Digital Marketing & Social Media BA (Hons)

Program Overview

The University for the Creative Arts' Business for the Creative Industries program equips students with the knowledge and skills to succeed in the dynamic creative industries. Through a blend of theoretical and practical learning, students explore marketing, communications, brand identity, and business analytics, preparing them for careers in marketing, social media, and other creative fields. The program features industry placements, guest speakers, and opportunities for study abroad, ensuring students gain real-world experience and global perspectives.

Program Outline

Outline:

Year One:

• Business Bootcamp 1: Design Thinking & Orientation: Introduces students to the Business School for the Creative Industries and design thinking.
• Social Media: Context and Development: Explores the development of contemporary digital communication and its impact on society, politics, and culture.
• Foundations of Marketing and Communications: Introduces the concepts, theories, and models of marketing and communications.
• Business Seminar 1 - Understanding Consumers: Explores consumer behavior and its impact on the purchase of creative goods and services.
• Brand Identity: Introduces students to key approaches for developing effective brand identity.
• Business Bootcamp 2: Research and Development: Builds a highly effective learning community for research and development.
• Economics for the Creative Industries: Focuses on the impact of economics on the creative industries.
• Business Seminar 2 - Business Analytics: Introduces students to business analytics and its application in the creative industries.
• Understanding Trends & Forecasting: Explores the concepts and practices of trend forecasting in the context of the creative industries.
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Cosmetics & Beauty: Business & Practices
• Fashion: Business & Practices
• Games: Business & Practices
• Lifestyle Products: Business & Practices
• Music: Business & Practices

Year Two:

• Business Bootcamp 3: Storytelling and Narrative: Teaches students to utilize storytelling as a powerful tool for influence, teaching, and inspiration.
• Media Planning & Buying: Provides students with the skills and knowledge to successfully plan and buy media space.
• Creative Business Start-up: Guides students through the process of creating and building a new business venture.
• Business Bootcamp 4: Exploring Innovation: Introduces students to professional practice and conduct in the creative industries through fast-paced workshops, tasks, and peer sessions.
• Professional Placement: Students undertake a legitimate Industry placement opportunity as a professional experience.
• Business Seminar 3: Professional Practice: Prepares students for industry experience through self-assessment, network building, and understanding professional contributions.
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Gamification & Marketing
• Wearable Technology
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Digital Marketing Analytics
• Influence & Influencers
• Public Relations
• Journalism
• Financial Management for the Creative Industries
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Behavioural Studies and Consumption
• Identity & Marketing
• New Media Planning & Buying
• Creative Innovation (Professional Practice Year pathway): Allows students to investigate real-world issues impacting their industry and challenge established theories.
• Industry Lecture Series (Professional Practice Year pathway): Explores contemporary industry practices in the global creative industries.

Year Three:

• Business Bootcamp 5: Research & Methodologies: Examines research and methodologies and their application to the course.
• Business Seminar 4: Strategy & Decision Making: Focuses on making effective decisions in a time of uncertainty.
• Business Bootcamp 6: Developing Enterprise: Provides students with the opportunity to develop their creative thinking skills in a collaborative environment.
• Degree Project: Students apply their knowledge and skills to create a distinctive piece of work showcasing their abilities as a reflective creative practitioner.
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Cosmetics & Beauty: Contemporary Issues
• Fashion: Contemporary Issues
• Games: Contemporary Issues
• Lifestyle Goods: Contemporary Issues
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Cosmetics & Beauty: Global Industry & Futures
• Fashion: Global Industry & Futures
• Games: Global Industry & Futures
• Lifestyle Goods: Global Industry & Futures
• Music: Global Industry & Futures
• Elective Unit: Students choose one unit from the following:
• Audience Evaluation

Assessment:

Assessment methods vary depending on the unit, but may include essays, presentations, exams, reports, portfolios, and creative projects.

Teaching:

• Experienced academics: Taught by experienced academics and practitioners in the field of digital marketing and social media.
• Guest speakers: Regular guest speakers from industry provide insights and real-world perspectives.
• Industry projects: Opportunities to work on real-world projects with industry partners.
• Small class sizes: Benefit from small class sizes and personalized attention from tutors.
• Blended learning: Combines traditional lectures with online learning resources and activities.

Careers:

• Marketing and social media manager
• Digital marketing and events co-ordinator
• Digital marketing assistant
• Social media officer
• Digital brand manager
• Marketing and content executive

Other:

• Students may have the opportunity to study abroad at a UCA partner university.
• Access to dedicated studios, study areas, digital media suites, and a modern library.

Additional notes:

• The content of the course may be subject to change.
• Students may be required to purchase additional materials for their projects.
• The fees listed are for the 2024/25 academic year.

UK: £9,250 EU: £9,250 International: £17,500 If you opt to study the Professional Practice Year, for 2024 you will be required to pay a reduced tuition fee of £1,850. You will also incur additional travel and accommodation costs during your Professional Practice year.