• Postgraduate

Advertising, Branding and Communication PgDip

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Overview

Overview

Why study at the University of West London? 
  • Ranked 30th university in the UK - The Guardian University Guide 2025
  • Number 1 London university for overall student satisfaction - National Student Survey 2024**
  • Best university for Student Experience and Teaching Quality in the UK - The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2024

Challenge your creativity, be inspired, and create meaningful campaigns that stand out from the crowd with this PgDip in Advertising, Branding and Communication (ABC).

It has all the benefits of a PgDip in Communication combined with practical skills and industry experience in advertising and branding.

You will develop strategic and creative thinking, advertising tactics, and communication skills, used to create innovative advertising, brand and design campaigns for businesses. You will also work on briefs set by leading companies and be mentored by industry professionals.

Through projects, lectures, group tutorials, industry visits and our own conferences, you will develop an in-depth understanding of professional brand communication and advertising strategy. 

Feel you could go the extra mile? You may want to have a look at MA Advertising Branding and Communication before you apply. 

View some of our students' recent work.

Two students working in library

Select your desired study option, then pick a start date to see relevant course information:

Study options:
We support flexible study by offering some of our courses part-time or via distance learning. To give you real world experience before you graduate, we also offer some courses with a placement or internship. All available options are listed here. Your choices may affect some details of your course, such as the duration and cost per year. Please re-check the details on this page if you change your selection.

Start date:

If your desired start date is not available, try selecting a different study option.

Why study Advertising, Branding and Communication with us?

Why study Advertising, Branding and Communication with us?

A collage of students
A collage of students

What our students say…

The best part of the course is that you can explore topics of your interest and go in-depth with projects that advance your skill set. Finishing the course not only gave me more practical tools, but it also taught me to ask questions that, hopefully, will help me change the world for the better. 

Karoline Lundberg, BYBI Design Executive

I am still as enthusiastic today as I first was when I joined the MA programme. Unlike many universities, UWL warmly welcomes newcomers, providing endless engaging events, trips, support, not to mention the mind-blowing workshops! It amazes me that professional instructors, with high credentials are the ultimate example of the word modest!

Laura Bakalka, Assistant Professor of Graphic Design, American University in Dubai, UAE
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Industry focused teaching
Graphic advising on-site Macs and PC Labs
Audio student practices in one of UWL's radio studios
The Digital Print Bureau has state of the art workstations, fully colour calibrated professional screens and cutting-edge software.
Course detail & modules

Course detail & modules

Communication is right at the heart of our lives.

Today, communication systems and tools are increasingly complex, sophisticated and extremely powerful. However, their effectiveness depends on knowing how best to use them creatively and strategically, in a time where sustainable and transparent communication practices are becoming an utmost priority.

Our course seeks to provide a student-centred environment which is continually updated by current industry practice. We are actively committed toward creating engaging and intellectually rich learning experiences so you can leave the programme with a solid understanding of key concepts, methods, theories and practices you can immediately apply to the workplace. 

Our PgDip in Advertising, Branding and Communication could provide you with a competitive edge over those without this higher level of creative and strategic research competencies that are becoming more and more relevant in the creative industries.

You may be fully equipped for rapid career ascension, being able to demonstrate critical analysis, creativity, and complex problem solving. You will be guided so you can provide evidence of originality when it comes to branding solutions, advertising campaigns and communication-related strategies or models.

At the same time your own thoughts and individual initiative will be informed through a thorough design thinking process of Discovery, Definition and Development.

The expected contact time is 1.5 days per week throughout the year – but just as in the vertiginous and vibrant advertising, branding and communication sectors, you will be working hard!

Compulsory modules

  • Research for the Creative Industries

    (20 credits) On this module you will develop the academic and research skills/tools, and learn the latest research methodologies and strategies, used in creative industries’ research, to underpin the creation and critical reflection expected in all other course modules.

  • Branding

    On this module, you will examine how information is collected, deployed, managed and made meaningful to brands. Additionally, you will study the development and current theories of information and communication underpinning branding strategies.

  • Advertising

    Advertising explores ways in which information, data, media and communication are applied in the advertising context – for areas such as public relations, online, social media, web, publishing, etc.

    We aim to explore the production processes to create communications media in line with our client’s brand values. 

  • Innovation

    This module focuses on complex societal problems, innovations and creative approaches to guarantee developments in the area of branding and advertising through design thinking. During this module, you will work on an integrated project that explores a key area through a collaborative and structured brief.

  • Professional Creative Contexts

    This module considers professionalism in the creative industries looking to the past, present and future, to shape your role within the current creative industries landscape.   

    Study the impact of branding and advertising on people’s lives and gain industry skills through University resources such as 3D modelling, motion graphics, print making, photography, film and research libraries. Receive exposure to London’s world-leading companies through agency and studio visits, and talks by guest speakers. 

    You may have the opportunity to increase professional engagement by embarking on a mentorship or 80-hour internship.  

