The details
Location: Online Mode of study: Part-time Qualification: BA (Hons) Indicative duration: 4 years
Start date: Awarding body: University of Essex Delivered by: Kaplan Open Learning For queries: Call +44 (0) 1206 489 358

How can marketers make use of new consumer trends to stand out from their competitors? And how should business leaders leverage their resources for success?

The fast-paced business world demands creativity, strategic thinking and dedication for companies to differentiate themselves from the crowd and be profitable, and this course allows students to develop those skills while exploring a wide range of essential business and marketing topics. Looking at real-world companies and examples, it’s not just theoretical knowledge that our students gain, but practical skills they can use within their current roles from day one.

After looking at the key areas of marketing, human resources, finance and business environment at level 4, you will delve into more specialist areas of study as you continue in the course, including:

  • marketing communications through a wide range of media
  • management of projects and working with stakeholders
  • how online marketing fits into an overall business strategy
  • how market research is used to formulate marketing decisions
  • the global business environment, including challenges and opportunities

Your final year of study will culminate in an independent research project on a business or marketing topic of your choice, and will allow you to analyse and critically evaluate the results from research you have gathered yourself and put together a comprehensive and concise report. You will also give feedback on others’ reports, which will further build on the communication and evaluation skills you will have been developing throughout your studies.

Why we’re great

  • As one of the longest running online higher education providers we have a track record of success and improvement.
  • Our assessment processes are designed for online and mature students to reflect real-life situations and issues.
  • Receive your degree from the University of Essex, a top 40 UK university (Complete University Guide 2023).

The BA (Hons) Business and Marketing is made up of the following modules and, upon completion, is equal to a total of 360 credits.

Build your proficiency, grow in confidence and familiarise yourself with the key areas of business in this exciting module. You’ll also develop key academic skillssuch as report writing, research, referencing, writing and reflective learning that will be beneficial in your future career. 

Distinguish between the role of leader and manager, and understand how to establish effective teams to increase motivation in the workplace. This valuable module will also develop your understanding of effective communication channels leaders employ, as well as the overall communication process. 

This valuable module examines the modern marketing environment and the four main decision-making areas to consider in business. You’ll then progress into interesting psychological aspects, such as buyer behaviour and consumer influence, while developing an understanding of the role of marketing in society as a whole.  

Explore the complexities of human resource management in this insightful module. You’ll gain a critical understanding of HR theories and practices in a global context, as well as a deeper awareness of ideologies within a wider social, political and economic setting. You’ll also consider the strategic influences of stakeholders on business performance. 

What role does finance play within an organisation? Find out in this valuable module. You'll cover topics such as budgeting, cost management and capital investment analysis, while developing your ability to analyse and evaluate performance. That way, you can make decisions based on financial information. 

How do businesses work within an international economy? In this insightful module, you'll learn about the internal and external environment of organisations and explore how it impacts people, technology and resources. This module will also provide you with a grounding in approaches to organisation management.  

This in-depth module will introduce you to the core skills currently in demand in the global labour market – while giving you a greater understanding of how to better prepare your skillset for today’s fast-paced job market. Evaluate your current core skills and plan to develop them in-line with fluctuating labour market demands.  

Gain a solid grounding of business planning with this valuable module. From business strategy to risk management and financial basis, you’ll cover a range of topics – allowing you to assess risk and its impact on a business. You'll also be able to apply your understanding to key business functions, including finance, marketing and human resource management. 

This comprehensive module introduces selling as an element of the marketing process, alongside marketing and sales planning strategies. You'll also explore a wide range of topics, including consumer buyer behaviour, key account management strategies, sales management responsibilities and selling techniques from personal to relationship and multi-channel.  

What role does operations management play in the success of an organisation? Find out in this exciting module. You'll learn how to maximise scarce resources to produce goods and services in an efficient and cost-effective way, while developing the skills required to recommend changes and improvements to strategic operations and supply chain.  

What is consumer behaviour and how does it impact marketing strategy? In this valuable module, you'll analyse the concepts of consumer research, market segmentation and motivation – while focusing on individual personality, perceptions, attitudes and learning. Identify the influence of groups on consumer behaviour and evaluate the consumer decision-making process. 

In this fascinating module, you’ll deepen your understanding of the theory of communication and its innate impact on marketing messages, its ability to convey ideas and influence different marketing channels. You’ll also identify the key elements of communications strategy and review the impact and importance of new technologies. 

