Choosing a Great Marketing Executive Degrees: How to Kickstart Your Career

Students who want to become marketing executives should love developing marketing strategies, working with individuals from all backgrounds, and being interested in digital marketing and advertising. 

At LIS, our interdisciplinary bachelor's degree programme gives students the skills and resources to launch careers in various industries, including marketing. Students will have access to practical training, lectures from industry experts, and opportunities to develop professional connections.

This guide explores a selection of great degree programmes for marketing executives and how LIS can help you excel in this field. 

Table of Contents

• The Role of a Marketing Executive
• Do I Need a Degree to Become a Marketing Executive
• Fantastic Degrees for  Marketing Executives
• Planning Your  Marketing Executive Career
• How to Choose the Right Marketing Executive Degree

A marketing executive works in a larger marketing team to design, develop, implement and monitor marketing campaigns to help organisations raise awareness about their products and services. 

These professionals outline the marketing materials and resources businesses need to launch successful campaigns and guide them more on a practical than a strategic level. 

Here are what professional marketing executives do daily:

• Contribute to marketing ideas.
• Conduct research and analyse data to identify market opportunities.
• Identify and stay ahead of marketing trends.
• Approve and oversee marketing plans.
• Monitor marketing budgets
• Manage social media campaigns

Marketing executives work in various marketing departments across diverse industries. These professionals should be passionate about conducting market research, managing social media channels, and finding unique marketing opportunities with companies. 

Some marketing executive jobs may require extensive experience instead of a degree. However, achieving a bachelor's degree increases your chances of securing a high-paying position and equips you with the skills you need to thrive in this field. 

Many experienced marketing executives also progress to earning a master's degree, which gives them an even better chance of working at top companies worldwide.

Bachelor degree programmes for marketing executives often cover topics such as:

• Market Research
• Market Communications
• Consumer Behaviour
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM)
• Public Relations (PR)
• Integrated Marketing Campaigns

Many more topics are covered by degrees for marketing executives to help them gain the skills and knowledge they need to excel in this field.

While finding degrees to become a marketing executive can be challenging, we've compiled a list of great degree programmes to get you started. 

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

The London Interdisciplinary School (LIS) offers the BASc degree, which requires three years of full-time study. Unlike traditional pathways, this degree takes an interdisciplinary approach to equipping students with critical skills in core areas. Students can gain a wide range of expertise, giving them complete flexibility and control over their careers.

Students will learn from lecturers who have come from a variety of disciplines –  from journalists and scientists to philosophers – and work alongside industry experts throughout their degree programmes. This approach exposes them to various perspectives and ideas, helping them develop critical thinking. LIS also offers summer internships to eligible students for a minimum of five weeks every year. 

Key Curriculum:

• Qualitative Methods 1A: Tools for investigating aspects of the world and interactions with people that can't be measured in numbers. 
• Qualitative Methods 1B: Explore visual language through information mapping, photography and videography. 
• Problems 2C: Learn to research independently, different methods of research and how to communicate professionally.
• Design Thinking: Study empathy mapping, prototyping and ideation, and how different design thinking principles are applied across industries.
• Visual and Creative Methods: Develop skills in camera, photogrammetry, archival practices, collage, and creative research, and learn to craft a visual narrative.
• Capstone Project: Students can choose a topic they are most passionate about and demonstrate their problem-solving skills through independent research. 

Fees:

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

‍Financial Aid:

• Financial support bursary: This bursary provides eligible students with annual financial assistance of between £1,000 and £7,000 toward their degree.
• Income from internships: Students who have an internship and earn at least the London Living Wage can apply for financial support. 
• Hardship grants: Students who face unexpected economic challenges may be eligible for a hardship grant. 

Key Takeaways:

• In contrast to traditional degree programmes, the BASc degree covers interdisciplinary skills, which helps students excel in various fields.
• There are opportunities to complete an industry and gain real-world experience.
• LIS provides career and well-being resources to make it easier to find a job after graduation. 

Marketing and Management – Durham University

Durham University offers the Marketing and Management degree programme, which requires three years of full-time study. This pathway combines contemporary marketing trends with business management practices to help students become marketing executives. During the first year, students will cover foundational concepts in advertising, consumer behaviour, financial information, and creative strategy.

