BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing
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UCAS code
CN85 -
A level offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry -
Course duration
Full Time: 3 Years
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Year of entry
2024/25 See 2023/24 entry -
Course duration
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 specialists, including strong collaborations with staff from Henley Business School.
The University of Reading is ranked 14th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2024). While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry.
In the final year, you will have the option of completing a marketing consultancy project linked to a live organisation, or an applied independent research project in an area that you're passionate about. Recent projects have explored consumer behaviour and marketing in relation to brands, globalisation, sport, viral advertising, gender, binge drinking, computer games, cosmetics, fashion, product placement, technology and food.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.
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 Samsung.
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.
For more information, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.
Overview
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 specialists, including strong collaborations with staff from Henley Business School.
The University of Reading is ranked 14th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2024). While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry.
In the final year, you will have the option of completing a marketing consultancy project linked to a live organisation, or an applied independent research project in an area that you're passionate about. Recent projects have explored consumer behaviour and marketing in relation to brands, globalisation, sport, viral advertising, gender, binge drinking, computer games, cosmetics, fashion, product placement, technology and food.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.
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 Samsung.
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.
For more information, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select Reading as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the University of Reading’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1A28 | Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects | DR Nick Bardsley |
AP1EC1 | Consumer Psychology | MS Sandra Preciado |
AP1EE4 | The Economic Environment | DR Cherry Law |
AP1EM2 | The Fundamentals of Business and Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AP1EQ5 | Research and Professional Skills for Business and Marketing | DR Elena Millan |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP1EF2 | The Food Business | DR Daniele Asioli |
AR1FOR | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death | DR Gundula Müldner |
AR1FOR10 | Forensic Anthropology and the Archaeology of Death [10 credit] | DR Gundula Müldner |
CL1G1 | Ancient Greek 1 | PROF Amy Smith |
CL1L1 | Latin 1 (C) | MRS Jackie Baines |
EC110 | The Economics of Climate Change | DR Stefania Lovo |
FT1ATF | Approaches to Film | DR Adam O'Brien |
FT1ATP | Analysing Theatre and Performance | DR Matt McFrederick |
FT1CSS | Comedy on Stage and Screen | DR Tonia Kazakopoulou |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | MS Joan McCormack |
ML1IL | Introduction to Linguistics | PROF Federico Faloppa |
MM1F10 | Student Enterprise | DR Lebene Soga |
MT11C | Introduction to Meteorology | DR Miguel Teixeira |
MT1CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1ICD | Introduction to Contemporary Democracy | DR Kiwi Ting |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1IRS | Politics: International Relations and Strategic Studies | DR Amanda Hall |
PP1ML | The Meaning of Life | DR Luke Elson |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Katie Barfoot |
TY1WTF | What the font? Making and using typefaces | DR Rob Banham |
TY1WTF10 | What the font? Making and using typefaces (10 credits) | DR Matthew Lickiss |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP2SB2 | Financial Management | DR Sanzidur Rahman |
AR2F17 | Forensic Archaeology and Crime Scene Analysis | PROF Mary Lewis |
AR2M8 | Medieval Europe: power, religion and death | DR Gabor Thomas |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Christa Gray |
CL2AEL | Ancient Egyptian Language and Hieroglyphs | PROF Rachel Mairs |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Emma Aston |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF David Carter |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
ED2TS1 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 1 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | MRS Suzanne Portch |
LS2LNM | Language and New Media | PROF Rodney Jones |
ML2GF | Science, perversion, and dream in global fantastic literature | DR Alice Christensen |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Lebene Soga |
MT2CC | The Science of Climate Change | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2MIR | Modern International Relations | DR Joseph O' Mahoney |
PO2PWS | Politics of the Welfare State | DR Christoph Arndt |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Alice Baderin |
PP2EA1 | Ethical Argument 1: Philosophy and How to Live | DR Luke Elson |
PP2GP1 | Global Philosophy 1 | MISS Michela Bariselli |
PP2HKW1 | Hume, Kant, and Wittgenstein 1 | DR Sev.J. Schroeder |
PP2IDR1 | Ignorance, Doubt, and Relativism 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2MM1 | Meaning and the Mind 1 | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PP2OID1 | Oppression, Inequality, and the Enemies of Democracy 1 | DR Charlotte Newey |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP3EC3 | Contemporary Issues in Consumer Behaviour and Marketing | DR Daniele Asioli |
AP3EM1 | Marketing Strategy | MR Nick Walker |
AP3EM3 | Advertising and Branding | MR Edward Collins |
AP3EP4 | Consumer Policy | MR Nick Walker |
AP3EX3 | Consumer Research Group Project 2 | MR Nick Walker |
AP3EX5 | Independent Research Project | DR Anna Macready |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AP3A64 | Human Resource Management | MS Rebecca Jerrome |
AP3EB1 | Business Strategy | MR Edward Collins |
AP3EB3 | Supply Chain Management | DR Giacomo Zanello |
AP3EC2 | Consumer Attitudes | DR Giuseppe Nocella |
ED3TS3 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 3 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | DR Caroline Foulkes |
FB3NGLA | Genes, Lifestyle and Nutrition | DR Vimal Karani |
GV3CC | Climate Change | PROF Maria Shahgedanova |
GV3ESM | Ecosystems Modelling | DR Shovonlal Roy |
GV3TRC | Tropical Rainforests, Climate & Lost Civilisations | PROF Frank Mayle |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
LW3CRY | Criminology | PROFESSOR Jo Phoenix |
ML3IC | Identity and Conflict in Modern Europe | DR Athena Leoussi |
ML3LP | Language and Power | PROF Federico Faloppa |
MM302 | Entrepreneurial Project | DR Matteo Borghi |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3USF | US Foreign and Defence Policy since 1950 | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
PY3ACT | Adaptive Control of Thought | PROF Philip Beaman |
PY3AV | Active Vision | DR Eugene McSorley |
PY3BE | Behavioural Economics | DR Rachel McCloy |
PY3MPO | Motivation and Performance in Organisations | DR Amanda Branson |
PY3MS | Memory and the Self: Past, Present and Future | PROF Judith Ellis |
PY3TSP | Topics in Social Psychology | DR Emma Pape |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: £9,250
New international students: £22,350
UK/Republic of Ireland fee changes
UK/Republic of Ireland undergraduate tuition fees are regulated by the UK government. These fees are subject to parliamentary approval and any decision on raising the tuition fees cap for new UK students would require the formal approval of both Houses of Parliament before it becomes law.
EU student fees
With effect from 1 August 2021, new EU students will pay international tuition fees. For exceptions, please read the UK government’s guidance for EU students.
Additional costs
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 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.
Careers
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 and digital communications, 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 have included Mars, Waitrose, Microsoft, Mercedes, Unilever and Disney.