Digital Marketing BSc Online | Anglia Ruskin Distance Learning

Course overview

Studying our digital marketing degree online offers a flexible way to expand your experience while continuing in your current role, with supported distance learning designed to fit around your life. The course builds practical digital marketing skills underpinned by core business and marketing principles, preparing you for a constantly evolving sector. As you progress, you’ll apply new knowledge to work‑based projects, gaining demonstrable industry experience that is valuable when pursuing future digital marketing jobs.

You’ll develop a strong understanding of marketing theories, digital strategy and the tools and techniques needed to plan, develop, analyse and report on digital campaigns. The course explores content development, consumer behaviour, the customer journey and the essential role of data in monitoring and optimising activity. You’ll also study business‑to‑business marketing, international marketing, strategic brand management and project management. Our online learning environment supports interactive activities, discussion and reflective practice guided by digital marketing specialists and practitioners.

Why choose this course?

Gain accreditation with the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM)
Recognised on the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s (CIM) Graduate Gateway
Designed to help you respond to ever‑changing digital marketing challenges
Study flexibly around work or other commitments
Learn from digital marketing specialists and practitioners
Experience Gold‑standard teaching and support (TEF2023)

What you’ll gain

Practical digital marketing skills linked to real‑world applications
Understanding of core marketing theories, models and business principles
Ability to plan, develop, analyse and report on digital campaigns
Knowledge of content development, consumer behaviour and the customer journey
Skills in using data to monitor and optimise marketing performance
Insight into B2B marketing, international marketing, brand management and project management

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Apply now

Course modules and assessments

Modules

Due to the structure of this course, there will be instances where you will study two modules simultaneously during a trimester. You will be supported by your tutors to help manage your workload and assessment deadlines.

Please contact one of our advisers to discuss the pacing of this course and the options available to match your circumstances.

Understanding Work-Based Learning

Principles of Marketing

This module provides you with a fundamental understanding of the core theories and models of marketing from a bottom-up perspective, including how marketing operates as a key functional area within business and how it critically interacts with other areas such as accountancy, human resource management and business management, as well as how to analyse and evaluate alternative approaches in the use of the marketing mix.

Marketing Communications

This module is designed to provide an overall understanding of the tools and techniques used in marketing communications, including internet Marketing and E-commerce, advertising, sales promotions, Public Relations, publicity, personal selling, sponsorship, packaging, merchandising and exhibitions. You’ll learn how and why each tool is used, as well as the advantages and disadvantages of each, how these tools interact with other elements of the marketing mix and how they must all integrate to achieve eventual synergy.

Introduction to Digital Marketing & Campaign Planning

This module introduces you to the ever-evolving, dynamic digital landscape, and helps you develop the skills you need to be an effective digital marketer. You’ll develop an awareness of the challenges and opportunities within digital spheres, the skills and tools required to support and enhance marketing activities, and the importance of effective digital monitoring and measurement techniques that enable organisations to improve digital marketing performance. This will prepare you for integrated campaign planning (online and offline), strategy and creativity, and promotional media in a digital age – within a framework of appropriate ethical considerations and regulations.

Introduction to Organisations & Management

Understanding Consumers and the Customer Journey

Understanding what people need and want, and ensuring it is available at the right price, the right time and through the right channels is the core principle of marketing. This module examines consumer behaviour theory from a contemporary perspective, looking at the psychological and sociological drivers that influence behaviour and how this affects integrated marketing communications (both online and offline). You will also learn how to manage customer relationships, improve customer service, and gain an understanding of the barriers to purchase through the customer journey and learn how to navigate these.

Data and Analytics for the Digital Marketer

Digital marketing allows businesses to set precise goals and objectives, and offers the ability to track, measure, improve and control campaign activity, as part of an iterative cycle of reflection and learning. This module examines the importance of managing digital marketing data for effective decision-making and provides an understanding of how a range of measurement techniques, data sources and analytical tools can provide valuable insights to marketing teams.

B2B Marketing

International Marketing

Increasing access to new markets across the world means that marketers face new opportunities and new challenges in the global context. Overcoming cross-cultural barriers remains a key challenge that requires with the ability to communicate effectively to a range of different target audiences. The module examines a range of case studies and international market entry strategies, and assesses the impact of culture on global marketing.

Developing Content for Campaigns

The success or failure of a digital campaign is not solely reliant on understanding the principles of campaign planning, the tools with which to measure associated metrics, or the attitudes and likely behaviours of the targeted customer: content is king. In this module, you’ll learn about the principles of content curation, creation, atomisation and planning and gain both a theoretical and practical understanding of this critical element of digital marketing.

