BA (Hons) Business and Marketing (2026 entry)
Explore the power of branding, storytelling, and strategy with a flexible degree that blends business insight and marketing creativity. Gain hands-on experience, build your portfolio, and graduate ready to thrive in a digital-first marketing world.
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Typical offer: 112
Entry requirements -
Fees: TBC
Full details -
UCAS code: NN1M
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Course length: Various
Find out more -
Location:
- University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield
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Institute code: H36
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Work placement option
Find out more -
Study abroad option
Find out more
One of only four CIM strategic university UK partners
Course content driven by industry certifications
A practical, coursework-based degree focused on real life challenges
Course overview
The BA (Hons) Business and Marketing is designed for creative thinkers and strategic minds who want to understand what drives customer behaviour, builds strong brands, and shapes successful campaigns in a digital world. Starting with a broad foundation in business, you’ll specialise in marketing from your second year, gaining the tools, insights, and confidence to thrive in fast-paced, brand-driven environments.
You’ll explore a wide range of marketing and business topics including consumer psychology, brand impact, digital storytelling, campaign strategy, and entrepreneurial marketing. Alongside this, you’ll build vital business skills in leadership, data analysis, budgeting, and project management, preparing you to lead marketing activity with real impact.
This degree is shaped by current industry practice and informed by marketing professionals, ensuring that what you learn reflects real-world expectations. Modules like Advanced Marketing Strategy and Practice, Responsible Marketing, and Brand Impact connect theory with practice through live briefs, campaign planning, and applied assessments.
Graduates go on to careers in digital marketing, content creation, brand strategy, social media management, and agency work. You’ll also develop transferable skills, creative thinking, critical analysis, collaboration, and communication, that are valued across sectors.
With the option to take a placement or study abroad, and a personalised graduate success portfolio to showcase your experience, you’ll graduate with a blend of business acumen and marketing creativity that sets you apart.
Why choose this course?
Gain hands-on experience: You’ll work on real campaigns, tackle live briefs, and take part in hackathons and storytelling challenges. Modules like Brand Impact and Advanced Marketing Strategy and Practice prepare you for the realities of agency and in-house roles alike.
Learn from experts: Our teaching team includes academics with strong industry backgrounds in branding, advertising, social media, and business consultancy: Their insight ensures that every lecture is rooted in what’s happening now across the marketing landscape.
Tailor your course: With the option to take a placement year, short work experience, or study abroad, you can personalise your learning journey. Our graduate success portfolio and Personal and Professional Development modules help you build confidence, self-awareness, and a portfolio that employers will want to see.
Just 25 minutes from central London: You’ll have access to industry events, employer-led workshops, and a growing network of creative and commercial professionals.
Strong employment prospects: 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22). Going on to roles in digital marketing, social media, brand strategy, and content creation. This course gives you the edge to stand out.
Professional accreditations
Chartered Management Institute (CMI)
The BA (Hons) Business and Marketing course is aligned with the professional standards of the Chartered Management Institute (CMI), the UK’s leading authority in management and leadership: The course is currently undergoing CMI accreditation, and once approved, students will graduate with both a university degree and a CMI Certificate in Management and Leadership.
This dual award gives students a competitive edge by demonstrating not only academic knowledge but also practical management and leadership skills: It shows employers that you’re ready to take on responsibility, lead projects, and make strategic decisions, qualities essential in any marketing or business role.
As a CMI-aligned student, you’ll gain access to exclusive learning resources, including digital toolkits, leadership webinars, and professional networks: This extends your learning beyond the classroom and helps you build confidence in areas like communication, problem-solving, and team leadership.
The CMI accreditation also supports your pathway to Chartered Manager status: A prestigious professional recognition that can enhance your career progression and earning potential.
Whether you're launching creative campaigns, managing a marketing team, or building a personal brand: The CMI accreditation ensures you're equipped with the leadership skills to succeed in today’s competitive marketing and business environments.
Your future career
Graduates go on to roles in digital marketing, brand management, content creation, and consultancy. The course builds in-demand skills in strategy, creativity, and analytics. 93% of Herts graduates are in work or further study within 15 months after graduation (Graduate Outcomes, 2021/22).
Possible roles of employment for business and marketing graduates include:
- marketing executive
- brand manager
- social media strategist
- content marketing specialist
- marketing analyst
- campaign manager.
