Barry Crisp
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
level:UG;top_up:false;international:true;foundation:true;clearing:true;full_time:true;part_time:true;start_month:September;location:Waterside
Advertising and Digital Marketing BA (Hons)
Key Facts
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UCAS Code
BA: N564
BA with Foundation: N561 -
Duration
Full Time: 3 Years
Full Time with Foundation: 4 Years
Part Time: 6 Years
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BBC at A Level
DMM at BTEC
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Full Time: £9,790
Part Time: £1,630 (per 20 credit module)
Foundation: £5,760
Updated 01/10/2026
This is a great time to build a career in marketing communications as brands navigate a quickly evolving, tech-driven media environment. Throughout this BA (Hons) Advertising and Digital Marketing degree, you will plan, produce, and deploy real campaigns across modern digital platforms, emerging channels, and traditional advertising media. The course culminates in a live pitch portfolio, offering hands-on preparation for high-impact industry roles.
The rise of AI, influencers, social commerce, and data-driven strategy has transformed how organisations engage audiences. From creative start-ups, social enterprises, and global agency networks to non-profits, sports properties, and digital-first brands, this digital marketing degree prepares you for a wide range of career paths. Designed for strategic, creative, and tech-minded thinkers, the course builds on a strong track record of alumni progression to organisations like Google, Disney, YouTube, The Financial Times, Publicis, and WPP.
Professional Body: Digital Marketing Institute and Chartered Institute of Public Relations
Overall student satisfaction in the National Student Survey 2026
for Satisfied with Feedback for Marketing and Public Relations
NSS Calculations are based on Office for Students (OfS) data from the average positivity score. Guardian data taken from the Marketing and Public Relations Subject table.
DMI Accredited
Our BA Advertising and Digital Marketing Course has gained accreditation from the Digital Marketing Institute. This means that as well as your degree in digital marketing, you will now be awarded an Associate level Certification from the DMI based on UON assessments (no extra tests).
Highlights
- Live Client Briefs: Build your professional portfolio by working directly on active industry projects from your first year.
- Emerging Tech and AI: Gain hands-on experience using generative AI tools, social analytics, and digital strategy frameworks across your modules.
- Industry and Network Connections: Connect with business leaders, digital strategists, and the regional Digital Northampton ecosystem.
- Flexible Final-Year Pathways: Tailor your final year toward a practical 40-credit consultancy pitch portfolio or an in-depth dissertation.
- Collaborative Student Community: Gain practical content creation experience by contributing to student-led digital platforms and cross-year initiatives. There is potential to get involved in a student-led Marketing Society through the Northampton Students’ Union.
- Hardware & Software Support: Eligible students receive a laptop and essential creative software to support their studies Eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply
Student being filmed on a smartphone on Waterside campus
A group of three students sitting with open laptops at a table in a classroom
Students standing and presenting at a screen in a classroom
Two Advertising and Digital Marketing students inspect a virtual reality headset and laptop
Two students presenting their ideas on a digital screen during a class
Student wearing a virtual reality headset
Student examines design print outs at a table.
Entry Requirements
A typical offer for BA Advertising and Digital Marketing would be:
- BBC at A Level or
- DMM at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
- M at T level.
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For information on how to apply to study with us, please see our How to Apply page.
A typical offer for the Integrated Foundation Year would be:
- DEE at A level or
- MPP at BTEC/Cambridge Technical or
- Pass (D or E) at T Level.
We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications.
For more information on how to make an application please visit our How to Apply pages for Home and EU, and International students.
All International and EU students applying for a course with us must meet the following minimum English language requirements:
- IELTS 6.0 (or equivalent) with a minimum of 5.5 in all bands for study at undergraduate level
For information regarding English language requirements at the University, please see our IELTS page.
Student Finance Queries?
Get all the info you need ahead of time, before you can apply for funding in Spring on our fees and funding pages.
What You'll Learn
Our curriculum blends strategic thought leadership with core practical capabilities. You will develop a solid grounding in brand management, digital strategy, public relations, communications, and consumer psychology. From client-side brand management to agency-side campaign execution, you will learn how to build integrated, cross-channel marketing communications.
Creativity and data go hand-in-hand in modern advertising. You will learn to generate original creative concepts, evaluate design work, and apply insights from consumer research. You will also build practical skills in audience analytics, influencer marketing, e-commerce, and emerging sectors like entertainment, sports and gaming marketing, ensuring you graduate ready to deliver measurable business impact.
