Digital Marketing BSc (Hons) & Foundation Year

Course Overview

The BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing with Foundation Year at Arden University will help you pave the way for a rewarding career in digital marketing. Digital marketing is now vital to every forward-thinking organisation – creating genuine opportunities for ambitious marketers to get themselves noticed.

Our digital marketing degree has been designed for people who want to shape the future of marketing through digital channels. Whether you’re an aspiring digital marketer or seeking to enhance your existing knowledge, this course will equip you with the skills you need for a successful career in digital marketing.

What makes studying at Arden University different is our commitment to vocational learning. Our innovative approach focuses on cultivating the technical competencies essential for success in digital marketing. Through a blend of theoretical knowledge, hands-on experience, and an internship programme incorporated into your degree studies in Level 5, you’ll develop the practical skills needed to thrive.

We are working towards obtaining triple accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI), and the UX Design Institute (UXDI). Upon graduation, this will allow you to showcase your expertise and significantly enhance your employability.

Your assessments on this course have been designed to simulate real-world scenarios, ensuring that you can apply your knowledge and skills with confidence. From crafting social media strategies to pitching digital marketing campaigns, every assignment prepares you for the challenges of the industry.

Our bachelor’s in digital marketing isn’t just about acquiring knowledge – it’s about embracing diversity and fostering global perspectives. With case studies from around the world and mentorship from industry experts, you’ll gain insights into how digital marketing is practised across different cultures and contexts.

Unlock your potential as a digital marketing trailblazer. With our supportive learning environment and industry-aligned curriculum, the possibilities are endless.

Course details and modules

Arden’s foundation year modules provide a personalised introduction to university study, equipping you with academic skills and subject-specific knowledge vital for degree success. Beginning with business fundamentals, the programme progresses to impart the technical competencies needed for a digital marketing career. It emphasises high-demand industry subjects like social media management, SEO, CX/UX design, content management, digital communications, brand management, and data analytics.

Digital Resource Hub

The Digital Resource Hub offers practical certifications to enhance your digital marketing studies. You’ll have access to free resources in web analytics, SEO, email marketing, social media marketing, digital advertising, website creation, copywriting, and graphic design from leading organisations such as Google, HubSpot, LinkedIn Learning, Adobe, and more. Additionally, the Hub features the latest podcasts, videos, and articles in digital marketing, making it a valuable resource for staying updated on industry trends

Foundation Year Modules

Preparing for University Success
Exploring the Business Environment
Advancing your Academic Skills
Becoming an Effective Leader
Planning for Your Future Success
Investigation & Innovation Project

Level 4

Understanding Digital Marketing (20 credits)
Content Production (20 credits)
Audience Fundamentals (20 credits)
Managing Social Media (20 credits)
Building Digital Platforms (20 credits)
Resource Management (20 credits)

Level 5

Digital Advertising (20 credits)
Search Engine Optimisation and Copywriting (20 credits)
User Experience Design (20 credits)
Digital Marketing Campaigns (20 credits)
Research for Digital Marketing (20 credits)
Digital Internship (20 credits)

Level 6

Digital Marketing Analytics (20 credits)
Global Brand Management (20 credits)
Digital Marketing Strategy (20 credits)
Strategic Customer Experience Design (20 credits)
Digital PR (20 credits)
Digital Marketing Showcase (20 credits)

How do Arden University assess students?

Universities assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Study Options

This course is available to study full time through our blended learning study mode in Tower Hill, Holborn, Ealing, Leeds, Manchester and Birmingham.

Full-time blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose our blended learning study mode, each week you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at the Arden campus of your choice. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, our university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to our Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Blended learning is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who live within commuting or driving distance of one of our UK campuses.

If you’re a student from England who is enrolling on a blended learning course with Arden (based in one of our UK campuses) then you can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan and Maintenance Loan to help pay for your living expenses. You can find more information on our fees and funding page. If you’re a student from Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland you can find information about obtaining a student loan to cover your costs from your student finance body.

Entry requirements

At Arden University we consider applications on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – we are more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for our BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing, you should normally have:

At least 3 GCSE passes or equivalent. If your qualifications are older than 3 years, we would also ask to see a professional CV.
Applicants may be considered based on a minimum of 12 months of professional work experience in a business or marketing-related field, evidenced by a CV and reference if they do not meet the qualification requirements.

What you need to study with us

Our aim is to make learning as accessible as possible by ensuring that you can study in a flexible and convenient way. That’s why we keep our requirements simple. All you need is a laptop or desktop PC (we recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good internet connection. Through ilearn, our online university campus in the cloud, you’ll be able to access your course calendar, support services, learning materials, and our online library containing thousands of ebooks, as well as tools for creating assignments, keeping notes, and collaborating with other students on your course.

Course fee

Course fee breakdown

This course is eligible for Student Loans Company (SLC) funding to help cover the cost of your tuition fees and other expenses. Please submit an enquiry to find out more.

