MSc Marketing Communications
Study in UK
Is this course for me?
Modern marketing communications covers everything, from advertising on TV, radio and magazines, to PR via Twitter, video content on YouTube, flash mobs in Trafalgar Square, to interactive digital billboards. It requires skills in creativity, planning and analysis.
Students who have undertaken a diverse range of undergraduate degrees, whether that is in humanities, science, mathematical or technological subjects, and who want to enter the world of advertising, PR or digital marketing communications, will find that this course gives them a range of new knowledge and skills to gain entry to the industry and to start a successful career.
What will this course cover?
The course has been developed in conjunction with major international marketing communications groups, such as WPP, Omnicom and Publicis.
At the heart of the course is a focus on the impact of the convergence caused by digital technology and its consequences for marketing communications.
The content reflects the latest developments in established areas such as advertising planning and account management, consumer behaviour, brand management, public relations and media and campaign planning.
You will develop skills in digital marketing and optimisation, market research and in data analysis.
All course content is constantly being reviewed to ensure that it is relevant and up-to-date, utilising our strong links with major agencies and industry bodies such as the Institute of Practitioners in Advertising (IPA), Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Edcom, the education arm of the European Association of Commercial Communication Agencies (EACA).
On some of the modules, there is the opportunity to gain partial or full professional qualifications from the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).
The course is delivered across the following three levels:
Stage one – Postgraduate Certificate
This level provides knowledge of the marketing communications industry and the various skills within it, as well as how these are deployed in developing modern marketing communications planning and execution.
You will develop key presentation skills and be introduced to the industry, via talks from senior advertising and PR agency personnel.
You will also be able to participate in events such as our annual ‘New Secularism’ Marketing Communications Conference, and the student-run Adsoc and CIM societies.
Stage two – Postgraduate Diploma
This level enables you to develop your knowledge in areas that you wish to specialise in, with a view to gaining work experience, using the University’s own industry networks, or in conjunction with discussions with your personal tutor.
Modules will include work on live briefs and presentations in major London agencies, such as Leo Burnett, BBH, Mediacom, Mindshare, We Are Social, Razorfish, Burston Marsteller, Hills and Knowlton.
Stage three – MSc
The master’s level will allow you to develop your own critical analysis of a particular aspect of the work studied on the previous two stages.
You will be advised by your personal tutors on the most appropriate options in relation to which particular part of the industry you may wish to enter.
This stage can be taken as a purely academic dissertation or as a work-based learning project, either whilst carrying out a work placement, or once employed within the industry.
What are the modules?
Postgraduate Certificate – core modules
- Effective Marketing Communications
- Consumer Behaviour and Culture
- Market Research and Analysis
Postgraduate Diploma – core modules
- Managing the Commercial Communications Process
- Digital Marketing Communications
- Media Communications
Optional modules
To complete the Postgraduate Certificate and Postgraduate Diploma stages, you must also take one optional module at each level from the following list.
- Brand Strategy
- Markets and Strategy
- International Marketing
- Supply Chain Forecasting and Planning
The choice of which module will be subject to discussion between you and a tutor, based upon the career path you may wish to pursue.
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants should normally have an honours degree which does not necessarily have to be marketing related.
Comparable qualifications, for example the CIM Postgraduate Diploma or the CIM Professional Diploma, or at least four years of relevant work experience, will also be considered.
You must also be competent in English and maths.
You should give clear reasons in your application as to why you wish to take the course and how you intend using the knowledge gained from it.
