Advertising & Digital Marketing

Experiences are at the heart of this degree programme. As well as the regular guest speakers and industry visits you would expect, we work on real projects with real marketing budgets, operating as an extension of a marketing department even in the first year. Typically students are set a brief and then develop and pitch their concept. They then work within brand guidelines, sometimes appointing suppliers such as photographers or design agencies to deliver the project.

This is an exciting time to enter the marketing communication industry; advertisers have an ever-expanding choice of on and offline media to choose from to convey the messages they create. You will work across a wide range of digital platforms as well as traditional media as you develop and execute real campaigns as part of your programme. Culminating in a pitch to clients of a top global agency this is a very practical preparation for work in advertising and digital marketing roles.

There is also the option to complete a year’s work placement to prepare you for your future career.

15th for Satisfied with Teaching for Marketing and Public Relations ✱
14th for Satisfied with Feedback for Marketing and Public Relations ✱✱

✱Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide Marketing and Public Relations Subject table, filtered by Satisfied with Teaching
✱✱Data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide Marketing and Public Relations Subject table, filtered by Satisfied with Feedback

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:
Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.
Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.
At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026.
Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop* to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).
You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.
The Northampton Employment Promise
In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.
✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information

Stage One • Foundations of Marketing (Compulsory) • Introduction to Marketing Communications (Compulsory) • Foundations of Advertising Media (Compulsory) • Digital Marketing Essentials (Compulsory) • Understanding Consumers (Compulsory) • Professional Skills for Marketing Practice (Designated) • Stage Two • Managing the Communications Process (Compulsory) • Integrated Marketing Communications (Compulsory) • e-marketing (Compulsory) • Professional Practice for the Creative Industries (Compulsory) • Marketing Research and Insight (Compulsory) • Public Relations Management and Practice (Designated) • Brand Management (Designated) • Learning Through Work (WBL) (Designated) Optional Placement Year • The Placement Year Experience: Organisations in Context (Compulsory) • Stage Three • Marketing Dissertation (Designated) • Research Project (Designated) • Advertising Consultancy Project (Designated) • Issues in Advertising Practice (Compulsory) • Consumerism and Sustainability (Designated) • Business-to-Business (B2B) Marketing (Designated) • Content Creation for Marketing (Designated) • Digital Entrepreneur (Designated). Module information is quoted for 25/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly. 26/27 entry modules will be released in June 2026.

A variety of individual and group-based assessments are used including reports, presentations, posters, e-portfolios, projects, client briefs, multiple-choice tests and examinations.