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Marketing (Branding and Communications) MSc (PGCert PGDip)

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Intro

Our Marketing (Branding and Communications) MSc  programme will develop your understanding of marketing from a strategic perspective. This course allows you to specialise and deepen your knowledge as you develop competitive brand management strategies.

This programme is ideal for those seeking to launch a career in marketing and communications, as well as those looking to further progress their knowledge.

On the course, you will learn both theory and practice of marketing at an advanced level, providing you with an in-depth, critical understanding of research methodologies, and marketing communications planning and strategy.

Full-time students also have the option to add work experience to their Masters through a year’s paid placement in industry.

This course is part of our Marketing MSc programme. All students complete the same core modules, then from the end of your first term you can tailor your course with specialisms and option modules. Other courses include:

  • Marketing MSc
  • Marketing (Digital Marketing) MSc
  • Marketing (Social Marketing) MSc
  • Marketing (International Marketing) MSc.

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Full-time 1 year / 2 years with placement
Part-time 2 years

January and September start dates, depending on route chosen

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

Find out about postgraduate events

Apply online

Please review the entry requirements carefully and if you have any questions do get in touch with us.

Apply now for your place

Modules were connected to hands-on business tasks. For instance, developing a communication concept for an online start-up travel agency or creating a business strategy for a musician. At masters level, applying knowledge is more efficient, preparing students better for their professional life.

Nathalie Pfrogner, Marketing (Branding and Communications) graduate

Course content

Course structure

The course is organised into three-hour blocks of teaching and seminar activities, which are based on specialist reading, research and case studies. Modules are assessed through essays, reports, group work, presentations and examinations.

All of our Marketing MSc courses share seven core modules. This specialist route includes one subject-specific module (Branding and Communications), plus an optional module in International Management Integration which enables you to add a further international dimension to the course. 

In the final phase of the course, you will complete a 10,000-word dissertation on a marketing topic of your choice, which will require you to make recommendations for real-life marketing practice. If you choose the placement route, your business project will be in place of your dissertation. Throughout your dissertation or placement, you will receive support from a supervisor who will help to guide you in your research.

 Two students delivering a talk

Syllabus 

All students will study seven core modules. You can also choose to take the optional module in International Management Integration.

You will learn through 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.

Modules

  • Moving to Masters
  • Business Solutions in Action
  • Marketing Planning and Strategy
  • Branding and Communication
  • Research Methodologies and Methods for Marketing
  • Buyer Behaviour
  • Marketing Metrics
  • Responsible Marketing
  • Dissertation or Work Placement Project

Optional

  • International Management Integration

Module in focus

Branding and Marketing Communications

Marketing communications refers to the various tools that marketers use to communicate with key target markets. It covers the use of advertising, sales promotion and PR amongst others. This is therefore an invaluable module for any student who wishes to pursue a career in marketing.

Contents

  • The marketing communications (marcoms) mix
  • Personal and environmental influences on marcoms
  • Ethics in marcoms
  • Consumer and organisational buyer behaviour
  • Communications theories
  • Segmenting, targeting and positioning for marcoms
  • Marcoms planning models and integrated marcoms strategy
  • The creative approach
  • Present and future media selection alternatives
  • Measuring effectiveness
  • Product and corporate branding

 

Placement year 

To further increase your employability and international experience we offer full-time students starting in September the opportunity to take a placement year. This means that your course will take two years, but you’ll be graduating with work experience.

The year on placement in a role related to your course will allow you to put all that you have learned on your masters into practice, enhancing your career opportunities and giving you practical experience in your area of expertise.

During your placement you will also complete a business project. This project is assessed as part of your masters and, depending on the topic that is agreed between you and your employer, could also provide a valuable piece of insight for your placement employer.

Our placement partners include BMW, Bosch, Deloitte, Disney, Hewlett Packard, HSBC, IBM, Ipsos Mori, L’Oréal, Nike, Panasonic, PwC, Renault and Warner Brothers.

