Full Time: 3 Years
We live in a consumer-driven society. This BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing course enables you to understand how consumers think, and how this is essential to marketing and the formulation of policy.
It was one of the first of its kind in the UK, bringing together the disciplines of consumer behaviour, business and marketing, applied psychology and applied economics. You will be taught by world-leading specialists, including strong collaborations with staff from the departments of Psychology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Henley Buisness School. While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry.
The University of Reading is ranked 16th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2020). While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry.
An important part of the degree is a consumer-based market research project. You will work in groups alongside a real-life commercial or public sector client to develop a research proposal to address their business challenges. You will also work on a large-scale individual project conducting applied research.
In the final year, your dissertation enables you to study an area that you’re passionate about. Recent dissertations have discussed consumer behaviour and marketing in relation to brands, globalisation, sport, viral advertising, gender, binge drinking, computer games, cosmetics, fashion, product placement, technology and food.
Placement
If you would like to complete a placement year between the second and final year, either in the UK or abroad, you should consider studying BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing with Placement Year. Organisations are increasingly looking to employ graduates with a comprehensive set of relevant knowledge and skills and this course offers an ideal opportunity to gain or build on existing experience. Recent students have undertaken placements with companies such as BMW, Microsoft, Disney, L’Oréal and LoveFilm.
While on placement, our students have undertaken activities as varied as conducting social media competitor analysis, brand development and working on developing communications strategies and sales. Successful selection for industrial placement is dependent on an excellent academic record as well as evidence of a high level of motivation.
Typical offer A Level BBB | IB 30 points overall
What will you study?
How much will it cost?
New UK/EU students: £9,250* per year
New international students: £17,320 per year
* UK and EU fee changes
UK undergraduate fees are regulated by the government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK and EU** students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
From 2020, the UK government may link tuition fees to the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF).
**EU students
For more information on fees, loans and grants for EU students, see fees and funding for home/EU students.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Additional costs
These course fees cover the cost of your tuition. Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK and other EU countries may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
What career can you have?
This degree can lead to jobs in consumer marketing, branding, advertising and communications, customer services, public relations and market research sectors.
Potential employers include business consultancy and market research agencies, advertising and media companies, multinational/domestic food manufacturing companies, automotive companies, mobile telecommunications, beauty and personal products companies, financial institutions, retailers of all types, trade and consumer organisations, food industry organisations, government/civil service/trade bodies, and health and social services.
Employers of our graduates include Mars, Waitrose, Microsoft, Mercedes, Unilever and Disney.