Explore the theories and concepts utilised for effective project management and the use of contemporary project management software. In this valuable module, you’ll gain insight from case studies and delve into project management knowledge areas and process groups while using specialist project management software. 

Explore a wide range of practical and theoretical issues relating to research in business, their applications and how they can be employed by different organisations. This fascinating module also allows you to conduct your own research into an area of interest, using appropriate methodology and professional research material.  

Immerse yourself in the key elements of the global business environment with this comprehensive module. You'll review international trade theories, the global financial marketplace and discover the organisations which support it. You’ll also learn to critically analyse the motives for and barriers to internationalism. 

Hone your strategic management skills with this exciting module. You’ll benefit from an engaging introduction to the key theories, approaches and concepts which form business strategy. Not only that, you’ll learn to critically evaluate the limitations of emerging schools of thoughts and how to they best work in practice. 

Examine the development of international marketing strategy as a planned response to the global business environment. In this defining module, you’ll develop a solid understanding and appreciation of the underlying theories of international marketing, and critically assess the various steps taken by an organisation when looking to internationalise.  

Dive into the key tenets of marketing research with this defining module. You’ll evaluate data collection methods and research technologies to understand the competitive modern business landscape. Not only that, you’ll formulate an independent research proposal combining a variety of approaches and critically examine ethical issues in business research.  

Immerse yourself in the research process by generating research ideas with clear objectives. Understand the differences between key data collection techniques and analysis procedures and explore why these are not mutually exclusive. 

Immerse yourself in the research process by generating research ideas with clear objectives. Understand the differences between key data collection techniques and analysis procedures and explore why these are not mutually exclusive. 

Identify the key concepts of e-commerce and e-business marketing in this exciting module. You'll learn how to attract customers through digital media channels; develop a solid understanding of search engine marketing, campaign performance and metrics; and discover how each of these channels interacts with the overall customer journey.  

In this engaging module, you’ll identify the core foundations of law that regulate businesses and evaluate the changing legal environment and how this affects businesses on an operational level. Dive into the fundamental issues that face all businesses, contract, employment, tort and business operations. 

Ready to enhance your transferrable skills and employability within the service sector? This valuable module will help you understand the importance of the human dimension in service provision. You’ll also critically analyse the marketing activities of service sector organisations helping you gain crucial insight into how services-based organisations operate. 

Teaching methods

Studying online gives you the freedom to study when and where it suits you – at home, during your lunch hour or anywhere else you have internet access.

Our courses are delivered through a virtual learning environment (VLE) instead of a traditional campus. This means you will have access to your study materials 24/7, including:

  • multimedia lecturecasts made up of written content, short videos, animation, audio recordings, infographics, short tests and mini-assignments
  • discussion forums for you to chat about the course content with fellow students
  • live Q&A sessions with your tutors
  • a comprehensive eLibrary of textbooks and academic journals
  • support from academic staff and your dedicated Student Support team

To ensure you receive the support you need from your tutor, we cap our class sizes at 20 students.

 

Assessment methods

Rather than fretting about exams, you will be assessed exclusively through assignments. This can be by engaging in discussion forums throughout your modules, completing reflective journal entries, or by submitting longer written pieces.

We are committed to providing frequent and transparent feedback through the following ways:

  • Our assessment criteria are designed to be simple and transparent.
  • You will always be aware of your current provisional grade, right from the start of the programme.
  • You will be able to view your marks clearly in your gradebook whenever you log onto the learning platform.
  • There is a 7-day turnaround for marking and feedback of assessed work.
  • You will have regular contact with your Student Support team, with whom you can discuss any concerns as soon as they arise.

 

Study duration

Our BA (Hons) Business and Marketing has an indicative study duration of 4 years, which is a guide to how long your course will take to complete. The actual duration may be longer or shorter depending on your speed of study, study options chosen and module availability.

It’s possible to complete your studies faster than the indicative course duration by doubling up on modules at certain times; however, minimum study durations do apply.

Our academic year is organised into modules, typically with a one- or two-week break between modules and a structured three-week break for the Christmas period. Students will receive a course timetable during the application process.

All of our courses have regular start dates throughout the year.

On successful completion of your degree, you will be invited to attend a graduation ceremony at the University of Essex, Colchester Campus.

Business skills are incredibly transferable to most fields. As well as management, you could apply your new commercial knowledge to positions in finance, consultancy, project management, advertising or marketing.

