Intro

Designed for those seeking to develop their knowledge of digital marketing and e-commerce at an advanced level, our CIM-accredited Marketing (Digital Marketing) MSc degree prepares you for a career in marketing, advertising or social media.

On this masters degree, 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 starting in September also have the option to add work experience to their masters through a year’s paid placement in industry.

You will benefit from hearing guest speakers from the digital marketing industry discuss best practice in email, mobile, social media, SEO and digital strategy.

This degree 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. 

Find out about postgraduate events

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)

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

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 (Digital Marketing)

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.

CIM logo

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

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

Optional

  • Branding and Communications
  • International Marketing
  • Social Marketing
Business school student

Module in focus

Digital Marketing

The internet has had a profound impact on marketing, providing opportunities for a more personal means of reaching customers. There are also more opportunities to understand and analyse customer requirements and preferences. This module examines the choices and opportunities facing businesses that want to benefit from digital marketing. Key themes include:

Digital marketing in organisations

  • the role of digital marketing
  • drivers and barriers of digital marketing
  • access to the market

Digital marketing strategies

  • direct marketing
  • positioning in the marketplace
  • customer relationship management

Digital marketing channels

  • evaluating web sites
  • search engine optimisation
  • ad words
  • the role of email
  • social networking
  • mobile marketing

Organisational and emerging issues

  • impact of digital marketing on the organisation
  • impact of digital marketing on the marketplace
  • emerging technologies for digital marketing

Brighton's digital industry

Home to over 1,000 companies in the digital sector, Brighton is one of the UK's leading centres of creative media technology and the council have recently invested £10million in a state-of-the-art digital hub.

Brighton Digital Festival is a month-long celebration of digital culture and runs throughout September of every year. In 2013, the festival drew 41,000 people to 175 events that included coding workshops, motion capture performances and 3D printing installations.

WiredSussex are a locally based membership organisation for companies and individuals working in the digital sector. They offer internship services and a doorway to job opportunities across the city.

According to a recent report conducted by Wired Sussex and local universities, the average digital firm in the area is growing by more than 14% a year, while the sector in Brighton is experiencing jobs growth at more than 10 times the rate of the wider UK economy.

The Guardian

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 suite of courses. 

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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Principal lecturer in the School of Business and Law, Asher Rospigliosi, appeared on BBC Two’s The Secret Genius of Modern Life last night.

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Careers

Career prospects 

Digital media and marketing has grown into a multi-billion pound industry. As demand for digital marketing has grown, so has the number of specialist digital jobs in companies and agencies. 

This course is ideal for potential marketing professionals and digital marketing specialists.

Graduates are likely to be able to choose from a wide variety of marketing careers, from those traditionally associated with marketing (such as advertising, direct marketing, event management, market research, public relations and sales) to specialist digital marketing roles such as: 

  • Analytics Manager
  • CRM (Customer Relationship Marketing) and email marketing Manager
  • Digital Agency Account Manager and Sales Director
  • Copywriter
  • Digital Marketing Manager and Web Manager
  • Ecommerce Manager
  • PPC (Pay Per Click) Search Manager
  • Search Manager / SEO (Search Engine Optimisation) Manager
  • Social Media Manager or Community Manager
  • Web Developer and Web Designer.

Student in front of IBM logo

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.

Students in a presentation

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

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. 

International students who need help meeting the academic entry requirements should contact our International College.

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 and costs

Course fees

UK (full-time) 10,100 GBP

International (full-time) 15,800 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 2023–24.

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

Brighton: Moulsecoomb

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

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

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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.

Students talking in a social area

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

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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