IN CLEARING
IN CLEARING

Plymouth Business School

BSc (Hons) Marketing with Foundation Year

UCAS tariff 32+
UCAS course code N502
Institution code P60
Duration 4 years (+ optional placement)
Course type Full-time
Location Plymouth
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Apply via UCASo

Become a driving force behind modern business. Our degree has deep industry ties and years of student feedback, which we use to shape the course and continuously adapt it to reflect current issues. Including an option to specialise in digital and social media marketing. Become a flexible, skilled communicator with a flair for marketing strategy, giving you the head start needed for a flying career in marketing management, advertising, digital marketing or marketing research.

The course starts with a foundation year 0, specifically designed to introduce and develop essential skills for success in higher education, including critical thinking and research skills, and the knowledge and understanding of key facets of business, accounting and economics.

Marketing with Foundation Year
Secure your place this September

Clearing is another opportunity for you to secure your place at the University of Plymouth this September.

Contact our Clearing call centre: 0333 241 6929

If you’re worried about your results or you’d like to chat about your options, our friendly team is there to answer your questions.

Learn more about Clearing

Careers with this subject
Our marketing students have tremendous opportunities to gain the knowledge and skills necessary for employment in a variety of work settings. Our hands-on approach to teaching and learning, and the use of live clients throughout the course will provide you with the topical skills and experience that you can apply to the wide range of career options as graduates. Our graduates have been employed by companies such as 3M, Apple, the BBC, Harley-Davidson, McLaren, Unilever, Barclaycard, Ben Sherman, British Airways, Hewlett Packard, IBM, Sara Lee, Radox, the National Trust, Wrigley and Microsoft.

Real experience every step of the way

As well as expert-led teaching, all undergraduate modules within Plymouth Business School have integrated CV building activity, for example, through micro-credentialing, problem-based learning, or embedded direct employer activity. 
We have ensured every module contains a real world problem-based exercise. We have reached out to employers directly to involve real business in our assessments. You will experience real world employee engagement every month. 
We know this is key to student academic and graduate success.

Careers service

The University of Plymouth has a dedicated careers service supporting you from the moment you start your degree, to three years after graduation.
Careers advice is embedded into your academic programme through workshops, events, placements, networks - working with the academic staff teaching on your course. We also offer materials, networks and resources online through our 24/7 portal, and a wide-range of activities, opportunities and support centrally in the Careers Service space within the Student Hub.
We are here to help you to explore, connect and succeed.
Key features
  •  The foundation year is an integral part of the extended degree and you will benefit from experienced university lecturers. 
  • Marketing is a driving force behind business. Our course acknowledges the multi-faceted dimensions of the marketing discipline which will ensure that you have the comprehensive knowledge needed for a career in marketing. 
  • Employability is embedded into all aspects of the course whether it is through the use of live client briefs to demonstrate application of theory or dedicated sessions and events in partnership with our Careers Service. 
  • As marketing has evolved, we have recognised the need to embrace change and address this within the programme. The course offers a digital and social media marketing pathway to allow you tailor your degree to your career goals.
  • Distinguish yourself professionally with an accredited degree – this course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing, The Institute of Data and Marketing and works with The Market Research Society. Receive maximum exemptions from the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Postgraduate Diploma in Marketing.
  • To enhance the employability of our students we work with key professional bodies within marketing such as the IDM/DMA, MRS and CIM by ensuring that the subjects are relevant and up to date, providing opportunities for professional certificates and scope for future professional development. As part of the degree we provide opportunities to attain:
    – IDM Certificate in Digital Marketing
    – MRS Certificate in Market Research
    – CIM Graduate Gateway
Course details

  • Foundation year

  • In this year, you’ll experience a supportive environment to assist in the transition to successful study in higher education. You will learn about academic writing, critical thinking skills and begin to develop your research skills, as well as develop your knowledge and understanding through an introduction to key aspects of business, accounting and economics. You’ll also have the opportunity to do independent research into an area of your studies that interests you, with a supervisor to guide and support you through the process.

  • Year 1

  • Examine marketing and business basics and develop effective practical approaches to complex situations – putting theory into practice with topics such as marketing, economics, accounting and workplace behaviour. You gain an appreciation of business operations and have the opportunity to take a professionally renowned digital marketing qualification.

  • Year 2

  • From analysis of consumer behaviours and market research, to product development and brand management, you explore marketing in more detail. Learn to use theory to create solutions to complex marketing problems with real companies. 

  • Optional placement year

  • You are strongly encouraged to undertake a placement year. Placement opportunities are available in a wide variety of companies, from start-ups to blue chips, across the world. Alternatively, you could start or run your own business.

