Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Communication

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business (Marketing and Communication) offers a vibrant mix of marketing know‑how and communication savvy — perfect for anyone who’s curious about how brands speak to people, how campaigns shape public perception, or how businesses build relationships in a noisy world. Over three years you’ll learn to understand consumers, craft messages, shape brand identity and strategy, and explore both traditional and digital communication — ideal if you want to become a marketing‑focused professional who’s confident, creative and strategic.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year, you’ll build a solid foundation by diving into courses like Marketing Principles, Accounting for Decision Makers, and Management, Organisations and Leadership. These give you the basic business language — how companies work, how decisions are made, and essential marketing ideas. Alongside, you’ll also take broad “common‑core” courses that hone critical thinking, ethics, and data literacy: because good marketers need more than just creativity — they need clarity, context and strong analytical foundations.

Year 2
Second year shifts the focus from foundation to specialization: you’ll explore courses such as Emerging Technologies, Data and Business Analytics, where you’ll see how data shapes modern marketing decisions; and foundational communication/media electives (for example courses in media law, ethics, or research methods) that build your understanding of how media and communication intersect with business. You’ll start thinking not just about selling products, but about meaning, messaging, and audience. Through this, you begin to see how marketing works in a real, complex world of consumers, media, and social responsibility.

Year 3
In the final year you bring it all together with advanced marketing and communication‑oriented units — for instance, courses covering Strategic Management, Strategic Planning for Media and Communication, or Promotional Culture. Here you’ll learn to craft full‑fledged marketing and communication strategies, manage brand and campaign planning, and understand media laws and ethics. Many students also choose to take up a work-integrated learning placement or internship in this year (or late second year), giving you a chance to apply what you’ve learned in real world environments — turning theory into actual experience, building networks, and preparing to step confidently into a marketing or media role after graduation.

Focus Areas

Marketing strategy; brand development; consumer behaviour; media & communication; advertising & public relations

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate with the ability to analyse consumer needs, plan and execute integrated marketing and communication campaigns, manage brand identity, understand ethical and media‑law considerations, and confidently use data and creative thinking to solve marketing challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is embedded within the broader, well‑established Bachelor of Business degree. It mixes core business skills (like accounting, leadership and analytics) with specialised marketing and communication training — giving you a balanced, industry‑ready skill set that employers look for in branding, marketing, media, advertising or communication roles.

Reputation (Employability & Recognition)

The overall Bachelor of Business degree from our university enjoys a strong global reputation, frequently placed among the top business degrees by rankings such as QS and THE. That means when you graduate with this major in Marketing and Communication, you carry a credential that’s respected worldwide — giving you a competitive edge when seeking roles like brand manager, marketing coordinator, media planner, or public‑relations specialist.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

The Bachelor of Business Marketing and Communication at the University of Adelaide is designed to give students practical experience alongside strong business and communication knowledge. From early in the degree, students work on real-world marketing ideas, branding strategies, and communication projects that help build confidence in both creative and professional environments.

Learning is highly interactive, with students developing hands-on skills in digital marketing, consumer engagement, and business communication while working on projects that reflect current industry trends. The program encourages teamwork, problem-solving, and professional presentation skills so graduates are prepared for modern marketing and communication careers.

Industry-focused projects and business case studies based on real marketing and communication challenges
Group assignments that help students develop teamwork and workplace collaboration skills
Practical learning in branding, advertising, digital marketing, and communication strategy
Access to modern teaching spaces and technology-enabled learning environments
Opportunities to strengthen presentation, leadership, and professional communication abilities
Exposure to digital communication platforms, media tools, and contemporary marketing technologies
Research-informed teaching from experienced academics in business and communication fields
Access to extensive library resources, online databases, and business research materials
Networking opportunities through guest speakers and industry engagement activities
Learning activities focused on social media communication, consumer behaviour, and strategic business thinking

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this program tend to step confidently into the workforce, equipped with both business fundamentals and the creative/communication know‑how that modern marketing roles demand. You’ll be ready to hit the ground running in marketing, media or communication — often from day one after graduation. Typical job roles for grads include Advertising Account Manager, Brand Manager, Digital Marketer, Marketing Coordinator or Manager, Market Researcher, Media Planner / Buyer, among others.

Here’s what this means for you:

Real‑world experience & employability support: The University offers internships, placements, mentoring and career‑services support (help with resumes, interview prep, connecting you with employers, ongoing career advice even after graduation).
Strong curriculum + modern industry relevance: You’ll learn about consumer behaviour, brand management, public relations/media communications, market research and digital marketing — all skills that employers in advertising, media, branding and corporate marketing are actively looking for.
Good demand for marketing professionals: With the rise of social media, digital advertising and data‑driven marketing, demand for marketing‑communication roles is growing — meaning you'll graduate into a field with many opportunities.
Solid long‑term value: The degree blends business fundamentals with communication/media specialisation — giving you flexibility. You could start in marketing roles, but also pivot later to brand strategy, consumer research, communications, media, or even consultancy — depending on where your interests evolve.
Graduation outcomes: You will graduate “job‑ready” in marketing, media and communication sectors, with both theoretical knowledge and hands‑on skills from placements and internships.

Further Academic Progression:

If you enjoy exploring deeper specialisations after your bachelor’s degree, this program gives you a solid foundation. Many graduates go on to postgraduate studies in business, marketing, communications, media or related fields — for example an honours year or a master’s in marketing, media studies or business analytics. Because the undergraduate degree combines both business and communication components, you’ll enter postgraduate programs with a strong, well‑rounded base that keeps your options open.