Intro

Designed for people looking to launch or progress their marketing career, this CIM-accredited masters degree will develop your knowledge of competitive brand management strategies.

You’ll learn about advanced-level branding and communications theory, strategy and planning, as well as studying modules in buyer behaviour and responsible marketing.

If you’re a full-time student starting in September, you have the option to gain experience on a year’s paid placement in industry. This option is only available if you’re starting the course in September.

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.

The University of Brighton is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB) – an accreditation achieved by fewer than 6% of business schools globally. 

Find out about postgraduate events

Key facts

Location Brighton: Moulsecoomb

September and January start dates

September
Full-time 1 year or 2 years with placement year
Part-time 2 years

January
Full-time 1 year

Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)

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

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

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 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.

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.

Elm House group work

Syllabus 

All students will study seven core modules, plus one option module.

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

  • Business Solutions in Action
  • Marketing Planning and Strategy
  • Branding and Communications
  • Research Methodologies and Methods for Marketing
  • Buyer Behaviour
  • Responsible Marketing
  • Dissertation or Work Placement Project

Options*

  • International and Global Marketing
  • Digital Marketing
  • Social Marketing

*Option modules are indicative and may change, depending on timetabling and staff availability.

 

Module in focus

Branding and 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

  • Communications theories
  • The marketing communications (marcoms) mix
  • Marcoms planning and strategies
  • Segmenting, targeting and positioning for marcoms
  • Brand identity and elements
  • Branding strategies
  • Digital branding.
Student studying in Elm House

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.

Course leader

Dr Rodrigo Lucena

Dr Rodrigo Lucena is the course leader for our postgraduate marketing degrees. 

He has a PhD in Tourism Marketing from the University of Brighton and an MSc in International Hospitality Management from Manchester Metropolitan University. 

He combines a solid academic background with a wide expertise in service management. He made a career at the InterContinental Hotels Group, and brings deep knowledge of marketing strategies and operations.

Rodrigo has been a lecturer at the University of Brighton since 2013 and has taught on several modules including Consumer Behaviour, Branding and Communications, Customer Relationship Marketing, Competitive Marketing Strategies, Marketing Planning and Research Methods.

His research interests include consumer behaviour, service marketing, customer relationship marketing, tourism and hospitality marketing, marketing for families, gender and sexuality in marketing, and qualitative research methods. 

Find out more about your course leader.

Rodrigo Lucena De Mello

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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 AstraZeneca, 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

CIM 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

AACSB accreditation

The University of Brighton is accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).  

AACSB accredited schools lead business and management education, industry engagement and impactful research and enable our students to collaborate with academics in other world-leading universities.

Currently fewer than 6% of business schools globally are AACSB accredited. By gaining AACSB accreditation, the university has achieved its ambition to join a group of institutions considered to be the best business schools in the world.

AACSB accredited

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 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

Fees and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 10,500 GBP

International (full-time)15,900 GBP

Placement year

Home 1,410 GBP

International 2,180 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.

The fees listed here are for the first year of full-time study if you start your course in the academic year 2024–25.

You will pay fees for each year of your course. Some fees may increase each year.

UK undergraduate and some postgraduate fees are regulated by the UK government and increases will not be more than the maximum amount allowed. Course fees that are not regulated may increase each year by up to 5% or RPI (whichever is higher).

If you are studying part-time your fee will usually be calculated based on the number of modules that you take.

Find out more

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 2022–23 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.
  • 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.
  • For the International Tourism Management BSc, International Tourism Management with Marketing BSc, International Event Management BSc, and International Event Management with Marketing BSc, field trips are an optional activity, but we do strongly advise participation as they contribute to the overall experience of studying this degree. The cost for field trips is not included in the tuition fee and must be paid for by students, however please be assured we do try to keep field trip costs to a minimum and don't anticipate the total cost of a few field trips each year to exceed £30. If you would struggle to meet this cost, there is a hardship fund that you may be able to access.

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.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Moulsecoomb campus

Two miles north of Brighton seafront, Moulsecoomb is our largest campus and student village. Moulsecoomb has been transformed by a recent development of our estate. On campus you'll find new Students' Union, events venue, and sports and fitness facilities, alongside the library and student centre.

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

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

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students. So if you applied for halls by the deadline you are guaranteed a room in our halls of residence.

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

Halls of residence
We have self-catered halls on all our campuses, within minutes of your classes, and other options that are very nearby.

You can apply for any of our halls, but the options closest to your study location are:

  • Mithras Halls are stylish new high-rises in the heart of the student village at our revitalised Moulsecoomb campus with ensuite rooms for more than 800 students.
  • Varley Park is a popular dedicated halls site, offering a mix of rooms and bathroom options at different prices. It is around two miles from Moulsecoomb campus and four miles from the city centre, and is easy to get to by bus.

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

Relaxing in halls

Modern accommodation at Moulsecoomb

Mithras halls room with a view

Relaxing in halls near the campus

Student Union social space

Student Union social space at Moulsecoomb

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

Loading maps...

Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

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.

Students playing frisbee

Student views  

Richard Huck

"I was always drawn to marketing since completing my undergraduate degree (in event management) at the University of Brighton. I really wanted to explore that world more so applied for a master's to help accelerate that. My experience was absolutely fantastic. It was so hands on, practical and applicable to actual industry work. From metrics to consumer psychology, all the way through to visual branding, it covered everything.

"My lecturers were the most integral part of that experience. Their knowledge and diversity was such a gift that showed me so many aspects to marketing and what my career could be post-grad.

"It was thanks to one of my lecturers that I became aware of Magenta Associates and the Executive role that I now find myself in. My degree set me up to be able to enter a business with the most up-to-date industry knowledge and be able to apply that in the real world. I couldn’t be more thankful to all of my lecturers who helped me on this journey!"

Richard Huck

MJ Tuttle

"Course leader Rodrigo Lucena was such an invaluable resource. Not only did I learn so much in his module, but I was able to get feedback from him in regard to placements.

"My placement at Brandwatch has been so beneficial for me and my team, I’ve learned far more than I could’ve imagined and I’ve gained such valuable real life work experience. I’ve strengthened my time management skills, my collaborative skills, and my abilities as a marketer.

"As an international student, having UK work experience is paramount, and this also was my first experience in a marketing role (as I went directly from my undergraduate degree to a masters degree). I’ve actually just signed an offer letter for full-time permanent employment with them, which is very exciting!"

MJ Tuttle

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

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