Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing

Program Overview

Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing (Full-Time)

Overview

The Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing is a conversion programme for graduates who wish to up-skill in digital marketing strategy, theory and practice. Graduates will acquire the necessary skills and acumen to appraise and operationalise digital marketing opportunities and challenges and effectively integrate these into decision-making roles with an organisation.

Programme Objectives

• Provide an academically rigorous framework through which students can develop an awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the digital marketing function to further develop and expand their knowledge of digital marketing.
• Develop a systematic detailed knowledge, experience and understanding of digital content curation for digital marketing in a modern organisation.
• Develop learners’ knowledge and ability to apply and use integrated digital marketing communications, particularly within campaigns, with the intention of using this knowledge creatively in the delivery of digital marketing strategies.
• Demonstrate knowledge of marketing technologies and tools and the role they play in marketing strategies.
• Develop an in-depth appreciation of modern data-driven metrics for marketing activities, and knowledge of using to drive an organisation’s e-business programme.
• Provide learners with the tools to explore web analytics and understand campaign metrics.
• Apply advanced research skills, constructively criticise, draw conclusions and offer recommendations within the marketing environment.

Delivery

This is a multimodal programme. Learners are therefore timetabled to be in class or online. They will also have mandatory on-demand content as contact hours that they can do in their own time and place.

Entry Requirements

• To be considered for admission to this programme, applicants must hold a full Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in any discipline from a recognised third level institution, or a full Level 7 Ordinary Degree in a cognate discipline in areas such as Marketing or Business.
• All applicants should have a minimum of ordinary-level Leaving Certificate maths, or be able to demonstrate equivalent competency in maths at this level.
• For applicants whose first language is not English and who have not previously undertaken a degree taught through English, evidence must be provided of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL). This must be evidenced through a recognised English Language test such as IELTS, Cambridge Certificate, PTE or DBS English Assessment. Test certificates should be dated within the last two years to be considered valid.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a pass award level and who have at least 3 years’ relevant work experience may also be considered through the College’s normal RPL procedures. Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.

Course Content

Year 1

• Digital Marketing Management (5 ECTS)
• Digital Content and Storytelling (5 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Communications (10 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Technologies and Tools (10 ECTS)
• E-Business Emerging Technologies (10 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Analytics and Metrics (10 ECTS)
• Digital Portfolio (10 ECTS)

Teaching and Assessment

This is a blended learning programme, with one fully online module. Whether online or face-to-face, the learning is supported with directed e-learning activities and objects, where the lecturer will guide the work-based learning using real-world scenarios and case studies.

Due to the practical nature of this programme the summative assessment strategy is totally focused on a continuous assignment which gives the learner the opportunity to produce a project artefact such as: e-book, digital storybook and digital poster.

At the final year students will benefit from knowledge in a key number of digital marketing areas and work towards the completion of a digital portfolio.

Teaching and Learning Strategy

All modules are delivered through blended learning. DBS offers fully-blended learning through a combination of the following modes:

• Face to Face Classroom Tuition
• Live Online (LOL) Tuition
• On Demand Learning

Blended Learning allows for the most appropriate mode of delivery to be applied to different parts of the syllabus. Blended Learning Programmes on average are split out to 40% Face to Face Classroom Tuition, 30% Live Online and 30% On Demand Learning but this does vary.

This programme is blended. This means you may have some face-to-face, on campus classroom delivery, live online and on demand content. The face-to-face, on campus classroom delivery will be shown on your timetable. In addition, some classes are delivered as on demand content which means you may have videos and learning materials to engage with alongside your timetable.

Structure

The Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing programme comprises two 5 ECTS and five 10 ECTS modules, 60 ECTS in total.

Learning activities include:

• Lecture classroom-based sessions
• Workshops
• Practical lab sessions
• Online class (broadcast live)
• Online tutorial (interactive)

The Full-time Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing will run over one academic year from Monday to Friday. Calendars for this programme will be available in due course. Please note daytime attendance is required on this programme.

Career Opportunities

With a predicted 150,000 digital jobs and an internet economy worth €21.1 billion by 2020, the digital economy has taken centre stage in Ireland’s economic recovery with the industry creating hundreds of jobs every month.

