We welcome applications from the United States of America
We've put together information and resources to guide your application journey as a student from the United States of America.
Overview
Top reasons to study with us
8
8th for Marketing
The Complete University Guide (2026)
8
8th for graduate prospects for Marketing and PR
The Guardian University Guide (2025)
10
10th for Marketing and PR
The Guardian University Guide (2025)
This course is available for direct entry into Year 2 only.
Who is the course for?
Application to the 2-year BSc Marketing Management degree programme is primarily for students from institutions with an appropriate partnership agreement. Under these agreements, the equivalent of Year 1 will be studied at one of our partner universities.
It also provides an opportunity for students on Lancaster University's BSc Business Management or BSc International Management degrees to switch to a marketing programme after their first year.
For other students who have completed the equivalent of Year 1 at university and wish to transfer their degree to Lancaster, eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Are you ready to step into the exciting world of marketing and develop the skills needed to shape the future of business? BSc Marketing Management (Year 2 Entry) is a comprehensive and engaging degree designed for students who have completed the equivalent of Year 1 at another institution. This direct entry course allows you to dive straight into advanced marketing studies, equipping you with the knowledge and expertise required to succeed in this dynamic field.
With Lancaster University’s strong reputation for academic excellence, you’ll gain a prestigious qualification that opens doors to exciting career opportunities in the world of marketing.
Why study marketing at Lancaster?
Marketing is an essential function in every organisation, from global brands to innovative startups. In this course, you will explore the vital role marketing plays in business success, while developing a deep understanding of key topics such as:
Brand Strategy: Learn how to build and manage powerful brands that connect with consumers and stand the test of time.
Digital Marketing: Stay ahead of the curve by mastering the latest tools and techniques used in today’s digital marketing landscape.
Consumer Behaviour: Explore the role of consumption in society and develop a more in-depth understanding of consumer decisions and their associated behaviour.
Throughout your studies, you will also examine ethical issues surrounding marketing, such as social responsibility, data privacy and sustainability, preparing you to approach the industry’s challenges with a responsible and forward-thinking mindset.
Prepare for real-world success
We believe in preparing our students for real-world challenges. The BSc Marketing Management degree combines theoretical learning with practical applications, helping you develop the critical thinking and problem-solving skills that employers value. You will work on collaborative projects, engage in discussions on current marketing trends, and learn from experienced faculty who are deeply connected to the marketing industry.
This degree will help you understand the "how" and the "why" behind marketing decisions. By studying marketing's key functions within an organisation, you’ll be ready to contribute meaningfully to any business, whether in a strategic role or a creative position.
Lancaster is ranked 8th in the UK and in the 48th globally for Marketing according to the QS World Rankings by Subject 2025, one of nine subjects at Lancaster to be featured in the top 100 in these prestigious listings.
Features of the BSc Marketing Management (Year 2 Entry) course you should know about:
Direct entry to year 2
This course is designed for students progressing from Lancaster's partner institutions or selected Lancaster degrees.
Accredited degree
This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing.
Opportunities
Spend a year studying abroad or on an industry placement as part of your course.
Highly-regarded
Lancaster was the first university in the UK to establish a Marketing department. We are one of the largest marketing departments in Europe, with a vibrant research culture and a rich alumni network that you can tap into.
Careers support
Dedicated Marketing careers coach who will support you throughout your studies. Through interactive lectures, workshops and exclusive events, you will be supported to create your own elevator pitch, LinkedIn profile and CV to build your own professional brand, standing you out from the crowd.
Support for you
You are supported throughout by an academic tutor – offering support on academic work and time management.
Take your learning further
This course is also available with the option to spend your third year on an industry placement or studying abroad at one of our partner universities before returning to Lancaster to complete your degree in year four.
Both options will broaden your experience, and build your confidence. You pay a reduced tuition fee for placement and study abroad years.
Course accreditation
Students who study on our CIM Accredited Degrees will also gain exemptions from CIM professional qualifications for five years after graduation if they pass their degree with a 2:2 classification or higher. These exemptions reduce the number of assessments you need to take to gain a CIM qualification from three to one. This gives you the chance to further stand out in the job market with a professional qualification alongside your degree.
