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Course overview
The online MSc Strategic Marketing Practice will help you develop practical, analytical, and leadership skills, while enhancing your knowledge of the latest advances in strategic marketing thinking and research.
The University of Birmingham’s online MSc Strategic Marketing Practice is designed to equip graduates with a background in marketing, either academic or professional, with the skills that the marketing industry demands. Guided by the same academics who teach on campus, you will learn core strategic marketing theory and practice, along with the latest innovations in data, technology, and innovation within a framework of responsible practice and sustainability.
Course highlights
Industry-informed curriculum designed to equip students with the marketing skills and expertise required in the industry.
- The course is taught and facilitated by the same academics and active practitioners who also teach our in-person postgraduate programmes.
- The curriculum offers flexibility, as there are five electives from which students can choose four depending on their personal interests and professional goals.
- The development of future-of-work skills, such as an agile mindset, resilience, and personal effectiveness, to navigate a rapidly changing business landscape and adapt to new challenges and opportunities.
Course delivery
The University of Birmingham’s online MSc Strategic Marketing Practice teaches a combination of traditional marketing principles, theory, and practise; strategy and planning, digital marketing and innovation; and data and analytics – all through a global lens and informed by ethical, social, and sustainability considerations.
As you progress through the course, you will complete modules that explore topics critical to an increasingly globalised and connected marketing industry. You will also have the flexibility to pick four modules that align with your professional interests and career aspirations, as well as choose your dissertation topic accordingly.
You will develop robust marketing skills, and gain tools for a wide range of senior marketing roles through interactive lectures, seminars, and online tutorials; discussion groups, forums, and workshops; global case studies and research projects; and hands-on digital tool training, simulations, and app and tech demonstrations.
Module information
This MSc consists of 180 credits made up of 12 modules (ten credits each) and a 60 credit dissertation module. There are five optional modules from which you can choose four depending on your professional interests and goals.
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Applying Technology in Marketing | 10 |
| LM Consumer Psychology | 10 |
| LM Global Marketing | 10 |
| LM Mastering Digital Marketing | 10 |
| LM Responsible Marketing | 10 |
| LM Strategic Marketing | 10 |
| LM Becoming an Influential Leader in Marketing | 10 |
| LM Research Methods | 10 |
Students must choose 40 credits from the following list:
The following must be taken:
| Module Title | Credits |
|---|---|
| LM Final Project/Dissertation | 60 |
Entry requirements
To gain a place at Birmingham you will need to meet our general entry requirements, as well as those specific to your course. Your application will be reviewed by the course’s Admissions Tutor, who will decide whether your application should receive an offer.
- 2:1 UK undergraduate degree
To meet the entry requirements, applicants must have (or, if still completing their undergraduate studies expecting to achieve) a minimum of an Upper Second Class Honours (2:1) UK undergraduate degree, a postgraduate diploma from a UK university, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
Entry requirements for international applicants:
The University of Birmingham counts a student body representing more than 150 countries. As such, the University welcomes postgraduate applications from candidates with a range of overseas qualifications. Search the entry requirements for your country to find the grade and qualifications we will consider.
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Fees and scholarships
- £16,290
total tuition fees for this 30 month part-time postgraduate programme
Please note that fees are the same for UK and non-UK residents alike. The University of Birmingham is committed to providing accessible education pathways, and this fee structure enables international students to more easily access our research-informed, employability-driven courses.
Application process
To be considered for admission into the online MSc Strategic Marketing Practice, you will need to submit the following materials:
- Online application (no fee)
- Transcripts (uploaded, scanned copies are acceptable to render a decision but official transcripts are required for final decision)
- Contact details for one referee who has knowledge of your professional or academic (ideally one of each) ability
- Personal statement of 500 words that outlines why you are interested in applying for this programme
- Evidence of your English language level no older than two years (if English is not your first language)
English language requirements
If you are an international student, you will need to demonstrate you have a suitable level of English proficiency, usually through the form of an IELTS or equivalent qualification.
For this course we require IELTS 6.5 with no less than 6.0 in any band, which is equivalent to:
- TOEFL: 88 overall with no less than 21 in Reading, 20 Listening, 22 Speaking and 21 in Writing
- Pearson Test of English (PTE): Academic 67 with no less than 64 in all four skills
- Cambridge English: C1 Advanced - minimum overall score of 176, with no less than 169 in any component
- LanguageCert ESOL SELT (UKVI): B2 'Communicator' with no less than 33 in each skill
Career opportunities
Employability is at the heart of this programme. The MSc Strategic Marketing Practice is designed for graduates with a background in marketing, either academic or professional who are looking for the tools to advance in their career.
The course focuses on applied learning for the modern workplace to help you develop the professional skills top international firms and agencies demand, as well as the leadership and entrepreneurial skills to branch out on your own.
You will gain career-critical skills such as creativity and innovation, leadership, communication, digital competency, and responsible business. The programme will also help you enhance your employability as you will learn how to conduct research, analyse information, and formulate and evaluate marketing activities and strategies. And provide hands-on training with the latest tech, apps, and digital marketing tools. This broad skill set will serve you well on the marketing career path of your choice, be it in the public, private, or charity sector.
Career roles:
- Marketing executive or CMO;
- Marketing strategy consultant or analyst;
- Purpose planner;
- Loyalty engineer;
- Interbrand marketer;
- Mood and empathy manager;
- Advertising agency executive;
- Entrepreneur;
- Customer success specialist.
As well as the career preparation provided by the course, the University offers a range of employability support services including the Careers Network and the Birmingham Business School (BBS) Careers team. They offer, one to one personalised support and career advice, facilitate the alumni network, and can connect you with mentorships, skills workshops, and internships and job placements.
Student experience
As an online student, you will join a diverse global community that is an integral part of the University, while benefiting from the flexibility online education offers.
As one of the largest and oldest providers of distance learning in the UK, the University of Birmingham is well-equipped to offer you a prestigious online education that integrates with and matches the on-campus experience, and is taught by the same expert faculty. Online students are also welcome to visit any of our campuses located in Birmingham, Singapore, and Dubai
Courses are designed to encourage participation and connectivity through the use of video lectures, case studies, interactive assignments, digital resources, and peer-to-peer social interaction. You have the flexibility to study from wherever you are in the world, control your daily schedule, and still benefit from the academic, wellbeing, and career support as part of our global postgraduate community.