Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: £9,535 per year
International/EU: £17,155 per year (£1,200 for placement year) -
How long will I study?
3 / 4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
N590
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When do I start?
September 2025
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Placement year available?
Yes
Course summary
- Gain a varied skill set across campaign creation, planning, social, PR and branding.
- Use innovative tools to develop integrated marketing communications strategies.
- Complete real-world consultancy projects with leading brands to build your profile.
- Join a supportive community of creatives and entrepreneurs in our award-winning enterprise centre.
Our BA (Hons) Marketing Communications and Advertising degree provides knowledge, skills and real-world experience – meaning you can enter the job market as a creative, resourceful and adaptive marketer. You’ll prepare for a range of advertising and marketing specialisms, such as digital and social media marketing, campaign planning and management, branding, customer insights and entrepreneurship.
Accredited by
The course is accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the purpose of gaining exemptions from units on CIM qualifications. Students may have the opportunity to join The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as a Studying Member.
Sheffield Business School accreditation
Sheffield Business School is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) and has been awarded the Business School Impact System label by the European Foundation for Management Development (EFMD).
Top 10 in the UK
This course is ranked 10th in its subject area in the Guardian University Guide 2024.
Employability
95% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating, with 86% in highly skilled employment or further study (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
How you learn
Based in the Sheffield Business School, you’ll join a global community where business leaders, researchers and 7,000 students all come together to solve problems and make things better.
You’ll be taught by industry experts, who bring their industry experience and insights from cutting-edge research into the classroom. Through our relationships with leading local and global brands, you’ll have the opportunity to access placements, volunteering programmes, training schemes, internships and work experience.
You learn through:
- On-campus lectures, seminars and tutorials
- Consultancy projects for real-world businesses
- Digital learning platforms
- Industry visits and field trips
- Independent study
- Practice-based learning and group work
- Simulated work environments
- Problem-solving workshops
- Class debates and presentations
We use a wide variety of assessments that respect the diverse ways people learn. These include tests, essays, presentations, project plans and reflective writing.
Key Themes
By applying theory to real world examples, you’ll develop an understanding of contemporary marketing communications that’s underpinned by broader marketing and business principles. You’ll then study specialist modules to learn how to create and manage multimedia marketing communications campaigns.
Topics include integrated marketing communications, digital marketing, and campaign planning and management – as well as media planning, branding, sustainability and customer analysis.
Through these, you’ll develop your creativity, confidence and resilience – becoming a marketer with a valuable specialism in communications and advertising.
Course Support
Throughout your learning journey, you’ll experience a range of dedicated support, such as:
- Access to our unique student support to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one-on-ones, webinars and online resources.
- Industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities.
Course leaders and tutors
Dr Philip Coombes
Lecturer In MarketingI am currently a Lecturer in Marketing at Sheffield Hallam University and a part time doctoral student at Hull University Business School. My research and teaching i … Read more
Applied learning
We think the best way to learn something is to do it in the real world. That means putting learning into practice through placements, internships and consultancy projects through our global network of leading businesses.
Work Placements
You’ll have the opportunity to arrange a year-long work placement in between your second and third years. This gives you valuable work experience to prepare you for your future career – and allows you to graduate with an Applied Professional Diploma to add to your CV.
Previous students have worked at local and global brands, such as Disney, Siemens, Rise at Seven and ilk Agency.
You’ll also have summer and winter school opportunities in a variety of locations. Recently these have included France, Germany, Spain and Morocco. You might even be eligible to study abroad for a semester at one of our partner universities in Europe, the US, Australia and beyond.
Live Projects
All students on the course work on live client briefs set by industry experts, creating engaging marketing content that inspires, persuades and influences target audiences.
You’ll develop your skills in these areas by working on consultancy projects, planning and running campaigns, and learning to analyse performance.
Field Trips
Through our marketing society, you’ll have the opportunity to visit leading UK brands and agencies, plus renowned institutions such as the BBC’s MediaCityUK in Manchester and ITV Studio in London.
Networking Opportunities
With the support of our award-winning i-Lab business hub, you’ll have the opportunity to collaborate with creatives, entrepreneurs and investors across Sheffield. Here, you can form lucrative business networks, brainstorm entrepreneurial ideas and even launch your own venture.
You can also hear first-hand from business leaders and esteemed alumni as they deliver guest masterclasses while having the opportunity to build your profile through work experience and consultancy projects.
We also support you to run local student societies and join UK-wide networking events such as The Marketing Club.
