BA (Hons) Marketing
Stand out from the crowd with a Marketing degree from the University of Stirling.
Key facts
- Award BA (Hons)
- Start date January 2024, September 2024, January 2025
- Application notes For students who need a visa: we are closed for January 2024 entry.
- Duration 48 months or 36 months
- Mode of study full time
- Delivery on campus
- UCAS Code N500
- Study abroad opportunities
Overview
Merging creative thinking with strategic analysis, marketing is the vital connection between any organisation and its potential consumer base. With more marketing platforms than ever before and boundless avenues for creative communication, good marketing skills have never been more in demand or more vital to an organisation’s success.
The University of Stirling’s Marketing course is ranked 1st in Scotland and 2nd in the UK for Marketing (Guardian University Guide 2023). This is thanks to our research-led teaching and close ties with the industry. We understand the need to prepare you for the rapidly shifting landscape of marketing in a digital age of 24/7 connectivity, whilst still exploring the timeless truths that have always underpinned the discipline. You’ll experience how marketing works in a “live” environment, deepen your understanding of what makes businesses tick, and sharpen your skills in research and communication.
You’ll also have the freedom to take Marketing as a combined honours course with one of the complementary subjects – creating a tailored degree that'll give you an edge in the field you’re most passionate about. With graduates working for organisations like Adidas, the BBC and Next, Marketing at Stirling is all about ensuring you can truly be the difference in this diverse, fast-paced and infinitely-relevant arena.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. The University of Stirling has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications as a CIM Accredited Degree.
CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degree which ensures we're equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.
Our students and graduates gain exemptions in the number of modules that are required for the CIM qualifications.
Top reasons to study with us
Professional accreditation
Chartered Institute of Marketing Accredited Degree.
Entry requirements
Year 1 entry – Four-year honours
SQA Highers
AABB – by the end of S5
AABBB – by the end of S6
GCE A-levels
BBB
IB Diploma
30
BTEC (Level 3)
DDM
Widening access students
Widening access students may be eligible for an adjusted offer of entry. To find out if this applies to you go to our widening access pages.
Care-experienced applicants will be guaranteed an offer of a place if they meet the minimum entry requirements.
Year 2 entry – Three-year honours
SQA Advanced Highers
ABB
GCE A-levels
ABB
IB Diploma
35
Other Scottish qualifications
Scottish HNC/HND
Year one minimum entry - Bs in graded units.
Access courses
University of Stirling access course - for mature students only. You must pass the course with 50% or above.
SWAP Access course - for mature students only.
Email our Admissions Team for advice about other access courses.
Foundation Apprenticeships
Considered to be equivalent to 1 Higher at Grade B
Other qualifications
English, Welsh and Northern Irish HNC/HND
Merits and Distinctions
English, Welsh and Northern Irish access courses
Access to Higher Education - 60 credits, minimum 45 at QCF Level 3, pass at 60% or above.
International entry requirements
Advanced entry
Year 2 and Year 3 entry
Entry into Year 2 or Year 3 may be possible depending on your HNC/HND course. To find out more go to our articulation pages.
Other qualifications
Advanced entry may be possible depending on your qualifications. For more information, contact our Admissions Team at admissions@stir.ac.uk.
Other routes of entry
If you don't currently meet our academic requirements, INTO University of Stirling offers a variety of preparation programmes that can earn you the qualifications and skills you need to progress onto some of our courses. Explore INTO University of Stirling to see the Foundation and International Year 2 routes available.
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 60 overall with a minimum of 59 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 78 overall with a minimum of 17 in listening, 18 in reading, 20 in speaking and 17 in writing.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses
Course details
You can study Marketing as a four-year single honour degree or take it in combination with one of the complementary subjects to achieve a combined honours degree. In your first year, you’ll learn about the general principles of industry, management and marketing – foundations you’ll build on later in the degree. In your final year, you’ll be prepared to undertake a Marketing and Retail Consultancy project, designed to engage you with front-line business practices.
Industry-standard platforms, such as Google Academy, HubSpot and Hootsuite, as well as practical workshops, have been incorporated into our modules enabling students to demonstrate to future employers that they possess the skills needed in the workplace.
Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2023). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.
Course details
Teaching
You’ll be taught through a range of engaging lectures, seminars and workshops, all of which use a variety of different approaches. Some modules may involve the use of computer-based simulations or the chance to deal with real-world marketing problems undertaken for client organisations. You'll experience teaching delivered by guest lecturers, who bring their expertise directly to you and deepen your understanding of marketing on the front-line of the business world.
Assessment
Assessment is conducted by a combination of coursework and formal examinations. You’ll also be graded on your final-year dissertation – a comprehensive body of work focused on a particular aspect of retail you’re interested in.
Study abroad
You’ll have the opportunity to broaden your horizons and study abroad through our well-established connections with several international universities.
Contact
Dr George Maglaras, Course Director
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
| Academic year: | 2023/24 | 2024/25 |
|---|---|---|
| Scottish students | £1,820 | £1,820 |
| Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland | £9,250 | £9,250 |
| International students (including EU) | £16,400 | £17,200 |
Scottish students
This fee is set by the Scottish Government and is subject to change.
Although you’re liable for annual tuition fees, if you are domiciled in Scotland you can apply to the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS) to have your tuition fees paid by the Scottish Government on your behalf.
You will be charged the annual tuition fee each year when you enrol.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
This tuition fee may be subject to change depending on guidance provided by the UK Government.
You can apply for financial assistance, including a loan to cover the full cost of your tuition fees, from your relevant funding body. Students from the Republic of Ireland are eligible for a tuition fee loan of up to £9,250 from the Student Awards Agency for Scotland (SAAS).