Studying	Fee
Level 4 fee:	£9,250
Level 5 fee:	£9,250
Level 6 fee:	£9,250

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English Proficiency

IELTS 6.0 (no less than 5.5 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 80; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the medium of Instruction was in English, can be accepted.

We also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency. More information can be found here.

Career prospects

Digital marketing comprises 70% of UK companies’ marketing budget (WordStream). The field has seen significant growth, with global digital ad spending surpassing $600 billion in 2023 and projected to reach $730 billion by 2027 (MarketWatch). That means there’s a pressing need for proficient digital marketing practitioners. This programme equips you with the knowledge and practical skills needed for modern digital marketing practices.

What can I do after Arden University?

The main objective of this programme is to support your practical implementation of modern digital marketing practices. This ensures you graduate with the necessary skills and knowledge to succeed in the industry. Here are a few career options you might consider:

Digital Marketing Analyst
Digital Marketing Manager
Social Media Manager
Content Strategist
Copywriter
UX/CX Specialist
SEO Specialist
Email Marketing Specialist
PPC Manager

What will the BSc (Hons) Digital Marketing do for me?

This degree has been designed to provide you with the practical skills to meet the growing demands of the digital marketing sector. We are in the process of implementing industry micro-credentials and live internships provided by industry leaders and organisations to nurture your digital skills. While studying, you will:

Cultivate essential ‘life skills’, such as self-awareness and management, digital literacy, research, argumentation, numeracy, critical thinking, and analytical ability.
Demonstrate proficiency in some of the most important skills in digital marketing today.
Gain insight into applying your digital marketing expertise within a professional setting.
Acquire the skills necessary to transition into a digital marketing role or advance to a higher position within the marketing field.

Industry Skills

Digital Marketing Institute (DMI)

We are in the process of achieving accreditation from the DMI.

Highly acclaimed and globally recognised across the digital marketing sector, the Digital Marketing Institute (DMI) is the global standard in digital marketing certification and works to support today’s marketers in achieving their full professional potential.

The DMI partners with representatives from leading brands such as Google, Facebook, Microsoft, and LinkedIn to build a framework that bridges the digital skills gap, ensuring your curriculum is up-to-date and meets the real employability needs of the digital marketing industry.

While you’re studying your DMI accredited course with us, we’ll cover the cost of your student membership, giving you access to a wide range of valuable resources, including exclusive industry-focused short courses, webinars, articles, and toolkits, careers guidance, and networking opportunities with its 170,000+ global members.

Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

We are in the process of achieving accreditation from the CIM.

Students completing this course will gain exemptions for the CIM Certificate and Diploma qualifications, meaning you will only need to complete one or two modules instead of three.

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the world’s largest organisation for professional marketers and plays a key role in setting industry standards.

The CIM helps and supports its members at every stage of their marketing careers. It focuses on developing your marketing capabilities and informing you about industry developments and employment opportunities across the sector – providing you with the ‘4Cs’ of CIM membership: Career, Capability, Community and Content.

The cost of your CIM Affiliate Membership is included while you study with us, giving you access to all these resources and more.

UX Design Institute

We are in the process of achieving accreditation from the UXDI.

Arden partners with the UX Design Institute to deliver top-tier education to future UX professionals and leaders, aiming to establish a global standard in UX education. The institute offers a clear and objective measure for professionals and employers to assess and validate UX skills and knowledge.

This collaboration provides in-demand UX credentials and connects you to the wider UX industry. It also equips you with job-ready skills, boosting your employability while offering support at every step.

LinkedIn Learning

All Arden students will have free access to LinkedIn Learning through the Library Portal. LinkedIn Learning is a video-based online learning platform offering over 16,500 expert-led courses across a wide range of subjects including business, technology, and creative skills.

With LinkedIn Learning, you can:

Pursue curated learning pathways aligned with our curriculum and your career goals.
Add value to your LinkedIn profile by showcasing your newly acquired skills.
Personalise content based on skills relevant to your chosen career path, interests and prior learning.

Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) membership

Arden University is a member of the prestigious Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB). AACSB International is a global association of leaders in education and business dedicated to supporting and advancing quality business education worldwide.

This membership reflects the fact that Arden University has successfully matched the high standards required by the AACSB and enables the sharing of ideas and the exchange of best practices between global business schools.

Membership also gives our faculty members access to in-depth data and research to support the development of our courses and teaching methods, ensuring that we are able to provide you with the best possible university experience.

Business Graduates Association (BGA)

The BGA is a membership and quality assurance body. As a member, Arden University have signed up to the BGA Charter, committing their institution to responsible management practices and lifelong learning, positively impacting their students, communities, and the economy. This shows our students that we are demonstrating responsible management ourselves, as well as it being a central theme that runs through our own courses.

As Arden University is a member of the Business Graduates Association (BGA), students will receive complimentary BGA student and graduate membership. Through this membership, current students will have access to the BGA Career Development Centre, packed with interactive tools, e-learning content, partner discounts and the latest job opportunities. This is a lifetime access, which means students will continue to have access to these services even after they graduate.