Funding
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersReady to put your creative abilities to the test? Turn your own ideas into memorable advertising? Learn how it all fits into a greater marketing strategy designed to build brands and create influence.
Whatever the brand, whatever the market and whatever the media, successful advertising brings together a combination of creative thinking, commercial awareness and strategic insight.
You'll learn about consumer behaviour, brand management and digital marketing communications – to name a few areas. You’ll get to grips with the media landscape, exploring integrated campaigns that balance traditional and digital channels.
Along the way, you’ll have access to the real professionals – whether as guest lecturers, campaign clients or placement employers. So, by the time you leave us, you’ll be ready to join their ranks in the industry.
Manchester: A Global City
Manchester’s second largest employment sector is the creative and digital media ind...
3 years full-time
4 years with placement
4 years overseas study
Chartered Institute of Marketing
Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business
EFMD Quality Improvement System
Business School Impact System (BSIS)
Australian Marketing Institute
Teaching Excellence Framework 2023-2027
National Student Survey 2024 (NSS)
Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.
The 21st century marketer needs to be equipped with the tools to understand, and think critically, about responsible marketing practices in relation to the wider social and environmental impacts of business at different levels.
The unit introduces students to the fundamentals of advertising and brands. Students will explore the role of brands in adding consumer value and how they are used to build customer-based equity within organisations. Students will also explore why successful global brands are recognised through how they are advertised to and connected with consumers increasingly through digital media platforms.
Key marketing principles, techniques and measures are introduced and explored in relation to the marketing consumer interface; helping to shape an understanding of strategic and operational aspects of business.
Students will gain insight on major external factors that influence business decision-making, performance and the strategies developed in response to competitors, cultural differences and regulatory implications.
Marketers need to understand the psychology of consumers and their buying behaviour. Namely, their perception, beliefs, attitudes and what influences them towards buying or not buying products and services.
An understanding of digital and social platforms and how they impact on today’s marketing environment is an important consideration for marketing students.
You can add a foreign language to your portfolio of skills. Enhance your employability by learning French, Japanese, Mandarin Chinese, Modern Standard Arabic or Spanish alongside your main degree. Whatever your language knowledge, from beginner to advanced, these classes will take you to the next level of proficiency.
Several factors affect most businesses and marketing students need an understanding regarding the roles of customers, employees, competitors, shareholders and suppliers. Other modern business activities will be explored such as franchising, joint ventures and social enterprise.
Study
Assessment
Our BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Communications degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe, or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
You will study eight 15 credit units (seven core, one option). Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.
Brand management is a crucial part of a marketing strategy within organisations. The unit develops a holistic approach to strategic branding decision-making that will help create brand equity for organisations in a global context. The key areas of study include brand strategy, brand portfolio management, brand management toolkit and brand culture.
Students will explore how to appraise and apply research methods as a critical skill for undergraduates in the advertising and brand communications context and develop knowledge in academic research through this unit.
The unit examines the theory behind the principles and practice of public relations and develops students' knowledge and skills in public relations in a global context. The areas of study include the function of PR in organisations, strategic perspectives for PR, the external public and PR activities, and the role of PR in corporate reputation and crisis management.
Students will examine digital technology and its impact on advertising and brand communications including communication theory and practice. Planning, development and implementation of digital communications strategies will be examined.
The unit develops an understanding of the process of advertising using an applied approach. Students will explore the main creative approaches to advertising, the main media available and the regulatory system of the advertising industry in a global context by undertaking practical advertising activities. Where appropriate, students will create innovative solutions to live client briefs.
Sociological and consumer behaviour is a fundamental aspect in understanding the nature of consumers as individuals and within society and their culture.
This unit aims to develop a critical understanding of the practice of integrated marketing communications and the implications for planning and design of marketing communications strategies. Students will apply and adapt the communication mix to satisfy stakeholder needs. Students will gain knowledge of communication theory and its impact in practice.
Study
Assessment
Our BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Communications degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe, or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
You will study four 15 credit units and one 30 credit unit. Please note that the following list of units is indicative and may be subject to change.
This unit aims to develop your expertise in the planning, development and implementation of integrated marketing communications strategies for a range of target audiences. Current trends within the industry and key ethical factors are also explored. In addition, the unit will allow you to consider target audiences and profile development; communications tools; ethics, legal controls and codes of conduct; how to evaluate campaigns; current campaigns and trends within the communications industry.
Marketers need to critically assess the value of strategic marketing as part of the broad longer-term business objectives. Taking into consideration corporate management issues and opportunities leading to appropriate strategic marketing solutions.
The unit explores the strategic role of digital content in an organisation's marketing communications. Students will plan the creation and distribution of digital content to deliver effective propositions.
Creativity is at the heart of advertising and branding. This unit provides a deeper understanding of creativity in advertising and brand communications in a constantly evolving media landscape.
