BSc (Hons) Marketing course preparation
To help you feel prepared for your university studies, we’ve gathered together a range of course related activities including suggested reading, useful websites and some great things to do right now. Open the links below to find out more:
Suggested reading
Your class sessions are designed to trigger your learning by giving you the central structure and framework in each topic and driving your learning through directed reading that will then underpin class discussions. You will be given more information about which textbooks to read and introduced to the University Library, as well as the many eBooks we have for you to access, when you begin your studies in September.
In the meantime, below are the details of a textbook which will help you to prepare for your Year 1 modules, but we advise that you wait until the start of the course and the publication of module handbooks prior to purchasing any books:
- Fahy, J and Jobber D (2019) Foundations of Marketing, 6th Ed. McGraw Hill
Detailed and updated reading lists are issued out in the module handbooks, which are provided in the first session of each module.
You may also want to get a head start by reading up on general business subjects and ensuring that you are aware of the current economic and world developments taking place. Good quality daily newspapers and business supplements are an ideal starting ground for this knowledge.
Useful websites
Depending on your areas of interest, you might want to read.
- marketingweek.com – do not worry about having a log in, just have a look at the headlines!
- fastcompany.com – all about the latest in management and start-ups.
- personneltoday.com – if you are interested in the management of people.
If you would like to…
- Organise your tasks and create a to-do list, visit Trello.com
- Explore careers within the Business sector, visit the prospects website.
Listen to some podcasts
- Business Wars – Sometimes the prize is your wallet, sometimes your attention. Sometimes, it’s just the fun of beating the other guy. This podcast explores how feuds between businesses can shape what we buy, and even the world we live in.
- The Marketing Companion – Dubbed as “the world’s most entertaining”, this marketing podcast combines celebrity spots, comedy and innovative marketing advice to educate and teach, with laughs along the way.
Do something innovative
Use the links below to find out more.
- Create a product or service you think you could launch; you may have to opportunity to create a limited company in our Graduate Enterprise module! (This website might help)
- If you enjoy graphic design or developing presentations, why not create some marketing material for a fictional company, maybe a logo or an advertisement? (You can use this website)
Things to do now
Over the summer months, you can prepare for your degree studies by becoming more aware of the marketing and business environment all around you. Suggestions include:
- Looking at your everyday environment to see how many brands and logos you can spot, on clothes, billboards, social media pop-ups etc.
- Study adverts on YouTube, social media platforms and TV – What is the message? How do they want you to feel? What action do they want you to take?
- Try watching or listening to news items and reading quality newspapers to become aware of commercial events such as company takeovers, mergers or even closures.
- Take the time to really look at websites – what are they wanting you to do, how are they trying to influence us, what would they like us to think about their products.
- Have you noticed any new products appearing for sale? Think about what they offer customers.
- Look in the news – what impact has Covid-19 had on marketing?
- You could also use Google Scholar to read the most recent Marketing literature.
Meet your programme lead:
Additional ways to prepare
Preparing to start
This session examines how to make a successful transition to university. From planning your results day, accommodation and commuting tips, extra support available to you and general advice on uni life.
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Find out more about who you are
The following information provides an insight into what to expect when coming to university along with some good advice on how to navigate some of the potential challenges you may face.
Start preparing yourself