BSc (Hons) Marketing with Foundation Year

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.

What can you do with a marketing degree? 

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. 

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.

Discover our careers service 

• 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 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.

A level: 32-80 points from a minimum of 2 A levels.

BTEC: 18 Unit BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma: Pass PPP-MMP in any subject.

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.

English language requirements 

We welcome applicants with international qualifications. To view other accepted qualifications please refer to our tariff glossary. 

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.