  • Final year

  • Focus on the theoretical and strategic aspects of marketing, investigating the issues. Undertake an independently researched dissertation project in a marketing subject of your choice.

Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:

BSc Marketing with Foundation Year Prog Spec Sep22 FINAL 6668

The modules shown for this course are those currently being studied by our students, or are proposed new modules. Please note that programme structures and individual modules are subject to amendment from time to time as part of the University’s curriculum enrichment programme and in line with changes in the University’s policies and requirements.
Entry requirements

UCAS tariff

32+

BTEC:18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: Pass PPP-MMP in any subject.
BTEC National Diploma modules
If you hold a BTEC qualification it is vital that you provide our Admissions team with details of the exact modules you have studied as part of the BTEC. Without this information we may be unable to process your application quickly and you could experience significant delays in the progress of your application to study with us. Please explicitly state the full list of modules within your qualification at the time of application. 
International Baccalaureate:24-25 overall to include 4 at any subject at Higher Level. English and Maths accepted within: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5.
ITELTS:If overseas and not studying English within IB – Must have IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.
New Irish Highers:From 2017 32-80 points.
Access courses: Pass Access Course (any subject) plus GCSE English and Maths grade C / 4 or above or equivalent.
T level:Pass in any subject.
City and Guilds Level 3:We will accept with a minimum of Merit overall alongside a good GCSE profile, including English and Maths grade C / 4. 
Cyprus Apolytirion: 15/20 to 16/20 overall to include a pass in Maths and IELTS: 6.0 overall with 5.5 in all elements.
GCSE’s or equivalent:Maths and English at Grade C/4 or City and Guilds; Key Skills Level 2 will be considered on an individual basis.
We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary.
Fees, costs and funding
Student 2023-2024 2024-2025
Home £9,250 £9,250
International £16,300 £17,100
Part time (Home) £770 £770
Full time fees shown are per annum. Part time fees shown are per 10 credits. Please note that fees are reviewed on an annual basis. Fees and the conditions that apply to them shown in the prospectus are correct at the time of going to print. Fees shown on the web are the most up to date but are still subject to change in exceptional circumstances. More information about fees and funding.

Additional costs

This course is delivered by the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business and more details of any additional costs associated with the faculty's courses are listed on the following page: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Business additional costs.

Tuition fees for optional placement years

The fee for all undergraduate students completing any part of their placement year in the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,850.
The fee for all undergraduate students completing their whole placement year outside the UK in 2023/2024 is £1,385.
 Learn more about placement year tuition fees

How to apply
All applications for undergraduate courses are made through UCAS (Universities and Colleges Admissions Service). 
UCAS will ask for the information contained in the box at the top of this course page including the UCAS course code and the institution code. 
To apply for this course and for more information about submitting an application including application deadline dates, please visit the UCAS website.
Support is also available to overseas students applying to the University from our International Office via our how to apply webpage or email admissions@plymouth.ac.uk.

Real experience every step of the way

We embed real employer engagement and CV building experiences throughout the course to prepare you for graduate success.

Plymouth Business School's partnership with Chartered Management Insitute Live client briefs
 Employability is a key focus on the degree and one which is emphasis from the first year all the way through to the final year. Our students work on live client assignments from local and national companies from a variety of sectors

BSc (Hons) Marketing, guest speaker Guest speakers
 In addition to working with live clients the programme also includes guest speakers from the industry to demonstrate theory in practice and to illuminate the prospects of marketing as a profession. 

Marketing student Millie Evans Placement opportunities
 Our optional placement year is an invaluable opportunity to gain experience and to apply theories into practice. Undertaking a placement allows you to gain real-world experience in marketing and pick up a range of skills to kick-start your career.

Meet our experts

  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Extensive industry experience with connections to local businesses
  • Lecturer in Marketing
    Taught extensively across marketing, management and strategy disciplines
  • Lecturer in Marketing
    Highly experienced in sustainability in marketing communications research
  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Expert in charity fundraising
  • Associate Professor in Marketing
    Research interests in poverty reduction and consumer behaviour
  • Associate Professor (Senior Lecturer)
    Over 20 years of wide-ranging research and teaching experience
  • Lecturer in Marketing (Education)
    Expert in digital and social media marketing

Plymouth Business School

  • ?Committed to social, economic and environmental responsibility

  • ?Supporting the internationally recognised focus on sustainability and social purpose of the University

  • ?Leading business ready graduates onto a successful career and happy life

  • ?Supporting graduates to make informed choices based on current economic and market trends

  • ?Building students resilience and confidence

  • ?Promoting practical skills development

* National Student Survey (NSS) and Graduate Outcomes survey (GO) results are available via DiscoverUni.