A Guide to Choosing Your Advertising Degree: How to Get Started

Advertising is a fantastic career choice for students who are passionate about working in dynamic environments and want to be creative. These professionals design, implement, and track ad campaigns, strategies and media planning to help brands achieve their marketing goals.

With the marketing sector rapidly expanding, there are plenty of opportunities to land a high-quality job in advertising. The earning potential for these professionals is also appealing, and the more qualifications you gain, the higher your chances of increasing your salary.

At LIS, our bachelor's degree programme helps students gain interdisciplinary skills for a career in advertising and many other fields. We ensure you have all the resources you need to succeed.

This guide explores excellent degrees for advertising and how LIS can help you start your career. 

Table of Contents

• Why an Advertising Degree is Important
• What Does a Professional Working in Advertising Do?
• A List of Great Degrees in Advertising 
• Do You Need a Certification to Work In Advertising?
• How to Plan Your Advertising Career
• How to Choose the Right Advertising Degree?
• Start Your Advertising Journey with LIS

An advertising degree is helpful for a career in this field because it provides many of the important skills you need to succeed. Employers value candidates who have completed a degree program in advertising as they have gained the practical and soft skills to understand what this industry is about and how to help businesses achieve customer satisfaction.

Completing an advertising degree also puts you on the path to a master's degree. Although a postgraduate degree is optional to break into this sector, it will maximise your earning potential.

Here is what typical advertising degrees cover:

• Public relations (PR)
• Marketing strategy
• Advertising copywriting
• Consumer behaviour
• Strategic analysis
• Brand management
• Data Analytics 

A degree is a great first step to working for advertising agencies or media companies. Through quality education, professionals can leverage career advice, gain hands-on experience, and develop their needed skills.

A person working in advertising can be employed in several ways. You could be involved in developing new campaigns, working in strategy and consultancy, managing accounts, running whole advertising teams, or going into research and trends.

Having a background in advertising is valuable to marketing and creative teams. They focus on understanding consumer behaviour, researching what different target audiences will respond to, and developing the appropriate advertising campaigns. 

These are the typical job duties of those working in advertising:

• Conduct market and competitive research
• Develop new campaigns based on research and ideas
• Manage research groups
• Monitor social trends
• Track and evaluate ad campaigns
• Designing presentations for clients
• Analysing sales data
• Account management
• Social media marketing
• Public relations

While the job responsibilities may vary depending on the specific role, this is what students can expect from working in this sector. 

Finding the right advertising degree is tricky. To help you get started, here are a few of the most great degree pathways for those aspiring to work in advertising and what to expect. 

Arts and Sciences: Interdisciplinary Problems and Methods (BASc) – The London Interdisciplinary School

The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) provides the BASc degree for three years of full-time study. Students can gain interdisciplinary skills, preparing them for a successful career in advertising or the many other fields within marketing. 

To succeed in advertising it's important to be able to see the world from different perspectives – which is exactly what the LIS BASc provides. In contrast to traditional degrees, this bachelor's degree equips students with both quantitative and qualitative expertise to excel in advertising and or potentially transition careers in the future.

LIS exposes students to valuable experiences through lectures guided by diverse industry professionals, including journalists, artists, philosophers, and marketers. The curriculum also provides opportunities for networking and hands-on training through summer internships.  Students can work alongside real-world companies and apply the knowledge they learned throughout their degree programme. 

Key Curriculum: 

• Qualitative Methods 1A: Understand thematic analysis, close reading, participant observation, and the emotional impact of interactions. 
• Qualitative Methods 1B: Explore visual language through videography, photography, and information mapping. 
• Quantitative Methods 1B: Focus on thinking through data, learning data science, machine learning, and statistics. 
• Visual and Creative Methods: Learn how to craft visual narratives and develop skills in camera, photogrammetry, archival practices, collage, and creative research.
• Communities and Campaigning: A third-year elective module in which students carry out a campaign of relevance for a community of which at least one group-member is a member. Students deploy academic methods such as interviews and focus groups, as well as methods for analysing successful campaigning materials, such as close reading and visual literacy.
• Capstone Project: Apply quantitative and qualitative skills to develop an advertising problem-solving project you are passionate about. 

Fees:

• £9,000 / per year for home students
• £17,000 / per year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Financial Support Bursary: Eligible students may receive annual financial aid between £1,000 and £7,000.
• Income from Internships: Learners in eligible internships who earn at least the London Living Wage can apply for funding.
• Hardship Grants: Students who experience unexpected economic hardship may receive financial support on a case-by-case basis. 

Key Takeaways: 

• LIS provides internships and career opportunities to help students secure jobs after graduation and establish industry connections.
• Students will gain hands-on skills through practical training and completing a capstone project to reflect on their learning.
• There are support and well-being programmes to enhance student life and your learning experience.

