This course is designed for those seeking to develop a specialist understanding of brand management and communications. It is ideal preparation for a career in advertising, communications and brand management in the international market place.
Branding is an integral and central element in marketing communications and represents what Keller refers to as 'the voice of a brand'.
Communications are a strategic process contributing to competitive advantage through differentiation and building brand value and equity. Communications refers to the integration and use of various tools such as advertising, promotion and PR to communicate with target markets.
The Marketing (Branding and Communications) MSc degree develops your knowledge of both the theory and practice of marketing at an advanced level. It will provide you with an in-depth and critical understanding of research methodologies, and marketing communications planning and strategy.
Students will critically analyse real world branding and develop a marketing communications strategy for a real client.
Full-time: 1 year
Course structure
Students attend three-hour blocks of teaching and seminar activities based on specialist reading, research and case studies.
Syllabus
You will be taught using a combination of structured teaching and independent study and research. Modules will be assessed with a mixture of essays, reports, group work, presentations and examinations.
- Masters Induction
- Critical Developments in Marketing Theory and Practice
- Marketing Planning and Strategy
- Marketing Research I: quantitative methods
- Marketing Research II: qualitative methods
- Branding and Communications
- Dissertation
Choose one option from:
- International and Global Marketing
- Social Marketing
- Behavioural Economics
- E-Commerce and Digital Marketing
- New Product Development
In the final phase of the course, you are required to complete a dissertation relating to a branding and communications. The dissertation will be approximately 15,000 words long. It will require you to undertake research leading to implementable recommendations based on sound analysis and judgment. You will receive support from your dissertation supervisor who will act as an adviser and help guide you in your research.
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.
International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out above should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the University of Brighton's Language Institute.
Degree and/or experience:
Normally a good honours degree or equivalent is required. Work experience is useful but not essential. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements then please contact us.
International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.
A Marketing (Branding and Communication) MSc from Brighton Business School will help you to specialise and stand out in today's competitive job market. It will equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career.
The course has been designed for people wanting a successful and rewarding career in sectors such as:
- advertising
- branding
- communications
- creative and design
- digital marketing
- direct marketing
- event management
- market research
- marketing (general)
- media
- product marketing
- public relations
- sales
The course is ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level or working as a professional researcher in marketing.
Previous graduates have started successful careers with the following companies:
- Product Manager for Astra Zeneca, Milan
- Brand manager for Campari, Switzerland
- Account Executive for Blaze Communications, UK
- Marketing Manager for Mitchells and Butlers, UK
- Marketing Manager for Cartier, Taiwan
- Brand Manager for L'Oreal, Greece
By the end of you time at Brighton you will be equipped with the skills to think and act independently, and to arrive at well thought out judgements and decisions in co-operation with others. You will be able to interpret information, data and ideas to produce creative solutions to problems and identify market opportunities.
The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2012-13. Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.
The tuition fee you have to pay depends on a number of factors including the kind of course you take, and whether you study full- or part-time. If you are studying part-time you will normally be charged on a pro rata basis depending on the number of modules you take. Different rules apply to research degrees - please contact the Doctoral College for advice.
To help you plan for your time here we will be providing further information about what is included in your tuition fee, and any optional costs you may need to budget for, later in the autumn.
Our website wwww.brighton.ac.uk/money provides advice about funding and scholarships as well as further information about fees and advice on international and island fee paying status.
| Marketing (Branding and Communication) (MSc) (Full time) | [J1BH590] |
| UK/EU (Full Time) | 7,290 GBP |
| Island Students (Full Time) | 8,925 GBP |
| International (Full Time) | 12,750 GBP |
Course tutors have worked in industry prior to joining and continue to consult for corporate firms, enabling them to feed the latest developments in the commercial world into the course. They are also active researchers and this knowledge and experience is used to help develop an advanced knowledge of the latest marketing theory.
Industry representatives advise on the content and development of the course and contribute to teaching as guest lecturers. These talks help bring classroom theory to life by sharing real-world case studies, results and pitfalls.