BSc Marketing Management offers a comprehensive, well-rounded education that will prepare you for a range of marketing roles in various industries. Whether your ambition is to work for a global corporation or build your own business, this degree will give you the tools and knowledge to make it happen.
Our alumni work for some of the world’s biggest and most respected companies, including Google, Disney, P&G, and Reebok. As a Lancaster student, you’ll benefit from this global network, giving you connections and insights that will help you as you start your own career.
The Management School has an award-winning careers team to provide dedicated careers and placement services, offering a range of innovative services for LUMS students. Our dedicated Marketing Careers Coach will support you throughout your studies. Our high reputation means we attract a wide range of leading global employers to campus, allowing you to interact with graduate recruiters from day one of your degree.
Lancaster University is dedicated to ensuring you not only gain a highly reputable degree, you also graduate with relevant life and work-based skills. We are unique in that every student is eligible to participate in The Lancaster Award, which allows you to complete key activities such as work experience, employability awareness, career development, campus community and social development. Visit our careers and employability section for more details.
Entry requirements
These are the typical grades that you will need to study this course. This section will tell you whether you need qualifications in specific subjects, what our English language requirements are, and if there are any extra requirements such as attending an interview or submitting a portfolio.
Help from our Admissions team
If you are thinking of applying to Lancaster and you would like to ask us a question, complete our enquiry form and one of the team will get back to you.
Delivered in partnership with INTO Lancaster University, our one-year tailored foundation pathways are designed to improve your subject knowledge and English language skills to the level required by a range of Lancaster University degrees. Visit the INTO Lancaster University website for more details and a list of eligible degrees you can progress onto.
Contextual admissions
Contextual admissions could help you gain a place at university if you have faced additional challenges during your education which might have impacted your results. Visit our contextual admissions page to find out about how this works and whether you could be eligible.
Course structure
We continually review and enhance our curriculum to ensure we are delivering the best possible learning experience, and to make sure that the subject knowledge and transferable skills you develop will prepare you for your future. The University will make every reasonable effort to offer programmes and modules as advertised. In some cases, changes may be necessary and may result in new modules or some modules and combinations being unavailable, for example as a result of student feedback, timetabling, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes and new research. Not all optional modules are available every year.
This module will support your learning of how marketers and advertising agencies develop strategies to engage with their target customers. You will explore how brands use digital tools and platforms to transform the way they connect with us, and how data is used to shape campaigns, target consumers, create personalised experiences and evaluate marketing performance. You will also reflect on emerging ethical issues such as privacy, data responsibility and the social impact of digital communications.
This module evaluates the value chain of global organisations who work together to design, source and deliver products to the end consumer. You will learn how marketers need to understand global market dynamics to ensure that products are produced, transported and sold in ways that deliver maximum value to the end consumer whilst being profitable for all organisations involved. This module will also explore the key ethical and sustainability challenges faced by marketers, organisations and consumers.
Step into the role of a marketing decision-maker in a simulated digital business environment. You will experience the challenge of developing and adjusting marketing strategies in response to changing market conditions, while understanding the key role of marketing in interpreting research insights to make the right strategic decisions. This hands-on module allows you to apply your knowledge, build confidence in decision-making, and develop teamwork skills while managing competing priorities; skills that are highly valued in industry settings.
This module provides an in-depth exploration of some key contemporary marketing topics, allowing students from a wider business background to then study further strategic marketing modules. You will gain a deeper understanding of the following:
consumers and consumer behaviour
effective marketing communications
the contemporary challenges facing marketers and organisations.
Before any organisation can create products, services, and brands, and the campaigns which bring these to life, they need to have clear understanding of their target customers. In this module you will develop your ability to ask meaningful questions and explore how marketing research supports better decision making. You will learn how to design and evaluate research using both qualitative and quantitative approaches and apply analytical thinking to real-world marketing problems through interpreting insights from data and research.
Optional
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This module will immerse you in the unique and interrelated areas where entrepreneurial practices and opportunities emerge. It will focus on different forms of practice that inform and explain entrepreneurship in the corporate world, social enterprises, franchise organisations and family businesses.
