Key information
For:
starting September 2026
Typical offer:
Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification.
Showing content for section Overview
Overview
Refine your existing marketing knowledge to gain a full degree, while strengthening your skills in both traditional and digital marketing with this BA (Hons) Marketing Top-Up degree.
This degree is designed for those who have previously studied a related subject at higher education - such as completing two years of study on a bachelor's degree or HND course - and want to build on existing knowledge to convert previous learning into a full bachelor’s degree over one year.
You'll cover topics across product development, strategy and digital marketing, and have an opportunity to take part in our Business Consultancy Project, where you'll work in a consultancy team of four students to address a real business problem for a local organisation.
Further learn how to connect with customers, build strong brands and create effective marketing strategies. You'll also have opportunities throughout the year to gain hands-on experience, network with industry experts and apply your learning to real-world projects while learning how to promote ethical and sustainable practices.
Read more about our business and management researchBusiness and management studies at the University of Portsmouth is ranked 2nd of the modern universities by research power
Eligibility
Whether you are home, international or EU student you are more than welcome to join us to upskill. Perhaps if you are coming from abroad you would like to improve your business English? You will get the chance to immerse in the British culture and business etiquette.
This course is open to international, EU and UK students whose first language is not English. A key part of the course is improving your written and spoken business English.
Course highlights
- Build on your existing studies to further develop your understanding of marketing essentials including consumer behaviour and brand management
- Engage with real clients through our optional Business Consultancy Project, putting theory into practice during your assessments
- Benefit from guest lectures and networking events featuring marketing experts from diverse industries
- Learn from lecturers with practical industry experience who stay at the forefront of marketing trends and research
- Take part in authentic assessment rather than traditional exam based assessments, which will immerse you in real-world challenges that build practical, job-ready skills
- Flexible options in optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your areas of interest
Accreditation
No. 3
influential business school in the world
Financial Times Teaching Power Rankings 2021
Top 30
for student satisfaction
(Times Higher Education, 2024)
The University of Portsmouth has earned business accreditation from the AACSB in recognition of the outstanding quality of its business and management education. Less than six percent of the world's schools offering business degree programs hold AACSB business accreditation.
Portsmouth Business School is proud to hold the Small Business Charter (SBC) accreditation, awarded by the Chartered Association of Business Schools. This is awarded in recognition of our strong industry links and support for small businesses including providing students with entrepreneurship education and start up guidance.
Contact information
Contact AdmissionsClearing is open
Entry requirements
BA (Hons) Marketing (Top-Up) entry requirements
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Typical offers
- Relevant HE study leading to a Level 5 qualification, for example an appropriate HND, foundation degree or Advanced Diploma, or 240 credits from year 1 and year 2 of an undergraduate degree (BA/BSc), in a relevant subject.
You may need to have studied specific subjects or GCSEs - see full entry requirements and other qualifications we accept.
English language requirements
- English language proficiency at a minimum of IELTS band 6.0 with no component score below 5.5.
See alternative English language qualifications.
We also accept other standard English tests and qualifications, as long as they meet the minimum requirements of your course.
If you don't meet the English language requirements yet, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
We look at more than just your grades
While we consider your grades when making an offer, we also carefully look at your circumstances and other factors to assess your potential. These include whether you live and work in the region and your personal and family circumstances which we assess using established data.
Feel at home in our international community
Over 5,000 international students from over 150 countries study with us. You'll find clubs and societies for everything you can imagine.
In our welcoming and diverse city, you can enjoy a wide range of global cuisine and international food shops.
Explore student life in Portsmouth
Careers and opportunities
Ongoing career support – up to 5 years after you graduate
Get experience while you study, with support to find part-time jobs, volunteering opportunities, and work experience.
Towards the end of your degree and for up to five years after graduation, you’ll receive one-to-one support from our Careers and Employability Service to help you find your perfect role.
Ways to enrich your study
Entrepreneurs in Residence Programme (EiR)
We have over 20 experienced business entrepreneurs on our free EiR programme who can help you develop your business idea.
"I have a business idea, but I was not too sure about it. After this meeting, I felt so encouraged and positive about it! I felt so motivated to pursue my business venture. He gave me real life advice and helped me how to approach my ideas."
Rabab El Habchi Mahir meeting EiR Mark Smith
Modules
Each module on this course is worth a certain number of credits.
In each year, you need to study modules worth a total of 120 credits. For example, four modules worth 20 credits and one module worth 40 credits.
What you'll study
Core modules
Exploring the models and best practices related to ideation, development and launch, you’ll understand the processes that bring ideas to market.
Analysing factors from sustainability to globalisation, you’ll tackle the contemporary issues impacting development in the modern landscape. This module will equip you with understanding to give you a cutting edge in the jobs market.
With assessments focused on addressing real-world cases, you'll boost your strategic skills to manage initiatives smoothly from vision to rollout, leaving you prepared to champion disruption responsibly across industries ahead.
Explore how brands, communications and incentives can alter behaviours from sustainability to social justice.
