Program Overview

Introduction to the DDM Strategic Marketing Intelligence Program

The University of Groningen offers a unique Double Degree Master's program in Strategic Marketing Intelligence, providing students with the opportunity to earn two Master's degrees in two years from two of Europe's best marketing programs.

Program Description

The DDM Strategic Marketing Intelligence program is a full-time, 24-month program that combines advanced marketing research methods and marketing modeling with industry-leading marketing analytics tools and techniques. Students will learn how to design and implement research-based strategies for firms, analyze big data, and evaluate the costs of marketing strategies and decisions.

Program Structure

The program consists of two years, with the first year spent studying MSc Marketing: Marketing Analytics and Data Science (MADS) in Groningen, and the second year spent studying at the BI Norwegian Business School in Oslo.

Courses

The program includes a range of courses, such as:

• Companies, Brands and Consumers (5 EC)
• Data Engineering (5 EC)
• Data Science Methods (5 EC)
• Elective MADS (5 EC)
• Marketing Management elective (5 EC)
• Master's Thesis Marketing MADS (20 EC)
• Method elective (10 EC)
• Statistical Learning in Marketing (5 EC)

Study Abroad

Study abroad is required, with a maximum of 60 EC. The double degree partner is BI Norwegian Business School, Oslo, Norway.

Entry Requirements

To be eligible for the program, students must first enroll in the MSc in Marketing - Marketing Analytics and Data Science (MADS) and complete the first semester with an average grade of at least 7.2. Selection is based on grades and motivation.

Admission Requirements

Specific requirements include:

• Previous education: Students must have a relevant Bachelor's degree.
• Grade list: A certified grade list is considered in the evaluation.
• Language test: IELTS Academic overall score 6.5 (Speaking 6, Writing 6.5); TOEFL internet-based overall score 90 (Speaking 20, Writing 24); Cambridge C1 Advanced or C2 Proficiency (overall score 176, Speaking 169, Writing 176).

Registration Procedure

Students can only apply for this double degree program after successfully completing the first semester of the MSc Marketing-Marketing Analytics and Data Science profile. The first step is to apply for the MSc in Marketing, and after completing the first semester, students will need to go through a selection procedure to be admitted to the second year at the double degree partner university.

Application Deadlines

The application deadlines are:

• Dutch students: 01 May 2026 for a September 2026 start, and 15 October 2026 for a February 2027 start.
• EU/EEA students: 01 May 2026 for a September 2026 start, and 15 October 2026 for a February 2027 start.
• Non-EU/EEA students: 01 May 2026 for a September 2026 start, and 15 October 2026 for a February 2027 start.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the program are:

• EU/EEA students: € 2601 for the first year, and € 2695 for the second year.
• Non-EU/EEA students: € 21400 for the first year, and € 22200 for the second year.

After Graduation

Graduates of the program can take up positions such as data analyst, business intelligence specialist, marketing automation consultant, or database marketeer in global firms. They can also pursue a Research Master's and/or a PhD program.

Job Prospects

The program provides students with the skills and knowledge to become proficient data scientists across various domains. Job examples include:

• Data and analytics consultant
• Business intelligence developer
• Marketing researcher
• Researcher at a university (Research Master & PhD programs)
• Data scientist
• Marketing strategy consultant
• Data analyst
• Business analyst
• Client technology lead
• Marketing data advisor

Research

The program is connected to business practice, economics, and society. Research areas include:

• Understanding customer behavior in the retail context.
• Data-driven fundraising.
• Modeling loyalty program success.
• Voice analytics in customer management. The Customer Insights Center of the University of Groningen (RUGCIC) connects scientific research and practice, and brings together the marketing knowledge and expertise of students, researchers, and businesses.