Work placements are optional, and you are responsible for arranging your placement with support from our dedicated Placements and Employability team.

We are now offering a two-year international study visa route to support applications for this course.

Find out more about how we can support you finding a placement.

Staff profiles

Dr Nadia Lonsdale, course leader

Nadia is a senior lecturer in Marketing and course leader of the MSc Marketing programme. Nadia holds a BSc International Marketing from Omsk State University in Russia, and an MA in Marketing and PhD in Corporate Sustainability in Russia from the University of Brighton.

Alongside her teaching, Nadia’s research interests cover cross-cultural practices of CSR and sustainability, CSR in commodity industries and education for sustainable development.

Read more about your course leader

 

 

Nadia Lonsdale, lecturer

International study exchange

Through our partnership with MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business, you have the opportunity to gain an international perspective to your studies. On our study exchange programme you would join MIP's International Master in Multichannel Marketing Management course, which is taught in English. 

You will be able to choose from a range of modules including Design and Marketing: the Italian way in different sectors including for example Design, Fashion and Furniture, Automotive, Wine and Sports Marketing. 

The international study exchange is currently unavailable due to the global pandemic. This will be regularly reviewed by both universities and reinstated once it is considered safe to do so.

Business school students working together

How this course is delivered

How will my course be taught?
For the academic year that starts in September 2022 we’re planning for all students to be taught face-to-face on campus, enhanced by some online learning.

Students who started their course with us in 2021 are on campus for some face-to-face learning including tutorials, workshops, laboratory classes and studio sessions. They are also taking part in off-campus learning activities such as placements, field trips and study visits. And all of our campus facilities – libraries, learning spaces, restaurants, gyms and more are open.

Like all universities we are following government guidance and we are monitoring the pandemic very closely. Should Public Health advise it we have robust plans in place for additional safety measures to be introduced to enable everyone to continue learning on campus, and, as a last resort, for students to continue their learning remotely.

We will update you regularly on our teaching plans for the next academic year as you progress your application with us.

When does my course start?
The 2022 academic year begins on Monday 26 September 2022. Teaching for most courses starts the following week.

Many education courses, some health science courses including Medicine, and some postgraduate business courses have an earlier start date. Check your offer letter for the start date of your course.

Our latest news

Scholarships for international students starting postgraduate degrees in January

Scholarships for international students starting postgraduate degrees in January

We’re offering scholarships for new full-time international students beginning their postgraduate studies in January 2022.

Our new home

Our new home

We’re excited to announce that Elm House, the new home for the School of Business and Law, is complete and ready for the new academic year.

Join us in January 2021 on a Master’s course

Join us in January 2021 on a Master’s course

There’s still time to start your Master’s degree with us this academic year as several of our master’s degrees are available to start in January 2021.

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Careers

Career prospects 

A Marketing (Branding and Communications) MSc from School of Business and Law 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 including advertising, branding, communications, digital marketing, direct marketing, event management, public relations and sales.

The course is also 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.

Student on placement at IBM

 

Accreditation 

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) is the largest professional marketing body in the world. This course is accredited by and has been developed with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), so that you can gain CIM qualifications whilst you study. We’ve structured our courses to help you complete your CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing before you graduate.

Exemptions from Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

You can study for the following CIM qualifications during your course:

  • CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing – you can obtain an exemption from the CIM's Marketing and Integrated Communications module. You will then need to pass one CIM optional module to obtain this certificate.
  • CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing – you will be exempt from the CIM's Strategic Marketing module. To obtain the diploma you will need to pass the CIM’s Marketing Metrics module and one optional module.
  • CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing - to obtain this diploma you will need to pass the CIM's Digital Marketing Essentials module plus one specialist unit.

CIM logo

 

Skills development 

Alongside traditional lectures you will gain practical experience by working on live client projects, case studies from visiting alumni and industry experts, preparing you for a career in marketing. By working with real clients, you will work on projects advising them on their marketing approach, from launching new products to expansion strategies.

