Introduction to the MSc Advertising and Marketing Communications Course

The MSc Advertising and Marketing Communications course is designed for graduates from any discipline who aspire to build a successful agency or client-side career in marketing communications. This career-focused course combines cutting-edge theory with practical experience, enabling students to master integrated marketing communications, creative storytelling with data-driven insight, public relations strategy, and media planning.

Course Details

• Level of study: Masters
• Entry Requirements:
  • UK students: An undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (2.2 or above for one year, 2.1 or above for two years with placement).
  • International students: An undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree (2.2 or above for one year, 2.1 or above for two years with placement).
• Start date: September 2026
• Duration: One year full-time / two years with a work placement (September starters)
• Attendance: Full-time, Placement year
• Course delivery: On-campus (City Campus)

About the Course

The course is designed to develop confident, creative, and strategic marketing professionals ready to make an impact in today's fast-moving industry. Students will gain focused expertise in communications planning, campaign development, and implementation — the essential skills needed to succeed in roles such as Account Manager or Campaign Manager.

Module Information

The course includes a range of modules designed to provide students with a comprehensive understanding of marketing communications. These modules include:

• Principles of Marketing
• Understanding The Customer Experience
• Strategic Global Marketing
• Professional Practice
• Marketing Communications and Agencies Management
• Creative Marketing Communications
• Contemporary Perspectives in Customer Engagement
• Customer Insight through Marketing Research

Assessments and Teaching

A range of assessment methods are used to evaluate student knowledge, understanding, skills, qualities, and attributes. These assessments include business reports, group presentations, storyboard pitches, copywritten PR pieces, and client pitches. The course also includes a marketing simulation exercise, where students make marketing decisions for a company in the jeans industry, applying their skills within a dynamic competitive marketplace.

Employability

The MSc Advertising and Marketing Communications course is designed to develop graduates who are ready to make an impact in the marketing industry. Graduates from this course have successful careers in organisations such as Asset TV, Fine and Country, Get Harley, and Trinny London. The course also includes opportunities for industry placements, providing students with valuable experience and connections.

Fees and Funding

• UK students:
  • Full-time: £12,350 per year
  • Full-time with placement year: £12,350 + £1,905 for placement year
• International students:
  • Full-time: £21,150
  • Full-time with placement year: £21,150 + £1,905 for placement year

Campus and Facilities

The course is based at the Nottingham Business School, which is part of Nottingham Trent University. The school is located in the heart of Nottingham and offers a range of facilities, including a brand-new Postgraduate Centre, a library, and a range of social spaces.

Chartered Institute of Marketing Accreditation

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), which means that students can gain exemptions from certain units on CIM qualifications, making it easier to gain additional qualifications. The course also includes Studying Membership with the CIM, providing students with numerous benefits throughout the duration of their studies.

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Degree Overview:

This MSc Advertising and Marketing Communications degree is designed to prepare students for the dynamic world of marketing communications, equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and confidence to succeed. The program is created in close consultation with senior marketing professionals and the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

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Objectives:

• Develop a comprehensive knowledge of advertising and communications theory and management in global settings.
• Gain a critical understanding of communications, marketing, and consumer behavior.
• Learn how to develop marketing communications strategies and implement relevant tactics to enhance brand reputation.
• Understand the marketing communications mix and how to apply its elements in different circumstances.
• Develop a comprehensive knowledge and critical understanding of marketing and communications strategy development processes.

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Outline:

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Semester One:

• Principles of Marketing (20 credits): This module provides a fundamental understanding of the basic tools and concepts of marketing, focusing on advertising and marketing communications.
Students will be introduced to the core marketing functions and develop an understanding of key concepts, frameworks, and models encountered in marketing.
• Understanding The Customer Experience (20 credits): This module introduces students to the field of consumer behavior throughout all stages of consumption, exploring the social and group influences that impact consumer purchase decisions.
Students will develop a critical understanding of customer behavior models applied to contemporary consumer practices and a comprehensive appreciation of the customer journey.
• Strategic Global Marketing (20 credits): This module covers the key concepts, frameworks, and models encountered in the strategic marketing process.
Students will develop an understanding of the foundations of strategy and strategic marketing, how traditional and contemporary marketing planning tools and approaches are applied in a variety of business contexts, and the impact the future global environment will have on planning.

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Semester Two:

• Marketing Communications and Agencies Management (20 credits): This module focuses on the role of agency and in-house communications teams, with an emphasis on reputation management through the lens of public relations (PR).
Students will develop a detailed understanding of the role of marketing communications in the marketing mix, recent developments in contemporary agencies and their relationship with organizations, and the ability to critically evaluate different PR strategies.
• Creative Marketing Communications (20 credits): This module develops students' understanding of the practical issues involved in creating effective integrated communications plans, incorporating traditional and emerging elements and theoretical issues that underpin them.
Students will be introduced to the issues involved in planning, managing, implementing, and evaluating integrated communication campaigns at a strategic and operational level.
• Contemporary Perspectives in Customer Engagement (20 credits): This module examines the core theories relating to customer engagement and applies them in a range of differing marketing contexts.
Students will be able to demonstrate knowledge and understanding of traditional and contemporary debates related to the philosophy and practice of marketing.

