BA in Marketing and Management with Foundation

Here’s how the BA (Hons) Marketing and Management with Foundation Year at Durham University combines preparatory and degree-level study with real-world marketing and management experience:

Beginning with a foundation year, you’ll gain essential academic, English language, and study skills—and then progress directly into the first year of the Marketing and Management degree. All learning takes place within Durham University’s collegiate structure and Business School facilities, offering the best of both academic support and practical preparation.

So here’s what experiential learning looks like in this four-year programme:

• Foundation Year preparation: Engage with core modules such as “Foundations of Business,” “Economics,” and “Academic English Skills.” You’ll build academic thinking, research methods, and communication through written reports, presentations, exams, and even podcasts.

• Study trips and fieldwork: While in the foundation year, there may be educational field trips to locations such as Beamish, Howarth, Newcastle, or even abroad, which help you connect concepts to real settings.

• Core marketing & management in Year 1: Once you move into Year 1, you study modules like Foundations of Effective Marketing—covering consumer behaviour, segmentation, branding, marketing planning and ethics—through case studies and practical analysis.

• Group projects and real business briefs: Across subsequent years, you will work in teams on marketing strategy simulations, branding campaigns, consumer research and management challenges—delivering presentations and proposals that mirror professional practice.

• Marketing & analytical tools: The curriculum embeds training in software platforms such as Excel, SPSS, PowerPoint, CRM-type systems and digital analytics tools, reinforcing teamwork, critical thinking, and applied data skills.

• Behavioural science & marketing research: Final-year students can choose to undertake research projects grounded in behavioural science or a dissertation—sometimes presented at mini‑conference events involving industry experts.

• Guest lectures & employer events: Throughout the degree you’ll participate in workshops and talks delivered by marketing practitioners and management professionals, bridging theory and current industry trends.

• World-class facilities: You’ll study in the Waterside Building—Durham University Business School’s hub within the Innovation District—featuring advanced lecture theatres (including a 300-seat auditorium and Harvard-style rooms), study pods, a café, and integrated business-hub spaces. Additional facilities include the Mill Hill Lane site with reference collections and learning zones.

• Collegiate support: As a foundation-year student, you belong to one of Durham’s colleges from the outset—gaining access to mentoring, academic support, communities, and college-based opportunities.

• Careers & employability development: Benefit from Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre with workshops, mock interviews, employer fairs and internship postings. Graduates typically go into roles at leading firms and over 90% are in work or further study within a year of graduating.

Graduates from this route move into roles such as marketing coordinator, digital marketing assistant, account executive, or business development associate. The foundation year provides an excellent academic transition, helping students build confidence and essential skills before progressing into the full degree. Once graduated, typical starting salaries are around £30,000, with strong growth potential in both marketing and management fields.

Here’s how Durham helps launch your career:

• University Services to Support Employment
  From the foundation year onwards, Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre supports students with career planning, application guidance, skills workshops, and access to part-time work and summer internships. You’ll also benefit from employer presentations and access to alumni mentoring.

• Employment Statistics & Salary Figures
  Over 90% of Durham graduates are employed or in further study within 15 months. Students who begin with a foundation year and complete the full degree go on to achieve strong employment outcomes, comparable to those who enter directly.

• University–Industry Partnerships
  Throughout your studies, you’ll engage with real-world case studies and potential employers such as Amazon, PwC, Deloitte, Accenture, and Unilever. These connections are supported by Durham’s Business School’s strong industry ties and regular networking events.

• Long-term Accreditation Value
  The full degree is delivered by Durham University Business School, which is triple accredited (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA)—a prestigious marker of international quality that strengthens your CV and future career prospects.

• Graduation Outcomes
  By the end of the four years, you’ll graduate with a fully accredited BA degree and a wide range of skills in marketing, business strategy, and communication—ready to succeed in global business roles or further study.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you could pursue a master’s in areas such as Digital Marketing, Business Management, Global Marketing, or Innovation and Entrepreneurship. The programme also sets a solid foundation for pursuing professional marketing qualifications or an MBA later in your career.