Project Management

Strategic Brand Management

Brands are very important to consumers and firms. In this module you will learn how to manage these valuable assets, as well as the naming of new products and brand extensions. The concept of brand equity will be developed and explored using the work of leading marketing theorists and practitioners – for instance, Keller’s consumer-based brand equity model, which will be used as a foundation for understanding how brands are built, what their role is and how their equity can be measured.

Creating Impact through Compelling and Visual Content

When marketers understand consumer behaviour, the art and science of creating memorable and impactful visual advertising becomes clearer. This module looks at the history and development of effective creativity in advertising and how this relates to digital marketing. The principles of how advertisers can engage with increasingly empowered and vocal customers on multiple channels, globally and locally, are explored to establish how digital marketers can create or commission successful campaigns, or visual content for their content management plans.

Retailer and Shopper Marketing

Financial and Professional Services Marketing

International Intercultural Management

Campaign Showcase

Throughout the course, you will have mastered the principles and skills of planning a digital campaign, from planning principles, to content development. Now you will demonstrate the campaign implementation skills, and your assessment of its impact. In this 30-credit major project module, you will demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have developed throughout the course to create a live campaign.

Please note the modules may change from time to time as the curriculum is refreshed for relevancy and new content is added.

How you’ll be assessed

Throughout the course, we'll assess your progress to make sure you're meeting the intended learning outcomes and engaging fully with each module. These formative assessments also help you to monitor and improve your initial-level performance as you advance through the course. They might include self-completion questionnaires, group exercises (discussion forums), and practical digital marketing-related tasks and activities.

The summative assessment, at the end of each module, lets you demonstrate that you've fulfilled the learning outcomes at each level and to the standard expected. These will include written reports, portfolios, presentations, and practical work-based projects.

Accreditation

Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM)

When you successfully complete the degree, you’ll gain accreditation with the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM), a world-renowned organisation offering relevant, practical learning, and professional qualifications, helping businesses build the skillsets to succeed in a constantly evolving industry landscape.

Accreditation of this course recognises that the syllabus is approved by the Institute and offers you the opportunity to take an IDM Certificate qualification to further enhance your employability. This involves additional exams for which extra fees apply.

Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM)

The degree is also recognised on the Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM) Graduate Gateway, which offers additional membership pathways beyond graduation.

How you'll study

100% Online study

Dedicated support

Study online and graduate on campus

Our Digital Marketing BSc (Hons) degree is studied 100% online.

You’ll study through Canvas, our world-class online Learning Management System (LMS), which can be accessed from your phone, PC or tablet at home or on the move. Canvas provides instant access to study materials, forums, and support from tutors and classmates, as well as enabling easy submission of your assignments.

On successful completion of your studies you’ll be invited to attend a graduation ceremony on campus. If attending the ceremony in person is not possible then we’ll arrange to have your certificate sent to you.

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

Evidence of Level 3 study; e.g. A levels, BTEC Level 3, or equivalent*

A minimum of 3 GCSEs (or Level 2 equivalent) at grade E or above - one of the subjects must be English

If English is not your first language you will be expected to demonstrate a certificated level of proficiency of at least IELTS 6.5 (Academic level) or equivalent English Language qualification, as recognised by Anglia Ruskin University.

As a distance learner, you'll also need a suitable computer with internet connection, together with sufficient IT competence to make effective use our online learning management system (LMS) with high-speed internet and email.

*Applications without a Level 3 are considered on their individual merits on a case by case basis. Those wishing to apply with experiential learning may be required to demonstrate their academic potential by writing an essay.

Fees and Funding

Fees

The full tuition fee for this course is £17,700.

The tuition fees you pay each year for the Digital Marketing BSc (Hons) will be £4,425. The course is studied over 4 years.

Accredited Prior Learning may reduce the tuition fees. This will be confirmed once your application has been submitted.

Funding

Government-backed part time student loans are available to cover the cost of studying this course. These are subject to eligibility and terms and conditions.

We offer payment by instalments, so you can spread the cost of studying with us.

For military students: You can use your ELCs towards this course. ARU is a recognised ELCAS provider (number 1007). Please contact your Learning Centre for details of ELC, eligibility and how to apply.

For more information on how you fund your studies please see our funding page.

What our students say

The flexibility of the online learning format is particularly beneficial for those balancing professional and personal commitments. The support from the teaching staff and the extensive online resources provided by the university creates a robust learning environment.

Mario, Project Management Alumni

Read Mario's story

I find the course relevant and up-to-date in terms of current best practices in digital marketing. I find myself reflecting on my experience, and how I can apply the frameworks and strategies, within my current role.

Kathy, Digital Marketing Student

The course has had a positive impact on me and my career development. I have introduced a number of organisational improvements, which are continuing today!