There is also an opportunity to study for a fourth year and complete a work placement abroad. Work placements allow students to gain real-world experience, expand their professional network and earn a salary. 

Key Curriculum:

• Introduction to Advertising
• Managing Behaviour and Organisations
• Integrated Marketing Communications
• Marketing Research

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £29,500 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Durham Inspired North East Scholarships: Qualifying students from specific regions in North East England can receive £4,000 per academic year, paid directly to them. 
• Durham University Military Scholarships: Former military members wounded or injured in service may be eligible for £5,000.00 per academic year. 
• Glaister Northern Scholarships: Applicants from the North East of England with household incomes lower than  £42,875 can apply for £4,000.00 per academic year, which will be paid directly to their tuition and residential costs. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are many bursaries and scholarships available for UK and international students.
• Students can complete a work placement for practical experience and industry connections.
• This programme covers various learning methods, such as lectures, hands-on workshops and one-on-one support. 

Marketing Management - BA (Hons) Degree – Cardiff Metropolitan University

This Marketing Management BA degree from Cardiff Metropolitan University is a three-year course. If students don't satisfy the entry requirements for this programme, they can opt to study for four years and complete a foundation year. The foundation course enables students to gain the knowledge and confidence they need to excel in a marketing management programme.

Cardiff Metropolitan University takes a student-centric approach, using various teaching methods, such as lectures, seminars and practical workshops. A key component of this programme is that students will learn marketing management alongside business experts and industry leaders. 

Key Curriculum:

• Introduction to Marketing
• Stakeholder Behaviour
• Digital Media for Marketers
• International and Global Marketing

Fees:

• The tuition fees for home-paying and international students have yet to be disclosed.

Financial Aid:

• ​Carers Bursary: Home-fee-paying students who perform unpaid care for a friend or family member can apply for a £1000 cash reward. 
• ​Study Life Award: Qualifying students with lower household incomes than £30,000 may receive £950 annually.
• ​Care Leavers and Estranged Student's Bursary: Eligible students from a care background recognised as estranged can apply for a £1000 bursary. 

Key Takeaways:

• A foundation year is available for students who still need to meet the entry requirements.
• Students have ample opportunities to develop practical skills and industry connections.
• Cardiff Metropolitan University offers scholarships and bursaries to help students fund their studies. 

Business Management with Marketing BA – University of Leeds

The University of Leeds offers the Business Management with Marketing BA for aspiring marketing executives. This is a three-year full-time degree, and the courses follow a modular structure requiring students to shape their pathway through pathway, discovery and pathway modules. During the first year of their programmes, students will gain a foundational knowledge of marketing, focusing on the basics of this field.

This pathway offers many teaching methods, including seminars, workshops, lectures, and tutorials. Students will complete their studies independently through the online virtual learning environment. They will also work alongside industry professionals and postgraduate researchers. 

Key Curriculum:

• Accounting Practices
• Organisational Behaviour and Entrepreneurship
• Corporate Social Responsibility 
• Promotional Management

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £28,250 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Dean's Excellence Business School Undergraduate UK Scholarships: Up to 15 half-fee scholarships are available for UK applicants. 
• Sanctuary Scholarship: This university offers scholarships to forced migrants to the UK. 
• Personal Circumstance Scholarship: Qualifying students with household incomes below £42,875 a year can apply for financial assistance. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are many scholarships and bursaries available for local and international students.
• There are no work placement or work abroad opportunities available.
• Students who prefer independent studying would enjoy this course. 

Marketing Management BA Honours – University of Westminster

The Marketing Management BA Honours degree programme by the University of Westminster requires three years of full-time study. Students can opt for a four-year programme and complete a work placement in various SMEs and world-class organisations. These companies include Heinz, Disney UK and British Airways. There are also opportunities for students to complete one year of studying abroad.

This university also provides lectures from industry experts, such as IBM, Coca-Cola, LinkedIn and Tableau speakers. Students can also expand their practical knowledge through live client briefs, customer research and analytical skills. 