We also offer additional funding – such as our Honours Year Scholarship – for students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland. See our funding opportunities section below for more information.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
International students (including EU)
Eligible students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. See our range of generous scholarships for international undergraduate students.
You will be charged the annual fee each year when you enrol. Your fees will be held at the same level throughout your course.
If you need to take additional modules or resit modules, you will be liable for an additional fee.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Funding
See what funding opportunities and loans are available to help you with tuition and living costs.
Students from Scotland
Find funding opportunities for Scottish students.
Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland and Republic of Ireland
Eligible students will automatically receive our Undergraduate Welcome Scholarship, Undergraduate Merit Scholarship, and our Honours Year Scholarship, which are worth between £1,000 and £9,250.
International students
Eligible international students will automatically receive a scholarship worth between £8,000-£30,000 over the duration of your course. Find funding opportunities for international students.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay.
After you graduate
What jobs can I get with a Marketing degree?
A degree in Marketing can become your key to a specialised marketing career or a more general management career in a wide range of public, private and voluntary sectors. You’ll acquire a comprehensive range of analytical, problem-solving and professional skills which are increasingly valued in industry, commerce, education, government and non-profit organisations.
We give you an edge in the job market with our range of specialist career services and you can find out more about how we prepare you for the world of work.
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Marketing graduates from Stirling are working for high-profile organisations and businesses in more than 20 different countries.
Good Marketing courses open the door to a wealth of job opportunities, and a degree in Marketing is becoming increasingly valuable as the range of promotional outlets and techniques available to businesses continues to evolve. Marketing graduates from the University of Stirling have started their careers in some of the following roles:
- Digital Marketing Manager, Tesco Bank
- Marketing and Sales Executive, Scottish Media Group
- UK Retail Marketing Graduate Programme, RBS
- Sales and Services Assistant, Intelligent Finance
Examples of recent Marketing graduates’ current roles include:
- marketing and communications specialist
- search engine optimisation specialist
- marketing manager
- marketing analyst
- digital marketing manager
- merchandising manager
- project manager
- product marketing manager
- games and digital marketing
- category manager
Other graduates have forged careers with some of the following organisations:
- Adidas
- Heineken
- BBC
- Nestle
- Arsenal F.C.
- Hewlett Packard
- LIDL
- Edrington
- DHL
- Morgan Stanley
Employability skills
Your employability is one of our highest priorities, and we want to make sure you have every possible advantage when you enter the job market.
Our BA (Hons) Marketing course places a special focus on preparing you for the workplace, and our overall focus on personal and professional development is designed to help you achieve your career ambitions.
The course is informed and developed by feedback from our close industry links ensuring that the modules’ content is up to date and relevant. We've developed close relationships with industry bodies including the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM); the Marketing Society Scotland; the Scottish Retail Consortium; the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport and the Scottish Grocers’ Federation.
You'll also have networking opportunities with professional leaders during guest lectures and networking events. The consultancy project will offer hands-on experience of working with a real company/ client and in combination with the dissertation module you'll learn how to use data insights to inform decisions.
You'll also have the opportunity to gain additional recognised industry qualifications and receive certifications alongside your degree or after your studies.
Further skills that your studies will equip you with include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Marketing skills that are specific, contemporary and highly sought after by employers, for example Search Engine Optimisation (SEO); content marketing; social media listening; sentiment analysis.
- Research and analysis.
- Teamwork.
- Communication.
- Business/commercial awareness.
- Time-management.
- Independent learning/ critical thinking.
Star Marketing Student of the Year Awards
Our students participate annually in the Star Marketing Student of the Year competition organised by the Marketing Society. The University of Stirling Marketing students have won the prestigious award several times in the last seven years, competing with students from universities across Scotland.
The award sponsor Edrington-Beam Suntory UK (a premium liqueur and spirit brand) organises an Apprentice Day looking for the most commercially aware and industry ready student. The winner is awarded a three month paid placement at Edrington-Beam Suntory UK. Our last winner has now secured a full-time job in the company.
The success of our students in this national competition highlights the continuing effectiveness of our Marketing course in developing relevant skills.
Discover Uni
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What our students said
Scotland
BA (Hons) Marketing
Read Monika's storyI would advise students looking to prepare for a post-graduation career to get involved in an extensive range of both academic and recreational activities… A wide variety of pursuits will result in a more beneficial and enjoyable university experience and will do more to impress employers.
Moldova
BA (Hons) Law and Marketing
Read Doina's storyMoving to Stirling was a significant emotional and financial effort, which is why I wanted to take advantage of the opportunities presented during my time there. All of my experiences prepared me for my professional life, by learning to seize opportunities, communicate with senior stakeholders, navigate and prioritize responsibilities, and focus on structured problem solving.
Flexible study
Are you interested in more than one of our courses? You might not have to choose between them. Here at Stirling, we believe in choice and offer more than 170 course combinations.
| Course name | UCAS code |
|---|---|
| Accountancy | UCAS code for this combination: NN45 |
| Business Studies | UCAS code for this combination: NN25 |
| Economics | UCAS code for this combination: NL51 |
| Film and Media | UCAS code for this combination: PN35 |
| Human Resource Management | UCAS code for this combination: NN65 |
| Psychology | UCAS code for this combination: CN85 |
| Spanish and Latin American Studies | UCAS code for this combination: N5R4 |
| Sport | UCAS code for this combination: NC56 |
For a combined honours degree where the two subjects have different entry requirements, you will usually be asked to meet the higher entry requirement.
Find out more about degree flexibility and how you can take combined courses.