MSc Marketing

Year of entry: 2025

Course unit details:
Customer Behaviour and Insights

Course unit fact file
Unit code BMAN74921
Credit rating 15
Unit level FHEQ level 7 – master's degree or fourth year of an integrated master's degree
Teaching period(s) Semester 2
Available as a free choice unit? No

Overview

The purpose of this course unit is to examine in detail the process of customer (i.e., B2C and B2B) decision-making, the influences on buyer behaviour and their implications for marketing in purposeful organisations. Students will develop a critical appreciation of the existing research into customer  behaviour by engaging with the literature and examining practices in the marketing of customer goods and services.

Aims

The course unit aims to provide students with an understanding of and insights into customer behaviour (i.e., B2C and B2B); to acquaint students with the factors which influence consumer's and buyer’s thoughts, feelings, and actions; and to outline links between  customer behaviour research and marketing theory and practice.

Learning outcomes

By the end of the course unit students should be able to:

•  Use a range of theories that are related to customer marketing situations.
•  Understand consumer and buyer purchasing situations
•  Identify factors which influence consumer and buyer models of behaviour
•  Understand that there are a variety of possible perspectives that can be used in consumer and business markets and that these offer distinct marketing opportunities.
•  Have a more in-depth understanding ofhow and why marketing activities affect B2C and B2B customers
•  Understand that customers have richly interrelated thoughts, emotions, impulses and understandings, and that these offer distinct marketing opportunities.
•  Demonstrate how knowledge of customer behaviour can be applied to marketing practice
•  Practice group work and presentation skills, in the context of customer analyses

Teaching and learning methods

Formal Contact Methods

Minimum Contact hours: 20 

Delivery format: Lecture and Workshops 

Assessment methods

Coursework presentation (40%)
Exam (60%)

Peer Assessment for Group Work 
Please note we will use a formal peer assessment process for the group work assessment. Where deemed appropriate by the course unit leader(s), the peer assessment will be summative.
 

Feedback methods

Written, verbally during class and via Blackboard.

Recommended reading

· BSethna, Z. (2023) Consumer behaviour. Fifth edition / edn. Los Angeles: SAGE. Available online.
· Solomon, M. R., Askegaard, S., Hogg, M. K., & Bamossy, G. J. (2016). Consumer behaviour : a European perspective / (6th edition.). Pearson. Available online.
 

Study hours

Scheduled activity hours
Lectures 20
Seminars 10
Independent study hours
Independent study 120

Teaching staff

Staff member Role
Hai-anh Tran Unit coordinator
Zhiteng Feng Unit coordinator

Additional notes

Informal Contact Methods

Office Hours
Online Learning Activities (blogs, discussions, self-assessment questions)
 

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