Foundation Degree (FdA) - Advertising and Marketing Communications

This new two-year programme, which has been specially devised in conjunction with staff at the University of Bedfordshire, is designed to cater for the needs of two quite distinct groups of people:

1. Individuals who wish to study full-time for a foundation degree that will prepare them for a stimulating career within the broad areas of Advertising and Marketing where employment prospects are growing both locally and nationally.

2. Employees who are currently responsible for many aspects of marketing communications in their places of work. In the SME context one person may have to perform a number of functions, in larger organisations an individual may have a more specialist job title. Both categories of employees will benefit greatly from the course.

The course is composed of a number of business modules covering such key areas as finance and data analysis, but most of the modules have a marketing emphasis e.g. Marketing Research and Understanding the Customer. What makes this foundation unique, however, is the way that it integrates graphics and design modules, such that its graduates not only have an understanding of all aspects of advertising and marketing communications, they have developed the practical skills to enable them to design brochures, posters and flyers to promote their businesses. This ambitious goal is achieved through the assessment of a significant proportion of workbased activity. To support this work-based element, both full and part-time learners will be visited on a regular basis by their College tutor.

Full-time students will undertake an 8 week work placement at the end of their first year of study and this will enable them to both experience and appreciate the variety of future career roles open to them, while at the same time undertaking some real-life project work for their course. For learners in full-time employment, a significant proportion of their assessed work will be based upon everyday activity that is generated directly within the individual’s regular work schedule.

Course Modules
Year 1:
• Personal, Professional and Academic Development
• Advertising Practice
• Principles of Marketing
• Business Environment
• Introduction to Business Finance
• Analysing Business Data
• Advertising Development and Production Methods
• Understanding the Customer

Year 2
• Marketing Research
• Advertising Theory and Practice
• Media and Direct Marketing
• Design for Effective Communication
• Design in Practice
• Advertising Project Planning
• Brand Management and New Product Development
• Professional Development for Marketing.

Progression
Successful learners will able to “top up” by joining the BA (Hons) Advertising and Marketing Communications course at the University of Bedfordshire. Other “top-up” routes may be available, largely depending upon the individual learner’s aptitude.

Entry Requirements
• Applicants need to be at least 18 years old
• All applicants will be invited to attend an informal interview to demonstrate their ability to cope with the rigours of the programme
• Evidence of study post-16 will be required, however exceptions may be made for mature applicants.

Assessment
A wide range of teaching techniques will employed and the assessment methods will be very innovative.

Start date
September.

Duration
Two years for both full-time and part-time modes. Each academic year is composed of two 15-week semesters. For part-time study attendance for 2006/7 (as a guide only): Mon 1400-2100 or Mon and Wed 1800-2100.

How to apply
Potential full-time students should apply via UCAS in the normal way. Part-time learners should apply directly to Dunstable College.

Codes for full-time applications
University of Bedfordshire course code: N592
University of Bedfordshire Institution code: B22
Institution name: BEDS

Code for part-time applications:
22941 D16MA for Mondays daytime or 22941 E16MA for Monday and Wednesday evenings.