The module will include four streams:
Social enterprise - a context in which entrepreneurial practices generate social value
Franchising - a context where entrepreneurs develop businesses and foster innovation through partnerships
Family business - a context where entrepreneurial opportunities align with family objectives across generations
Intrapreneurship - a context where opportunities lead to the emergence of new ventures within existing organisations
By adopting a contextual view of entrepreneurship, you will gain current insights that you can apply in practical settings. You will engage with these contexts by providing solutions to challenges presented by practitioners in franchising, social enterprises, family businesses, and corporations.
Boost your CV by gaining international experience and earn credits towards your degree. You study abroad at a summer school at a partner university between your first and second year.
You will gain subject-specific business knowledge and experience studying in a different country and culture. You can choose from a wide selection of partner universities based on where you want to study and the subjects offered.
Some of your assessment will take place at the partner university. You will also write a reflective essay after you return to help you articulate what you have learnt during your time abroad. This will help you to link your experiences to employability for future interviews.
To complete your experience, you will participate in an online project during the semester, working with an international team of students. This project will help you develop a global mindset and build your communication skills as you work in a cross-cultural team, participating in a business game where you will complete challenges related to the global Sustainable Development Goals.
Peter Drucker, one of the core founders of marketing thinking, once said business is about two things: marketing and innovation. This module introduces you to the core principles of innovation as well as the development processes and theories behind bringing new offerings to market. You will consider how businesses can both respond to and shape changing consumer needs and decision-making.
Marketing services rather than physical products presents a distinct set of challenges. You will examine key ideas around customer experience, service quality and relationship building. As service industries increasingly dominate global economies, you will develop an understanding of how to create value in sectors such as hospitality, finance, health and digital services.
Many organisational recruiters have identified several key skills and areas of knowledge that they seek in prospective employees. At the top of the priorities are spreadsheet modelling, problem structuring, statistics, and project management. This module will introduce you to Microsoft Excel 2024 and the fundamentals of dynamic model building. You will learn essential skills such as:
data handling
filtering and analysis
using functions
charting
Additionally, you will cover advanced techniques such as:
optimisation
simulation
utilising Visual Basic for Applications (VBA) to automate models and construct decision support models.
Throughout the module we will make extensive use of case-studies and workshop-orientated learning tasks.
This module will help you understand people and how they are managed and controlled in the workplace. It will draw on concepts from social and organisational psychology and explore how these ideas have been applied in designing management and work practices. You will be introduced to practices such as psychometric personality testing, as well as various motivation techniques. You will also explore new forms of control and how work changed from something we do, to who and what we are.
We will examine how managers and management practices shape the meaning and identity of employees using corporate culture, workspaces and work environments, humour and emotions to align individuals with organisational goals.
Core
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You will explore what makes brands powerful and how they create value in competitive markets. This module introduces you to strategic approaches to brand development, positioning and identity. You will consider how brands connect with audiences emotionally and culturally, and how ethical branding and inclusivity are increasingly central to long-term brand success.
This module is specifically designed to help you develop your professional marketing skills by tackling a real business challenge for a client organisation. As part of a small team, you will investigate a marketing issue through a consultancy-style research project. This experience will enhance your research and analytical skills, strengthen your problem-solving abilities, and cultivate a professional mindset that prepares you for the next step in your career.
In an increasingly competitive world, marketing plays a crucial role in shaping the direction and strategy of global and national organisations to create sustainable success. This module challenges you to think at a higher level about how marketing supports organisational goals. You will explore how strategic thinking influences decisions around product portfolios, markets and customer relationships. As you examine contemporary challenges such as sustainability and competitive disruption, you will build your ability to evaluate and develop integrated marketing strategies.
Optional
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The human condition is becoming increasingly complex, influenced by a variety of factors that are mediated and amplified through our deep connection with technology. In this contemporary module, you will deepen your understanding of this condition and look at how and why consumers behave the way they do. This module takes a more analytical and critical approach, drawing on advanced theories and emerging perspectives. You will explore how values, identities and social contexts shape behaviour, as well as how marketers can respond to the complex and evolving expectations of consumers.
This module builds on the techniques developed during earlier spreadsheet modelling modules. Its aim is to enhance your technical skills in Excel, improve your model design capabilities, and strengthen your VBA programming proficiency, enabling you to create effective and powerful models.
