Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Design

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

University of Adelaide

Program Overview

The Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Design at Adelaide University combines smart business learning with creative design — perfect for someone who loves both marketing and visual storytelling. You’ll learn how to understand customers and build brands, while also picking up hands‑on design skills to create digital and print materials that make messages pop. Campus: Adelaide Campus, Adelaide, South Australia.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1
In your first year you’ll dive into the essentials. You’ll take core business foundations like “Accounting for Decision Makers” and “Management, Organisations and Leadership,” and also begin your marketing journey with “Marketing Principles.” On the creative side, you’ll explore “Digital Design Principles and Methods,” building a strong base in design thinking and visual communication. This year is all about giving you a solid foundation: business fundamentals, marketing basics, and creative tools — preparing you to see how design and marketing intersect.

Year 2
As you move into year two, you’ll deepen your marketing and design toolkit. You’ll study consumer behaviour and market research to really understand why people buy what they buy. Alongside, you’ll get to apply design skills — for example, creating graphics for print or building simple digital content — so you begin to blend creativity with strategic thinking. You also start stretching into business analytics and data‑informed decision making, helping you learn how marketing choices are backed by real data.

Year 3
In the final year you pull everything together. You’ll work on advanced marketing and brand development projects — thinking big about campaigns, brand identity, and strategic communication. Meanwhile, design-wise, you’ll get to apply everything you’ve learned to real‑world style work: creating marketing materials, possibly digital campaigns, maybe even working on web content or print publications. There are also professional‑experience or placement opportunities, so you get a taste of real industry life before graduating.

Focus Areas
Marketing strategy, consumer behaviour, brand development, digital & print design, business fundamentals

Learning Outcomes
Graduate ready to craft effective marketing campaigns and design compelling visuals — with the business knowledge, creative skills, and professional confidence to succeed in dynamic marketing or design‑oriented roles

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)
This degree aligns business and creative disciplines in a way that reflects what marketing teams actually need today. You’ll graduate with a blend of business insight and design capabilities that many employers look for — making you a strong candidate for roles that require both strategic thinking and creative output.

Reputation (Employability Readiness)
The program is built in collaboration with leading academics and industry professionals, giving you up‑to‑date, real‑world skills. Employers especially value its combination of marketing know‑how and design practical skills — a rare mix that’s likely to help you stand out when you begin your career.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Adelaide University, the Bachelor of Business with a major in Marketing and Design is about more than just learning theory — it’s about giving you the practical, real-world skills that you can start using from day one. You’ll get hands-on with industry-standard design tools to create digital and print marketing materials, build websites, and develop creative campaigns that make an impact. Learning happens in purpose-built studios, modern lecture theatres, and technology-rich classrooms that feel just like a real workplace. On top of that, you’ll tackle projects inspired by real industry challenges, guided by expert faculty and a course designed with the workplace in mind. The program also opens doors to internships, placements, and international experiences — all helping you step confidently into a career while you’re still studying.

Here’s how you’ll gain real, practical experience:

Studio-based design courses, like Digital Design Principles and Methods, where you’ll practise graphic design and layout for both digital and print media.
Building websites and digital marketing materials as part of your coursework, so you can apply your design skills directly in business contexts.
Real marketing and brand-development projects that tie into consumer behaviour and market research, giving you a feel for strategic marketing planning and execution.
Professional internships and placements during your degree, letting you explore different career paths and gain valuable workplace experience.
Collaborative group projects, reflecting how real marketing teams operate, so you strengthen your teamwork, communication, and project-management skills.
Flexible electives and work-integrated learning units, allowing you to tailor your degree, explore special interests, or dive deeper into specific areas of marketing and design.

By the time you graduate, you won’t just have a degree — you’ll have a portfolio of real work, a clear sense of what it’s like to work in marketing and design, and the confidence to step straight into your career.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the Bachelor of Business majoring in Marketing and Design at The University of Adelaide combine business strategy, marketing expertise, and creative design skills to meet the growing demand for professionals who can create compelling customer experiences and brand identities. This unique combination of disciplines prepares graduates to bridge the gap between business objectives and creative communication, making them highly attractive to employers across multiple industries. Typical career pathways include: Brand Manager, Marketing Specialist, Digital Content Strategist, and Creative Marketing Consultant.

Careers support: The University of Adelaide's Career and Employability service provides personalised career guidance, resume and interview support, employer networking events, internship opportunities, career mentoring, and access to industry placement programs.
Employment stats & salary: Business and marketing graduates in Australia typically achieve a median full-time salary of approximately AUD 70,000–80,000, with strong opportunities for salary growth as they progress into specialist, managerial, and leadership roles.
University–industry partnerships: Students benefit from the university's extensive industry links through internships, consulting projects, guest lectures, and collaborations with businesses, creative agencies, startups, and government organisations.
Long-term accreditation value: The Adelaide Business School is accredited by AACSB, an internationally recognised accreditation held by leading business schools worldwide, enhancing the global reputation and portability of the qualification.
Graduation outcomes: Graduates pursue careers across marketing agencies, design consultancies, corporate organisations, digital media companies, technology firms, and entrepreneurial ventures, with pathways into senior marketing, branding, and strategic management positions.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, graduates can continue their studies through postgraduate programs such as a Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Marketing, Master of Business Analytics, Master of Innovation and Entrepreneurship, or other specialised master's qualifications in design, digital communication, and strategic management, supporting progression into advanced professional and leadership roles.