About the course
Social Marketing is the systematic application of marketing concepts and techniques to achieve specific behavioural goals leading to an individual or social good. Social marketing builds on and complements the core discipline of marketing. For health, behaviour change, environment and public communications specialists it is a way of understanding how tools of commercial marketing can help with the development of effective services and interventions based on consumer insight.
The Marketing (Social Marketing) MSc has a strong focus on understanding the motivations of the target audience or 'customer' when planning programmes to influence, and ultimately change behaviour.
The course 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 planning and strategy.
At the end of your time in Brighton you will have a good understanding of social marketing strategy, with skills and knowledge sought after by employers such as national government, local government, social marketing consultancies, health authorities and not-for-profit organisations both in the UK and internationally.
The entry requirements listed here are for students starting their course in 2013. 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.
For equivalent international qualifications
We can help you meet our English language entry requirements
For help meeting English language requirements contact our
Language Institute.
We can help you meet our academic entry requirements
For help meeting academic entry requirements contact our
International College.
If you cannot find your country listed, please email admissions@brighton.ac.uk
Course structure
Normally 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
- Social Marketing
- Dissertation
Choose one option from:
- International and Global Marketing
- Branding and Communications
- 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 social marketing. 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.
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 and may be subject to small increases, in line with inflation.
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.
What's included in the fee?
When costs such as health or criminal record checks, field trips or use of specialist materials are incurred as a mandatory requirement of the course they are included in your tuition fee.
You may incur additional costs depending on the optional modules or activities you choose. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. Before you apply please check with the school that provides your course using the contact details on the left of this page for advice about what is included and what optional costs you could face so you can budget accordingly.
Our website www.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 (Social Marketing) (MSc) (Full time) | [J1BH610] |
| UK/EU (Full Time) | 7,290 GBP |
| Island Students (Full Time) | 8,925 GBP |
| International (Full Time) | 12,750 GBP |
Located to the north of Brighton city centre, the Moulsecoomb campus offers students an excellent learning environment and a wide range of facilities. It is the largest of our five campuses with over 8,000 students.
View campus maps and directions
Living in Brighton
Brighton’s rich mix of historic architecture, lively arts scene, varied shopping and cosmopolitan community make it a vibrant, enjoyable place to live. It is no wonder that many Brighton graduates choose to stay here.
Social scene
Alongside the traditional seaside attractions, Brighton is famed for its exciting social scene with a wide choice of pubs, clubs and restaurants.

Arts
The highlight of the city’s cultural year is the Brighton Festival. The event is held each May and is England’s biggest arts festival, which showcases arts and performance from around the world. Brighton is also home to the UK’s oldest working cinema, the Duke of York’s, which shows alternative and mainstream films. The city is also well known for its exciting music scene and hosts The Great Escape music festival.

Sports
Whether you take your sport seriously or just want to keep fit, Brighton offers all kinds of sports opportunities and facilities, on and off campus. You can also make the most of the location, and play volleyball, basketball and windsurfing down by the beach. The seafront is also the finishing point for the famous London – Brighton bicycle ride and the quirky veteran car run.
Lyvia began her career working in the marketing department of 3M Healthcare and subsequently held brand management positions at both Maersk Medical and Kraft Foods UK. She also completed her professional qualifications with the Chartered Institute of Marketing and gained her MBA from the University of Birmingham during this period.
She joined Brighton Business School as a Senior Lecturer in Marketing in 2001 and has since become a member of the undergraduate business degrees management team, as well as the MSc Marketing Course Leader.
She is also a guest lecturer at EDHEC Business School in France and an external examiner for Nottingham Trent University.
Her research interests include SME brand development and she holds several long-term brand consultancy roles with local businesses and charities.
Matthew has extensive commercial and social marketing research experience. Before becoming an academic he was an account manager for TNS, the world’s largest market research company.
He works closely with The Campaign Company (TCC) and has recently published research papers based on TCC s community cohesion projects.
He regularly delivers social marketing training courses for public health professionals, and is a frequent speaker at international social marketing conferences.
Matthew's current research interests include the role of emotions and relationships in social marketing.
A Marketing (Social Marketing) 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 theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career.
The course has been designed for people wanting a successful and rewarding careers 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.
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
Your level of English
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.
Meeting entry requirements
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
Promoting behavioural change
+44 (0)1273 642197
Email postgrad.business@brighton.ac.uk
International students:
+44 (0)207 250 6749
international@brighton.ac.uk