Employability is embedded throughout the course, from live briefs and portfolio development to professional accreditation and career coaching, ensuring you graduate with the creative thinking, strategic insight, and real-world experience needed to succeed in today’s competitive marketing and business landscape.
What you'll study
The BA (Hons) Business and Marketing course at Herts is designed to blend strategic business knowledge with creative marketing practice. The course follows a progressive structure that allows you to build confidence, develop specialist skills, and apply your learning in real-world contexts.
You’ll typically have 10–12 contact hours per week, delivered through interactive workshops, seminars, live project work, and team-based learning. Teaching is hands-on and industry-informed, with a strong focus on applied learning. Assessment is 100% coursework-based, with no exams, enabling you to build a portfolio of work that reflects the kind of tasks you’ll perform in professional marketing roles.
In your first year, you'll be introduced to core business areas including marketing, operations, digital tools, innovation, and academic skills. You’ll build a strong foundation while exploring how marketing fits into wider business practice.
In your second year, is where you begin to specialise in marketing, with modules such as Entrepreneurial Marketing in Practice and Responsible Marketing. You’ll also focus on career development and can choose to take a placement or study abroad.
In your third year, you'll focuses on advanced marketing strategy, campaign planning, and branding. You’ll complete a Live Business Challenge and finalise your Graduate Success Portfolio, demonstrating your skills, experience, and career readiness.
This structure ensures you graduate with both strategic insight and creative capability, ready to thrive in a wide range of marketing and business roles.
What if I need support?
Studying business and marketing at Herts means you’ll be supported every step of the way. From your first day, you’ll be matched with a dedicated Personal Tutor, your advisor, coach, and mentor, who will help you navigate university life, track your progress, and plan for your future in the marketing world.
Within your modules, you’ll benefit from tailored support from your Programme Leader, expert module tutors, and Teaching Assistants. Whether you're planning a campaign, building your portfolio, or developing a strategy presentation, they’ll guide you through your academic journey and help you build the confidence to excel.
You’ll also have access to the Future Success team, who offer one-to-one career coaching, LinkedIn and CV support, mock interviews, and connections to internships, placements, and graduate roles. Whether you’re aiming to join a creative agency, manage social media for a global brand, or launch your own business, they’ll help you take the next step.
For academic support, our Centre for Academic Skills Enhancement (CASE) provides personalised workshops and guidance on writing, referencing, presenting, and study strategies to help you thrive in every assignment.
You’ll also be part of our business school student voice community, where your feedback helps shape the course and keeps it relevant, inclusive, and inspiring.
Wherever your marketing journey takes you, we’re here to support your success, personally, professionally, and creatively.
Optional sandwich year
You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Put knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.
You can choose to take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a tremendous personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now operating on an international scale, and the experience of living in another country will make a significant impression on future employers. Put your knowledge into action, learn how businesses operate, and establish professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world truly is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office will provide guidance on your options to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees, whether it is to the partner university or to us.
You can take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a huge personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now working internationally, the experience of living in another country will make a great impression on future employers. Put knowledge into action, learn how a business operates and make professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world really is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office advises you on your options, to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you’ll pay no tuition fee, either to the partner university or us.
Find out more about work placementsYou can choose to take a sandwich year abroad, making that decision in your second year. Studying at one of our international partners is a tremendous personal development opportunity and an amazing experience.
More and more companies are now operating on an international scale, and the experience of living in another country will make a significant impression on future employers. Put your knowledge into action, learn how businesses operate, and establish professional connections.
With over 100 partners in 40 countries, the world truly is your oyster! Our dedicated study abroad office will provide guidance on your options to help you make the most of this opportunity.
If you study abroad between your second and third year of study, you will not be required to pay any tuition fees, whether it is to the partner university or to us.
Find out more about study abroad optionsWhere you'll study
You'll be taught on our modern de Havilland Campus, with our 24/7 Learning Resources Centre, offering open and private study spaces. You also get online self-study materials to further support you.
There are dining options, a bar, and a recreational space on campus where you can shoot some pool or play video games. It also houses Hertfordshire Sports Village, featuring a gym, swimming pool, coffee shop and climbing wall.
Discover the Enterprise Hub, a vibrant destination where local firms and students work and learn in an inspiring space.
The Student Union bar and additional facilities are only a 20 minute walk (or short bus ride) away at our second campus, on College Lane. Student housing is available at both campuses.