With a focus on ethical issues, you'll evaluate tactics to encourage conscious consumption and civic action, and learn to develop hard-hitting campaigns that confront to some of society's most pressing challenges.
This module empowers you to pursue purpose as well as profit, and prepares you to use your marketing skills as a force for good.
Within a series of practical workshops, students will learn about key tools and technologies that can be used to engage an audience and how to identify, understand and evaluate key digital marketing metrics. Students then use this knowledge to critically evaluate a case study data set and make practical, responsible and ethical recommendations for the organisation.
This module has a strong practical focus and seeks to further develop cognitive, practical and transferrable digital marketing skills.
It addresses UoP Hallmarks 1, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10 and 11.
This module incorporates a Marketing Simulation game that allows you to test your marketing knowledge and compete with peers in groups to see who can most successfully run a business.
You'll use this opportunity to develop a strategic approach to planning business development and then reflect on the outcomes to build their understanding of marketing strategy.
Optional modules
You'll develop analytical abilities and critical thinking as you dive deep into an academic or industry topic. With structured support, such as workshops, seminars and 1:1 appointments, you'll formulate intriguing research questions, engage meaningfully with literature, and select appropriate methods.
This module cultivates an enterprising spirit as you tackle new territories beyond textbook learnings. The highlight is conceiving and executing your own investigation to derive impactful conclusions.
You'll reflect on each step while adhering to research ethics, ultimately producing a dissertation that demonstrates intellectual curiosity and creativity. Join us to showcase your passion through an inspiring piece of work!
Examples of past projects are: developing options for a bank for use of their banking halls for community financial education; creating a strategy for a facilities management firm to improve their marketing; helping a social enterprise to find ways to grow their user base with new service offerings.
You'll develop skills in teamwork, project management, design thinking and consultancy, and learn to practically apply business concepts from across your degree studies.
After an introduction to the organisation, your client will provide ongoing direction and guidance, and you'll be giving them regular progress updates. For most of the time, you'll be part of an independent, diverse team, managing priorities to achieve the project aims. You'll be supported throughout the module by your seminar tutor.
Much of your learning will be off-campus, meeting key stakeholders and conducting tasks such as customer surveys and interviews. We encourage an experimental and entrepreneurial approach, and you'll learn key skills in the seminars and online lectures. The coursework is a mix of 60% group work and 40% individual assessment.
You'll explore core concepts and tools as well as the ethical issues and digital dynamics shaping modern B2B strategy. Through guest lecturers and case studies, you'll discover how leading B2B brands engage networked partners and buyers.
You'll evaluate marketing tactics across the end-to-end customer journey, and formulate data-driven solutions tailored specifically to B2B marketing.
You'll finish this module with specialist knowledge to thrive in B2B marketing careers across tech, manufacturing and professional services.
Changes to course content
We use the best and most current research and professional practice alongside feedback from our students to make sure course content is relevant to your future career or further studies.
Therefore, some course content may change over time to reflect changes in the discipline or industry. If a module doesn't run, we'll let you know as soon as possible and help you choose an alternative module.
Teaching
Portsmouth Business School is ranked 3rd in the UK for teaching power. You'll be taught by a dedicated team of specialist staff that includes a great mix of research expertise and industry experience.
The majority of your timetabled teaching will be face-to-face and will include:
- lectures
- seminars
- tutorials
- workshops
- practical sessions
We pride ourselves on the academic support we offer our students. In addition to our dedicated teaching team, you'll have a personal tutor, student engagement officers and study support staff to help you throughout your studies.
Assessment
Your assessments will depend on the modules that you take.
Assessment methods are likely to include:
- analysis of topical case studies
- written reports
- essays
- presentations
- examinations
- group work
- your choice of independent research
How you'll spend your time
One of the main differences between studying at school or college and university is the level of control you have over your learning.
We use a blended learning approach, combining face-to-face teaching with independent study. You’ll take part in lectures, tutorials and lab sessions, alongside guided self‑study in your own time. Throughout your course, you’ll be supported by academic staff and our virtual learning environment, Moodle.
Most timetabled teaching takes place during the day, Monday to Friday. Optional field trips may include evening or weekend activities. There is usually no scheduled teaching on Wednesday afternoons.
A typical week
We recommend you spend at least 35 hours a week studying for this degree.
Your total study time will depend on the modules that you take, but in your first year this is what your week may look like:
- timetabled teaching activities (lectures, seminars, tutorials, classes and workshops) = about 15 hours a week
- independent study (research, reading, coursework and project work, alone or in a group) = about 20 hours a week
You'll probably do more independent study and have less scheduled teaching in years 2 and 3, but this depends on which modules you choose.
Term dates
The academic year runs from September to June. There are breaks at Christmas and Easter.
Types of support
Personal Tutor
Your personal tutor helps you make the transition to independent study and gives you academic and personal support throughout your time at university.
As well as regular scheduled meetings with your personal tutor, they're also available at set times during the week if you want to chat with them about anything that can't wait until your next meeting.
