Top up to a degree. Elevate your career. Shape the future of marketing.
Marketing is a fast-paced, exciting discipline – essential for the success of any organisation in the private, public, or third sector. The digital revolution has transformed the field, creating a demand for highly specialised skills that go beyond traditional marketing.
Our online BA (Hons) Marketing (Top-Up) degree is designed to meet this demand head-on. You’ll gain the confidence to shape marketing strategies, lead customer-focused initiatives, and manage the complexities of marketing in a fast-changing, global business environment.
If you already hold an HND or level five qualification, this two-year part-time programme will give you the skills, confidence, and credentials to progress your career – without putting life on hold.
Why choose this course
Study fully online – learn from anywhere with the flexibility of online delivery, while following a clear programme structure with term dates, module timelines, and assessment deadlines. Access state-of-the-art learning resources together with support from subject experts, connect with fellow students through live sessions and collaborative discussion boards and undertake self-paced study.
Industry relevant learning – explore current marketing practices and emerging trends, from AI-driven personalisation to sustainable brand strategies, all designed to reflect the realities of today’s business world.
Specialist and broad expertise – develop advanced marketing skills alongside a solid understanding of organisational leadership and the global business environment, preparing you for a wide range of roles.
Career-focused assessment – every project and assignment is designed to build practical skills you can apply immediately in your professional life.
Comprehensive student support – benefit from expert academics, dedicated online study advisors, a personal academic tutor, and a community of peers who share your goals and challenges.
Future-focused curriculum
Recently refreshed to meet the latest industry demands, this future-focused curriculum develops the marketing and business skills most valued by employers today. You’ll cover highly relevant and practical topics, including:
Strategic marketing mastery – strengthen your strategic capabilities by learning how to design comprehensive marketing plans, build competitive advantage, and align strategy with organisational goals.
Digital trends and emerging technologies – explore how AI, automation, and new digital platforms are transforming marketing strategy, content creation, and consumer behaviour.
Ethics, culture and sustainability – understand the moral, ethical, and cultural challenges in marketing, and learn how to embed sustainable practices in a global context.
Global marketing perspective – gain the insight to operate confidently in interconnected markets and adapt strategies for diverse international audiences.
Innovation and leadership – develop skills to lead change, drive creativity, and apply innovative thinking to real-world marketing challenges.
You’ll also sharpen your critical thinking, problem-solving, and communication skills, while developing the digital and professional tools needed for a successful career in marketing and business management.
Who is this course for
This programme is ideal if you:
Already hold an HND or Level 5 qualification in business, marketing, or a related subject
Want to complete your degree while working
Are looking to step into management or leadership roles
Want to future-proof your skills in a digital, global economy
What you will study
To achieve the top-up degree you will need to compete a total of 120 credits made up from the 6 core modules.
Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.
Discovering Online Learning Q&A: February 2026
Thursday, 19 February 2026 12.00 - 13.00
During this hour long webinar, we'll take you through how online learning works and what you can expect as an online student with the University of Derby.
This course isn't confined to a classroom; it's designed to fit your life. Delivered entirely online, you have the freedom to study from anywhere in the world and shape your learning around your personal and professional commitments. Our Virtual Learning Environment is an engaging and interactive hub where your education comes to life.
You won't just be reading a textbook; you'll be actively learning through a mix of dynamic resources including:
self-paced study: dive into your own research and online materials on a schedule that works for you
live sessions: join interactive, live discussions with your tutor and peers. Can't make it? No problem. All sessions are recorded and available to watch whenever you want
on-demand content: Access a library of expertly crafted video lectures from our academic team, ready to watch at any time
collaborative discussions: Connect with your fellow students and tutors on discussion boards to work through activities and share insights
real-world insights: gain a competitive edge with guest lectures from industry specialists and alumni, giving you an inside look at the latest trends and practices
Modules are delivered by a range of professionals with academic and industry experience. Your module tutors will guide and support you through each section of learning. The discussion boards and live sessions provide individualised live support and enable you to interact with others on your course.
You'll never be alone on your learning journey. We've built a robust support system to ensure your success, so you can leave any worries about online study behind.
You'll be taught by expert academics who bring a wealth of real-world experience and specialist knowledge to enrich your learning. There is also a dedicated team of online learning advisors available to handle any non-academic queries, enabling you to focus all your efforts on your studies.
Pace of study
The academic year is made up of three 10-week terms (known as trimesters) with trimesters commencing in September, January and May.
Modules within the programme are studied at the pace of one 20 credit module per 10-week trimester and we recommend around 20 hours of study per week.
If you opt to undertake the accelerated study plan whereby you will study two modules in one trimester, we recommend around 40 hours of study per week.
Assessments
All assessments for this course are coursework-based, with no exams. Assignments are varied to ensure you develop a broad range of skills, and may include essays, reports, projects, and portfolios.
