Keen to study a marketing course? From professional certifications to postgraduate diplomas, there are plenty of options available. But with so many courses to choose from, how do you decide which one is right for you?

Read on as we share our beginner’s guide to studying marketing.

If you’ve already studied A levels or you have some experience in a marketing related role, a bachelor’s degree could be a good option for you. You’ll learn how to develop brands, how to communicate the value of their products and how to implement successful marketing campaigns.  

Because marketing is a business-focused subject, most degree courses require a combination of creativity and analytical skills. Opt for a BA and you’ll find that the focus is on marketing communications and creativity, whereas BSc programmes emphasise the quantitative, analytical side of marketing.

Marketing is a hands-on subject, so your course is likely to be delivered via a mix of lectures, case studies and group projects. You’ll study a variety of topics, including:

While entry requirements for marketing degree courses do vary, you’ll generally need several A levels or some equivalent level 3 qualifications. English, media studies and business are  considered to be particularly relevant subjects.

If you find a degree course you’re interested in, it’s worth checking out whether it’s part of the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Graduate Gateway Programme. This allows students on some marketing courses to gain a professional qualification or award while they study. They may also gain exemptions from some CIM modules.

Every marketing degree covers offline and online marketing, but if you’re passionate about all things digital, why not take a digital marketing degree? This will give you the opportunity to gain specialist skills in website marketing, social media marketing, Pay-per-Click, search engine optimisation and email marketing.

If you need to fit your studies around your job or family, you could consider taking an online marketing degree. As well as allowing you to study at your own pace, these programmes tend to have more flexible entry requirements, particularly if you have some marketing experience.

When it comes to finding your first job, your career options include working for an in-house marketing department or joining a marketing agency. Alternatively, you could opt for one of the marketing graduate schemes that are run by established companies such as BT, KPMG, Virgin Media and L’Oreal. This is a great way to gain access to extra support and training.

Already graduated? Then you’re qualified to apply for an MSc or MA in marketing, even if your degree isn’t related to the subject. However, unless you have several years of work experience in a related field, you will need at least a 2:2.

Master’s degrees tend to cover more specialised areas of marketing such as public relations, branding and identity or marketing management, but there are some more general courses on offer. For example, the Institute of Data and Marketing runs an online postgraduate diploma which covers digital enterprise, strategy, campaign finance, digital channels and more.

If you’re new to marketing or your job involves a few marketing responsibilities, professional marketing courses are a great option, as they allow you to develop your skills in stages, gaining qualifications as you go. There are a wide range of courses available from level 3 to level 7 (postgraduate), and most of them can be delivered online or in class. Here are some examples.

Available to study online, University of Essex’s marketing courses range from entry-level awards to postgraduate level diplomas. Entry requirements are based on experience, rather than academic qualifications.

If you take one of the CIM’s module-based courses, you’ll receive an internationally recognised qualification from the UK’s leading professional marketing body. Available online and in class, the CIM’s entry requirements include experience and relevant qualifications.

We hope our guide has armed you with the knowledge you need to choose the right marketing qualification.

Ready to start looking? Then check out our full selection of top quality marketing courses!