 

Lecture in progress

Marketing MSc Students presenting marketing strategy plans to client, Caterina Kostoula.

Work-related experience 

Our dedicated Placements and Employability team provide a huge portfolio of employers offering business-related placement opportunities. They support all students find a placement.

They offer several services to improve your employability including CV and cover letter reviews, mock assessment centres, fast-track interviews and interview practice sessions.

They will also support you throughout your placement and act as referees.

JobTeaser
We are one of the first UK universities to use JobTeaser, a new online placements system presenting placement options in the UK and Europe. It gathers together all the job opportunities, events and resources you need to help you with your professional development.

Placement and recruitment events
Placement fairs are held twice a year involving companies from well-known names such as Enterprise-Rent-a-Car, Nike, BMW and IBM, through to smaller and more local businesses.

Our regular Employability Weeks offer activities designed to enhance your employability, including LinkedIn workshops, sessions on working abroad, advice from the university’s volunteering service and support from the Careers team.

Careers advice 

Our dedicated Placements and Employability team provide a huge portfolio of employers offering business-related placement opportunities. They support all students find a placement.

They offer several services to improve your employability including CV and cover letter reviews, mock assessment centres, fast-track interviews and interview practice sessions.

They will also support you throughout your placement and act as referees if you are offered a permanent role.

JobTeaser
We are one of the first UK universities to use JobTeaser, a new online placements system presenting placement options in the UK and Europe. It gathers together all the job opportunities, events and resources you need to help you with your professional development.

Placement and recruitment events
Placement fairs are held twice a year involving companies from well-known names such as Sainsbury’s, Marks & Spencer, Enterprise-Rent-a-Car and IBM, through to smaller and more local businesses.

Our regular Employability Weeks offer activities designed to enhance your employability, including LinkedIn workshops, sessions on working abroad, advice from the university’s volunteering service and support from the Careers team.

Starting your own business 

Beepurple is the university’s entrepreneurship support network. They offer free support for any student or graduate with their business ideas, freelance plan or social enterprise project. 

Beepurple run events throughout the academic year, designed to equip you with skills that will improve your employability and help you grow a successful business. 

By taking part in beepurple activities, you will meet like-minded people, hear how other recent graduates have set up their own businesses and gain key enterprise skills that will help you stand out from the crowd.

For more information visit beepurple.

beepurple logo

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this course if you wish to begin studying with us in 2022. They should be used as a general guide. 

Degree and 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.

English language requirements
IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 5.5 in each element. Find out more about the other English qualifications that we accept.

International students whose language skills do not match the IELTS scores set out here should consider applying for this course through our Extended Masters programme.

International requirements and visas

International requirements by country
Country name
Albania
Algeria
Argentina
Australia
Austria
Bahrain
Bangladesh
Belarus
Belgium
Bermuda
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Botswana
Brazil
Bulgaria
Burma (Myanmar)
Cameroon
Canada
Chile
China
Colombia
Croatia
Cyprus
Czech Republic
Denmark
Ecuador
Egypt
Estonia
Finland
France
Germany
Ghana
Greece
Guyana
Hong Kong
Hungary
Iceland
India
Indonesia
Iran
Iraq
Ireland
Israel
Italy
Jamaica
Japan
Jordan
Kazakhstan
Kenya
Kosovo
Kuwait
Latvia
Lebanon
Liechtenstein
Libya
Lithuania
Luxembourg
Macedonia
Malaysia
Malawi
Malta
Mexico
Moldova
Montenegro
Morocco
Namibia
Nepal
Netherlands
New Zealand
Nigeria
Norway
Oman
Pakistan
Palestinian National Authority
Philippines
Poland
Portugal
Qatar
Romania
Russian Federation
Saudi Arabia
Serbia
Sierra Leone
Singapore
Slovakia
Slovenia
South Africa
South Korea
Spain
Sri Lanka
Syria
Sweden
Switzerland
Taiwan
Tanzania
Thailand
Tunisia
Turkey
Uganda
Ukraine
United Arab Emirates
United States
Uzbekistan
Venezuela
Vietnam
Yemen
Zambia
Zimbabwe

We can help you meet our English language or academic entry requirements.