As in the previous module, case studies and real-life applications will be used to illustrate these concepts and demonstrate how value can be added to models used in management and analysis situations. You will learn general concepts about spreadsheet modelling using VBA and acquire a wide range of modelling skills which are highly relevant to management. These include structured programming, program documentation, program verification, user interface design, and general investigative modelling.
Discover how marketing works in business markets, where long-term relationships and negotiation play a central role. You will examine how organisations market to other organisations, manage key accounts and build trust in complex decision-making processes. Additionally, you will learn about effective strategic negotiating skills and reflect on the ethical dimensions of working in B2B environments.
This module explores some of the most pressing issues that marketers face today. Topics might include digital transformation, sustainability, inclusivity or changing consumer values. You will be encouraged to reflect critically on the role of marketing in society and consider how your own practice can contribute to a more responsible future.
Can global sustainable development be effectively managed? If so, who should be responsible for it?
The UN Sustainable Development Goals represent the most recent effort to balance environmental, social, and economic priorities in a world experiencing rapid change in both ecological and material conditions. You will explore various perspectives and positions regarding sustainable development: what it is, how it is distributed, what it could become, and what kind of sustainability we can realistically achieve.
We will examine how businesses and management interact with nature, while critically assessing the political, ecological, social, and economic interconnections and their implications. Through comparative analyses, case studies, and reflective inquiries, you will develop the ability to think critically, establish connections, and take meaningful action toward creating sustainable futures.
Explore how organisations operate across borders and adapt their marketing strategies to different international contexts. You will examine global trends, cultural influences and the challenges of managing global brands. This module encourages you to think critically about ethical and sustainable practices in global markets and prepares you for roles in multinational environments.
Organisational change is a defining feature of modern life. It can be disruptive but also creative, affecting how organisations reproduce, stabilise and evolve themselves and their environment. You will explore key concepts related to approaches to change, particularly those at the individual and group level. You will focus on managing people and change in an increasingly technologically mediated world. Additionally, you will develop informed opinions about change theories, helping you understand and implement change through negotiating dynamic interactions between people.
This module critically examines the relationship between technology, power, and society. You will challenge the conventional view of technology as a neutral force, exploring its profound impact on work, organising, and social inequalities, including those related to gender, race, disability, and coloniality. You will investigate the complex interaction between technological development and societal structures.
You will learn to analyse dominant narratives surrounding technology, examining diverse perspectives. A key focus will be on developing your ability to critically examine the discourses and applications of technology. This will encourage you to question your own assumptions and those of others.
By the end of the module, you will gain tools to contextualise how technology is discussed, deployed, and experienced within contemporary organisations and society.
This module helps you develop as a responsible and effective leader. You will learn to make decisions that balance the concerns of all stakeholders, including employees, society and the environment. You will engage with responsible leadership theories to gain a deeper understanding of your own approach to leadership.
A critical element of leading responsibly is the ability to recognise the arguably “Western” and gender-blind theoretical concepts that underpin leadership, gender and business. You will develop a critical perspective to support your entrepreneurial leadership practice beyond your home borders.
Additionally, you will explore and identify the impact of leadership on gender and diversity in business. You will have the opportunity to reflect on your own perceptions of leadership and gender, as well as how these perceptions might influence your career and entrepreneurial aspirations within your specific country context.
You will learn how to think about the role of technology in shaping futures for organisations and societies. You will explore how different potential futures can be imagined, understood, predicted, and brought into being. You will also examine how values, beliefs, and morals are built into technological futures and how they can mirror or contribute to the perpetuation of increasing inequalities.
This topic is particularly important as emerging technologies, such as artificial intelligence, robotics, and biotechnology, are rapidly transforming the way we live, work, and interact, particularly in a context of environmental and political instability. The lectures and workshops will be interactive, multi-modal, and practical, featuring a variety of exercises based on design studio principles. These activities will help you understand and employ different ways of thinking about technological futures.
Fees and funding
We set our fees on an annual basis and the 2026/27
entry fees have not yet been set.
There may be extra costs related to your course for items such as books, stationery, printing, photocopying, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits. Following graduation, you may need to pay a subscription to a professional body for some chosen careers.
Specific additional costs for studying at Lancaster are listed below.