Stephen, Management Alumni

Read Stephen's Story

If you’re considering undertaking a course, do it! ARU is a friendly university, the staff are really helpful and the experience will develop you both personally and professionally.

Brandon, Management Alumni

Read Brandon's Story

Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

We're proud to be the Times Higher Education (THE) University of the Year 2023. The prestigious THE awards honour ’exceptional performance during the 2021-22 academic year, and reflect ARU’s success in delivering high-impact projects during this period, despite the challenges of the Covid-19 pandemic.

The award recognises the difference we make in the region and our communities – while also acknowledging the broader impact of our world-leading research, and the contributions our students and graduates make to society.

Gold-standard education

We're proud to have received a Gold award for the quality of our education in a UK-wide review of university teaching standards.

Why we're rated Gold

Our course content and delivery is rated as outstanding with the review citing ‘innovative and highly effective course design and content that inspires students to actively engage and commit to their learning’.

We’re also rated outstanding in the areas of:

⋅ student engagement in learning
⋅ learning environment and academic support
⋅ learning resources
⋅ student engagement in improvement
⋅ approaches to supporting student success
⋅ intended educational gains
⋅ approaches to supporting educational gains.

What is the Teaching Excellence Framework?

The Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) is a national scheme run by the Office for Students that focuses on the areas students care most about: teaching, learning, and achieving positive outcomes from their studies.

It has three outcomes: Bronze, Silver and Gold.

This rating was awarded in September 2023, and lasts for four years.

Supported distance learning

We understand that distance learning is different to traditional campus study and if you’re new to online study you may have concerns or apprehensions about studying your online digital marketing degree remotely, and that’s natural.

To help put your mind at ease we have a dedicated Distance Learning Support Team to help and support you throughout your time at ARU, starting with your first online induction and staying with you right through to graduation. In addition, you’ll also be supported by specialist psychology tutors, well experienced in supporting distance learning students.

Once you start your online digital marketing degree, we encourage the creation of online communities and many of our learners find these connections with others invaluable, helping them to stay motivated, share concerns or make new friendships.

Contact us to talk through any questions or concerns.

Visit our support page to learn more about our support services.

Visit support

Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in marketing.

What could a Digital Marketing BSc do for my career?

In the golden age of social media and influencer culture, more and more companies are getting switched on to the benefits of digital marketing and beginning to understand how crucial it is.

This means the sector is growing quickly, with increasing opportunities for experts to stand out from the crowd as brands seek out passionate individuals with the know-how to make magic happen online.

A successful career in digital marketing requires a well-rounded set of skills and a full understanding of the demands of businesses in marketing environments. As a marketing professional, you’ll be required to handle captivating campaigns that connect with consumers, and master communications in a sensitive and tactful manner, as well as balancing the right combinations of marketing techniques, from SEO and PPC to content and branding, and understanding the best ways to use different platforms to get the most out of online channels.

A Digital Marketing BSc offers these skills and more, giving you the tools to rise to the challenge in the marketing sector and show brands what you can do for their business.

What job roles can I consider with a Digital Marketing bachelor’s degree?

A digital marketing degree prepares you for a career in marketing or sales, which can apply to any sector or industry. These are just some of the job roles that Digital Marketing BSc (Hons) graduates may consider:

Digital Marketing Executive / Officer
Digital Marketing Account Manager
Digital and Social Media Executive
Digital Marketing Analyst
Digital Marketing Campaign Manager
Online and Digital Marketing Lead
Online and E-commerce Marketing Specialist
Social Media Specialist
Content Marketing Specialist
PPC Analyst
SEO Executive
Display Advertising Executive
Digital Producer

If you are looking for more information about these job profiles and potential salary earnings see Prospects.ac.uk. It’s important to note that salaries can vary widely depending on the job role, employer, industry sector and location.

What skills will I get from a Digital Marketing BSc to help my career?

What postgraduate courses can I pursue after my bachelor’s degree?

Depending on your long-term goals and interests you may decide to explore a postgraduate qualification such as a Marketing MSc, International Marketing MSc, Consumer Psychology MSc, and Brand Management MSc. A master’s degree is the most common type of postgraduate qualification and usually focuses on a specific area of a wider subject which may support your future career development. Having a bachelor’s degree under your belt is a key entry requirement in opening doors to postgraduate study.

Careers Advice Service

Once you become an ARU student you will be able to access our Employability service to help you whatever stage of your career, whether that’s landing your first dream job or the next progression step.

We offer:

careers advice, including one-to-one online and telephone appointments with our experienced advisers
help with your CV, job searches, applications and interview preparation
an online portal packed with useful careers resources
our Employability Programme, which helps you hone the skills employers say they want in graduates.

FAQs

A selection of popular questions

What advantages does a Digital Marketing BSc offer?