Visit our language centre

For English language preparation courses.

Visit our International College

For degree preparation courses.

Visas and immigration advice

Applying for a student visa

Check out our step-by-step guidance.

Fees

Course fees

UK (full-time) 9,828 GBP

International (full-time)15,462 GBP

Placement year

Home 1,370 GBP

International 2,120 GBP

 

Scholarships, bursaries and loans

We offer a range of scholarships for postgraduate students. Bursaries and loans may also be available to you.

Find out more about postgraduate fees and funding.

Our Marketing MSc courses, full-time and part-time, are eligible for the government’s postgraduate master’s loan scheme.

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. 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. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included, while studying a course in the School of Business and Law in the 2021–22 academic year are listed here.

  • Students who choose to take an optional placement will have travel and living expenses. The cost of this depends on where and how long your placement is.
  • Some courses include optional field trips for which the school pays – you may incur minimal costs such as for food and drink and should budget up to £15.
  • Textbooks are available from the university library (many as e-books) but you may wish to budget up to £200 to buy your own copies.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2022–23.

Further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study and are subject to an annual increase of no more than 5% or RPI (whichever is the greater). The annual increase for UK students, who are subject to regulated fees, will increase no more than the statutory maximum fee.

You can find out more about our fees in the university's student contract and tuition fee policy (pdf).

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-time 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.

Location

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Over the last four years Moulsecoomb has undergone a major transformation, planned with accessibility, inclusivity and sustainability in mind.

Over 900 students live here in our halls, Moulsecoomb Place and the new Mithras halls – Brunswick, Goldstone, Hanover, Preston and Regency.

On campus you’ll find professional-standard facilities and learning resources for all of our subjects and a brand new academic building Elm House, alongside the library, student centre, fitness facilities and the Students’ Union.

Moulsecoomb has easy access to buses and trains and to all the exciting things happening in our home city.

Two people walking past Mithras halls

Accommodation

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students who apply by 30 June.

Halls of residence
We have halls of residence across Brighton in the city centre, Moulsecoomb, Varley Park and Falmer.

  • You'll be prioritised for accommodation in the halls that are linked to your teaching base, subject to availability.
  • Moulsecoomb campus is linked to Moulsecoomb Place, Mithras halls and Varley Park. All halls are self-catered.
    • Varley Park offers a mix of rooms. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre. Public transport in the city is excellent, and there’s a shuttle bus between our Brighton campuses during term time.
    • Moulsecoomb Place halls are all self-catered and are located right on campus.

Want to live independently? We can help – find out more about private renting.

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Halls

Modern accommodation at nearby Varley Park

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Students eating at the Hub

Students eating at the Hub

Local area

About Brighton

The city of Brighton & Hove is a forward-thinking place which leads the way in the arts, technology, sustainability and creativity. You'll find living here plays a key role in your learning experience.

Brighton is a leading centre for creative media technology, recently named the startup capital of the UK.

The city is home to a national 5G testbed and over 1,000 tech businesses. The digital sector is worth over £1bn a year to the local economy - as much as tourism.

All of our full-time undergraduate courses involve work-based learning - this could be through placements, live briefs and guest lectures. Many of these opportunities are provided by local businesses and organisations.

It's only 50 minutes by train from Brighton to central London and less than 40 minutes to Eastbourne. There are also daily direct trains to Bristol, Bedford, Cambridge, Gatwick Airport, Portsmouth and Southampton.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Brighton Beach sunset

Maps

Moulsecoomb campus map

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Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Cricket Academy

New for September 2023, our Cricket Academy offers aspiring players the opportunity to continue their cricket development alongside studying for a degree. The programme offers a world-class training environment with the highest quality coaching.

Find out more about the Cricket Academy.

Students playing frisbee

Stay in touch

Find out about postgraduate events

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Find out more about what students do at our School of Business and Law by subscribing to our blog.

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