BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing with Placement Year
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UCAS code
NC58 -
A level offer
BBB -
Year of entry
2026/27 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
-
Year of entry
2026/27 -
Course duration
Full Time: 4 Years
We live in a consumer-driven society. This BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing course enables you to understand how consumers think, and how this is essential to marketing and the formulation of policy.
It was one of the first of its kind in the UK, bringing together the disciplines of consumer behaviour, business and marketing, applied psychology and applied economics. You will be taught by specialists, including strong collaborations with staff from Henley Business School.
The ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø is ranked in the top 10 for Marketing (ranked 9th in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025), and 15th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2026).
While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry. In the final year, you will have the option of completing a marketing consultancy project linked to a live organisation, or an applied independent research project in an area that you're passionate about. Recent projects have explored consumer behaviour and marketing in relation to brands, globalisation, sport, viral advertising, gender, binge drinking, computer games, cosmetics, fashion, product placement, technology and food.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.
Placement
If you would like to complete a one-year placement between the second and final year, either in the UK or abroad, our BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing with Placement Year degree is for you. Organisations are increasingly looking to employ graduates with a comprehensive set of relevant knowledge and skills and this course offers an ideal opportunity to gain or build on existing experience. Recent students have undertaken placements with companies such as BMW, Microsoft, Disney, L’Oréal and Samsung.
While on placement, our students have undertaken activities as varied as conducting social media competitor analysis, brand development and working on developing communications strategies and sales. Successful selection for placement is dependent on an excellent academic record as well as evidence of a high level of motivation.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
To learn more about our marketing-related courses, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.
Overview
We live in a consumer-driven society. This BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing course enables you to understand how consumers think, and how this is essential to marketing and the formulation of policy.
It was one of the first of its kind in the UK, bringing together the disciplines of consumer behaviour, business and marketing, applied psychology and applied economics. You will be taught by specialists, including strong collaborations with staff from Henley Business School.
The ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø is ranked in the top 10 for Marketing (ranked 9th in the Daily Mail University Guide 2025), and 15th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2026).
While you study, you will have the opportunity to gain insights from outside speakers from industry. In the final year, you will have the option of completing a marketing consultancy project linked to a live organisation, or an applied independent research project in an area that you're passionate about. Recent projects have explored consumer behaviour and marketing in relation to brands, globalisation, sport, viral advertising, gender, binge drinking, computer games, cosmetics, fashion, product placement, technology and food.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) as an Accredited Degree, enabling graduates to receive exemptions from all but one module of the Certificate in Professional Marketing or Certificate in Professional Digital Marketing qualification, or exemptions from all but two CIM modules for the Diploma in Professional Marketing qualification or Diploma in Professional Digital Marketing.
Placement
If you would like to complete a one-year placement between the second and final year, either in the UK or abroad, our BSc Consumer Behaviour and Marketing with Placement Year degree is for you. Organisations are increasingly looking to employ graduates with a comprehensive set of relevant knowledge and skills and this course offers an ideal opportunity to gain or build on existing experience. Recent students have undertaken placements with companies such as BMW, Microsoft, Disney, L’Oréal and Samsung.
While on placement, our students have undertaken activities as varied as conducting social media competitor analysis, brand development and working on developing communications strategies and sales. Successful selection for placement is dependent on an excellent academic record as well as evidence of a high level of motivation.
For more information about securing and completing a placement for your placement year, please visit our Important Information page.
To learn more about our marketing-related courses, please visit the Agri-Food Economics and Marketing website.
Entry requirements A Level BBB
Select ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø as your firm choice on UCAS and we'll guarantee you a place even if you don't quite meet your offer. For details, see our firm choice scheme.
Our typical offers are expressed in terms of A level, BTEC and International Baccalaureate requirements. However, we also accept many other qualifications.
Typical offer
BBB
International Baccalaureate
30 points overall
Extended Project Qualification
In recognition of the excellent preparation that the Extended Project Qualification (EPQ) provides to students for University study, we can now include achievement in the EPQ as part of a formal offer.
BTEC Extended Diploma
DDM
English language requirements
IELTS 6.5, with no component below 5.5
For information on other English language qualifications, please visit our international student pages.
Alternative entry requirements for International and EU students
For country specific entry requirements look at entry requirements by country.
International Foundation Programme
If you are an international or EU student and do not meet the requirements for direct entry to your chosen degree you can join the ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø’s International Foundation Programme. Successful completion of this 1 year programme guarantees you a place on your chosen undergraduate degree. English language requirements start as low as IELTS 4.5 depending on progression degree and start date.
Pre-sessional English language programme
If you need to improve your English language score you can take a pre-sessional English course prior to entry onto your degree.