Compulsory Modules
The purpose of this module is to introduce the concept of marketing to students. To explain what marketing is and to show the way in which marketing impacts on organisations, customers and other stakeholders. The idea of ¿creating value¿ is central to a marketing orientation and this module seeks to explain what this means in a rapidly changing external environment.
The purpose of this module is to provide students with an opportunity to explore current and emerging practices in marketing communications across a range of industries and sectors.
The purpose of this module is to provide an opportunity for students to learn about a variety of advertising media such as Television, Radio and Out of Homeand develop an understanding of the key concepts around media selection, audiences and buying.Students will go on to experience the challenge of creating a campaign, with particular focus on the creative thinking and project management, essential for an advertising environment.
This module provides students with a foundation in digital marketing. Students will explore the promotional and brand-community aspects of the discipline via social media platforms and promotional content. They will also develop the skills and knowledge to develop plans, going on to create a digital marketing campaign, selecting the right combination of tools to achieve specific, commercial objectives.
The purpose of this module is to provide an overview of the importance of consumer behaviour and the relationship between understanding consumers and its impact on business. This module will focus on understanding the basis for consumer behaviour, and the importance to marketers in understanding the factors that affect it, including psychological, personal, social and technological factors.
In this module students will develop practical real-life skills required by professional marketers. There is a strong focus on market research, business environment, communication skills, creativity, academic and professional integrity. Students will also develop numeracy skills required of a marketing professional and apply relevant tools and techniques in a marketing context.
Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 26/27. The modules relating to the academic year 27/28 will be available from June 2027.
Our BA Advertising and Digital Marketing Course has gained accreditation from the Digital Marketing Institute. This means that as well as your degree in digital marketing, you will now be awarded an Associate level Certification from the DMI based on UON assessments (no extra tests).
You will also become a DMI Power Member for the last two years. This gives you access to over 1200 pieces of unique content including videos, tools, webinars and templates. These are created and curated by some of the world’s leading subject matter experts. If you plan to study for a Digital Marketing degree with us, you have the added benefit of knowing that your course has been approved by an internationally recognised global certification provider. DMI certification is recognised by the world’s leading employers and will help you get the job you want.
Adobe Creative Cloud
If you plan to take your career in a Content Creation route, our research shows that Adobe tools such as Photoshop and Illustrator can be both helpful and a requirement for some roles. We make this software available for students on this course, and you will have plenty of opportunities to use them if you wish.
At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.
If you join our full-time BA Advertising and Digital Marketing course at Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.
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. We’ve created the University of Northampton Employability Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete our award, you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.
To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.
*UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details).
The Integrated Foundation Year (IFY) offers a new and exciting route into studying for a degree in digital marketing, attracting ambitious and driven students who are willing to learn and advance.
If you have non-standard qualifications or do not quite meet the admissions requirements for the Advertising & Digital Marketing degree, we can offer you a fantastic opportunity to study a four year Marketing programme that includes an Integrated Foundation Year. The Integrated Foundation Year will help you develop the theoretical/practical and academic skills you need, in order to successfully progress to the full award.
Our four-year courses will enable you to successfully follow the degree pathway of your choice while gaining essential study skills. The foundation year of your chosen degree will be studied on a full-time basis and is aimed at supporting the transition to higher education. Years two, three and four are then studied as a standard degree programme.
Please see our Integrated Foundation Year page for more details.
The optional placement year enables you to put into practice what you have learned on your degree and gain practical industry experience. Your course about Digital Marketing & Advertising is extended to four years and the placement is undertaken at the end of your penultimate year, this is for one year (48 weeks) and paid. If you meet the entry criteria, and choose to take up a placement year, you will find it an invaluable experience that helps you to apply your learning in your final year and prepares you for your career. We offer a lot of support in helping you to find a placement, which can be in the UK or overseas.
Where have previous Advertising and Digital Marketing students worked during their placement year?
- Rolls Royce
- Jaguar Land Rover
- Stanley Black & Decker
- Wonderbly
- Cummins
- Oracle
- 123 Internet
- Disney
Hear from previous Digital Marketing and Advertising students about their placement experience
How will I learn?
Teaching blends interactive workshops, practical labs, and collaborative seminars. Taught time is typically around 12 hours per week, supported by approximately 24 hours of self-directed project work, client research, and creative development.
