BSc Marketing with Placement Year

This four-year programme includes a dedicated placement year between Years 2 and 3, giving you the chance to work full-time in a marketing role. This hands-on experience is designed to build your professional skills, expand your network, and enhance your employability after graduation. Teaching takes place at the Highfield Campus, supported by modern facilities and strong industry links.

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

• Year-long placement: Gain real-world marketing experience with a full-time work placement, supported by the university’s dedicated placement team who help with job searches, applications, and preparation.

• Practical marketing projects: Throughout your studies, you’ll work on group projects, case studies, and digital marketing simulations that reflect current industry challenges.

• Use of marketing tools & software: Develop skills with key platforms such as Excel, SPSS, Google Analytics, and CRM systems through workshops and coursework.

• Industry guest speakers and networking events: Connect with marketing professionals through guest lectures, workshops, and university-organised networking sessions.

• Final-year independent project: Apply your research and strategic skills by completing a self-directed marketing project or dissertation.

• Career development support: The university’s careers service offers tailored advice, employer events, CV clinics, and interview preparation to support your career goals.

• Campus learning resources: Access the Hartley Library’s extensive collections, study spaces, and digital resources, alongside student societies and professional development activities.

Graduates often secure roles such as marketing executive, brand manager, digital marketing specialist, or market research analyst. Thanks to the placement year, many students graduate with valuable real-world experience, making them highly competitive. Starting salaries typically range from £22,000 to £28,000, with many seeing growth to £30,000–£40,000 within a few years.

Here’s why this programme offers an excellent foundation for your marketing career:

• University Services to Support Employment
  The University’s Careers and Employability Service offers tailored support throughout your studies and placement, including CV workshops, interview preparation, employer networking events, and access to placement opportunities. The service continues to support graduates for up to two years after finishing their degree.

• Employment Statistics & Salary Figures
  Approximately 90% of placement students secure a year-long industry placement, gaining hands-on experience that boosts employability. After graduation, around 90% of students are employed or in further study within 15 months. Starting salaries are generally higher for placement graduates compared to non-placement peers.

• University–Industry Partnerships
  The programme benefits from strong links with businesses across retail, FMCG, digital marketing agencies, and corporate sectors. These connections facilitate high-quality placement opportunities with leading companies, providing vital industry exposure.

• Long‑term Accreditation Value
  The University of Southampton is a respected institution, and the programme’s accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) provides additional professional recognition, enhancing your career prospects nationally and internationally.

• Graduation Outcomes
  Graduates leave with a blend of academic knowledge and practical experience, equipped with skills in digital marketing, consumer insight, brand management, and strategic marketing. Many find their placement employers offer them full-time roles post-graduation.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing this degree, you can pursue postgraduate studies in marketing strategy, digital marketing, consumer behaviour, or business management. The placement experience and CIM accreditation also prepare you for professional marketing certifications and specialised training.