From industry visits in London to working on live campaign briefs for major brands, Ciaran’s experience on the BA (Hons) Business with Marketing course has combined practical learning with real-world insight. Originally from Northamptonshire, he chose Birmingham City University for its balance of specialist marketing knowledge and broader business understanding - and the opportunity to study in a vibrant city environment.
Choosing the right course and city
I chose this degree because it provides a strong combination of core business knowledge alongside specialist marketing modules. I’ve always been particularly interested in marketing, but I felt it was important to understand how businesses operate more broadly. Having that wider commercial awareness alongside focused marketing study really appealed to me.
My main university options were Manchester Metropolitan University or BCU, and I ultimately chose Birmingham City University because it was slightly closer to home and offered the right mix of course content and city experience.
Real industry exposure and unforgettable trips
One of the standout aspects of my course has been the strong relationships between students and staff, and the number of opportunities we’ve had to engage directly with businesses.
Recently, we travelled to London for an overnight visit to Mixed Reality Rooms, a B2B software platform that helps companies transform their marketing, sales and event content into interactive 3D experiences. The evening before the visit, we had time to explore London independently before coming together for a group meal. It was a great balance of independence and social bonding outside a formal academic setting.
The following day, we heard from co-founder Sam Hall, who shared his journey of building a tech start-up and the challenges that come with entrepreneurship. His insights highlighted how fast-paced and competitive the technology sector can be, while reinforcing the importance of resilience and self-belief. The visit connected directly to multiple areas of our course, from marketing and management to innovation and business development, and allowed us to take part in creative activities that brought theory to life.
Learning from industry in Birmingham
Industry insight hasn’t been limited to trips outside the city. During a creative problem-solving module, we visited Birmingham-based marketing agency Wesconnex and met CEO and Founder Sara Guo. The agency specialises in helping brands connect with audiences through TikTok and creator collaborations, giving us valuable exposure to contemporary digital marketing strategies.
Hearing directly from an agency founder about client work, campaign development and adapting to fast-moving social trends made the learning feel current and highly relevant.
Business with Marketing
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Campaign projects that stand out
Two of my most enjoyable assessments have been marketing campaign projects focused on Gymshark and Grenade. Working on brands that are dynamic, youth-focused and culturally relevant made the assignments particularly engaging. They also aligned closely with the type of industries I’d like to work in after graduation, especially within sport or fashion.
Developing independence and discipline
University has helped me become far more independent and proactive. At sixth form, there were regular check-ins and closely guided deadlines. At university, there’s greater responsibility to manage your own workload and take ownership of your progress. This shift has made me more disciplined and motivated.
Being able to choose modules in second and third year has also encouraged me to specialise further in areas I enjoy, which has increased both my engagement and the pride I take in my work.
Looking ahead
After graduating, I hope to secure a role within the marketing industry, ideally in sport or fashion. However, I remain open to broader business roles that allow me to apply the commercial and creative skills I’ve developed during my degree. Studying BA (Hons) Business with Marketing at Birmingham City University has given me a well-rounded understanding of business, practical industry insight and the confidence to take the next step into my career.
