• Undergraduate

Advertising and Public Relations with Foundation Year BA (Hons)

Register for open day
Register for open day
Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London?
  • Our Marketing courses were ranked #3 in London for overall student satisfaction in this year's NSS
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024
Why study this course?

This is a one-year foundation course after which you will study for a three-year degree. You will be able to choose any of the BA courses that we run in the London School of Film, Media and Design.

After a year spent building your skills in good academic practices and research while experiencing all the aspects of student life, you will be ready to progress seamlessly to your chosen degree.

Our foundation year course is particularly suited to you if:

  • you do not have the relevant qualifications in a media or design subject
  • you are returning to study
  • if English is not your first language and could benefit from a year of practising your verbal and writing skills -  you may also be interested in our English language programmes
  • if you are still deciding on which field of media and design you would like to specialise in.

Foundation year

The foundation year course is designed to equip you with the skills and knowledge you need to continue onto your Honours degree. You will study a range of subjects that will underpin your future study and also gain valuable experience of university life, with full access to campus facilities. Successful completion of the year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course. Please note that a £2000 Path to Success bursary is available to all UK foundation year students, which is non-repayable. 

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.
Without Foundation Year
Duration: 3 years

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Advertising and Public Relations with Foundation Year with us?

Why study Advertising and Public Relations with Foundation Year with us?

A collage of students
A collage of students
A collage of students
A collage of students

What our students say…

The Foundation Course at UWL gave me the confidence to believe in myself.

Joe Bowring, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

The Foundation Year has been extremely challenging but definitely worth it.

Samantha Cleary-Giegold, Broadcast and Digital Journalism

My Foundation Year at UWL has been such an amazing experience. I learned how to grow my confidence and push myself to achieve. If I could go back I would choose to do a Foundation Year again! 

Andrea Vega Demuru, Advertising and PR

This is an incredible course, and I am so thankful to our lecturers for giving us these opportunities and pushing us to do our best every day. UWL truly is the career university!

Abbi Little, class of 2023
Next
Why study a Foundation year
Why study a Foundation year 2
Lifelong careers support from the UWL Careers Service.
Holds partner membership with the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA)
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Why study a Foundation Year? 
A Foundation Year prepares you for study at undergraduate level, it s the first step on your university journey.  The skills and knowledge you acquire will stand you in good stead for your degree studies as well as your entry into the world of work. Over the course of an academic year, you will explore a range of subjects that will underpin your future studies, as well as enjoy full access to university facilities.

What will I study during the Foundation Year? 
You will be supported to help you make the most of the foundation year through:

  • independent study (Personalised Learning module)
  • an introduction to the  various areas of the media and design industry (Creative Sectors module)
  • an understanding of how media and design fit with wider society (Contextual Studies module)
  • introduction to the software used within the industry (Creative Research module)
  • learning good academic practice and discipline (Academic Performance module)
  • creation of a media artefact which reflects your chosen path of study (Major Project module). 

Further details about the modules can be found on the right-hand side of this page.

Through these modules, you come to have a better understanding of the areas within media and design. You will become familiar with techniques that help you to:

  • manage your time and study effectively
  • learn academic, research and presentation skills.

Any other benefits? 
You will have full access to the University of West London's facilities as well as being fully integrated into university life.

This well-established course is taught by an experienced team of lecturers committed to enabling and supporting you to develop your skills and creativity.

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Contemporary Promotional Culture

    On this module you will build knowledge of relevant theories to enable you to develop your own powers of persuasion. In the course of the module, you'll gain an understanding of the theory and principles of public relations, advertising, branding, and marketing.

  • Introduction to Consumer Behaviour and Trends

    During this module you will build your skills in analysing consumer behaviour and learn how to ground your creative concepts in consumer insight, developing your ability to create and deliver winning campaigns and strategies.

  • Brand Design

    This year-long module covers the essentials for creating compelling work-- from concept to creative output. You learn how to use a range of industry software like Adobe Creative Suite, web design platforms, AI, and more. This helps you create your own personal brand for your portfolios and compete in student competition briefs, both assessments for the module.

  • Media Presentation Skills

    During this module, you will develop your speaking and storytelling skills, with the aim of enhancing your understanding of how journalists work across various platforms.

  • Communication Design - Story

    On this module you will learn about archetypal story structures and how important they are to good communications, whether you are writing press releases, radio ads, digital videos, or social media posts. In this way, you will develop your writing skills across a range of media.

Compulsory modules

  • Research, Data and Insight

    On this module you will learn how to deliver creative strategy that is rooted in insight from common types of consumer research. These include qualitative and quantitative data, consumer research, data presentation, data-led decision-making, USP, advertising objectives, target audience, strategy, proposition, tone of voice, and reach.

  • Creative and Art Direction

    You will study the aesthetic principles that should inform how you create and assess creative work, particularly colour theory, typography and layout. During the module, you will also get hands-on experience of giving and receiving feedback, thereby enhancing your own work as well as that of others.