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Semester Three:

• Experiential Projects: Students can choose from three experiential project options:
• Consultancy Experience Project (40 credits):
Students work as part of a team to undertake focused research, developing their professional skills, managing a complex project, and delivering results in a real business situation.
• In-Company Experience Project (40 credits): Students apply the theories they've learned to a substantial, live project in a company setting.
This involves focused research, developing skills, managing a complex project, and delivering results in a real business situation.
• Business Research Project (40 credits): This project is a more traditional piece of independent research, creating an academic research paper, presentation, and methodological reflection.

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Ongoing Learning:

• Professional Practice (10 credits): This module helps students understand their own personal and professional development needs to enhance their business acumen and improve their employability.
• Customer Insight through Marketing Research (10 credits): This module develops students' skills as effective decision makers, exploring philosophical debates and methodological issues related to marketing research.

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Placement Opportunities:

• Placement Diploma in Industrial Experience (2-year course only): This module aims to develop students' understanding of the business and commercial environment.
Students apply relevant prior knowledge and skills in the business environment, increasing their commercial awareness.

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Assessment:

• A range of assessment methods are used across the course, reflecting the needs and demands of the different types of modules.
• Some modules assess the ability to work collaboratively in a team, while others assess individual capability.
• Types of assessment include examinations, group presentations, essays, reports, financial analyses, literature reviews, and research-based projects.

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Teaching:

• Nottingham Business School adopts a distinctive approach to the design of student learning opportunities, structured around theory, practice, experience & observation, and reflection & improvement.
• Students will have opportunities to apply theories in a range of practical settings, enhancing their understanding through the direct experience of business.
• Marketing Simulation: Students participate in a simulation exercise where they make marketing decisions for a company in the jeans industry, applying their skills within a dynamic competitive market place.
• Academic Mentors: Every postgraduate student is allocated an Academic Mentor who provides support in developing and enhancing the qualities and transferrable skills necessary for studies, career progression, professional, and personal development.

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Careers:

• The course is designed to produce graduates with focused knowledge on communications planning, development, and implementation.
• Graduates are well-prepared for roles such as Account Manager or Campaign Manager.
• Graduates have gone on to roles within the public, private, and third sector, undertaking positions such as:
• Marketing and Business Development Manager
• Marketing Manager
• Brand Manager
• Account Executive
• Product Manager

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Other:

• The course includes a Graduate Gateway accreditation from the CIM, which means students have the option to gain two professional qualifications: the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing and the Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
• Students have the opportunity to attend different advanced workshops with industry partners and expert practitioners, where they can sharpen their practical skills.
• Students have access to free membership to the CIM, which provides benefits such as CPD opportunities, webinars, networking events, and online journals.
• Students can also attend Google workshops run by Google Partners to gain a professional accreditation offered by Google.
• The course is one of the only MSc courses to have the Chartered Institute of Marketing Employability Programme accreditation, ensuring students are best equipped to progress their knowledge and career.

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One year (full-time)

• Home fees: £11,900
• International / EU fees: £20,250

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Two years (placement year)

• Home fees: £13,750 (£11,900 in year one and £1,850 in year two)
• International / EU fees: £22,100 (£20,250 in Year One and £1,850 in Year Two)

Nottingham Trent University

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Overview:

Nottingham Trent University (NTU) is a public university located in Nottingham, England. It is known for its strong focus on employability, student experience, and research. NTU has been recognized as "University of the Year" five times and is ranked first in the UK for employability by Uni Compare.

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Services Offered:

NTU offers a wide range of services to its students, including:

Employability and Careers:

NTU has a strong focus on employability, with a Graduate Promise program and worldwide work placements.

Accommodation:

NTU provides a variety of accommodation options for students, including on-campus and off-campus housing.

Library:

NTU has a modern and well-equipped library with extensive resources for students.

StudentHub:

A platform for students to access information and services, including academic support, wellbeing resources, and student events.

NOW:

A platform for students to access online learning resources and support.

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Student Life and Campus Experience:

NTU offers a vibrant and diverse campus experience with a range of opportunities for students to get involved in extracurricular activities, including:

Sports:

NTU has a strong sports program and is ranked in the top ten universities for sport in the UK.

Arts and Culture:

NTU has a thriving arts and culture scene, with a dedicated arts center and numerous events throughout the year.

Student Societies:

NTU has a wide range of student societies and clubs, catering to various interests.

Campus Events:

NTU hosts a variety of events throughout the year, including open days, lectures, and performances.

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Key Reasons to Study There:

Excellent Employability:

NTU is ranked first in the UK for employability, with a strong focus on preparing students for the workforce.

Outstanding Student Experience:

NTU provides a vibrant and supportive campus environment with a wide range of opportunities for students to get involved.

High-Quality Research:

NTU is a research-intensive university with a strong focus on innovation and impact.

Award-Winning University:

NTU has been recognized with numerous awards, including "University of the Year" five times.

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Academic Programs:

NTU offers a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programs across various disciplines, including:

Business and Management:

NTU is known for its strong business school, offering programs in areas such as accounting, finance, and marketing.

Art and Design:

NTU has a renowned art and design school, offering programs in areas such as fashion, graphic design, and photography.

Science and Technology:

NTU offers programs in areas such as computer science, engineering, and life sciences.

Law:

NTU has a strong law school, offering programs in areas such as criminal law, commercial law, and human rights law.

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Other:

NTU is committed to sustainability and has been recognized as the second most sustainable university in the world by the UI GreenMetric World University Rankings. NTU also has a strong focus on inclusivity and diversity, with a commitment to creating a welcoming and supportive environment for all students.