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You should have an honours degree (2:2 or above) from a UK university or equivalent. We may also offer you a place based on relevant experience or training, normally from within the work environment. All applications are considered individually.

Find out more about our processes for recognising previous experience.

If you fulfill our entry criteria, you will be either invited to an interview (in person or via video conference) or to complete an extended personal statement form.

In specific cases we may request a portfolio to support applications, providing evidence of problem solving, creative thinking and evidence of your design journey, as well as development and completion of independent projects.

6.5 IELTS or above

You need to meet our English language requirement of 6.5 overall score for IELTS, with a minimum of 5.5 for each of the 4 individual components (Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening). Visit our English language requirements page for information on other English language tests we accept.

You also need academic qualifications at the same level as UK applicants. In some countries where teaching is in English, we may accept local qualifications. Check for local equivalents.

We offer pre-sessional English language courses if you do not meet these requirements. Find out more about our English Language courses.

If you fulfill our entry criteria, you will be either invited to an interview (in person or via video conference) or to complete an extended personal statement form.

In specific cases we may request a portfolio to support applications, providing evidence of problem solving, creative thinking and evidence of your design journey, as well as development and completion of independent projects.

Fees & funding

Fees & funding

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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

Funding your studies

If you are studying a Masters course you may be eligible to apply for a Postgraduate Loan, this may help contribute towards your course fees and living costs.

Additional funding is available to some types of students, such as disabled students or those with dependants.

We offer a range of scholarships and bursaries, including awards for specific subjects.

Awards for students of film, media and design are also on offer.

View full details, including conditions and eligibility.

Help with funding
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Additional costs

There are additional costs for this course that are not included in the tuition fees. See the links below to get a better idea of what to expect:

Please note:

  • Fees for the 2026/27 academic year and onwards may be subject to Government regulation and change.
  • Tuition fees are charged for each year of your course. If your course runs for two years or more, you will need to pay the fee for each academic year at the start of that year.
  • If your course runs for less than two years, the cost above is for your full course and you will need to pay the full fee upfront.
  • If no fee is shown above then the fees for this course are not available yet. Please check again later for updates.

International students - funding your studies

We offer scholarships for international students including International Ambassador Scholarships. 

Further information about funding and financial support for international students is available from the UK Council for International Student Affairs.

 

Financial support for international students
Teaching staff

Teaching staff

Image of Dr Patrick Roberts in black and white wearing glasses and smiling

Dr Patrick Roberts

Patrick Roberts teaches on the PgDip Advertising, Branding and Communication at the University of West London.

Patrick has extensive knowledge of the creative industries and has experienced and implemented new technologies for customer insights to deepen brand communications by creating new products, revenue streams and optimising customer loyalty. Clients include
Audi, BBC, BBH, British Library, British Council, Burberry, Costa Coffee, KPMG, Samsung, working with HSBC developing electronic money pay systems and changing fast food customer service and technology for global restaurant group Wagamama. Patrick has created and delivered teaching and learning programmes and experiences at all levels in the UK, Europe and Middle East.

Patrick Roberts teaches on the PgDip Advertising, Branding and Communication at the University of West London.

Patrick has extensive knowledge of the creative industries and has experienced and implemented new technologies for customer insights to deepen brand communications by creating new products, revenue streams and optimising customer loyalty. Clients include
Audi, BBC, BBH, British Library, British Council, Burberry, Costa Coffee, KPMG, Samsung, working with HSBC developing electronic money pay systems and changing fast food customer service and technology for global restaurant group Wagamama. Patrick has created and delivered teaching and learning programmes and experiences at all levels in the UK, Europe and Middle East.

Study & career progression

Study & career progression

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When you graduate you may be qualified for a broad range of careers. You could work as a:

  • brand and design manager
  • marketer
  • creative director
  • senior designer
  • design team leader
  • art director
  • advertising manager
  • account planner
  • communication consultant
  • project manager
  • content creator and manager
  • client account executive.
How to apply

How to apply

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ARTSFEST

A college of student work.

Find out more about the work our students produce and view some of their recent work by visiting our Film, Media and Communication ARTSFEST page.

Find out more

Important notes for applicants

Disclaimer

*Modern universities - defined as higher education institutions that were granted university status in, and subsequent to, 1992.

**The National Student Survey 2023 and 2024 - Average of answers to all questions by registered student population. Excludes specialist institutions.

Testimonials - our students or former students provided all of our testimonials - often a student from the course but sometimes another student. For example, the testimonial often comes from another UWL student when the course is new.

Optional modules - where optional modules are offered they will run subject to staff availability and viable student numbers opting to take the module.

Videos - all videos on our course pages were accurate at the time of filming. In some cases a new Course Leader has joined the University since the video was filmed.

Availability of placements - if you choose a course with placement/internship route we would like to advise you that if a placement/internship opportunity does not arise when you are expected to undertake the placement then the University will automatically transfer you to the non-internship route, this is to ensure you are still successful in being awarded a degree.