Students undertake a substantial project based on work experience or academic research.
Study
Assessment
Our BA (Hons) Advertising and Brand Communications degree offers the chance to spend a year getting a taste of professional life. It not only gives you the opportunity to develop your core skills and learn about how a business really operates in your industry, but also shows employers that you’re ready to get to work.
Find out more about what a placement can do for you. Visit our placements page.
Study abroad
Instead of a placement, you’ll have the opportunity to spend up to a year overseas, studying with one of our partner institutions across Europe, or beyond. Go abroad in the third year of your degree, and you’ll not only learn about other cultures, improve your language skills and discover more about yourself – you’ll also boost your career prospects.
Having first-hand knowledge of another country’s cultures and traditions can take you far in a range of careers. And, by going abroad you’ll also demonstrate the kind of independent spirit and adaptability that many employers want.
Working abroad
Gaining work experience with an international flavour offers a double benefit. While you’ll learn valuable professional skills in a real-world workplace, you’ll also experience different cultures, ways of working and new perspectives. Whether it’s a summer exchange, holiday internship or year-long international placement, global experience can make a world of difference to your career prospects.
Whether you’ve already made your decision about what you want to study, or you’re just considering your options, there are lots of ways you can meet us and find out more about student life at Manchester Met.
We offer:
Your studies are supported by a department of committed and enthusiastic teachers and researchers, experts in their chosen field.
We often link up with external professionals too, helping to enhance your learning and build valuable connections to the working world.
These typical entry requirements may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year. Please check back for further details.
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted.
The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
GCSE grade C/4 in English Language or Level 2 Functional Skills English pass
and
GCSE grade C/4 in Mathematics or Level 2 Functional Skills Mathematics pass
GCE A levels - grades BCC or equivalent
Pearson BTEC National Extended Diploma - grade DMM
Access to HE Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum 106 UCAS Tariff points
UAL Level 3 Extended Diploma - grade of Merit overall
OCR Cambridge Technical Extended Diploma - grade DMM
T level - We welcome applications from students undertaking T level qualifications. Eligible applicants will be asked to achieve a minimum overall grade of Merit as a condition of offer
IB Diploma - Pass overall with a minimum overall score of 26 or minimum 104 UCAS Tariff points from three Higher Level subjects
Other Level 3 qualifications equivalent to GCE A level are also considered.
A maximum of three A level-equivalent qualifications will be accepted towards meeting the UCAS tariff requirement.
AS levels, or qualifications equivalent to AS level, are not accepted.
The Extended Project qualification (EPQ) may be accepted towards entry, in conjunction with two A-level equivalent qualifications.
There’s further information for international students on our international website if you’re applying with non-UK qualifications.
Tuition fees for the 2025/26 academic year are still being finalised for all courses. You can find information on 2024/25 standard undergraduate fees for UK/Channel Islands and EU/Non-EU international students. All fees stated may be subject to change for the 2025/26 academic year.
All of the books required for the course are available from the library. The University also has PC labs and a laptop loan service. However, you may choose to buy some of the core textbooks for the course and/or a laptop. You may also need to print assignments and other documents. Campus printing costs start from 5p per page. Estimated costs are £300 for a laptop, and up to £100 each year for books and printing.
Professional Body Accreditations and Membership Costs (Optional): The proposed programme is mapped against the equivalent professional qualifications of the Chartered Institute of Marketing. You can join as a student member. The cost of student membership currently is £60.
Where necessary, field trip costs would not exceed £500.
Find out more about financing your studies and whether you may qualify for one of our bursaries and scholarships
Money MattersThere are a wide range of career opportunities across the creative and digital industries, whether working for agencies or in-house within organisations.
Previous graduates have kick-started their careers for companies including:
You can apply for this course for 2025/26 entry once UCAS applications open in autumn.
Visit UCAS for further details, including deadlines.
Get advice and support on making a successful application.
You can review our current terms and conditions before you make your application. If you are successful with your application, we will send you up to date information alongside your offer letter.
Programme review
Our programmes undergo an annual review and major review (normally
at 6 year intervals) to ensure an up-to-date curriculum supported by the
latest online learning technology. For further information on when we
may make changes to our programmes, please see the changes section of our
terms and conditions.
Important notice
This online prospectus provides an overview of our programmes of study
and the University. We regularly update our online prospectus so that
our published course information is accurate. Please check back to the
online prospectus before making an application to us to access the most
up to date information for your chosen course of study.
Confirmation of regulator
The Manchester Metropolitan University is regulated by the Office for
Students (OfS). The OfS is the independent regulator of higher education
in England. More information on the role of the OfS and its regulatory
framework can be found at
officeforstudents.org.uk.
All higher education providers registered with the OfS must have a student protection plan in place. The student protection plan sets out what students can expect to happen should a course, campus, or institution close. Access our current student protection plan.