- Undergraduate
Marketing and Social Media with Foundation Year BSc (Hons)
Overview
Why study at the University of West London?
- 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
This course is an ideal way of building up your marketing knowledge and skills in the fast-changing world of interactive platforms.
You will learn about the marketing mix and how to add to it through strategically planned online campaigns as well as how to implement the campaigns and measure them effectively.
In particular, the course offers an insight into the marketing field of social media and performance marketing. This will help you understand how to market brands, products and services online as well as being able to generate and successfully convert leads.
CIM Accreditation
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) has approved this degree for exemptions on CIM qualifications. UWL has developed strong links with CIM and our teaching content has been developed alongside CIM’s learning outcomes to ensure that course content is aligned to industry requirements.
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:
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Why study Marketing and Social Media with Foundation Year with us?
What our students say…
Course detail & modules
Social media marketing is an important tool within digital marketing as it allows its users to utilise social media to advertise, communicate or review products and services. The outcome is to increase brand awareness, increase customer base and improve customer relations.
Social media platforms (e.g. Facebook, Twitter, LinkedIn, YouTube, and Instagram) have experienced significant growth as marketing tools and are the fastest-growing field of marketing today.
Throughout the course, you will gain knowledge and understanding of various theories and practices to evaluate and implement marketing strategies. You will gain reflective skills to evaluate your own and others’ professional practice alongside independent learning skills which will help you plan your future development.
This course aims to prepare students for employment as marketing professionals starting in junior positions. Once you have sufficient experience you will be able to progress to higher management roles in a variety of organisations.
The degree will also prepare you for postgraduate studies and further professional development as well as enable you to pursue a career and gain employment in:
- Marketing
- social media marketing
- campaign management
- consultancy
The course will enable you to look into starting your own business or consultation services in marketing and social media.
Foundation year
There are many reasons for joining a foundation year course; you may not have the exact subjects or grades at A level to meet the entry requirements, you may have been living abroad or want to change direction with your career. Whatever your starting point, the foundation year offers a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge that you will need to get the most from your studies and thrive at University. Successful completion of the foundation year allows you to progress straight onto Level 4 of this course.
CIM Accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. When you graduate, provided you have passed specific accredited modules on your course, you will be exempted on an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) basis from the CIM modules ‘Applied Marketing' and 'Planning Campaigns’. You will be required to pass one further elective module to obtain the CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing or the CIM Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification.
You may also be exempted on an Accredited Prior Learning (APL) basis from the CIM module 'Marketing and Digital Strategy'. You will be required to pass two further CIM modules, including 'Innovation in Marketing' and an elective module of your choice to obtain the CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing. Alternatively, if you pass the CIM modules 'Digital Optimisation' and 'The Digital Customer Experience', then you would be able to obtain the CIM Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing; if you pass the CIM module ‘Innovation in Marketing and Sustainability’, then you would be able to obtain the CIM Diploma in Sustainable Marketing.
*Eligibility for the CIM exemptions would be conditional upon attempting and passing the relevant modules on this UWL course and graduating with a degree classification of 2:2 or higher. CIM also requires that you send evidence of graduation to the CIM Qualifications Team, sign up to study with CIM and pass the additional units within five years of graduation for exemptions to be valid.
Compulsory modules
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Introduction to Business
During this module you will gain a basic knowledge and understanding of business organisations and the way they operate in the UK economy.
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Recording Business Transactions
During this module you will cover the methods of bookkeeping and financial accounting used by organisations to record their financial transactions.
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Data Handling and ICT
You will develop skills and confidence in the use and application of numerical data and analysis.
You will also prepare, present and process data using business software.
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Managing People and Systems
In the course of this management module you will explore people management within business structures and how they lead to the fulfilment of business goals.
You will learn about recruitment, different personalities, team dynamics, people assessment systems and understand basic theories of motivation and leadership.
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Personalised Learning
The Personalised Learning module is intended to equip you with the study skills needed to successfully progress onto level 4, the first year of undergraduate study. Tutor group sessions are an integral part of the module, where you will consolidate your learning and frame it in the context of your subject area. The module will focus on various aspects of study skills, such as those skills related to reading and writing, learning approaches, problem-solving techniques, critical thinking, researching, referencing, plagiarism, legal research and time management.
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Study Skills for Success
This module will enable you to read critically, present an argument, and distinguish between the quality and suitability of materials. It will prepare you to use and evaluate a range of evidence sources throughout your degree.
Compulsory modules
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Principles of Marketing
On this module you'll study the products that customers want and ways to inform customers of product benefits and convenient locations for sale. Through this you will come to understand the value of keeping customers happy and of doing so more effectively than the competition.