Competitions
You can build your profile by taking part in competitions, such as The Pitch, delivered by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
One of our students recently won a competition held by Rise at Seven, securing a graduate job with the agency as a result.
'As part of a competition ran by the marketing society, Rise at Seven provided us with a live client brief which was to create and pitch a digital PR campaign to one of their clients.
'I managed to apply key skills that I'd learnt on my course to my campaign, such as competitor and insight analysis. I also conducted social listening to make sure that my campaign was as current as possible and to listen out for emerging market trends.'
Ella Bradley, BA (Honours) Marketing, Communications and Advertising
Future careers
Graduates from this course go on to a wide range of careers in Marketing, both in creative agencies and a variety of communications roles in a broad range of organisations. These roles involve media selection, content creation and development of persuasive messages.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work at prestigious local and global brands, including:
- Asda
- Bosch
- Deloitte Digital
- Disney
- Formula 1
- Gymshark
- ilk Agency
- JCDecaux
- Mattel
- M&C Saatchi
- Next
- Pretty Little Thing
- Rise at Seven
- Sky
- Vodafone
As an additional benefit, students who graduate with a minimum 2:2 classification will be exempt on an APL (Accreditation of Prior Learning) basis from one module on the CIM level four Certificate in Professional Marketing and one module from the level six Diploma in Professional Marketing.
All degrees which receive CIM accreditation are now also automatically recognised by the Australian Marketing Institute (AMI).
Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour
Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
You’ll study in world-class learning facilities, such as specialist labs, design studios, practice facilities, simulation environments, our award-winning enterprise centre and a 24/7 library.
You may also have access to specialist marketing platforms and equipment, such as:
- Marketing intelligence platforms such as Mintel and EuroMonitor
- SEO analytical software
- Design and video editing tools from the Adobe Suite
- Video cameras and recording equipment
- Social media management platforms
- Consumer insight tools
- The World Advertising Research Centre
- Business gamification simulation equipment
- LinkedIn Learning
As part of our campus masterplan, we’re developing a brand new, net-zero-ready building right at the heart of the city centre.
You’ll benefit from dedicated business facilities such as a business lounge, trading floor and languages hub, plus plenty of room to study in social learning spaces, seminar rooms and PC labs – all set in 400 square metres of stunning green space, where you can socialise, eat, relax and study.
Media Gallery
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 112-120
This must include at least 64 points from 2 A Levels or equivalent BTEC qualifications. For example:
- BBC-BBB at A Level
- DDM in BTEC Extended Diploma
- Merit overall from a T level qualification
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels, EPQ and general studies
GCSE
- English language or literature at grade C or 4
- Maths at grade D or 3
GCSE equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy or Functional Skills Level 2 English
- Level 2 Numeracy or Functional Skills Level 2 Maths
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma with at least 45 credits at level 3 and 15 credits at level 2. At least 15 level 3 credits must be at merit grade or above, from a QAA-recognised Access to HE course, or an equivalent Access to HE certificate.
• entry with prior credit - we consider applications for direct entry to the final year from those holding Higher National Diplomas or equivalent qualifications
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 6.0 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your English language skill is currently below IELTS 6.0 we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English score.
We welcome applications from people of any age. We may be flexible in our normal offer if you can show a commitment to succeed and have the relevant skills and experience. This must show that you will benefit from and finish the course successfully.
Additional information for EU/International students
This course is not open to international students who require a Tier 4 (General) student visa to study in the UK. If you are an international applicant but do not require a Tier 4 (General) student visa, email our Admissions Team to find out whether you’re eligible to apply.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
You will be able to complete a placement year as part of this course. See the modules table below for further information.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Contemporary Marketing
Foundations Of Business
Foundations Of Marketing Communications And Advertising
Understanding People And Cultures
Year 2
Compulsory modules
Campaign Creation And Management
Managing Business And Financial Performance For Marketers
Professional Development For The Marketer
Elective modules
Experiential Marketing Events
Foreign Language (French, Spanish, Italian)
Study Abroad - Sheffield Business School
The Corporate Customer
The Digital Customer Experience
Year 3
Optional modules
Placement Year
Final year
Compulsory modules
Branding, Advertising And Corporate Communications
Consultancy Project In Marketing
Strategy In The Global And Digital Environment
Elective modules
Consumer Psychology
Contemporary Leadership In Context
Marketing In A Global Context
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year (capped at a maximum of 20% of this during your placement year). These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
Financial support for home/EU students
How tuition fees work, student loans and other financial support available.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Sheffield Business School (PDF, 255.6KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
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