Key Curriculum:

• Digital Marketing Essentials
• Employment and Academic Skills  
• Consumer Behaviour for Marketers
• Marketing Communications

Fees:

• £9,250 / a year for home students
• £17,000 / a year for international students

Financial Aid:

• Undergraduate Excellence Award: International students with an excellent academic record can apply for £2,500. 
• Care Leaver Bursary: Local students leaving local authority care may be eligible for a £1,000 cash reward. 
• University of Westminster scholarships: Qualifying international students can apply for financial support based on financial need, academic excellence and development potential. 

Key Takeaways:

• There are many scholarships and bursaries available for local and international students.
• Students can work alongside expert marketing executives in various world-renowned organisations.
• There are many opportunities to develop practical experience. 

Planning your marketing executive career is helpful to ensure you maximise your job prospects and get ahead of the competition. Here are the top skills you need to become a marketing executive and the job outlook. 

Essential Skills for Marketing Executives

Whether you're hoping for a job in a multinational company or your local marketing agency, it's critical to have the skills employers seek, such as:

• Project Management: Marketing executives supervise marketing teams to achieve project objectives and meet deadlines. 
• Search Engine Optimisation (SEO): Executives must understand how to implement SEO campaigns and help businesses achieve organic visibility. 
• Critical Thinking: Professionals will use this skill to evaluate the success of marketing campaigns and identify opportunities for awareness. 
• Content Marketing: Marketing executives must understand how to use content to connect with target audiences and develop content marketing campaigns that help businesses achieve their goals. 
• Social Media Marketing: Social media platforms are critical for brands to reach and engage with their target buyers, making it an imperative skill for marketing executives. 
• Customer Relationship Management (CRM): Although not all executives might interact one-on-one with customers, CRM is still a critical skill for these professionals to develop and maintain client relationships when necessary. 

Average Salary for Marketing Executives

The average salary for marketing executives in the UK is £31,447. Entry-level professionals typically earn around £29,341 per annum, while individuals with experience can increase their earnings to £34,257. 

Will the Marketing Executive Jobs Market Grow?

The UK offers very promising job growth for marketing-related occupations. Between 2023 and 2033, these professions will grow by 8%, with salaries expected to rise by 2.6% from 2024. 

Students must keep up with this rapid job growth and have competitive skills, practical experience, and a bachelor's degree to stand out in the job market. 

Picking the correct marketing executive degree for your career can be challenging. We can help you make the best choice by outlining the top factors to consider before choosing a programme. 

Evaluate Your Budget

Evaluating your budget to understand how much tuition you can afford is essential. Degree programmes are expensive, and you need a foolproof plan to fund your studies without putting yourself under financial strain. Financial stress can take focus away from your programme and make it harder to progress. 

To avoid this, calculate your tuition, accommodation, and living costs for the entire duration of your programme. Ensure you can afford these expenses and how you plan to achieve this. 

Check Your Eligibility for Financial Aid

Aspiring marketing executives must check their eligibility for financial aid. Even if you can self-fund your entire programme, it's best to have access to as many economic resources as possible. This approach will make it less financially challenging to complete your degree programme. 

Some students are fortunate enough to receive scholarships and have their entire degree funded. Others may be eligible for small cash contributions toward their tuition fees, but either option makes a positive difference. 

Prioritise Practical Training

Employers want to see you have the practical experience to become a marketing manager or executive. Opt for a degree programme that exposes you to work on real-world strategies and helps you understand what professionals in this field do on a day-to-day basis. 

Some degree programmes provide practical training such as internships, work placements, workshops and projects. Ensure the pathway you opt for offers these training opportunities. 

Pursue Your Interests and Passions

Whether you want to become a freelance marketing consultant, work in voluntary and charitable organisations, or excel in marketing agencies, choose a degree programme that aligns with your interests and passions. It's vital that your degree pathway engages you and excites you. 

You will invest a lot of time and money into your programme, so it is essential to choose a path that supports your career goals. 

Begin Your Marketing Career Journey at LIS

A career as a marketing executive is ideal for those who want to help businesses create awareness and sales for their products and services. While many professionals opt for the self-learning route to launch a career in this field, getting a bachelor's degree offers a solid foundation for future success.

At LIS, we deliver all the resources students need to launch successful careers as marketing executives. Our interdisciplinary bachelor's degree provides students with valuable skills in core areas. They can use this expertise to succeed in many other fields beyond marketing.

Ready to start your marketing executive career? Contact LIS.