  • Campaigns

    On this two-semester module you will look at how successful campaigns are structured. You will learn industry best practice in campaign development and apply your learning to live briefs from leading agencies and brands, as well as for student competitions.

  • Internship - Industry Experience

    This 30 week internship module is part of the MA Luxury Hospitality Management with Internship route that involves you working with one of a range of luxury and lifestyle hospitality companies.

    The internship allows for the application of theoretical knowledge to a practical work-based situation. It will allow you to improve existing skills and acquire new ones, explore various career opportunities, network and be part of a team.

  • Emerging Technologies & Other Realities

    In this module, you focus on the cutting-edge frontiers of creative communications (e.g. programmatic advertising, digital public relations and influencer marketing, augmented and virtual reality, AI, etc.) You also expand your own skills in communicating through a mix of creative projects about digitally-led campaigns, start-up businesses, and industry thought leadership.  

Compulsory modules

  • The Agency

    This super-module (40 credits in a single semester) focuses on getting you ready for the fast-paced world of advertising and public relations. You work on three projects during the semester, getting to choose whether to work in teams or as freelancers. These consist of briefs for live clients and/or competition briefs. By applying learnings from a mix of studio sessions, visits, and industry masterclasses, students on this module have seen their work come to life in the real world.

  • Major Project (Advertising and Public Relations)

  • Anti-Advertising and Disruptive Design

    This module explores consumer fatigue with consumer culture and how brands or start-ups can address some of the key challenges facing society today-- the climate crisis and social justice in particular. You will engage in dynamic discussion sessions and class debates. You will also leverage techniques like design thinking to develop a campaign that helps change the world for the better.

  • Creative Entrepreneurship

    This module is focused on industry-readiness in the form of your student show and your final portfolio. Final year students form their own student agency and stage every aspect of their final-year show from concept to fundraising to the actual event. In addition to growing real-world creative leadership skills, you also build your professional network through your efforts. This gives you a great head start as you graduate and embark in the advertising and public relations industry.

Compulsory modules

Compulsory modules

  • Introduction to Contemporary Promotional Culture

    On this module you will build knowledge of relevant theories to enable you to develop your own powers of persuasion. In the course of the module, you'll gain an understanding of the theory and principles of public relations, advertising, branding, and marketing.

  • Introduction to Consumer Behaviour and Trends

    During this module you will build your skills in analysing consumer behaviour and learn how to ground your creative concepts in consumer insight, developing your ability to create and deliver winning campaigns and strategies.

  • Brand Design

    This year-long module covers the essentials for creating compelling work-- from concept to creative output. You learn how to use a range of industry software like Adobe Creative Suite, web design platforms, AI, and more. This helps you create your own personal brand for your portfolios and compete in student competition briefs, both assessments for the module.

  • Media Presentation Skills

    During this module, you will develop your speaking and storytelling skills, with the aim of enhancing your understanding of how journalists work across various platforms.

  • Communication Design - Story

    On this module you will learn about archetypal story structures and how important they are to good communications, whether you are writing press releases, radio ads, digital videos, or social media posts. In this way, you will develop your writing skills across a range of media.

Compulsory modules

  • Research, Data and Insight

    On this module you will learn how to deliver creative strategy that is rooted in insight from common types of consumer research. These include qualitative and quantitative data, consumer research, data presentation, data-led decision-making, USP, advertising objectives, target audience, strategy, proposition, tone of voice, and reach.

  • Creative and Art Direction

    You will study the aesthetic principles that should inform how you create and assess creative work, particularly colour theory, typography and layout. During the module, you will also get hands-on experience of giving and receiving feedback, thereby enhancing your own work as well as that of others.

  • Campaigns

    On this two-semester module you will look at how successful campaigns are structured. You will learn industry best practice in campaign development and apply your learning to live briefs from leading agencies and brands, as well as for student competitions.

  • Internship – Industry Mentored Brief

    This module gets you ready for industry experience in the second semester of your second year, with intensive coaching on LinkedIn profiles, CV development, and interview skills. Then, you are given time to engage in industry experience in areas that interest you, deepening your real-world knowledge and expanding your industry network.

  • Emerging Technologies

    In this module, you focus on the cutting-edge frontiers of creative communications (e.g. programmatic advertising, digital public relations and influencer marketing, augmented and virtual reality, AI, etc.) You also expand your own skills in communicating through a mix of creative projects about digitally led campaigns, start-up businesses, and industry thought leadership.

Compulsory modules

  • The Agency

    This super-module (40 credits in a single semester) focuses on getting you ready for the fast-paced world of advertising and public relations. You work on three projects during the semester, getting to choose whether to work in teams or as freelancers. These consist of briefs for live clients and/or competition briefs. By applying learnings from a mix of studio sessions, visits, and industry masterclasses, students on this module have seen their work come to life in the real world.

