The advertising industry has been transformed by the digital and social media revolution. From start-ups to big businesses, from social enterprises to charities and the public sector, this discipline offers careers in a wide range of industry sectors.
Experiences are at the heart of our advertising degree. As well as regular guest speakers and industry visits, we work on real projects with real marketing budgets. We operate as a marketing department from the first year. Typically, you will be set a brief and then develop and pitch your concept. You will work within brand guidelines, often appointing suppliers, like photographers or design agencies, to deliver your project.
Creative Practical Experiences
Our students took part in a challenge to increase rates of paper cup recycling, With a budget of £70k from #TheCupFund they worked on a communications campaign with the hospital, theatre, shopping centre and railway station and our own sustainability team on campus, The initiative won an Investors in the Environment award and is a finalist in the Green Gowns Awards (Student Engagement category). To find out more check out the story of the Up for the Cup project.
Our final year Advertising & Digital Marketing Degree Students worked alongside the University of Northampton Marketing department for a week. This allowed them to gain valuable hands-on experience. Find out how they got on when they took over the University’s social media platforms in a ‘Student Takeover’, gaining valuable hands-on experience.
Digital Northampton
As a student, you have an opportunity to become involved in activities and events organised by Digital Northampton, which can help enhance your studies and build connections with employers. Digital Northampton is a collaboration between local digital businesses, the University of Northampton and local councils, designed to support the digital innovation in the region.
The Digital Northampton Podcast is created at the University and is produced and hosted by Ken Punter, Lecturer in Digital Marketing. It covers a range of subjects, primarily focusing on digital marketing and communications. Students can learn more about podcasting and creating digital content when choosing from our wide range of optional modules on offer.
Listen to The Digital Northampton Podcast now! You can also find the podcast on Spotify by searching for ‘The Digital Northampton Podcast’.
What You Will Learn
In addition to providing great learning experiences, our Digital Marketing and Advertising Degree examines the fundamental areas of thought leadership in advertising and marketing communication. A good grounding in branding, public relations and a degree in digital marketing will underpin your future career.
You will study all the elements of marketing communications. This includes interactive and e-marketing, sales promotion, marketing research and sponsorship. You will learn about the theory and practice of the tools. You’ll obtain the skills required to work in the industry, on both the client and the agency side. Creativity is of critical importance to communications, and you are taught an appreciation of creativity. This will enable you to recognise good work, and also techniques to develop your own creative skill set.
Advertising, particularly when executed via digital media channels is more measurable than ever before. The availability of what the industry calls ‘big data’ to analyse what we consume, see, buy, think, like and believe means that research metrics will inform every marketing campaign. You will also develop the skills to work with customer insight information during this advertising degree.
List of Modules
The below modules are for the 3 year BA Advertising & Digital Marketing degree. For the Foundation Study Year modules please see the BA Advertising & Digital Marketing Foundation Year award map.