BSc Marketing

Program Overview

Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU) in the United Kingdom offers a dynamic BSc (Hons) Marketing program designed to equip students with the theoretical knowledge and practical skills essential for success in the ever-evolving marketing landscape. This industry-led degree is highly relevant to contemporary business needs, blending strategic business management with specialist marketing subjects. The program's strong emphasis on practical application, including real-life organizational issues, prepares graduates for diverse roles in marketing, brand management, digital marketing, and more. It is notably accredited by two leading professional bodies: the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM), allowing students to potentially gain professional qualifications alongside their degree.

Curriculum: The BSc Marketing curriculum at CCCU provides a solid grounding in core business concepts while offering a deep dive into specialized marketing areas. In the first year, students gain foundational knowledge in areas like Introduction to Marketing, Introduction to Branding and Advertising, and Managing People in Organisations. As the course progresses, students explore advanced topics such as social media marketing, advertising, branding, consumer behaviour, marketing planning, market research, and global marketing. The learning experience is highly interactive and student-centred, incorporating a variety of teaching methods including lectures, seminars, workshops, game-based simulations, and live client briefs. Assessment methods are diverse, ranging from essays and business reports to presentations and reflective journals, designed to develop analytical, communication, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills.

Research Focus: The BSc Marketing program at Canterbury Christ Church University is taught by experienced academics who often have practitioner backgrounds and are actively engaged in research and knowledge exchange projects. This ensures that the curriculum is informed by current industry trends and academic developments. Faculty research interests often span areas such as computational and mathematical applications in business and marketing, machine learning and artificial intelligence in business, and social research with applications in media and perception. Specific research projects may involve areas like harnessing big data analytics and AI for consumer-centric innovation, or exploring the viability of enterprise AI models. This research-led teaching provides students with insights into the latest thinking and techniques within the marketing field.

Industry Engagement: Industry engagement is a core component of the BSc Marketing program at CCCU, designed to enhance student employability significantly. The curriculum is developed in collaboration with local industry partners, ensuring its relevance to real-world employer needs. Students have numerous opportunities to learn from industry leaders through guest lectures, client briefs, and events. The program also offers an optional professional placement year between the second and third years, providing invaluable hands-on experience and allowing students to apply their academic learning in a professional setting. Furthermore, involvement with accredited bodies like CIM and IDM means that the course content aligns with professional standards, and students can gain additional professional qualifications, further boosting their career prospects.

Global Perspective: The BSc Marketing program at Canterbury Christ Church University integrates a global perspective into its curriculum, acknowledging the international nature of modern business and marketing. Modules often cover global marketing, international consumer behavior, and the complexities of marketing across diverse cultures. The teaching team comprises academics from various parts of the world, bringing diverse experiences and global insights into the classroom discussions. While the primary focus is on the UK market, the program equips students with a broad understanding of international marketing trends and strategies, preparing them for roles in multinational corporations or for navigating global markets. Opportunities for international study trips, if available, could further enhance this global outlook, providing students with firsthand experience of different business and marketing environments.