MSc Marketing

What are the challenges facing the marketing industry today? What links are there between management, marketing and culture?

Modern marketing requires a global mind-set. Today's marketers don't just need an understanding of consumer needs, they must be able to communicate to diverse, global audiences and be sensitive to cultural and international differences. At Essex, we equip you with the skills that organisations demand in a complex global economy.

On this course, you learn how to analyse and apply marketing strategy theory to develop an understanding of organisations' social, political and cultural contexts. We look beyond the marketing mix to explore the wider implications on the discipline and the challenges marketers face, such as gender stereotyping, marketing ethics and promoting products and services internationally. You develop visual literacy and the capacity to think creatively and independently.

MSc Marketing is designed to challenge aspiring and existing marketing professionals therefore you are required to have previously studied or worked in marketing to undertake this Masters degree.

You gain an in-depth knowledge of areas including:

• managerial and cultural perspectives on marketing
• corporate branding
• strategic marketing
• corporate marketing strategy
• consumer behaviour

The programme combines academic training and hands-on experience to prepare you for a successful marketing career. Not only are you exposed to various challenges that marketers face in today's digitally disruptive environment but you will also be trained how to resolve them through the application of theoretical frameworks, data-driven marketing strategies, and analytical tools.

Our MSc Marketing is designed to challenge both aspiring and existing marketing professionals and is perfect if you have previously studied or are working in a marketing related discipline.

At Essex Business School, where MSc Marketing is based, you will learn from expert academics and marketing practitioners who tailor their course content to the issues currently being faced by organisations around the world. Studying alongside other students with a marketing background, you'll build a deeper insight into marketing with a real-world focus. A Masters from Essex Business School can give you the best foundation to build your marketing career.

Professional accreditation

Accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the purpose of gaining CIM qualifications through the Graduate Gateway.

Our expert staff

Management and marketing research at Essex Business School is very diverse but can best be described as exploring business with a social conscience. For example, our research investigates workplace ethics, corporate social responsibility and the lived experience of work in the global economy.

One of the academics that you may meet during your course Dr Erik Jacobi is a Lecturer in Management and Marketing at Essex Business School and an expert in ethical marketing and sustainable consumer behaviour, the politicisation of brands, and social media influencers.

Dr Jacobi is involved in a number of consulting activities including a recent project with Ultimotive Group advising how they can use social media and influencer marketing to establish a new brand and increase sales in the UK and in North America. Erik's work with business ensures his teaching is well-informed by the contemporary issues facing today's businesses.

You will also meet Dr Muhammed Shakaib Akram, Lecturer in Management and Marketing at Essex Business School, who serves as the programme director for MSc Marketing. Dr Akram mainly teaches in the areas of marketing strategy and digital marketing. Dr Akram has a particular interest in quantitative research methods and has used various data analysis and visualisation tools, such as SPSS, AMOS, SmartPLS, and Tableau in his research.

The research activities of academics in our Management and Marketing Group is supported by the COVER (Commons Organising Values Equalities and Resilience). The Centre is made up of an interdisciplinary set of scholars whose research aims to promote collaborative advantage, collective intelligence and “open source” problem solving both within communities and globally.

Specialist facilities

MSc Marketing is based at our Colchester Campus.

You'll be studying at Essex Business School, home to the first zero-carbon business school in the UK, demonstrating our sustainable approach to business first-hand. Set around a lush winter garden, with shared spaces to encourage collaborative working, you'll find a wealth of inspiring teaching and study zones:

• learn in modern lecture theatres with ‘listen again' recording to aid your study
• access to Mintel market share and forecast data for consumer market analysis
• utilise study booths in our winter garden and versatile break out areas for group working throughout the building
• dynamic blended learning provision for uninterrupted study and engaging online lectures featuring guest speakers
• study skills support provided by the Essex Business School Learning Team
• networking opportunities with visiting businesses and careers events
• Bonds café and adjacent foyer to enjoy on-site fresh food and drink

You'll also benefit from fantastic University facilities located close by, including our state-of-the-art Silberrad Student Centre, complete with an open-access 24-hour Learning Hub.