BA (Hons) Degree, Advertising and Marketing Management –  Cardiff Metropolitan University

Cardiff Metropolitan University offers a Advertising and Marketing Management - BA (Hons) degree for three or four years. The four-year option includes a foundation year to prepare students with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to break into advertising. This degree programme covers critical areas of expertise, including data-driven marketing, sustainable money management, and direct marketing.

Lectures, seminars, practical workshops, and case studies can benefit students who want to excel in advertising. A critical aspect of this learning experience is that students gain real-life insights and expertise from industry experts. 

 Key Curriculum: 

• Introduction to Marketing
• Digital Media for Marketers
• Marketing Consumer Behaviour
• Integrated Marketing Communications

Fees:

• £9,000 / per year for home students
• £16,000 / per year for international students

Financial Aid:

• ​Carers Bursary: Students who have cared for a family member or close friend can apply for a cash award worth up to £1000. 
• ​Care Leavers and Estranged Student's Bursary: Home undergraduates with a care background may receive up to £1000 toward their studies. 
• ​Study Life Award: Qualifying students from low-income neighbourhoods with household incomes below £30,000 can apply for £950 per year.

Key Takeaways: 

• Students who don't fulfil the entry requirements can complete a foundation year.
• The tuition fees for international students are affordable compared to similar degree pathways.
• Students can gain hands-on skills and develop industry connections through networking opportunities and practical training. 

Advertising and Marketing BA Hons – Lancaster University

The Advertising and Marketing BA Hons degree from Lancaster University is full-time for three years. This personalised degree pathway allows students to tailor their programmes to their interests. Students will study advertising, consumer behaviour, market research, social media marketing, and digital marketing. They will also learn the latest tools and resources to develop sound advertising and marketing strategies.

In addition, this programme focuses on an interdisciplinary approach, pushing students to think innovatively and gain a wide range of skills for a career in marketing. Students can find dedicated career and placement services to help launch a job after graduation.

Key Curriculum: 

• Introduction to Marketing
• Advertising
• Consumer Behaviour
• Market Research

Fees:

• The fees for home-fee-paying students are to be confirmed.
• £25,450 / per year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Lancaster Scholarship: This scholarship is awarded to students with excellent academic achievement. Students will receive £2,000 in their first year of study.
• Lancaster Bursary: Qualifying students with low household income can apply for £1,000 per year of study. 
• Lancaster Global Scholarship - Undergraduate: Eligible students can apply for £2,000 in each year of study. 

Key Takeaways: 

• There are career services available, making it easier to secure a job.
• There are many scholarships and bursaries available.
• The tuition fees for international students are very high. 

Digital Marketing and Advertising, BA Hons – The University of Greenwich

With a work placement, aspiring advertisers can study a Digital Marketing and Advertising, BA Hons degree at the University of Greenwich for three, six, or four years. Students will learn the fundamentals of strategic management, online media, brand management, social listening, and digital marketing strategies.

The classes are small for specialised learning, and students will complete independent study and group work projects. There are also guest lectures from industry professionals, digital marketing and advertising workshops, and career resources. 

Key Curriculum: 

• Brand Management 
• Fundamentals of Marketing
• Social Listening
• Digital Innovation 

Fees:

• £9,250 / per year for home students
• £17,500 / per year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Commuter Bursary: Eligible students from low-income households can apply for 50% of their monthly commuting costs worth up to £1,000 per year. 
• Accommodation Bursary: New undergraduate students from low-income households can apply for financial aid.
• Care Leaver Bursary: Undergraduate students who join the university directly from local authority care can receive £1,500 per year. 

Key Takeaways: 

• Students can choose to study for three, four, or six years.
• Completing a work placement is ideal to help aspiring professionals gain real-world skills.
• There are career resources and workshops available. 

BA (Hons) Marketing and Advertising – University of Lincoln

The University of Lincoln offers a BA (Hons) Marketing and Advertising degree which requires three to four years of study. This programme focuses on building marketing and advertising competencies, such as critical thinking skills, problem-solving, creativity, oral and written presentation, and communication. Students will learn the fundamentals of developing a winning marketing strategy and what working with advertising agencies entails.

Students can personalise their experiences using various learning styles. They will also have access to one-on-one meetings and continuous feedback. There are also opportunities to study abroad and participate in field trips. 

Key Curriculum: 

• Business Environment
• Data Analytics for Business
• Consumer Behaviour
• Developing Brands Through Advertising

Fees:

• £9,535 / per year for home students
• £16,600 / per year for international students

Financial Aid:

• International Undergraduate Scholarships: Eligible students can apply for a £2,000 tuition fee discount for every year of study. 
• Blackburn Bursary: Students leaving local authority care can receive £1500 for each completed level of study. 
• Foyer Supported Housing Bursary: Qualifying students coming living in a foyer or other supported housing may be eligible for financial support. 