Structure
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD1CPS | Consumer Psychology | MS Sandra Preciado |
AD1EEN | The Economic Environment | DR Cherry Law |
AD1FMM | The Fundamentals of Management and Marketing | PROF Julian Park |
AD1GLS | Global Sustainability: Challenges and Prospects | DR Nick Bardsley |
AD1RBM | Research and Professional Skills for Business and Marketing | DR Elena Millan |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD1FBS | The Food Business | DR Daniele Asioli |
AD1SPA | Towards Sustainability: Positive Action for a Better World | PROF Julian Park |
AR1RAT | Revolutions and Transitions: The Human Journey from 6 Million Years Ago to the Present Day | DR Gabor Thomas |
AR1SOC | Contemporary world cultures: an introduction to social anthropology | DR Alanna Cant |
CL1TR | Texts, Readers, and Writers | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
FA1DR2 | Drawing Practice | MS Caroline Wendling |
FT1WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
HS1024 | The United States and the Global Environment: History, Power and Sustainability, 1920-2020 | DR Mara Oliva |
IL1GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | PROF Daniela Standen |
IL1GMBG | Modern Britain in Global Society | DR Lucy Watson |
LS1GL | Globalization and Language | DR Tony Capstick |
PO1BRI | British Society | DR Dawn Clarke |
PO1INE | Inequality | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO1WAR | War and Warfare | DR Vladimir Rauta |
PP1RA | Reason and Argument | DR Jumbly Grindrod |
PY1IPY | Introduction to Psychology | DR Debra Page |
TG1WTF | What the Font? Making and Using Typefaces | DR Borna Izadpanah |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD2AMM | Applied Marketing and Management | DR Simona Cantarella |
AD2CAB | Consumer Attitudes and Behaviour | DR Elena Millan |
AD2DIM | Digital Marketing | MR Nick Walker |
AD2RDA | Research Methods and Data Analysis | PROF Kelvin Balcombe |
MM299 | Branding Theory and Practice | DR Shayan Shaikh |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
MM270 | Practice of Entrepreneurship | DR Chris Golding |
CL2AE | Ancient Epic | DR Doukissa Kamini |
CL2CGH | Greek History: Persian Wars to Alexander | PROF Timothy Duff |
CL2DR | Ancient Drama | PROF David Carter |
CL2RO | Roman History: From Republic to Empire | DR Tim Penn |
ED2TS2 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 2 | MR Mark Aitchison |
FT2WD | Wildlife Documentary: Ecology and Representation | DR Adam O'Brien |
IL2GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | PROF Daniela Standen |
IL2GMBG | Modern Britain in Global Society | DR Lucy Watson |
LS2LAT | Introduction to English Language Teaching | DR Erhan Aslan |
ML2STA | Society, Thought, and Art in Modern Europe | DR Veronica Heath |
MT2CCC | Climate Change: Causes and Consequences | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO2AMG | American Government and Politics | DR Derek Bolton |
PO2THI | Political Thinking | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD2PPY | Professional Placement Year | MS Rebecca Jerrome |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Compulsory modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD3CIC | Contemporary Issues in Consumer Behaviour and Marketing | DR Daniele Asioli |
AD3MST | Marketing Strategy | MR Nick Walker |
Optional modules include:
Code | Module | Convenor |
---|---|---|
AD3APR | Applied Marketing Project | MRS Louise Smith |
AD3FPS | Food Policy and Supply Chain Management | DR Giacomo Zanello |
AD3INP | Independent Research Project | PROF Anna MacReady |
MM3104 | The Dark Side of Marketing | DR Irute Karanicholas |
MM322 | Advances in Digital Marketing | DR Rodrigo Perez Vega |
MM340 | International Human Resource Management | DR Rebecca Asabe Tariya Yusuf |
MM397 | Management in Media Industries | DR Marrisa Joseph |
CL3LEAD | Leadership Skills and Values from Antiquity | DR Andreas Gavrielatos |
ED3TS4 | Development of transferable skills through a school placement 4 | MR Mark Aitchison |
IC320 | Money Makes the World Go Round: Milestones in Financial History | DR Antony Moore |
IL3GICC | Intercultural Competence and Communication | PROF Daniela Standen |
LS3IC | Intercultural Communications | DR Erhan Aslan |
ML3LP | Language and Power | PROF Federico Faloppa |
MT3CCC | Climate Change: Causes and Consequences | PROF Nigel Arnell |
PO3FPT | Feminism and Political Theory | DR Maxime Lepoutre |
PO3GAP | Gender and Politics | DR Katharina Lawall |
PO3IPE | International Political Economy | DR Jonathan Golub |
PO3TEU | Terrorism and Counterterrorism | DR Amanda Hall |
PO3USU | US Foreign Policy | DR Graham O'Dwyer |
These are the modules that we currently offer. They may change for your year of study as we regularly review our module offerings to ensure they’re informed by the latest research and teaching methods.
Fees
New UK/Republic of Ireland students: The ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø will charge undergraduate home tuition fees at the upper limit as set by the UK government for the relevant academic year. The fee cap for 2026/27 hasn't been confirmed yet. Please check the fees and funding webpage for the latest information. The annual fee for 2025/26 is £9,535.
New international students: £25,850 for 2026/27. The International tuition fee is subject to annual increases changes in subsequent years of study as set out in your student contract. For more details, please visit our Fees for International Students page.
Tuition fees
To find out more about how the ÀÇÓÑÉçÇø sets its tuition fees, see our fees and funding pages.
Additional costs
Some courses will require additional payments for field trips and extra resources. You will also need to budget for your accommodation and living costs. See our information on living costs for more details.
Placement year fees
If you spend a full year on placement, you will only pay 15% of your usual tuition fee for that year. For more information, please see our fees and funding pages or contact placements@reading.ac.uk.
Financial support for your studies
You may be eligible for a scholarship or bursary to help pay for your study. Students from the UK may also be eligible for a student loan to help cover these costs. See our fees and funding information for more information on what's available.
Careers
This degree can lead to jobs in consumer marketing, branding, advertising and communications, customer services, public relations and market research sectors.
Potential employers include business consultancy and market research agencies, advertising and media companies, multinational/domestic food manufacturing companies, automotive companies, mobile and digital communications, beauty and personal products companies, financial institutions, retailers of all types, trade and consumer organisations, food industry organisations, government/civil service/trade bodies, and health and social services.
Employers of our graduates include Mars, Waitrose, Microsoft, Mercedes, Unilever and Disney.