Program Overview

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Marketing Management (MSc)

Award

Master of Science

Typical Offer

2:1 degree

Duration

1 year

Course Type

Full-time

Campus

Highfield

Next course starts

September 2025

About this course

Study the latest in marketing management theory and practice as you learn how to improve business results in a global context. On this full-time MSc in Marketing Management you’ll focus on digital marketing techniques and data interpretation to develop your strategic and tactical decision-making.

This master’s also offers a rare opportunity to use ‘R Analytics’ software to develop your statistical analysis skills.

This master’s degree in Marketing Management is ideal if you’re new to the field and want to become a professional marketer, or if you’d like to gain marketing insights using the latest approaches.

We’ll help you graduate as a capable marketer who can integrate marketing management approaches to provide solutions for modern businesses across the globe.

You’ll gather, analyse and interpret data to work out how to develop meaningful customer insights. During the course, you’ll learn how organisational functions contribute to strategy and how to inform international and multicultural scenarios.

You can tailor your learning to suit your professional needs. For example, you can choose to focus on:

• marketing in the luxury sector
• using analytics and data effectively
• global brand strategy
• business ethics
• the role of design in marketing

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Course lead

Your course leader is Tom Chapman, Principal Teaching Fellow in the Digital and Data Driven Marketing Department at the Southampton Business School. Visit Tom’s staff profile to find out more about his work.

Accreditations

• Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)

Entry requirements

To apply for this course you’ll need a 2:1 degree from one of the following subjects:

• engineering
• humanities
• business
• mathematics
• physical sciences
• information systems
• management
• social sciences
• languages (including business English, English, international business, Chinese language & literature)

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept pure vocational subjects that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art and design, graphic design, animation, photography, radio and TV directing, theatre, film and TV.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

• overall score: 6.5
• reading: 6.0
• writing: 6.0
• speaking: 6.0
• listening: 6.0

If you do not meet the English language requirements through a test or qualification, you may be able to meet them by completing one of our pre- sessional English programmes before your course starts.

If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.

Course structure

On this strategic marketing master’s your studies will run for a full 12 months, from September to the following September.

The first 9 months cover taught modules and includes exams. From June to September you’ll work on your supervised research project.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

Year 1 modules

You must study the following modules:

• Customer Insight
• Digital Marketing Strategy
• Introduction to Marketing
• Marketing Communications and Media Management
• Measuring Marketing Effectiveness
• Research Methods for Marketing

You must also choose from the following modules:

• Digital Analytics
• Dissertation for Marketing
• Marketing Practice-based Project
• Services Marketing
• Strategic Branding and Luxury Marketing

Learning and assessment

Many modules use case studies and problem-solving activities so you can apply what you’re studying to real-world scenarios. You'll work with fellow students on group assignments and presentations.

The teamwork, project management and communication skills you hone will be invaluable throughout your career. As well as lectures and tutorials your learning may include:

• seminars
• student-led discussions
• reflective practice
• workshops
• case studies
• presentations
• visits to UK-based companies

You can attend monthly seminars to hear leading academics from across the UK share their research findings and we invite industry practitioners to talk about the very latest in marketing trends and challenges.

You can also join the University’s ‘Digital Champions’ scheme and be paid to put your digital marketing skills into practice working with staff and students.

Assessment

The way you’re assessed might vary between modules, and may include:

• individual or group projects and reports
• group presentations
• personal reflection
• exams

Dissertation

You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the degree to write a 15,000-word dissertation on a topic of your choosing.

Academic Support

We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor. At the start of your course you’ll also be able to speak to former students who will share their experiences and offer advice about the course.

Careers and employability

This degree will allow you to develop and evidence subject-specific and targeted employability skills. This includes the required skill set for a range of future careers, further study, or starting your own business.

The skills you can expect to focus on and gain from this course include:

• Research
• Critical thinking
• Commercial awareness
• Self-management
• Confidence
• Leadership
• Communication
• Creativity
• Adaptability
• Problem solving

The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the Southampton skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.

Download skills overview

Career pathways

Graduates commonly work in a range of organisations or sectors including:

• Specialist marketing, advertising and PR agencies,
• Marketing departments within other organisations in all sectors.

Careers directly related to this course:

• Advertising account executive
• Advertising art director
• Digital marketer
• Market researcher
• Marketing executive
• Media buyer
• Sales promotion account executive
• Social media manager
• Public relations officer
• Fundraiser

See more

Wider career opportunities:

• Business adviser
• Business development manager
• Digital copywriter
• Event manager
• Product manager
• Retail merchandiser
• Talent agent
• UX designer
• Web content manager
• SEO specialist

See more

Example job titles of Southampton MSc Marketing Management graduates*:

• Marketing executive
• Account manager
• Project manager
• Teacher
• Application engineer
• Brand marketing manager
• Digital Marketing consultant
• Digital research manager
• Marketing strategist

See more

Job prospects for MSc Marketing Management graduates

£33k

Average professional salary

81%

In a skilled profession or further study

95%

Graduate employment rate

Source

*Example graduate job titles and job prospect statistics taken from The Graduate Outcomes Survey, which gathers information about the activities and perspectives of graduates 15 months after finishing their course.

Work experience opportunities

Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at Southampton.

Read more

Careers services and support

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV and interview skills and workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.

More about careers support

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £15,800.
• EU and international students pay £31,500.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship

A scholarship is available to home fee paying students studying an eligible postgraduate master's at Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate UK Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship

A scholarship of £9,000 is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Deans Postgraduate Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship

A scholarship is available to international students studying for an eligible postgraduate master’s at the Southampton Business School.

Find out more about the Southampton Business School Postgraduate International Scholarship, including eligibility and conditions.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

How to apply

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal.
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

• UK students: The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time.
• International students: The deadline to apply for this course is Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time.

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.

You’ll need to include information about:

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We receive a high volume of applications for this course. This means you may not receive a response to your application for up to 12 weeks.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email:
Tel:+44(0)