Why do people buy some products and not others? What makes a message persuasive? Why do we get attached to a particular brand?
They’re questions which lie at the heart of every organisation’s search for competitive advantage. And marketing professionals are increasingly turning to science for the answers. Consumer psychology helps identify and explain people’s patterns of behaviour, pinpointing what influences their choices and decision-making processes. It’s a specialist discipline growing in profile and status. With our BSc (Hons) Marketing (Consumer Psychology), you’ll be ideally placed to seize the exciting career opportunities emerging in this field.
See marketing in a new light
Gain a thorough foundation in marketing, business and multi-disciplinary aspects of consumer psychology. Immerse yourself in social psychology and explore fascinating topics such as addictive behaviour and ethics.
This Marketing (Consumer Psychology) degree captures how consumer psychology impacts on the success of marketing strategies and campaigns which ‘hardwire’ the consumer to buy - and keep on buying. You'll also consider how public sector organisations and charities can best get their messages across.
Real world experience
A placement or internship will give you the chance to build your professional profile, skills and networks. You’ll also benefit from our strong links with regional marketing and communication agencies - local and national organisations to ensure that your learning is up-to-date and reflecting the real world. Wherever possible, we also link your learning to live projects and case studies, as well as visits to companies and exhibitions.
A professional outlook
Our teaching team is made up of industry experienced marketing specialists. They include influential researchers shedding new light on customer behaviour and market sensing.
We are also partnered with the leading professional bodies for marketing, advertising, public relations and research. It means your learning is always up to date, always relevant.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners.
We have joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Graduate Gateway. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and their content is reflected in our own degrees which ensures we are equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.
To complete the BSc (Hons) Marketing (Consumer Psychology), you'll study modules such as:
Stage one
- Marketing Fundamentals
- Managing the Brand
- Psychology in the Modern World
- Introduction to Digital Marketing
- Design and Creativity for Marketers
- Introduction to Social and Cognitive Psychology
Stage two
- The Marketing Executive (double module)
- Integrated Marketing Communications
- Social and Cognitive Psychology
- Marketing Research
- Consumer Behaviour
You can choose to take an optional placement year or move straight to the stage three. Our Careers Office will support you in finding the right position.
Stage three
- Independent Study (double module)
- Marketing Strategy
- Services and Experiential Marketing
- Human Behaviour and Evolution
- Marketing Across Cultures
- Ethics, Sustainability and Community
- Market Sensing
- You will learn in the classroom, but also in the much wider context of your everyday life, which you will see from a different perspective
- You will learn about your own behaviours as a consumer and then begin to apply this learning to the understanding of others
- You will gain fundamental knowledge of the building blocks of successful marketing and then apply psychology to really understand how individuals learn, perceive and develop and how this affects the role of marketing. You will be assessed by essays, but also through creative media such as videos
- You will benefit from extensive practice in the real world and so be positioned at a very strong advantage for you future job and career.
How you are assessed
Marketing (Consumer Psychology) assessment is mainly by coursework. This may be in the form of reports, presentations, and visual ‘outputs’ such as infographics, short advertisements, films or bespoke projects for clients.
September 2019 typical entry requirements
| UCAS points | 120 (up to 16 from AS-levels) |
| Specific requirements at A-level | No specific subject requirements |
| Specific requirements at GCSE | GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification |
| Interview / Audition | N/A |
| Portfolio | N/A |
Alternative entry qualifications:
- BTEC - DDM
- Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
How to apply
Apply by 15 January to start in September
Need help applying? Find out how we can help you with your UCAS application
This BSc (Hons) Marketing (Consumer Psychology) degree gives you invaluable expertise in customer engagement. It’s a skill which will take you far in any marketing, market research, PR or communications role, in any sector, anywhere in the world.
Our marketing graduates are highly employable - many go straight into good graduate jobs. At a time when organisations are placing customer needs at the heart of their operations, in-depth knowledge of consumer psychology will make an even more compelling addition to your CV.
If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.
Contact us Contact us 3 years (or 4 with optional placement year)
Download programme specification
Teaching hours
Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.
Additional costs and optional extras
We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, state-of-the-art facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.
Included in your fees
- Chartered Institute of Marketing Membership fees
- Chartered Institute of Marketing Assessment entry - Module 1 fees
- Company visit
- Part funded trip to Copenhagen for 2nd and 3rd year students. Optional with limited places available.
Mandatory costs not included in your fees
- Two company visits approx- £60 per student
Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.