To ensure a direct link between theory and practice, assignments are often based on real-life business case studies or your own professional experiences. While you may engage in collaborative discussions with fellow students, all work is assessed individually.
All the resources you need to complete these assessments, such as e-books and journal articles, are available electronically through our library.
Who will teach you
Tracy Powell
Programme Leader
Tracy Powell
Tracy is the Programme Leader for Undergraduate Marketing Programmes as well as the Assistant Head of Discipline for Marketing and Operations, teaching across a number of modules across all levels of the Undergraduate Marketing program...
Senior Lecturer for Business and Management, Nauman Moazam Ali, is a senior business analyst and has vast experience as an academic professional, working with different Higher education institutes in UK and overseas.
Lee Miller is a Lecturer in Marketing in the Derby Business School. Prior to joining the University he was a services manager in public and private sector organisations.
We believe that real-world experience is an essential part of academic success. Our partnerships with leading organisations across various sectors ensure our students gain valuable insights, hands-on opportunities, and access to the latest industry innovations.
Through collaboration with our industry partners, we bridge the gap between classroom learning and professional practice, preparing our graduates to thrive in competitive global markets.
Careers
Take your marketing career further
The online Top-Up route to a BA (Hons) Marketing degree is designed for ambitious marketers – whether you’re already working in the field or aiming to step into it. A degree not only validates your expertise but also develops the high-level knowledge, practical skills, and strategic thinking that employers value.
This qualification can open doors to exciting roles across a wide range of sectors — from creative agencies to in-house marketing teams in global organisations. Many graduates progress into management-level positions or use their new skills to transition into specialist areas such as digital marketing, brand strategy, or communications.
Our graduates have gone on to work for leading organisations including DHL, JCB, and GB Basketball.
Agency roles
Account executive / account manager
Content manager
In-house marketing roles
Marketing officer / marketing manager
Brand manager
Market analyst
SEO analyst
Social media manager
PR and communications executive
Digital marketing officer
Internal communications executive
Self-employment
Many professionals use their degree to launch their own marketing agency or work independently as a consultant or freelancer.
Further study
If you want to continue developing your expertise, this degree provides an excellent springboard to postgraduate study. Popular options include:
94% of UK graduates are in employment or further study.
2nd for employability. Uni Compare Annual Student Review Rankings 2026.
87% of UK graduates say their current activity is meaningful.
Getting you career ready
Your degree is only part of your story. We're here to help prepare you for life after university. We'll tailor your talents and help you build the tools that will set you apart when you are ready to look for your first graduate role.
Our staff have valuable and varied experiences in the workplace and beyond. And we have great links to industry. This means you'll have opportunities to apply your learning. You'll find work experience that's directly relevant to your studies, including placements and real projects set by businesses.
Our promise
We promise to provide an inclusive approach; supporting, advising and guiding you on your employability journey to success. We will listen to your needs and signpost opportunities for you to engage with up to three years after graduation.
You will need to have an HND, foundation degree or equivalent qualification in a business or marketing related field, or 240 credits from a business-related qualification. Other professional business qualifications that equate to a HND level may be considered.
Alternatively, if you have other relevant professional qualifications, proven marketing experience or a minimum of two years experience gained in a marketing environment, we can consider this too. Please provide details in your application such as CV, Personal Statement, or letter of recommendation.
If English is not your first language, or you have not successfully completed your highest level of qualification in English, you will need an English language qualification. For this course you will need IELTS 6.0.
This figure would be the total cost of this course based on the fee in the current academic year. However, please note that fees normally increase in line with inflation and the University's strategic approach to fees, which is reviewed on an annual basis. The total fee you pay may therefore increase if your course lasts longer than one year.
If you are required to undertake any associate study or additional study as a condition of your offer for the programme, please be aware that the cost for this may be in addition to the programme cost stated above.
Pay monthly and only for the modules you are studying
Pay your full course fees upfront and avoid annual increases
Undergraduate funding options
Depending on where you are from in the UK or EU, and on your pace of study, you may be eligible for an undergraduate student loan. Accessible through Student Finance, this is a non-income based loan to meet the cost of tuition fees.
If you are considering applying for a student loan, please also see our additional guidance on Loans for Online Students.
If you already hold an honours degree, and you are looking to re-skill or up-skill, you may still be eligible for a loan to study this course.
For your application to be assessed, you will need to provide the following documents when you apply:
Official photo identification such as a passport or driving licence
Current CV or letter or recommendation
Copies of certificates and transcripts or a letter of testimony for previous qualifications*
*Documents not in English or Welsh must be accompanied by a certified translation by a professional translator/translation company. Each translation must contain:
Confirmation from the translator that it is an accurate translation of the original document
The date of the translation
The full name and signature of the translator, or an authorised official of the company
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