Marketing BA (Hons)

On this course you will learn how vital marketing is to an organisation’s success. You will gain the experience and skills needed to apply marketing to a wide range of contexts. Whether you are interested in setting up your own company, working for a large organisation or joining the not-for-profit sector, this course will give you a broad understanding of how businesses operate.

There will be regular opportunities throughout the course to apply the theory you have learnt in the classroom in professional settings. You will work on live projects and engage with practising marketers, organisations and employers through a programme of guest speakers, work experience and internships. You will have the opportunity to work as a marketing consultant on a live brief with an organisation through our Business Consultancy Clinic. Our marketing team is relatively small, but we will support you as a student, watching you become outstanding members of society.

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). Through the CIM partnership, you can gain further certificates and invitations to events and webinars. You will also have the opportunity to qualify as a Microsoft Office Specialist. We encourage you to be involved with the wider university extra-curricular activities, to make the most out of your time here at York St John University. In recent years our year 3 students took part in the Chartered Institute of Marketing Pitch Competition, with one group obtaining a place in the finals.

As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. If you choose not to do a full year, you can do a shorter placement module in Year 2. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at 1 of our partner universities. 

Year 1

Our academic year is split into 2 semesters.

In your first year, you will study:

• 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
• 3 compulsory modules in semester 2

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Modules

Year 2

In your second year you will study:

• 3 compulsory modules in semester 1
• 2 compulsory modules and 1 optional modules in semester 2

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Modules

Year 3

In your third year you will study:

• A compulsory Research Investigation module across semesters 1 and 2
• 2 compulsory modules in semester 1
• 2 compulsory modules in semester 2

You can find out which modules are available in each semester on the Course Specifications.

Optional modules will run if they receive enough interest. It is not guaranteed that all modules will run every year.

Optional Placement Year

As with all of our Business courses, you have the option to go on a placement year between years 2 and 3 of your degree. If you choose not to do a full placement year, you can do a shorter placement as part of a module in year 2. This module is called Career Development and Employability. You can also choose to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities.

Modules

Teaching and learning

All of your modules will be delivered using a variety of different teaching sessions. This includes:

• Lectures
• Seminars
• Guest speakers
• Workshops
• Events

Each module has 3.5 hours of contact time a week. Lecturers also offer 2 hours of dedicated time a week, where students can have 1-1 time, this can be booked through out tutorial booking system

You will have an allocated academic tutor, who will have regular individual tutorial sessions to support you with your learning.

You will also have opportunities to gain work experience through modules which take your learning beyond the classroom and into the city. Recent live projects have been Brew York, The Grand, Grantley Hall, Castle Howard, York Dungeons, Living North and others.

Our teaching draws on both our research and professional experience. This means your learning is informed by the most current thinking in the subject area. You can find out more about our research and backgrounds by visiting our staff pages.

Assessment

We use a wide variety of assessment types, which help you to develop skills relevant to the workplace. This includes:

• Written assignments
• Individual and group presentations
• Exams
• Practical activities
• Portfolios

You will receive detailed feedback on your work throughout each module. This will help you to improve your work for your graded assessments. We will advise you on developing your skills, useful areas for research and how to extend your business knowledge further.

Professional skills

We encourage you to extend your learning through Continuing Professional Development as you study. Our Success Lab provides extra events, short courses and opportunities to help you make the most of your degree. The academic and professional skills you develop through this will help to boost your employability when you graduate.

Your future with a degree in Marketing

This course will prepare you for a career in marketing. You will develop an understanding of customer demands, target markets, digital media and more. The skills you gain in strategic thinking, research and communication will open up a range of career options.

This degree could be the first step toward your career as a:

• Advertising art director
• Market researcher
• Marketing executive
• Public relations officer
• Social media manager
• User experience (UX) designer

Discover more career options on Prospects careers advice pages.

You could also progress onto a postgraduate degree and take your learning even further.

Postgraduate courses at York St John University

Digital Marketing and Data Analytics MSc

Marketing MSc

Whatever your ambitions, we can help you get there.

Our careers service, LaunchPad provides career support tailored to your ambitions. Through this service you can access:

• Employer events
• LinkedIn, CV and cover letter sessions
• Workshops on application writing and interview skills
• Work experience and volunteering opportunities
• Personalised career advice

This support doesn't end when you graduate. You can access our expert career advice for the rest of your life. We will help you gain experience and confidence to succeed.

Qualifications

Calculate your UCAS Tariff points

International students

If you are an international student you will need to show that your qualifications match our entry requirements.

Information about international qualifications and entry requirements can be found on our International pages.

If English is not your first language you will need to show that you have English Language competence at IELTS level 6.0 (with no skill below 5.5) or equivalent.

International entry requirements

This course is available with foundation year

If you do not yet meet the minimum requirements for entry straight onto this degree course, or feel you are not quite ready for the transition to Higher Education, this is a great option for you. Passing a foundation year guarantees you a place on this degree course the following academic year.

Business foundation year

Mature Learners Entry Scheme

If you have been out of education for 3 years or more and have a grade C GCSE in English Language or equivalent, you are eligible for our entry scheme for mature learners. It's a scheme that recognises non-traditional entry qualifications and experience for entry onto this course. Information on how to apply can be found on our dedicated page.

Mature entry offer scheme

Advanced entry

Considering transferring to join us in year 2 or 3 of our Business Courses? Please see our Advanced Entry page for information on the courses available and how to apply.

Terms and conditions

Our terms and conditions, policies and procedures contain important information about studying at York St John University. You can read them on our Admissions page.

To study for a degree with us, you will need to pay tuition fees for your course. How much you pay depends on whether you live inside the UK, or internationally (outside the UK). Tuition fees may be subject to inflation in future years.

UK 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry onto this course is £9,250 per year for full time study.

This price applies to all UK, Jersey, Guernsey and Isle of Man students.

You can find out more about funding your degree by visiting our funding opportunities page.

Funding Opportunities

Placement year funding

If you choose to take a placement year, and your course offers it, you can apply for the Tuition Fee and Maintenance Loan for your placement year. How much you are awarded is based on the type of placement being undertaken and whether it is a paid or unpaid placement. The tuition fee for your placement year will be reduced.

Tuition fees

International 2025 entry

The tuition fee for 2025 entry to this course is £11,500 per year for full time study.

This price applies to all students living outside the UK.

Due to immigration laws, if you are an international student on a Student Visa, you must study full time. For more information about visa requirements and short-term study visas, please visit the International Visa and Immigration pages.

Find out more about funding your degree.

International Fees and Funding

Accommodation and living costs

For detailed information on accommodation and living costs, visit our Accommodation pages.

Financial help and support

Our Funding Advice team are here to help you with your finances throughout your degree. They offer a personal service that can help you with funding your studies and budgeting for living expenses.

For advice on everything from applying for scholarships to finding additional financial support email fundingadvice@yorksj.ac.uk.