Learning Support Tutors
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- Improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- Delivering presentations (including observing and filming presentations)
- Understanding and using assignment feedback
- Managing your time and workload
- Revision and exam techniques
Student Success Advisors
These are the team that are your first point of call to help with any pastoral concerns and to link you in with all areas of university life; from help with your mental wellbeing to improving your attendance.
Lab Support
All our labs and practical spaces are staffed by qualified laboratory support staff. They’ll support you in scheduled lab sessions and can give you one-to-one help when you do practical research projects.
Maths Cafe
The Maths Cafe offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your mathematics skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
Support with English
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
You'll have help from a team of faculty learning support tutors. They can help you improve and develop your academic skills and support you in any area of your study.
They can help with:
- improving your academic writing (for example, essays, reports, dissertations)
- understanding and using assignment feedback
- managing your time and workload
- revision and exam techniques
During term time, Faculty Academic Skills Tutors (AST) are available for bookable 1-to-1 sessions, small group sessions and online sessions. These sessions are tailored to your needs.
Support is available for skills including:
- University study
- Getting into the right study mindset
- Note-taking and note-making skills
- Referencing
- Presentation skills
- Time management, planning, and goal setting
- Critical thinking
- Avoiding plagiarism
If you have a disability or need extra support, our Disability Advice team will give you help, support and advice.
You can access information on the personal, emotional and mental health support available to you from your college. They can help you understand the support available locally, as well as other support that might be available to you to help you engage with your studies and improve your wellbeing.
If you require extra support because of a disability or additional learning need, your partner college should be your first point of contact for arranging reasonable adjustments.
However, our University specialist team is also available to offer advice and guidance if needed. We can help you:
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Explore reasonable adjustments in collaboration with your partner college
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Liaise with other University services and facilities, such as the library
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Connect with external services where appropriate
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Provide advice and support on accessing the Disabled Student Allowance (DSA)
Library staff are available in person or by email, phone, or online chat to help you make the most of the University's library resources. You can also request one-to-one appointments and get support from librarians who specialise in your subject.
The library is open 24 hours a day, every day, in term time.
The Maths Café offers advice and assistance with mathematical skills in a friendly, informal environment. You can come to our daily drop-in sessions, develop your maths skills at a workshop or use our online resources.
If English isn't your first language, you can do one of our English language courses to improve your written and spoken English language skills before starting your degree. Once you're here, you can take part in our free In-Sessional English (ISE) programme to improve your English further.
Arrival support
Whether you're travelling halfway around the world or just a few miles, starting university can be nerve-wracking. Our airport pickup service, international orientation week events, and amazing support teams will help you settle in.
Course costs and funding
How we set our tuition fees
Fees for full-time and part-time undergraduate students from the UK and Channel Islands may increase each year, subject to conditions set by the UK or Channel Islands governments.
Fees for new international and EU undergraduate and postgraduate students (both full-time and part-time) will increase each year, based on factors such as inflation. For continuing students, fees will not increase by more than 5% per year.
For more information, please refer to our Tuition Fee Policy.
Tuition fees
- UK, Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,790 a year (may be subject to annual increase)
- EU students – £10,300 a year (including EU Scholarship – may be subject to annual increase)
- International students – £16,900 a year (subject to annual increase)
Please note, we’ll confirm 2027 course fees soon.
Funding your studies
Find out how to fund your studies, including the scholarships and bursaries you could get. You can also find more about tuition fees and living costs, including what your tuition fees cover.
Applying from outside the UK? Find out about funding options for international students.
Additional course costs
These course-related costs aren’t included in the tuition fees. So you’ll need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
Additional costs
Our accommodation section show your accommodation options and highlight how much it costs to live in Portsmouth.
You may have to read several recommended books or textbooks for each module. We endeavour to make all required books accessible online.
You can also borrow most of these online from the Library. If you buy these, they may cost up to £60 each.
We endeavour to be a paperless and sustainable university. As such, files and content is kept electronically on e-databases where possible. Most academics will print the paperwork if required. If you choose to print, photocopy, or bind your work, you may want to budget up to £30 a year for this.
Assignment submissions and dissertations are electronic.
If your course includes a major project, there could be cost for transport or accommodation related to your research activities. The amount will depend on the project you choose.
Apply
Note this course is a top-up degree, which means you'll start in year 2 or 3.
Ready to apply?
To start this course in 2026, apply through UCAS. You'll need:
- the UCAS course code – N502
- our institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
You can also sign up to an Open Day to:
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
To apply for BA (Hons) Marketing (Top-Up), you'll need the right UCAS code and our institution code.
- 1 year full-time course code – N502
- Institution code – P80
If you'd prefer to apply directly, use our online application form.
If you're new to the application process, read our guide on applying for an undergraduate course.
Open Days
- Tour our campus, facilities and halls of residence
- Speak with lecturers and chat with our students
- Get information about where to live, how to fund your studies and which clubs and societies to join
Admissions terms and conditions
When you accept an offer to study at the University of Portsmouth, you also agree to abide by our Student Contract (which includes the University's relevant policies, rules and regulations). You should read and consider these before you apply.