (Online)
Students sat around a desk chatting
Media Production - 2023

Media Production BA(Hons)

An exciting and market-driven fusion of filmmaking, advertising and journalism, this Media Productio...

Media Production BA(Hons)
Student sat on the floor working on a project
BSc Business and Marketing

Business & Marketing BSc(Hons) (Online)

Become a skilled, confident, ethical and future-ready business and marketing professional with this ...

Business & Marketing BSc(Hons) (Online)
Brightly dressed female holding ketchup bottle
Commercial Photography - 2023

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)

From creating photographs and films for high-end advertising and marketing campaigns to producing vi...

Commercial Photography BA(Hons)
Digital marketing student working on laptop
Business & Marketing (online) - 2023

Business & Digital Marketing BSc(Hons)

Prepare yourself for a career in the fast-paced and ever-evolving world of business and digital mark...

Business & Digital Marketing BSc(Hons)
A woman in a red coat in front of a yellow and red wall
Fashion Marketing_2022

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)

Blend your flair for communication and eye for fashion into a successful career as a fashion markete...

Fashion Marketing BA(Hons)
Graphic Design student work leaflets
Graphic Design student work leaflets

Graphic Design BA(Hons)

With an emphasis on design thinking and crafting big ideas beautifully, this Graphic Design degree i...

Graphic Design BA(Hons)
Students standing at a wall full of ideas written on paper
Creative Advertising - 2023

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Pitching, hustling, scribbling, protesting, researching, writing, experimenting, crafting and – mo...

Creative Advertising BA(Hons)

Open Days and events

From visiting campus to online application advice, get all the information you need about joining our creative community.

Experience Falmouth
Parents smiling with daughter at an Open Day at Falmouth University
widget