Marketing with Placement Year

Marketing is the practice and study of connecting organisations with the people they serve, combining analysis of markets, consumer behaviour, and competitive dynamics with the creative development of brands, campaigns, and customer relationships. In a world reshaped by digital technology, social media, and the increasing expectation of personalised and sustainable business practice, marketing has evolved into a discipline that demands both strategic thinking and hands-on technical skill. Marketers need to understand data, manage brands across multiple platforms, develop content that resonates with diverse audiences, and align their activities with broader social and environmental values that are increasingly important to consumers and regulators alike.

At York St John University, this four-year full-time programme includes a foundation year and a placement year, making the course accessible to students from a wider range of prior educational backgrounds while also ensuring that you graduate with substantial professional experience. The foundation year builds the analytical and academic skills needed for degree-level study, and across the main degree you will develop a core understanding of the marketing function alongside the role that organisations play in society. You will study digital marketing, consumer psychology, brand management, sustainable marketing strategy, market research, and the global dimensions of contemporary marketing, developing both the strategic conceptual frameworks and the practical skills that professional marketing roles require.

A year abroad adds the international perspective that global marketing careers increasingly demand.

Graduates enter careers across marketing, communications, digital media, and brand management in organisations of every size and sector. Common roles include marketing executive, brand manager, digital marketing specialist, social media manager, content strategist, market research analyst, and account manager. The placement year is a significant advantage in the graduate job market, with many graduates finding their first professional role through their placement organisation.

Postgraduate study in marketing, digital marketing, or business administration provides a route to further specialist development for those who wish to move into senior marketing leadership roles.