Advertising

BA (Hons) Combined

By learning to use the theories and strategies that underpin all successful advertising campaigns through work on 'live' briefs for real clients, the Warrington-based Advertising programme helps you to develop your creative potential in order to generate powerful and persuasive messages.

Campus Warrington
Course BA (Hons) Combined
Length 3 Years Full-time
Start date September 2012

Why study Advertising?

Advertising is one of the most influential sources of creative ideas in popular culture. The storytelling techniques developed for advertising have changed the way we look at - and the way we find meaning in - everything around us.

Combining a critical examination of the impact of advertising messages with practical projects that develop 'hands-on' creative skills, the BA Advertising programme will prepare you for a rewarding career in advertising, brand management, corporate communications and/or public relations.

Features:

In most other universities, the subject of advertising is taught as either a sub-discipline of marketing (supplemented by instruction in graphic design), or as a specialised application of graphic design (supplemented by instruction in business and/or marketing strategy). To prepare our graduates for the demands of the market, we offer an alternative to this traditional curriculum and explore the subject of advertising as a corporate activity, as visual and digital communication, and as a form of social narrative.

Sucess in the advertising and branding industries depends on the ability to develop powerful narratives - but too few advertising programmes adequately address this important feature in their curricula. The BA Advertising programme team at the University of Chester are unique in their evident commitment to enable students to develop these essential skills - and I am pleased to be a part of this.     Tim Sharp, Creative Director - Uniform

Next: Modules

Programme Structure:

Year One

Advertising Theory I

The principles, strategies and practices of advertising and its role within a modern marketing plan, with particular emphasis on branding and corporate communications. (includes a major advertising project for a 'live' client)

Digital Media in Advertising I

Digital technologies and the 'digital toolbox' for the design of attractive websites and advertising artefacts.

Communication

Strategies for communicating ideas and meaning in a wide range of professional documents, situations and formats.

 

Year Two

Advertising Theory II

Continued examination of the strategies and practices of design - relying on many ‘live' briefs for advertising and corporate communications projects.

Digital Media in Advertising II

Advanced multimedia and design skills to for the modern communications media.

Advertising and Society

A critical investigation of advertising and the media on our perception of information and its implications for the individual and society.

Photography and Visual Communication

The use of advanced 2D visual communication techniques to design powerful images and narratives.

Experiential Learning in Design - or - Work-Based Learning

Six-week professional placement to gain practical experience in the application of acquired skills and to build an impressive portfolio of diverse advertising materials.

Year Three

Advertising Campaign Project

Students undertake the design, planning and execution of a complete advertising campaign, including all aspects of client relations and project management. (a year-long project)

Dissertation

A formal, academic dissertation on a subject of the student's choice.

Creative Practice in Advertising

Building on previous learning and experiences acquired from the programme, students will extend their capacity to generate ideas, concepts, proposals and solutions and to critically assess the quality of their ideas to advanced corporate communication briefs.

Innovative Practices for Corporate Communication

Advanced practices in the fastest-growing areas of advertising and corporate communications.

Next: Assessment

Assessment methods include in-class exercises, descriptive and/or critical writing assignments, individual creative projects/artefacts, reflective journals, individual and group practical projects and personal development planning. There is only one exam in the three years of the programme (in the first-year module Advertising Theory I).

Next: Careers

Advertising (including Creative Design and/or Account Management), Brand Management, Commercial Design, Corporate Communications (for the private, public, international or non-profit sectors), Digital Media, Marketing, Public Relations.

Next: Entry requirements

Combined Honours Advertising

UCAS points: A minimum of 240 - 280 UCAS points or equivalent
BTEC: BTEC National Diploma/Certificate: merit/distinction profile
Irish/Scottish Highers: B in 4 subjects
International Baccalaureate: 26 points
QAA: QAA recognised Access to HE Diploma, Open College Units or Open University Credits
OCR: OCR National Extended/Diploma: merit/distinction profile
Extra Information:

The Advanced Diploma: acceptable on its own

Welsh Baccalaureate (core) will be recognised in our tariff offer.  
Beginning: Overview

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