B.Sc. Advertising

Colleges and Faculties > Independent Faculties > Faculty of Social Sciences > Department of Mass Communication > B.Sc. Advertising

The B.Sc. Advertising programme equips you with the creative, analytical, and strategic skills required to design and manage persuasive communication for brands, products, organisations, and social causes. You will learn how advertising shapes consumer behaviour, influences markets, frames public perception, and contributes to the growth of modern economies.

This degree prepares you to operate confidently within Nigeria’s expanding marketing communications industry. You will develop competencies in media strategy, creative message design, digital advertising, brand management, audience analysis, media research, and campaign evaluation. By the end of your training, you will be able to create effective advertising solutions that meet professional, ethical, and societal standards.

Course Overview

The B.Sc. Advertising programme provides a comprehensive foundation in the theory and practice of advertising across traditional and digital media. You will study how advertising messages are conceptualised, produced, distributed, and assessed, while gaining hands-on exposure to creative development, campaign planning, consumer insight, and digital communication technologies.

Your study covers areas such as:

  1. Principles and theories of advertising
  2. Brand communication and identity
  3. Media planning and buying
  4. Creative strategy and message development
  5. Digital and social media advertising
  6. Audience research and consumer psychology
  7. Advertising ethics, law, and regulation
  8. Integrated marketing communication
  9. Campaign planning and evaluation

The programme duration is four years for UTME entrants and three years for Direct Entry students.

Course Curriculum

The curriculum is drawn from the Core Curriculum and Minimum Academic Standards (CCMAS) of the National Universities Commission (NUC). It integrates foundational communication studies, specialised advertising courses, digital media competencies, and hands-on industry exposure through practical assignments, laboratories, media workshops, and professional projects.

At this stage, you will build essential communication foundations and develop an understanding of the media environment. Typical courses include:

  1. Introduction to Communication
  2. Introduction to Media Studies
  3. Writing for the Media
  4. Principles of Advertising
  5. Communication in English
  6. Nigerian Peoples and Culture
  7. Logic and Philosophy
  8. Introduction to Computer Applications

These courses introduce you to the nature of communication, media systems, advertising concepts, basic writing skills, and digital literacy.

You begin to explore core advertising and marketing communication concepts in greater depth:

  1. Advertising Principles and Practice
  2. Media Systems and Society
  3. Introduction to Consumer Behaviour
  4. Introduction to Marketing
  5. Advertising Copywriting
  6. Mass Media and Society
  7. Communication Research Methods I
  8. Fundamentals of Graphic Communication

This stage strengthens your understanding of consumer insight, media operations, and message design.

You move into specialised advertising functions and applied industry skills:

  1. Media Planning and Buying
  2. Creative Strategy and Campaign Development
  3. Digital Advertising
  4. Brand Management
  5. Advertising Research
  6. Communication Research Methods II
  7. Integrated Marketing Communication
  8. Advertising Design and Production
  9. These courses expose you to professional creative processes, brand communication strategy, analytics, and digital production techniques.

Your final year consolidates your skills and prepares you for professional practice:

  1. Advanced Advertising Strategies
  2. Advertising Law and Ethics
  3. Advertising Management
  4. Digital Media Campaigns
  5. Social Marketing and Public Service Advertising
  6. Advertising Seminar Series
  7. Project/Dissertation

This concluding phase includes an intensive research project, where you investigate relevant issues in advertising practice or theory.

Entry Requirements

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)

  1. A minimum of five credit passes at O-Level in subjects relevant to Communication and Media Studies, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  2. A satisfactory score in the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) with English Language and other relevant subjects in the Communication and Social Science field.
  3. Successful participation in the OOU Post-UTME screening exercise.
  4. Your O-Level subjects must demonstrate strong competence in language, writing, and social sciences, as these form the foundation of advertising communication.

1. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)

  1. At least five O-Level credits, including English Language.
  2. Two A-Level passes in subjects relevant to media, communication, arts, or social sciences OR a National Diploma (ND), Nigeria Certificate in Education (NCE), or equivalent qualification in Mass Communication, Media Studies, Marketing, or related fields with at least Upper Credit or Merit.
  3. All required transcripts and supporting documents were submitted via the OOU admissions portal.

Why study at OOU?

Studying Advertising at Olabisi Onabanjo University provides you with a robust academic foundation and the practical experience you need to thrive in Nigeria’s evolving creative and media industry.