Students learn a range of transferable skills, such as research skills, presentation skills, working in groups and dealing with conflict. These skills are much sought after in today's highly competitive job market.
Class sizes are small enough for there to be a personal and friendly atmosphere where staff know students by name and can closely monitor their progress.
The Business School at the University of Brighton has a postgraduate community of around 600 students from a diverse range of backgrounds whose learning experience is enriched by the high quality of our research.
The latest Research Assessment Exercise (2008) ranked us in the top 15 UK business schools in terms of world-leading research outputs. Our postgraduate programmes reflect the research that is being undertaken.
Our equipment includes lecture theatres equipped with the latest audio-visual equipment and over 100 hot desks with high-speed internet access. Once at the university you will have access to a range of services including a modern library, comprehensive careers and personal support, and opportunities to volunteer or take part in sport.
The Brighton Business School is a truly international place to study. No matter where in the world you are from, we look forward to welcoming you. You will be supported from the moment you start with us. This includes:
- a free orientation programme to introduce you to other students, the university and the city of Brighton
- a free pickup from Heathrow or Gatwick airport
- free English language tuition (throughout your first year)
- guaranteed accommodation in your first year
- a team of support staff to assist you, including a personal tutor.
For more details visit the university's information on support for international students
The level of English you need depends on the course. The details are included in the course information, but for more general information read our information onEnglish language requirements.
However, we provide a number of ways to improve your English before you start your course, and free English language support you while you are studying.
We can help you meet our academic entry requirements if your qualifications are not the correct level to study at university in the UK. The preparation courses at the University of Brighton’s International College have been specially designed to help international students to progress to a postgraduate degree course at the university.
More about our university preparation courses
The best thing about the course is the very professional and extremely high level of teaching in terms of theory and its relevance to practice. All teachers at Brighton Business School were great motivators and lecturers, pushing yourself to your limits and giving you the opportunity grow academically and personally.
The course completely met my expectations. It was a tough course with a high level of teaching and became a turning point in my life. The great support of teachers motivated me and helped me on my way to prestigious Master degree but also to a PhD at Munich University.
The best thing about living in Brighton is its tolerance and diversity. I have not felt this welcome in any other city in Europe. As a melting pot of different cultures, Brighton is one of the most interesting and colourful cities in England and Europe.
I consider myself honoured to have interacted closely with so many exceptional lecturers and such a dynamic and exciting group of young students, which really differentiates the University of Brighton.
I did my undergraduate degree at the University of Brighton and due to the economic crisis decided to do a Masters to help me get further up the career ladder.
The best thing about the course was learning that marketing and communications can be very scientific. If you try to look scientifically at people's psychology and behaviour it turns into a very colourful and interesting area.
My project involved creating a five-year marketing plan and sales forecast using data from a real company. We split into teams and presented our ideas to a jury which included external marketeers from industry.
The support of the university was always there. If you were stressed or needed advice help was always there. If you asked your course leader they would always guide you in the right direction.
I specialised in branding and communications which I found very interesting and very helpful. But I found the behavioural economics module the most interesting. People do not behave how they say they are going to, they behave differently and this knowledge is invaluable for marketeers who begin to understand the customer better than the customer themselves. It was really interesting. I loved it. I'm still reading up on it.
I now hope to work for large international company, travelling, creating a brilliant customer experience, and developing their identity and brand image even further.
My Masters degree has been very valuable, specifically because it's a Master of Science and puts marketing where it should be – in the scientific arena.
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
In order to benefit from, contribute to and enjoy the course, a good command of spoken and written English language is required. If English is not your first language, you will need English language proficiency equivalent to an overall IELTS score of at least 6.5, with 6 in the written test.
International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out above should consider applying for this course through the Extended Masters programme at the University of Brighton's Language Institute.
Degree and/or experience:
Normally a good honours degree or equivalent is required. Work experience is useful but not essential. Applicants with non-standard entry qualifications will be considered. If you are unsure whether you meet the entry requirements then please contact us.
International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.
Developing projects for real clients
+44 (0)1273 642197
postgrad.business@brighton.ac.uk
International students:
+44 (0)207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk
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