College fees
Lancaster is proud to be one of only a handful of UK universities to have a collegiate system. Every student belongs to a college, and all students pay a small college membership fee which supports the running of college events and activities. Students on some distance-learning courses are not liable to pay a college fee.
For students starting in 2025, the fee is £40 for undergraduates and research students and £15 for students on one-year courses.
Computer equipment and internet access
To support your studies, you will also require access to a computer, along with reliable internet access. You will be able to access a range of software and services from a Windows, Mac, Chromebook or Linux device. For certain degree programmes, you may need a specific device, or we may provide you with a laptop and appropriate software - details of which will be available on relevant programme pages. A dedicated IT support helpdesk is available in the event of any problems.
The University provides limited financial support to assist students who do not have the required IT equipment or broadband support in place.
Study abroad courses
In addition to travel and accommodation costs, while you are studying abroad, you will need to have a passport and, depending on the country, there may be other costs such as travel documents (e.g. VISA or work permit) and any tests and vaccines that are required at the time of travel. Some countries may require proof of funds.
Placement and industry year courses
In addition to possible commuting costs during your placement, you may need to buy clothing that is suitable for your workplace and you may have accommodation costs. Depending on the employer and your job, you may have other costs such as copies of personal documents required by your employer for example.
The fee that you pay will depend on whether you are considered to be a home or international student. Read more about how we assign your fee status.
Home fees are subject to annual review, and may be liable to rise each year in line with UK government policy. International fees (including EU) are reviewed annually and are not fixed for the duration of your studies. Read more about fees in subsequent years.
We will charge tuition fees to Home undergraduate students on full-year study abroad/work placements in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:
Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard tuition fee
Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard tuition fee
International students on full-year study abroad/work placements will also be charged in line with the maximum amounts permitted by the Department for Education. The current maximum levels are:
Students studying abroad for a year: 15% of the standard international tuition fee during the Study Abroad year
Students taking a work placement for a year: 20% of the standard international tuition fee during the Placement year
Please note that the maximum levels chargeable in future years may be subject to changes in Government policy.
Scholarships and bursaries
Details of our scholarships and bursaries for students starting in 2026 are not yet available.
"I have always loved being creative, watching ads and learning about why people act in certain ways. Digital Marketing was a very interesting module as it allowed us to learn about real-life techniques and programmes that marketers use to inform their strategy."
Marketing is everywhere, and in our Making Marketing Matter podcast, we introduce you to the world of marketing – everything from digital to advertising, sustainability to accessibility – that you can encounter as a student at Lancaster University.
The Management School's Marketers in Residence are experienced marketing professionals who serve as mentors, guest lecturers, and advisors. This network connects you to hands-on insights, real-world expertise, and emerging trends across a range of industries.
Take advantage of our range of academic societies that help you learn and network outside your studies. You may be interested in the Marketing and Advertising Society or the Career Advancement Network Society.
The information on this site relates primarily to the stated entry year and every effort has been taken to ensure the information is correct at the time of publication.
The University will use all reasonable effort to deliver the courses as described, but the University reserves the right to make changes to advertised courses. In exceptional circumstances that are beyond the University’s reasonable control (Force Majeure Events), we may need to amend the programmes and provision advertised. In this event, the University will take reasonable steps to minimise the disruption to your studies. If a course is withdrawn or if there are any fundamental changes to your course, we will give you reasonable notice and you will be entitled to request that you are considered for an alternative course or withdraw your application. You are advised to revisit our website for up-to-date course information before you submit your application.
More information on limits to the University’s liability can be found in our legal information.
Our Students’ Charter
We believe in the importance of a strong and productive partnership between our students and staff. In order to ensure your time at Lancaster is a positive experience we have worked with the Students’ Union to articulate this relationship and the standards to which the University and its students aspire. Find out more about our Charter and student policies.
Undergraduate open days 2025
Our summer and autumn open days will give you Lancaster University in a day. Visit campus and put yourself in the picture.
Take five minutes and we'll show you what our Top 10 UK university has to offer, from beautiful green campus to colleges, teaching and sports facilities.
Most first-year undergraduate students choose to live on campus, where you’ll find award-winning accommodation to suit different preferences and budgets.
Our historic city is student-friendly and home to a diverse and welcoming community. Beyond the city you'll find a stunning coastline and the world-famous English Lake District.
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