Gaining an undergraduate qualification with the University of Essex Online also puts you in good stead for your career prospects. Results from our 2021 student survey showed:

  • 92% of students said their course helped develop their research skills
  • 89% of students say their studies fit with their future plans
  • Almost 60% said their studies had a positive effect on their career
  • 25% of students saw their salaries increase by up to 10%

We know that many people from non-traditional backgrounds would succeed on our courses! That’s why we offer two different entry routes, taking into account your prior work experience and relevant qualifications. You will also need to meet our English language requirements.

You will need to pass your first assignment set within the first three weeks of the course in order to continue with your studies.

 

Academic entry route

In order to satisfy the academic entry route requirements for our BA (Hons) Business and Marketing, you must have the following qualifications as a minimum:

  • two A-levels or equivalent

 

Work experience entry route

In order to satisfy the work experience entry route requirements for our BA (Hons) Business and Marketing, you must meet the following criteria:

  • GCSE Maths and English at grade C or above, or equivalent
  • three years’ relevant work experience

 

English language requirements

As our courses are delivered in English, a high proficiency with English is required. If English is not your first language, your English ability should be equivalent to an IELTS (Academic) score of 6.0. Don’t worry if you don’t hold an IELTS or equivalent qualification – we offer a free online English test to assess your proficiency.

You don’t need to prove your English ability if you are a national of, or have completed a qualification equivalent to a UK degree in, any of these countries.

Full tuition fee:

£18,500 UK / £19,425 International (2023-24) Δ 

  • Designated for undergraduate student loans in England. 
  • Simple monthly payment plan available, enabling you to spread the cost over the duration of your studies. 
  • Full payment discount of 5% if you pay upfront. 
  • Regional scholarship available for international students based overseas in eligible countries. 
  • 10% corporate discount available when three or more of your employees study with us.   

Please note, a maximum of two discounts or scholarships can be applied. The corporate discount can only be used in combination with our upfront payment discount, but not in conjunction with any other discount or scholarship. Find out more information about our discounts and scholarships here. 

Our course fees are fully inclusive – all teaching materials and required reading are included, and there are no hidden charges for assessments or resits.  

Δ All tuition fees shown are net of any applicable sales tax payable by you in your country of residence. Where we are required to add sales tax at the local statutory rate, this will be added to the tuition fees shown and confirmed during the payment process. 

Subject specialists, industry authorities and experienced academics: the tutors who teach modules on our BA (Hons) Business and Management are experts in the field of business.

What our students say

testimonials

Emily Wells - Private: BA (Hons) Business and Marketing

It's definitely really worthwhile. Although you are online, when you come to Essex for graduation it really puts it into perspective what you've actually done. Dedicate the time to it - it's not really something that you can just slot in. You have to really make it part of your everyday life. I know that Essex is a good university, and I know that you can do other online study options, but to have a degree with a respected university is what appealed to me. There were certain modules that I really enjoyed, like the Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Communications ones. But even the ones that I didn't enjoy as much still had parts that I enjoyed. I already had a part-time job doing marketing for a furniture company. I'm going to go full-time with that and I'm interested in doing a postgrad or seeing what options are available.

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Matthew Jones - BA (Hons) Business and Management

The lessons are truly global, with students and tutors participating from anywhere. I’d had several good jobs in retail management and banking, yet there was something missing. I didn't want to give up work, as I was enjoying a reasonable salary, yet I longed for more. Online learning brings the classroom to you. Interactive lessons take place via online seminars that give both visual and audio dialogue with a real tutor and classmates at a convenient time of day. The lessons are truly global, with students and tutors participating from anywhere; Brazil, China, America, and the UK – all in real time. Also, the support available is unbelievable: the students, the tutors, the course materials and textbooks – it’s all fantastic. You even get your very own Student Adviser!

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Matt Clifton - BA (Hons) Business and Management

I had a large interest in business, and after finishing college I wanted to pursue studying a degree. Before starting the University of Essex, I had already studied both a first and national extended diploma (BTEC) in Business Studies. Along with this, I had studied a CMI junior management qualification. After my four years at college, it became largely known to me that I wanted a career in business, so I decided to apply for the Business Management BA.  

Why did you choose online study specifically, rather than just studying on a campus?

Largely down to time commitments. At the time of starting the BA, I was 18 years old, and in my last year of college. It would have been really tough to access a campus-based university over an online study option. I have taken on an LLB on campus now, so this was another commitment I had too. If I did attend the campus for four...

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