  • Major Project (Public Relations and Advertising)

    This year-long module helps you achieve your capstone work: a project on a topic of your choosing that you research and execute on. With one-to-one supervision, you develop a market research report showcasing your own consumer research skills, then develop the creative for an integrated campaign based on those insights.   

  • Anti-Advertising and Disruptive Design

    This module explores consumer fatigue with consumer culture and how brands or start-ups can address some of the key challenges facing society today-- the climate crisis and social justice in particular. You will engage in dynamic discussion sessions and class debates. You will also leverage techniques like design thinking to develop a campaign that helps change the world for the better.

  • Creative Entrepreneurship

    This module is focused on industry-readiness in the form of your student show and your final portfolio. Final year students form their own student agency and stage every aspect of their final-year show from concept to fundraising to the actual event. In addition to growing real-world creative leadership skills, you also build your professional network through your efforts. This gives you a great head start as you graduate and embark in the advertising and public relations industry.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

72 UCAS points required from level 3 qualifications

These can include:

  • A-Levels at grades B and C (if you have two A-Levels) or grades D, D and D (if you have three), or above
  • BTEC Extended Diploma with Merit, Merit, Pass
  • Access to HE Diploma
  • T-Levels

You also need GCSE English and Maths (grade 9 – 4 / A* - C) or Level 2 equivalents.

Looking for BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
5.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement - a minimum of IELTS 5.5 for each of the four individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents. 

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements.

Find out more about our English Language courses.

Looking for BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Looking for BA (Hons) Advertising and Public Relations without Foundation Year?

View course
Whether you are changing career or don't have the exact subjects and grades required for this course, you might want to choose this course with a foundation year. This will give you an extra year's study to prepare you for the standard degree programme, where you can go on to graduate with a full Honours degree. Follow the link to see full details of the course with foundation year.
Fees & funding

Fees & funding

{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_uk_eu_main_fee.name) }} per year*

September 2025 tuition fees

Foundation Year 1 - full-time UK (Home) student: £5,760, full-time international student: £16,250

Year 2 onwards (subject to change) - currently full-time UK (Home) student: £9,250, full-time international student: £16,250 

Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

You may be eligible for a student loan to cover the cost of tuition fees, or a maintenance loan. Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as those with dependants and disabled students.

Foundation year bursary

If you are a UK student joining a foundation year course with UWL, you will receive a £2000 Path to Success bursary to support your studies. This is not a loan and does not need to be repaid. You will receive £500 per year subject to your attendance, engagement and progression through your studies. 

To find out more, explore our Undergraduate scholarships and bursaries page.

Funding your studies
{{ formatCurrencyValue(currentVariantData.field_p_cv_int_main_fee.name) }} per year*

September 2025 tuition fees

Foundation Year 1 - full-time UK (Home) student: £5,760, full-time international student: £16,250

Year 2 onwards (subject to change) - currently full-time UK (Home) student: £9,250, full-time international student: £16,250 

Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Jo is wearing a light blue shirt with the collar open and silver chain necklace. They have blue eyes and short light brown hair. Jo is smiling.

Dr Jo Henderson

Course Leader for Foundation Year courses within the London School of Film, Media and Design.

My teaching experience started with A-Level and BTEC in Media and Design since then I have taught at various London institutions at all levels of Higher Education in the field of media, documentary, television and contextual studies. I joined UWL as a full-time staff member in 2016 to establish the successful Foundation course.

Course Leader for Foundation Year courses within the London School of Film, Media and Design.

My teaching experience started with A-Level and BTEC in Media and Design since then I have taught at various London institutions at all levels of Higher Education in the field of media, documentary, television and contextual studies. I joined UWL as a full-time staff member in 2016 to establish the successful Foundation course.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

Two women looking at a board and one man on Mac computer

Once you graduate you could go on to work in one of the following roles:

Advertising

  • creative director
  • art director
  • designer
  • copywriter
  • content strategist or creator
  • account manager or client services
  • media planner or strategist

Public Relations

  • public relations specialist
  • social media creator
  • social media/influencer manager

Marketing Professionals

  • marketing strategist
  • market researcher
  • marketing specialist
  • social media manager or social media creator
  • content producers

Entrepreneurs

Many of our students have also launched their own businesses for their final year Major Projects in the UK and beyond. Here are a few examples: 

  • Holiday rental businesses in Wales and India 
  • Natural hair products in Belgium  
  • A modest fashion apparel brand in the UK 
  • Sweet baked goods in London   

Other students continue their studies at the postgraduate level after they complete the BA (Hons) Advertising & Public Relations course. You may decide to specialise in a related area, like Advertising/Branding/Communications or explore a new subject, like International Business. Please see our postgraduate courses for a range of options.

How to apply

How to apply

Search for courses

ARTSFEST

A college of student work.

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Film, Media and Communication ARTSFEST page.

Find out more

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.