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4 Years On Campus Bachelors Program
Durham UniversityProgram Overview
This four-year degree offers the same excellent marketing and management education as the three-year course but adds a paid, professional business placement year between your second and final year. It’s perfect for students wanting to gain hands-on work experience, build industry connections, and improve their employability before graduating.
Curriculum structure
Year 1
You start by developing foundational skills in marketing, management, and business analytics. Core topics include consumer behaviour, branding, digital marketing, organisational behaviour, and finance fundamentals. These build a solid understanding of how businesses operate and how marketing fits into overall strategy.
Year 2
Your second year focuses on advancing your strategic and analytical capabilities. You’ll study marketing research, brand strategy, marketing communications, and business ethics, along with optional modules like entrepreneurship and innovation. This year prepares you for the transition into a real-world business environment.
Year 3 (Placement Year)
You’ll spend this year on a supervised, paid placement within a company, applying your academic knowledge to practical marketing or management projects. Placements often take place in well-known firms, agencies, or dynamic start-ups, offering invaluable experience and networking opportunities.
Year 4
Returning from your placement, your final year involves advanced marketing and management topics such as strategic marketing, global marketing, leadership, and consumer insight. You’ll also undertake a major project or dissertation to synthesise your learning and prepare for your professional career or further study.
Focus areas:
Marketing strategy, brand management, consumer behaviour, marketing communications, business ethics, leadership, and professional practice through placement.
Learning outcomes:
Graduates leave with strong strategic and analytical marketing skills, practical work experience, enhanced communication abilities, and the confidence to thrive in competitive business environments.
Professional alignment (accreditation):
Durham University Business School holds triple accreditation (AACSB, AMBA, EQUIS), ensuring your degree is recognised globally for academic excellence and industry relevance.
Reputation (employability rankings):
This four-year degree adds a full-time, year-long business placement between Years 2 and 3, enabling you to develop real-world marketing and management skills, build a professional network, and enhance your employability. You’ll study in the modern Waterside facility at Durham University Business School, combining theory with hands-on projects and industry collaboration.
So here’s what experiential learning looks like in this programme:
Graduates typically secure roles such as marketing manager, business analyst, brand strategist, or digital marketing consultant. Thanks to the placement year, many finish their studies with valuable industry experience that gives them a strong competitive edge. Starting salaries average around £32,000, with many graduates progressing to higher-level roles earning upwards of £45,000 within five years.
Here’s why this programme offers a strong foundation for your career:
University Services to Support Employment
Durham’s Careers & Enterprise Centre provides extensive support before, during, and after your placement. This includes personalised career coaching, interview preparation, CV workshops, and exclusive access to placement opportunities. Students also benefit from employer networking events and alumni mentoring.
Employment Statistics & Salary Figures
Approximately 95% of placement students secure a work placement, gaining hands-on experience that significantly boosts employability. Within 15 months of graduation, over 90% of students are employed or pursuing further study, with placement students often commanding higher starting salaries.
University–Industry Partnerships
The programme has strong links with global employers such as PwC, Deloitte, Accenture, Amazon, Unilever, and Coca-Cola. Students often engage in live projects, internships, and networking events with these companies, enhancing real-world skills.
Long-term Accreditation Value
Delivered by Durham University Business School, this degree benefits from triple accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA), which signals high-quality education recognised worldwide.
Graduation Outcomes
Graduates leave with a blend of strategic marketing expertise, practical business experience from their placement, and leadership skills, ready to excel in sectors like consultancy, retail, finance, and tech.
Further Academic Progression:
Upon graduation, many students continue to postgraduate study in fields such as marketing strategy, business analytics, international management, or digital marketing. The programme’s academic rigor and placement experience also prepare graduates for professional marketing certifications and competitive master’s programmes globally.
IB: 37 with 666 in higher level subjects, including Mathematics. If you are not taking Mathematics at higher level, standard level Mathematics at grade 5 can be accepted.A level: AAA and a grade A/7 or above in GCSE Mathematics (if Mathematics is not studied at A-Level).IELTS: 6.5 with no component under 6.0TOEFL: 80 with no component under 20CBSE: Standard XII with an average score of 85% (best of 4 academic subjects, excluding Physical Education) with any prerequisite subjects at 85% or higher.Three AP test scores of: 5,5,5 OR Four AP test scores of: 5,5,4,4 , Two AP test scores of: 5,5 PLUS one of the following: SAT I: 1350 (min 700 RW, 650 M) ACT: 30 Honours Course: A One year-long equivalent Dual Enrolment/College course at AMarketing Manager – leads marketing campaigns and strategiesBrand Manager – develops and maintains brand positioningBusiness Development Manager – drives company growth and partnershipsProduct Manager – manages product development and marketingMarket Research Analyst – analyzes market and consumer dataAdvertising Executive – plans and executes advertising initiativesManagement Consultant – provides business and marketing adviceSales Manager – directs sales teams and client relationsOperations Manager – oversees business operations and efficiencyPublic Relations Officer – manages corporate communication and reputation
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