Digital marketing is a fast-paced and ever-changing industry that requires brands to respond in real-time to trends and events, and demands adaptability from teams and individuals who are required to understand changes in the market, as well as changes in social climates, as they occur.

For this reason, you need to be fully prepared for the digital marketing environment, with deep insights into the core principles of marketing, its contemporary trends and the factors which can make or break a digital marketing campaign.

Whether you’re interested in or currently working in a digital marketing institute, dabbling in social media marketing, or looking for a career change, a BSc Hons Digital Marketing degree is the perfect starting point to learn effective digital marketing strategies. Our digital marketing degree prepares you to create competitive campaigns that are market-ready and designed to reach target audiences and get results.

How does this course fit around my life?

All ARU Distance Learning courses are designed for full flexibility – that goes without saying.

That’s why our online Learning Management System, Canvas, enables you to access your course resources from wherever you are with just an internet connection and your device of choice, at a time that suits you.

In addition to this, our Digital Marketing BSc course is designed to support your career development from day one with learning that will positively impact your job performance from the get-go. The new skills and knowledge you will learn from the course can be put into practice straight away to maximise your learning experience.

What types of students are suited to Digital marketing BSc?

The full flexibility of our courses means that no matter your lifestyle, the chances are an ARU degree is right for you.

In addition, if you are a candidate with prior digital marketing experience that you want to build on and are interested in putting your learning into practice right away, this course is the perfect career development opportunity for you.

This course is also ideal for students who dream of setting up their own digital marketing business. You may want to implement what you have learned to improve your own business strategy and bolster your professional practice.

Alternatively, you could seek out the perfect graduate role in a digital marketing agency, or commit yourself to completing your own market research.

Aside from our typical entry requirements (listed above), candidates for this course should be interested in the fast-moving world of technology, in reaching out to and connecting with consumers, and in innovation – these are all core principles of digital marketing. And if you want to learn how to master these principles and excel in the field, it may just be the perfect match for you!

Why choose ARU Distance Learning?

Anglia Ruskin University is ranked by Research England in the top 10% of English Higher Education Institutions for skills, enterprise and entrepreneurship.

And our Digital Marketing BSc course is designed not only to further your skills and boost your abilities in an academic setting, but to help you utilise your new skills to get results from the word go.

Digital literacy is vital in digital marketing, and a distance learning course with ARU will give you the opportunity to improve your software skills not only through modules but through the mode of study, with the course taking place entirely online.

As our course is also accredited with the Institute of Digital Marketing, so once you graduate you have the opportunity to gain an IDM certificate qualification. Our degree is also recognised by the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s Graduate Gateway.

These additional qualification opportunities, as well as the real-world experience and practical knowledge our course offers you, will prep your CV to stand out from the crowd and launch your career in digital marketing to new heights.

And whilst studying with ARU, your greatest asset will be the wealth of knowledge and experience offered by our outstanding tutors who will be guiding and supporting you through your course.

Think you’ve got what it takes to thrive in Digital Marketing? A BSc with ARU Distance Learning is your next step to success.

Digital Marketing BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate degree - IDM accredited and CIM recognised

Key facts about your online degree

How you'll study

Application deadline

Professional accreditation

Course length

Fees: £17,700

Start dates

Course overview

Why choose this course?

What you’ll gain

Next application deadline: 27th May 2026

Course modules and assessments

Modules

Understanding Work-Based Learning

Principles of Marketing

Marketing Communications

Introduction to Digital Marketing & Campaign Planning

Introduction to Organisations & Management

Understanding Consumers and the Customer Journey

Data and Analytics for the Digital Marketer

B2B Marketing

International Marketing

Developing Content for Campaigns

Project Management

Strategic Brand Management

Creating Impact through Compelling and Visual Content

Retailer and Shopper Marketing

Financial and Professional Services Marketing

International Intercultural Management

Campaign Showcase

How you’ll be assessed

Accreditation

Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM)

Chartered Institute of Marketing's (CIM)

How you'll study

Study online and graduate on campus

Entry requirements

What you’ll need to start this course

Fees and Funding

Fees

Funding

What our students say

Awards and recognition

Be part of the University of the Year

Gold-standard education

Supported distance learning

Careers

Everything you need to know about building your career in marketing.

What could a Digital Marketing BSc do for my career?

What job roles can I consider with a Digital Marketing bachelor’s degree?

What skills will I get from a Digital Marketing BSc to help my career?

What postgraduate courses can I pursue after my bachelor’s degree?

Careers Advice Service

FAQs

A selection of popular questions

What advantages does a Digital Marketing BSc offer?

How does this course fit around my life?

What types of students are suited to Digital marketing BSc?

Why choose ARU Distance Learning?

Take the next step, apply today