Program Overview

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MSc Marketing

Overview

This programme, accredited by both the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Institute of Data and Marketing (IDM), has been designed for graduates who aspire to advanced study and a career in marketing. It will prepare you to respond to the marketing challenges posed by today's global business environment. Our pathways allow you to specialise in marketing strategy or digital marketing, or to pursue a broader marketing degree.

Our MSc Marketing programme will help you achieve industry-recognised CIM and IDM qualifications which are highly sought after by employers, preparing you for a successful career in marketing.

Through the CIM accreditation, MSc Marketing graduates can achieve CIM qualifications at an accelerated pace with exemptions for two of the three modules required for the Level 4 Certificate in Professional Marketing, and one exemption for the Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.

Through the IDM accreditation, our MSc Marketing students can gain a Certificate in Digital and Data Driven Marketing and Student Membership of the Data and Marketing Association (DMA).

By studying MSc Marketing at the University of Bristol, you will become part of a dynamic and diverse body of staff and students. You will be taught by experienced academics, many of whom have worked at senior marketing roles in industry or are actively engaged in conducting pioneering marketing research at international level. A large percentage of our Business and Management research is rated as world-leading or internationally excellent (REF 2021), reflecting its role in shaping policy and practice in the UK, Europe and globally.

As an MSc Marketing student, you will have the opportunity to put what you have learned into practice by undertaking a project around a current marketing issue for an industry partner. Opportunities are coordinated by our dedicated specialist team, the Professional Liaison Network.

Students and graduates will also benefit from the reputation of the University, which ranks in the top 10 UK universities (QS World University Rankings 2024); and top 50 in the world for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings, 2022).

Key Information

• Programme duration: One year full-time.
• Start date: September 2025
• Application deadline:
  • Overseas applicants: 25 July 2025
  • Home applicants: 8 August 2025
• Delivery method: On-Campus
• Location: Clifton
• Awards available: MSc

Programme Structure

This is a specialist programme, so some academic knowledge of relevant subject matter is required through a prior degree that contains some exposure to business, marketing, Social Science or management.

Successful completion of four core units, two optional units and a final project lead to an MSc Marketing award. The core units provide the essential knowledge and key skills needed to succeed in your marketing career. As a final piece of work, you may choose between tackling an issue that is theoretical in nature or if applicable, to work in a small group on a real organisational challenge via an applied industry project.

The programme content will equip you with the skills to critically analyse the challenges facing the current global marketing industry. You will also learn how to formulate an appropriate and innovative strategic response considering the latest developments in the field.

There are three available degree awards, which aim to match your skills and personal interests with contemporary career trends and market demand:

• MSc Marketing
• MSc Marketing (Digital)
• MSc Marketing (Strategy and Business Development)

The degree you are awarded will be determined by the combination of optional units you choose to study together with the subject of your final project.

World-leading Research

• The University of Bristol is ranked fifth for research in the UK (Times Higher Education).
• 94% of our research assessed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Entry Requirements

You will typically need an upper second-class honours degree or an international equivalent in: an essay-based Social-Science subject: for example Advertising, Business, Business Administration (BBA), Management, Marketing, Media/Communications/Journalism, Psychology/Social Psychology or Social Media. If you have a Commerce degree, you will also need 50% of your final-year modules to be in any of the above subjects, at upper second-class degree level.

STEM and numerate Social Science subjects - eg Economics, Finance, Accounting, Financial Management - are considered unsuitable for this programme, however, your application will be considered if you have relevant work experience (see below).

If you are currently completing a degree, we understand that your final grade may be higher than the interim grades or module/unit grades you have achieved during your studies to date.

We will consider your application if your interim grades are currently slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements and may make you an aspirational offer. This offer would be at the standard level, so you would need to achieve the standard entry requirements by the end of your degree. Specific module requirements would still apply.

We will also consider your application if your grades are slightly lower than the programme's entry requirements, or if your degree is in a STEM or numerate Social Science subject, if you have at least one of the following:

• evidence of significant (minimum two years) relevant work experience such as marketing, branding, marketing communications, social media, public relations or advertising.
• a relevant postgraduate qualification.

If this is the case, please include your CV (curriculum vitae / résumé) when you apply, showing details of your relevant qualifications. Specific module requirements would still apply.

See international equivalent qualifications on the International Office website.

Fees and Funding

• Home: full-time £18,000 per year
• Overseas: full-time £33,000 per year

Fees are subject to an annual review. For programmes that last longer than one year, please budget for up to an 8% increase in fees each year.

Alumni Discount

University of Bristol students and graduates can benefit from a 25% reduction in tuition fees for postgraduate study. Check your eligibility for an alumni discount.

Funding and Scholarships

The Business School is offering a range of scholarships for master’s students starting in 2025.

Scholarships for International Students

• Think Big Scholarships: 200 scholarships available:
  • 100 scholarships at £13,000 each
  • 100 scholarships at £6,500 each
• Career Accelerator Scholarships: 200 scholarships at £3,000 each

Scholarships for Home (UK) Students

• Business School Advance Scholarship: £10,000 each

Career Prospects

The marketing principles included in this programme are demonstrated through academic theory and practical application. Successful graduates are provided with a strong foundation for a range of careers not only in marketing but for any role that requires an analytical way of thinking and a creative approach to problem-solving.

Graduates of this programme are likely to opt for careers as marketing specialists in multi-national corporations or small-medium enterprises, or create their own marketing firms. Our recent graduates have gone on to work in various global organisations including Apple, Louis Vuitton, and Nielsen as well as charities and marketing agencies.