Marketing (Social Marketing) MSc (PGCert PGDip)

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 (Social Marketing), 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.

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
• Social Marketing
• Research Methodologies and Methods for Marketing
• Buyer Behaviour
• Responsible Marketing
• Dissertation or Work Placement Project

Optional

• Digital Marketing
• Branding and Communications
• International and Global Marketing

Module in focus

Social Marketing

Social marketing concerns the use of marketing techniques to improve individual or societal wellbeing, for example promoting improved diets, healthier lifestyles, road safety and environmental responsibility. This module aims to provide students with a greater understanding of the application of marketing concepts and techniques to the promotion of behavioural change for the benefit of individuals and society.

Contents:

• Marketing mix applied to social marketing issues and problems
• Segmentation and targeting in the context of social marketing
• Qualitative research techniques to develop consumer insight
• Behavioural change models
• Social marketing campaigns and marketing communications
• Social marketing and health promotion
• Marketing to promote improved nutrition and healthy eating
• Exercise and lifestyle change
• Anti-smoking/alcohol/drugs campaigns
• The role of social marketing in climate change, recycling and the environment
• Ethical and political issues in social marketing.

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

Teaching excellence

Most of our tutors worked in industry before joining the university and continue to consult for corporate firms, which allows them to integrate the latest commercial developments into our courses. They are also active researchers at the forefront of marketing theory.

Industry representatives advise on the content and development of our courses and contribute to teaching as guest lecturers. Their talks help to bring classroom theory to life by sharing real-world case studies, results and pitfalls.

You will learn transferable skills in research, presentations, group work and conflict resolution, all of which are highly 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.

International requirements and visas

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

Visas and immigration advice

Course fees

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. 

Info

The fees listed here are for full-time courses beginning in the academic year 2023–24.

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.

Campus where this course is taught

Accommodation

Local area

Maps

Support and wellbeing

Sport at Brighton