You will benefit from:

  1. A curriculum aligned with industry realities, covering branding, consumer behaviour, digital campaigns, media buying, creative writing, and regulatory frameworks.
  2. Experienced lecturers and practitioners who provide mentorship and guide you through real-world advertising challenges.
  3. Hands-on exposure through workshops, creative studios, digital media labs, and campaign simulations.
  4. Training in both traditional and digital advertising, giving you versatile skills for today’s media landscape.
  5. A research-driven approach, helping you understand audience behaviour, market trends, and communication impact.
  6. Opportunities for collaboration across related programmes such as Journalism, Public Relations, Broadcasting, and Marketing, reflecting modern integrated marketing communication practice.

A strong foundation for postgraduate studies in Advertising, Marketing Communication, Journalism, Media Studies, and related disciplines.

Research Project

In your final year, you will undertake a research project designed to demonstrate your ability to analyse advertising concepts and apply communication theories to real-world problems.

Under the guidance of an academic supervisor, you will:

  1. Choose a topic related to advertising practice, consumer psychology, digital advertising, branding, regulation, or campaign effectiveness.
  2. Conduct qualitative or quantitative research, engaging with media data, audiences, or communication artefacts.
  3. Apply research methods taught throughout the programme to investigate a marketing communication problem.
  4. Present your findings in a written dissertation that meets academic and professional standards.

This project helps you build analytical, creative, and strategic skills essential for careers in the contemporary advertising industry.

Graduation Requirements

To qualify for the award of the Bachelor of Science in Advertising, you must fulfil the graduation requirements approved by the National Universities Commission (NUC) and Olabisi Onabanjo University. These standards ensure that you graduate with the creative, analytical, and professional competence required in modern advertising practice.

Academic Requirements

  1. Complete and pass all compulsory and elective courses prescribed in the programme.
  2. Earn the minimum credit load required for graduation:
    1. 120 credit units for UTME entrants
    2. 90 credit units for Direct Entry students
  3. Maintain a minimum Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 1.00.
  4. Complete and successfully defend your final-year research project.

Grading and Degree Classification

Your final classification is determined by your Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA), as follows:

Upon satisfying these requirements, you will be awarded the B.Sc. (Hons) Advertising, a qualification recognised for its relevance to the creative, commercial, and digital communication industries.

Career Opportunities

A degree in Advertising prepares you for a wide range of roles across the creative industries, digital media, marketing communication, and brand management. Your training equips you with practical and strategic skills that are highly sought after in both public and private sectors.

You may pursue roles such as:

  1. Advertising Executive
  2. Creative Writer / Copywriter
  3. Media Planner and Buyer
  4. Digital Advertising Specialist
  5. Brand Manager
  6. Social Media Strategist
  7. Content Developer
  8. Market Research Analyst
  9. Campaign Manager
  10. Account Executive in Advertising Agencies
  11. Creative Strategist
  12. Advertising Production Assistant

You may work in:

  1. Advertising and creative agencies
  2. Digital marketing firms
  3. Media houses (radio, TV, print, online)
  4. Corporate communication departments
  5. Branding and design studios
  6. Government information and orientation units
  7. Non-profit and advocacy organisations
  8. Market and consumer research companies
  9. Social media consultancies
  10. Public relations and integrated marketing communication firms

This programme also provides an excellent foundation for postgraduate studies in Advertising, Communication Studies, Marketing, Public Relations, Media Management, and related disciplines.

How to Apply?

1. UTME Admission (Four-Year Programme)

  1. Select Olabisi Onabanjo University as your first-choice institution and choose Advertising as your preferred course.
  2. Sit for the UTME with English Language and other relevant subjects in Communication and Social Sciences.
  3. Possess at least five O-level credits, including English Language, obtained in not more than two sittings.
  4. Participate in the OOU Post-UTME screening and meet the departmental cut-off mark.

2. Direct Entry Admission (Three-Year Programme)

  1. Hold two A-Level passes or equivalent qualifications in relevant subjects OR possess an ND, NCE, or equivalent qualification in Mass Communication, Media Studies, Marketing, or related fields with at least Upper Credit or Merit.
  2. Have the required O-level credits, including English Language.
  3. Upload your transcripts and supporting documents through the OOU Undergraduate Admissions Portal.

Course Coordinator

The B.Sc. Advertising programme is coordinated by a team of experienced academics and industry-focused professionals within the Department of Mass Communication, Faculty of Social Sciences.

The current programme coordinator is:

Dr [Full Name]

Contact Information:

  • Email:  
  • Phone: 
  • Office: 

Course Overview

  1. Next Admission Process
  2. Current Academic Year
  3. Associated programmes = Undergraduate
  4. Course Duration = 4 Years
  5. Degree = Bachelor of Science (B.Sc.)
  6. Department = Mass Communication
  7. Course Type = Full Time
  8. Course Delivery = On campus
  9. Location = Faculty of Social Science, Main Campus
  10. Scholarship opportunities