Graduates of this programme will acquire the necessary skills and acumen to appraise and operationalise digital marketing opportunities and challenges and effectively integrate these into decision-making roles with an organisation. The programme will enable graduates to work in diverse range of digital marketing roles and/or be in a position to take up further Level 9 postgraduate studies, such as the Master of Science in Digital Marketing.

Fees

• International Fees
• EU Fees

Next Steps

Please apply online via our application form.

Award Details

• Awarding Body: Quality & Qualifications Ireland (QQI)
• Duration: 1 Academic Year
• Study Mode: Full-Time
• Award Level: Level 8
• Award Title: Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing
• ECTS Credits: 60
• Next Intake: September 2025

Program Outline

Degree Overview:

Overview:

• The Higher Diploma in Science in Digital Marketing (Full-Time) is a conversion program for graduates who wish to up-skill in digital marketing strategy, theory and practice.
• Graduates will acquire the necessary skills and acumen to appraise and operationalise digital marketing opportunities and challenges and effectively integrate these into decision-making roles with an organisation.
• The program will enable graduates to play an active role in a diverse range of digital marketing roles and to be in a position to take up further Level 9 postgraduate studies, such as the Master of Science in Digital Marketing.

Objectives:

• Provide an academically rigorous framework for students to develop awareness of current problems and/or new insights in the digital marketing function.
• Develop a systematic and detailed knowledge of digital content curation for digital marketing in a modern organization.
• Equip students with the ability to apply and use integrated digital marketing communications, particularly within campaigns.
• Provide knowledge of marketing technologies and tools and their role in marketing strategies.
• Develop an in-depth appreciation of modern data-driven metrics for marketing activities, and knowledge of using them to drive an organization's e-business program.
• Give students the tools to explore web analytics and understand campaign metrics.
• Develop advanced research skills, enabling them to constructively criticize, draw conclusions, and offer recommendations within the marketing environment.
## Outline:

Course Content:

• Year 1 (60 ECTS total)
• Digital Marketing Management (5 ECTS)
• Digital Content and Storytelling (5 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Communications (10 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Technologies and Tools (10 ECTS)
• E-Business Emerging Technologies (10 ECTS)
• Digital Marketing Analytics and Metrics (10 ECTS)
• Digital Portfolio (10 ECTS)

Structure:

• Blended learning program with a combination of:
• Face-to-face classroom tuition
• Live online tuition
• On-demand learning
• Program runs over one academic year from Monday to Friday
• Daytime attendance required
• Calendars for this program will be available in due course

Assessment:

• Continuous assignments with the opportunity to produce a project artefact such as an e-book, digital storybook, or digital poster.
## Teaching:
• Teaching and Learning Strategy
• Face-to-face classroom-based sessions
• Workshops
• Practical lab sessions
• Online class (broadcast live)
• Online tutorial (interactive)
• Blended learning with a combination of:
• Face-to-face classroom tuition
• Live online tuition
• On-demand learning
## Careers:
• Graduates can expect to find roles in a diverse range of digital marketing positions, potentially within areas such as:
• Content marketing
• Social media marketing
• Search engine optimization (SEO)
• Pay-per-click (PPC) advertising
• Email marketing
• Digital analytics
• E-commerce
• With a predicted 150,000 digital jobs and an internet economy worth €21.1 billion by 2020 in Ireland, the program positions graduates well for opportunities in the growing digital marketing sector.
## Other:
• Entry requirements:
• Full Level 8 Honours Bachelor Degree in any discipline from a recognized third level institution, or a full Level 7 Ordinary Degree in a cognate discipline in areas such as Marketing or Business.
• Minimum of ordinary-level Leaving Certificate maths, or equivalent competency.
• For applicants whose first language is not English: evidence of proficiency in English language equivalent to B2+ or above on the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages (CEFRL).
• Recognition of Prior Learning:
• Applicants who do not have a Level 8 qualification at a pass award level and who have at least 3 years’ relevant work experience may be considered through the College’s normal RPL procedures.
Relevant professional experience may be taken into account and individuals will be assessed on a case-by-case basis through DBS RPL procedures.
• Delivery:
• This is a multimodal program.
Learners are therefore timetabled to be in class or online. They will also have mandatory on-demand content as contact hours that they can do in their own time and place.