Advertising: Planning and Buying Media

Postgraduate | 2026

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Area/Catalogue
MARK 5021
Course ID icon
Course ID
204132
Level of study
Level of study
Postgraduate
Unit value icon
Unit value
6
Course level icon
Course level
5
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Inbound study abroad and exchange
Inbound study abroad and exchange
The fee you pay will depend on the number and type of courses you study.
No
University-wide elective icon
University-wide elective course
No
Single course enrollment
Single course enrolment
No
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Note:
Course data is interim and subject to change

Course overview

The aim of this course is to advance students' knowledge of advertising media planning and purchasing processes through in-depth application of knowledge in industry cases and settings. The following topics will be covered in the course content: how to measure media effectiveness; making comparisons of media vehicles; the audience delivered by different media vehicles; how media features in the life of its users; alternatives for scheduling media; differences in involvement of audiences with media and the advertising placed within it; new media and the future of traditional media and components of the advertising break/space.

Course learning outcomes

  • Interpret and use the language of media buyers and sellers to make media purchases, while displaying the ability to communicate these concepts to specialist and non-specialist audiences alike.
  • Use and critically compare a broad range of media planning tools (such as rate cards, ratings data and media use data) to justify making effective and efficient media decisions in a range of different situations.
  • Discuss and critically evaluate current practical and theoretical knowledge in relation to making more/less effective media purchases and to apply that knowledge to justify their own decision making.
  • Debate the likely impact of current trends in the media planning industry on the behaviour of industry bodies, media providers, and buyers of media space for advertising. Further to this, consider how possible future trends will continue to change this landscape.
  • Critically evaluate the appeal of different media vehicles for the cost efficient purchasing of media space for advertising and apply this knowledge to justify media selection.
  • Demonstrate Business Enterprise Skills in the context of the Advertising and Brand Management discipline: Problem Solving (intermediate level).

Prerequisite(s)

N/A

Corequisite(s)

N/A

Antirequisite(s)

N/A