Key Takeaways: 

• There are opportunities for students to work abroad and participate in field trips.
• There are limited financial aid resources available.
• The tuition fees for international students are affordable compared to similar advertising degrees. 

No, you don't need a certification for a career in advertising. A bachelor's degree is sufficient to launch a career in this field. However, having a certification will increase your chances of landing a job with a higher salary. Completing certificate courses can also expand your expertise, equipping you with the skills you need for various careers in advertising and marketing.

At LIS, we offer short online courses covering critical skills students need to excel in every field. Here are our short courses:

• Systems Thinking for Sustainability: Learn how systems thinking impacts sustainability and how this guides organisations to make ecological decisions. 
• Risk and Reputation: Gain skills to become a leader through interdisciplinary methods. Find out the roles online communities play in today's digital world. 
• Cross-functional leadership: Develop critical leadership and complex problem-solving to manage teams across various departments. 

If you want to develop a career in advertising, it’s important to plan ahead. We’ve broken down the skills you will need to gain, the average salary and the job outlook. 

What Skills Do Employers Look for in Aspiring Advertisers?

To bolster your chances of landing a fantastic career in advertising, you must have the skills employers are looking for. 

Here are the top skills for professionals in advertising. 

• Communication: Professionals must be able to communicate verbally and in writing. They should handle stressful situations with patience and calmness and understand how to work with teams across various departments. 
• Commercial Awareness: A professional should have an in-depth understanding of what makes a successful advertisement. They must stay ahead of emerging media trends and apply this to their strategies. 
• Data and Analytics: This career requires handling data and analytics for ad campaigns. Professionals must know how to analyse data and trends. 
• Relationship Building: Advertising professionals spend a lot of time developing and maintaining relationships with brands, which is imperative to achieve optimal performance. 
• Negotiation: Advertising professionals must understand how to negotiate contract terms when winning new contracts with clients. 
• Creative Strategy: A significant aspect of ad campaigns is the creative strategy. Aspiring professionals must develop creative strategies that help businesses achieve their goals. 

The Average Salary for Advertisers

The average annual salary for a professional in the advertising industry depends on what role or position you are working in. For example, advertising account planners in the UK earn between £19,000 and £25,000, whereas a Social Media Manager can earn a salary between £25,000 and £45,000.

Your earning capacity depends on your area of specialisation, individual performance, and geographical location. Professionals with three to five years of work experience can expect between £30,000 and £45,000. Some senior-level professionals may earn over £70,000 per annum. 

Is the Advertising Jobs Market Growing?

Advertising job growth in the UK has steadily increased over the last decade. In 2023, 253,000 professionals were employed, from 241,000 in 2022. 

With steady growth in the advertising industry, students must have the required skills and practical experience to land a job after graduation. While having a bachelor's degree is a fantastic way to start your career, the more qualifications you have, the easier it will be to secure a successful profession. 

Here are the top factors to consider when picking the right advertising degree for your career. 

Tuition Fees

Whether you are studying for an advertising degree online or in person, tuition fees are a critical factor to consider. Evaluate how much a degree program will cost you every year you want to study and determine your affordability. Students must have a sound strategy for how long they must study to achieve their bachelor's degree and how much it will cost. 

Assess all your resources, from self-funding to student loans and scholarships to income from working — this will help you make an informed decision. 

Financial Support

Some aspiring industry professionals can self-fund their degree pathways. However, you must still ensure you can access financial support if necessary. Opt for a programme that provides scholarships and bursaries you can apply for. Access to these financial aid solutions is ideal for sudden economic hardship. 

Curriculum

Different advertising planning degrees cover various topics. For instance, some pathways may focus on fundamental concepts in public relations or advertising copywriting, whereas others explore branding and digital marketing. 

The advertising degree you choose must offer a curriculum you are interested in, making it easy for you to engage and learn the information covered. 

Practical Training 

Your degree programme must cover practical training, equipping you with hands-on skills and real-world experience. Employers prefer this approach because they know you can add value to their organisations. Choosing a degree that exposes you to practical skills may also be a fantastic opportunity to build industry connections and develop your networking skills. 

To work in advertising — or any other field of marketing — a bachelor's degree provides the perfect foundation, equipping you with all the skills and practical training you need to launch your career.

Aspiring individuals must have the skills employers desire, and you can complete our LIS short courses to improve your employability. At LIS, we provide all the resources and tools you need to gain valuable, interdisciplinary skills that you can transfer to any career in the future. We deliver hands-on training and allow students to land a job straight after graduation.

Ready to begin a career in advertising? Contact us today.