Bournemouth University

What you'll study

This degree develops practical marketing communications skills alongside an understanding of social change theory, behaviour change techniques and ethical practice. Across the course you will explore how communication campaigns can influence attitudes and behaviours to address issues such as public health, environmental sustainability, social justice and community engagement.

Typical study areas include:

• Foundations of marketing and communications – principles of branding, consumer behaviour and integrated marketing communications.
• Social change theory and behaviour change – models of behaviour, public health promotion, community mobilisation and social norms.
• Research and insight – qualitative and quantitative research methods, audience segmentation and evaluation techniques for campaign effectiveness.
• Digital and creative practice – digital content creation, social media strategy, storytelling, design for impact and multimedia production.
• Campaign planning and evaluation – brief development, strategy, budgeting, implementation and impact assessment, including ethical considerations.
• Professional practice and live briefs – industry-facing projects, client work with charities and public-sector partners, and opportunities for placements.

The programme is typically structured over three years full-time, with an option to take a placement or sandwich year between years two and three to gain extended professional experience. Assessment is a mix of practical projects, portfolios, presentations, essays and a final major project or campaign.

Entry requirements

Bournemouth University welcomes applicants with a range of qualifications. Typical entrants hold completed secondary qualifications such as A-levels, BTECs, Scottish Highers, or international equivalents, and applicants with relevant vocational experience are considered.

Applicants should demonstrate good written and verbal communication skills and an interest in social issues and communications practice. International students will need to demonstrate proficiency in English through recognised qualifications or testing, and all applicants may be asked to submit a personal statement outlining relevant experience and motivation for studying social-change communications.

Career prospects

Graduates move into roles where marketing and communications skills are applied to social purpose, including:

• Campaign or communications officer roles in charities, NGOs and public-sector organisations
• Social marketing and behaviour-change practitioner positions
• Corporate social responsibility (CSR) and sustainability communications
• Community engagement and development roles
• Digital content and social media strategy for cause-led organisations
• Consultancy and research roles focused on evaluation and impact measurement

Many students also progress to postgraduate study in related fields such as public health, sustainability, social policy or advanced marketing and communications. Industry-relevant projects, placement options and a portfolio of creative work support graduate employability in both the third sector and mission-driven departments within private and public organisations.

Why study at Bournemouth University

Bournemouth University has a strong reputation for professional-focused teaching and media-related practice. The programme draws on the university's applied learning approach, emphasising live briefs, client-facing projects and opportunities to work with local and national organisations on real-world social-change campaigns.

Students benefit from specialist facilities for digital content and media production, dedicated support for placements and careers, and a teaching approach that integrates academic research with industry practice. The course also encourages interdisciplinary collaboration across areas such as health, sustainability and the creative industries, helping you build a rounded skill set for working on pressing social challenges.