Why not try the Creative Studios? Equipped with top of the range kit, all of the computers here have the full Adobe Creative Cloud suite installed, which means you have access to Photoshop, InDesign, Premiere Pro, After Effects and loads more. With a similar feel to the offices of modern marketing agencies, the free-to-use technology can greatly enhance your projects and give you hands-on experience for your CV.

Our building is located on the Knowledge Gateway, home to some of the region's most exciting enterprises in the science, technology and creative sectors. The Knowledge Gateway provides potential networking and career opportunities for students directly on campus.

Your future

This course provides an excellent foundation to build your career in marketing by developing your skills in creativity, innovation and ethical awareness.

Many of our graduates go on to manage marketing activities in organisations of all sizes. Recent graduate destinations include high profile organisations and SMEs such as:

• KPMG
• HP
• Groupon
• Wefarm, the world's largest platform for small-scale farmers
• fast-growing digital agency, Footprint Digital
• award-winning marketing agency, Coast Digital

Read our graduate profiles to find out the types of organisations our Masters students go on to work for.

Our Student Support team work closely with the University's Employability and Careers service to help you with careers information and advice and CV support. They will help you find work experience, internships, placements and voluntary opportunities and provide access to employer talks on campus. We also work closely with the Essex Startups team to support our budding entrepreneurs get their business ideas off the ground.

“I did my undergraduate degree at Essex and felt comfortable here, so I decided to stay for my Masters. The teaching is excellent and I love the facilities in the new business school building. After I graduate, I’ll be joining the John Lewis graduate buying scheme. It’s an opportunity I wouldn’t have had without my Masters or the extra-curricular activities I’ve been involved with.”

Chloe Mongelard, MSc Marketing and Brand Management (former course title)

UK entry requirements

A 2:2 degree, or international equivalent in one of the following subjects:

• Advertising
• Business Administration
• Commerce
• Communications
• Entrepreneurship
• Management
• Marketing
• Media Studies
• Psychology
• Public Relations
• Retailing

OR

A 2:1 degree, or equivalent, in one of the following subjects:

• Anthropology
• Economics
• Sociology

Other degree types will be considered on a case by case basis and applicants may have to demonstrate at least one year's additional relevant work experience in one of the following fields:

• Advertising
• Branding
• Communications
• Digital and Social Media Marketing
• Marketing
• Media
• Sales

We will also consider applicants who hold a level 6 CIM Diploma in Professional Marking, Digital Marketing or Sustainable Marketing (pass or above) and two years' relevant work experience (please include a CV with your application).

English language requirements

If English is not your first language, we require IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum component score of 6.0 in writing and 5.5 in all other components .

If you do not meet our IELTS requirements then you may be able to complete a pre-sessional English pathway that enables you to start your course without retaking IELTS.

Additional Notes

The University uses academic selection criteria to determine an applicant’s ability to successfully complete a course at the University of Essex. Where appropriate, we may ask for specific information relating to previous modules studied or work experience.

Course structure

We offer a flexible course structure with a mixture of core/compulsory modules, and optional modules chosen from lists.

Our research-led teaching is continually evolving to address the latest challenges and breakthroughs in the field. The following modules are based on the current course structure and may change in response to new curriculum developments and innovation.

We understand that deciding where and what to study is a very important decision for you. We'll make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the courses, services and facilities as described on our website. However, if we need to make material changes, for example due to significant disruption, such as in response to COVID-19, we'll let our applicants and students know as soon as possible.

Teaching

• The programme places a strong emphasis on real-world applications and connections to industry.
• You will benefit from an interactive and research-based teaching environment led by experienced faculty who are actively engaged in research and have strong industry connections.
• By concentrating on and mastering the latest research-based theories and strategies, you will advance your knowledge of marketing beyond fundamental principles.
• Along with building the theoretical foundation, you will engage in experiential learning through simulations and data-driven case studies.
• You may choose from a variety of electives focusing on critical marketing and management areas of your interest to differentiate yourself in the job market.

Assessment

• Regular assessment methods may include coursework, presentations, case studies, group work, tests, projects, and examinations

Dissertation

• An opportunity to apply knowledge gained throughout the course of study and to further engage with that knowledge in order to produce an independent piece of work.
• Develop a 15,000-word dissertation under the supervision of an academic expert on a topic of your choice.