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Professional Skills
In this module, you will learn to outline academic writing skills and presentation skills, show effectively working with others towards the completion of a task (teamwork skills), present skills in oral and written communication in the business environment, as well as duplicate the importance of business etiquette and the importance of rules and values in an organisation.
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Principles of Advertising
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Principles of Digital and Social Media Marketing
You will be introduced to digital marketing and its impact on marketing. You will learn about the online marketplace and conduct micro analysis as well as learn about the macro environment of digital marketing. You will gain an overview of digital marketing strategy and learn how to use digital marketing and social media tool to create effective digital experiences.
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Workplace Employability Skills
The module will focus on preparing you for the workplace and equipping you with the skills required to gain employment and to work effectively in a professional environment.
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Market Data Analysis
Compulsory modules
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Marketing and Brand Management
On this module you will explore issues such as designing processes, making decisions about location, layout and capacity management, managing the supply chain, and managing quality. In particular, you will focus on practical examples and case studies. This will involve assessments in groups and/or individually in which you will present your research findings, before a final written exam.
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Web Design and Development
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Social Media and Analytics
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Enterprise and Business Development
You will evaluate the skills and approaches the entrepreneur brings to the process of value creation and the factors that encourage the move to entrepreneurship.
You will understand how to locate, analyse and evaluate sources of information related to the development of a business plan which demonstrates the commercial viability of a proposed business start-up.
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Marketing Campaign Planning
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Research Methods
Compulsory modules
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Marketing Research Project
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Global Marketing
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Digital and Social Media Marketing Planning Framework
You will develop your ability to analyse marketing contexts, set defined objectives, create a definitive strategy, detail tactics and construct budget and forecasting plans.
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Marketing CRM
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Consumer Behaviour
Entry requirements
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 BSc (Hons) Marketing and Social Media without Foundation Year?
Looking for BSc (Hons) Marketing and Social Media without Foundation Year?
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.
Looking for BSc (Hons) Marketing and Social Media without Foundation Year?
Looking for BSc (Hons) Marketing and Social Media without Foundation Year?
Fees & funding
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.
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.
Teaching staff
Dr Gidraph Michuki
A qualified higher education lecturer (PGCAP - HE), Dr Michuki is an experienced lecturer with a keen interest in marketing theory and practice. He holds the higher-level professional qualification in marketing (from The Chartered Institute of Marketing) and several post-graduate academic qualifications in marketing and management. He was awarded the Chartered Marketer status in 2007 by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CMktr)
A qualified higher education lecturer (PGCAP - HE), Dr Michuki is an experienced lecturer with a keen interest in marketing theory and practice. He holds the higher-level professional qualification in marketing (from The Chartered Institute of Marketing) and several post-graduate academic qualifications in marketing and management. He was awarded the Chartered Marketer status in 2007 by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CMktr)
Study & career progression
There are several career progression routes you can pursue upon successful course completion including:
marketing
- social media marketing
- campaign management
- consultancy
- market research.
Further study that can be undertaken upon course completion:
- MSc Marketing
- MSc International Marketing
- MSc Digital Marketing.
How to apply
Head to the UCAS website where you can apply using:
- our institution code - W05
- the UCAS course code (below)
Want to ask us a question first? We would love to hear from you. Contact us free on:
Apply for this course
- Institution code
- W05
- UCAS code
- currentVariantData.field_p_cv_ucas_code
Next steps after making your application
We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.
In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an open day or join a campus tour.
Visit us and see for yourself
Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.
Our prospectus
All of our courses in one place - download now or order a hard copy.
We're here to help
Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on courses@uwl.ac.uk.
You can apply to us in two ways:
- on the UCAS website you will need our institution code (W05) and the UCAS course code (at the top of this page)
- directly on our website – follow the ‘apply now’ link below
Want to ask us a question first? Our dedicated international students’ team would love to hear from you.
- Ask the International Recruitment Team a question
- learn more about international student applications
- find out more about why you should study in London at the Career University.
Apply for this course
Next steps after making your application
We aim to make a decision on your application as quickly as we can. If we need any more information about your qualifications, we will be in touch.
In the meantime, come and visit us and find out more about what studying at UWL is like. Sign up for an open day or join a campus tour.
Visit us and see for yourself
Talk to our tutors and find out about our courses and facilities at our next open day or join a campus tour.
Our prospectus
All of our courses in one place - download now or order a hard copy.
We're here to help
Any questions about a course or studying at UWL? We're here to help - call us on 0800 036 8888 (option 2, Monday – Friday 10am-4pm) or email us on courses@uwl.ac.uk.
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Student life at UWL
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.