Communication, Advertising and Marketing BSc (Hons)

The broad aim of the CAM degree is to develop an understanding of communication and to help you make use of this in developing a detailed awareness and insight into particular professional communication contexts. More specifically, you will: develop a practical awareness of the business context within which the communications industry operates; develop a working knowledge of advertising, public relations and marketing practice; develop a critical awareness of a range of methods of communication research; acquire knowledge and understanding of interpersonal communication; acquire knowledge and understanding of the role of language, both spoken and written; explore the implications of ongoing developments in digital communication for both communication theory and practice.

You will also be given the opportunity to develop a range of applied skills including: communication skills; group work skills; organisational skills; design skills; and information technology skills.

The CAM degree is widely recognised and highly regarded by the Communications industry in Northern Ireland and beyond. It offers lots of opportunities to put your communicaiton and other applied skills into practice. One such initiative is the Publicity Association of Northern Ireland (PANI) Advertising Student Workshop competition. The workshop allows CAM students to work with Graphic Design students to respond to an advertising brief and to create a winning ad campaign. Students work in teams of around six and are assigned a mentor agency. Around six advertising agencies come on board, representing the most prominent advertising professionals in Northern Ireland. The CAM course team hopes that PANI will continue to support this tremendously valuable initiative.

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

The programme comprises a mix of theoretical and practical teaching methods and will be delivered by means of lectures, seminars, workshops and supervised work experience. You will also be involved in practical classes in the editing studio and social skills laboratories.

You will be assessed by a variety of methods, including essays, seminar papers, commercial reports, camapigns, projects, class tests and examinations. In keeping with the nature of the industries and roles into which our graduates progress, some assessments will be group based, for example, advertising campaign development, while others will be completed as an individual, such as theoretical essays.

Career options

The CAM degree with its broad and varied range of modules offers a host of career options and affords students the chance to engage with various aspects of communication before they enter the workplace. The degree is recognised by employers in the public, private and voluntary sectors. Many of our graduates, not surprisingly, take up positions in Advertising and Marketing, but, in addition, CAM graduates hold senior positions in the Public Relations, digital communication, media, government, retail, education and hospitality sectors. Graduate employment options are truly wide-ranging.