How will I be assessed?Assessments are designed around authentic workplace tasks rather than traditional exams. You will be evaluated through practical campaign pitches, digital portfolios, live client reports, strategic presentations, and content production projects.
Are there any special features for the advertising and digital marketing course?- Live Client Agency Work: Work on real campaign challenges with actual brand briefs, gaining experience in pitching, strategy formulation, and content delivery.
- Industry Certifications & Modern Electives: Access modules mapped to professional standards (such as the Digital Marketing Institute) and explore electives in AI, consumerism, sustainability, and gaming/sports campaigns.
- Placement & Work Experience: Option to undertake a full placement year or complete part-time industry internships to boost your graduate employability.
- Digital Northampton Collaboration: Direct connection to regional tech hubs, guest speakers, agency visits, and networking events.
Real-world application is central to the degree. Rather than simply studying theory, you operate with an agency mindset from year one. You will receive live briefs, develop creative concepts, work within brand guidelines, and pitch directly to clients.
Past student initiatives range from multi-channel sustainability campaigns that secured national awards to immersive digital media takeovers. Final-year students also gain direct industry experience by managing live digital campaigns, running data analytics, and delivering agency-level pitch presentations to external stakeholders.
Digital NorthamptonAs an Advertising and Digital Marketing student, you can engage directly with Digital Northants – a joint initiative between local tech firms, regional business networks, and the University of Northampton. This partnership provides access to industry masterclasses, tech expos, and direct networking opportunities with local and national digital employers.
Student and staff stories
Discover news stories about our Advertising and Marketing students and academics.
Fees and Funding
2026/27 Tuition Fees
- Full Time: £9,790
- Part Time: £1,630 per 20 credit module
- Integrated Foundation Year: £5,760 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
UON will adjust fees annually for UK (Home) Students up to the maximum allowable fee cap set by the Secretary of State for Education.
When assessing an applicant’s eligibility to pay home fees, we use the guidance provided by the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) which sets out the regulations that have been decided by the UK Government Department of Education.
- Full Time New students: £17,000
- Full Time Continuing students: £16,300
- Integrated Foundation Year: £17,000 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
Tuition fees quoted for International Students apply only to the 2026/27 academic year. These fees may increase in future years in line with Consumer Price Index (CPI) inflation to reflect rising delivery costs. Any annual increase will be capped at a maximum of 5% of the previous year’s tuition fee. Updated tuition fees will be published on the UON website at least three months before the start of the next academic year.
Additional Information
For information on the scholarships available to you, please see our scholarships page.
For more information about possible funding options, please visit our Fees and Funding pages.
- UK Full Time: £9,535
- UK Part Time: £1,585 per 20 credit module
- UK Integrated Foundation Year: £5,760 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- International Full Time: £15,700
- International Integrated Foundation Year: £15,700 for the foundation year; thereafter standard fees apply
- Optional Work Placement Year: £1,200
Fees quoted relate to study in the Academic Year 2025/26 only and may be subject to inflationary increases in future years. UON will adjust UK fees annually in line with Government Policy.
Staff
Kardi Somerfield
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Ken Punter
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Martin Smith
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Simon Wragg
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Deborah Clewes
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Matthew Holtz
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Rebecca Fakoussa
Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Entrepreneurship
Christiana Stephen
Senior Lecturer in Marketing
Careers and Employability
You will graduate into an active network of alumni and industry partners who engage with our students through mentoring, live briefs, and professional networking.
Graduates from this degree are equipped for roles across agencies, corporate brand teams, and digital media firms, including:
- Digital Marketing Strategist
- Social Media and Content Manager
- Advertising Agency Account Executive
- Media Planner / Buyer
- Public Relations (PR) Specialist
- Campaign and Performance Marketer
- E-Commerce Specialist
- Brand or Communications Executive
Master’s Opportunities
Once you have successfully completed your BA Advertising and Digital Marketing degree, you will have the opportunity to undertake further study at postgraduate level. Benefit from our 20% alumni discount on master’s fees to give you a CV that will catch the eye of employers. Some of our industry relevant master’s degrees include:
Campus Facilities
When you study a degree in BA Advertising & Digital Marketing with the University of Northampton, you will be able to take advantage of our on-campus facilities, study areas, and services to help support you through your degree.
Learning Hub Building
The Learning Hub is at the heart of the campus and home to the student information desk.
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