A train to central London takes just over 20 minutes, and you are also conveniently located on the A1(M) with access to the road network, making travel quick and convenient.
Who you'll learn from
The business and marketing teaching team at Herts brings together a vibrant mix of academic expertise and real-world industry experience. Many of our lecturers have worked in marketing and business roles across sectors including advertising, brand management, digital media, retail, and consultancy.
Staff stay connected to the industry through ongoing consultancy work, research collaborations, and links with professional bodies and marketing agencies. Recent projects have included supporting SMEs with digital transformation, advising on ethical branding strategies, and working on live campaigns with community organisations. These industry touchpoints are brought directly into the classroom through guest speakers, live briefs, and applied teaching methods.
Our team also includes researchers whose work spans digital storytelling, consumer behaviour, social impact marketing, and influencer culture, ensuring the curriculum reflects current trends and challenges in the marketing world.
You’ll also be supported by technical experts who help you gain hands-on skills in tools such as Adobe Creative Cloud, data visualisation platforms, and campaign management software; equipping you with the digital capabilities employers expect.
Together, this blend of practical and academic experience ensures a rich, engaging, and professionally relevant learning experience.
How we support our students
At the University of Hertfordshire, we want to make sure your time studying with us is as stress-free and rewarding as possible.
We offer a range of support services, from childcare to counselling, ensuring that you make the most of your time at Herts and can focus on studying, having fun, and have the support you need.
Entry requirements
The University of Hertfordshire is committed to welcoming students with a wide range of qualifications and levels of experience. The entry requirements listed on the course pages provide a guide to the minimum level of qualifications needed to study each course. However, we have a flexible approach to admissions and each application will be considered on an individual basis.
| Typical offer (UCAS points) | (enter tariff range) |
|---|---|
| Typical A Level offer | (enter range) |
| Typical IB offer | (enter range) |
| Typical BTEC offer | (enter range) |
| Typical T Level offer | (enter range) |
| GCSE | EG: Grade 4/C in English Language and 4/D Mathematics |
| Access courses | EG: An overall merit profile in 45 credits at Level 3. |
| Additional information | Find out more about our standard and contextual Undergraduate Entry Requirements. |
| English language | All students from non-majority English speaking countries require proof of English language proficiency, equivalent to an overall IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in each band. If you do not have the required IELTS or equivalent for direct entry on to your degree programme, our Pre-sessional English and International Foundation courses can help you to achieve this level. |
|---|---|
| Additional information | Find out more about International Entry Requirements. |
Ready to apply?
UK and EU applicants with pre-settled/settled status in the UK
| Start date | Study type | Apply |
|---|---|---|
| September 2026 | Full time | Apply via UCAS |
| Full time with placement year | Apply via UCAS | |
| Full time with study abroad year | Apply via UCAS |
International and EU applicants without pre-settled status in the UK
Apply through Clearing
Our Clearing hotline is open Monday, Wednesday and Thursday 10.00-16.45, Tuesday 11.00-16.45 and Friday 10.00-15.45. When the phone line is closed, please apply online.
Fees and funding
At Herts, we’re dedicated to providing world-class teaching supported by industry-level facilities and incredible social spaces. We believe cost shouldn’t be a barrier to higher education, and we strive to keep both our standard and additional costs as low as possible.
| Fees for 2026 entry will be published soon |
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Tuition fees are charged annually. The fees quoted above are for the specified year(s) only. Fees may be higher in future years, for both new and continuing students. Please see the University’s Fees and Finance Policy (and in particular the section headed “When tuition fees change”), for further information about when and by how much the University may increase its fees for future years.
| Scholarships, grants and bursaries | Depending on your circumstances, you may be eligible for a non-repayable scholarship, grant or bursary to support your studies. |
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| Disabled Students' Allowance | The Disabled Students’ Allowance can cover any study-related costs you have because of a mental health problem, long term illness or any other disability. |
| Student loans | Find out about securing a student loan, from how much you could be eligible for to when you need to start making repayments. |
| Accommodation costs | We offer a great choice of student accommodation, on campus or nearby in the local area, to suit every student budget. |
| Additional course fees | Read more about additional fees in the Programme Specification. |
More about the course
| Additional information | |
|---|---|
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Applications open to international and EU students |
Yes |
Course length |
Full Time, 3 YearsSandwich, 4 Years |
