MSc Digital Marketing

Introduction to the Principles of Marketing
You will be introduced to the key principles of marketing by studying the theories that underpin the subject. You will explore the roles of buyers, the marketing environment, and the ways in which marketers plan, manage, implement and monitor marketing programmes in the context of the international environment of the 21st century.

Understanding Customer Behaviour
You will critically appraise the behaviours of customers and their interactions with marketing. Informed by behavioural science, you will analyse why customers behave as they do and how marketing activity influences their behaviours. This analysis informs your critical understanding and implementation of both strategic and responsible marketing practice. An innovative dimension of this course is the investigation of change agents that will significantly influence the behaviours of customers in the future, for example neuroscience, climate change and technology innovation. This is an analytical module that utilises research evidence to inform evaluation, behavioural and communications research.

Research Methods for Events and Marketing
You will develop the skills to conduct marketing research independently. Students on the MSc programmes are expected to undertake effective research drawing upon a range of secondary and primary data sources in the preparation of coursework. It is important that you are exposed to a range of methodological issues, data collection techniques and study skills. In addition, this Research Methods module is geared towards the preparation for, and successful completion of, high quality, rigorous and systematic research for business and management.

Professional and Academic Development
This module will help you to become a lifelong learner and enhances your employability. Starting with a focus on how to achieve your best academically, you will then develop your skills for employment and career planning. You will work through a self-development plan, taking the lead in your own learning and development. You will be coached in identifying, engaging in and reflecting on how you can gain from developmental activities within the university and externally.

Digital Marketing and Analytics
You will explore the macro and micro impacts of digital technology on marketing management, before looking at the issues of implementing and executing a digital marketing campaign. In addition, you will examine ways in which digital information is used to make strategic marketing decisions and evaluate and improve marketing performance. You will develop skills in problem solving, critical reasoning, market research design, qualitative and quantitative data analysis, the use of technology in marketing management, and the analysis and interpretation of marketing.

Customer Insight and Engagement
This module explores how to acquire and retain the appropriate share of good customers, as well as how to prioritise customers. It is based on the premise that customers are the essence of the organisation, as, without customers, the organisation would fail. The module takes a customer-centric approach, and acknowledges the hyper-connected environment in which organisations operate today. Technologies and methodological approaches to obtain customer insight and to build detailed customer profiles are discussed. Moreover, the module considers how to engage with customers in ways that add value to both parties. The module uses real case studies, as well as students’ own experiences as customers.

Digital and Social Media Marketing Strategy
This module builds on the work undertaken in Customer Insight and Engagement and takes a strategic perspective of the digital and social media environment. It focuses on the interaction between consumers, businesses and other organisations and how thinking digitally can assist in effective marketing. Web based media, mobile platforms and social media are all critically evaluated to identify successful performance and to create insight into contemporary digital marketing.

Global Marketing Strategy
You will build on the Principles of Marketing module, and explore the global marketing environment. There is a particular emphasis on internationalisation and the creation and development of global markets. You will understand the principles, influences, and institutions affecting the development of international trade and global marketing strategies. You will analyse opportunities and constraints in the context of global marketing strategy, and the associated organisational and control issues associated with the development of global markets. This includes an appreciation of the importance of ethical and social issues.

Optional Modules – choose one of the following

Client Project
You have the opportunity to link theory to practice by analysing a real organisational issue. Having identified a project (with the approval of both the client company and the Module Leader) you investigate a particular issue, one that can be supported through the relevant literature and by conducting primary research with the client. This module is not an internship but can be taken in conjunction with an internship you have identified and are participating in. The ‘issue’ in question may be current management problem for the client organisation or related to future strategic choices. The Client project provides you with a significant learning and personal development experience.

Placement Project
A work placement is a great opportunity to gain work experience in the UK or abroad in a marketing role. You will be undertaking a major project in a commercial or non-profit organisation. The typical length of the placement is 6 to 8 months. Throughout this module, you will be applying practical concepts you have learned in the course. When you are working for the organisation, you will be responsible for managing a large proportion of your own learning, including tracking and recording your progress. Based on your proposal developed in the Research Methods module, you will then be assigned a supervisor to aid you throughout this period.

We provide lots of support to help you find a paid work placement and gain connections with various organisations. This a fantastic opportunity for you to find your own work placement and gain valuable experience. Our placements team have a database which records placement opportunities and they run numerous placements fairs where you could meet potential employers. Securing a placement is your responsibility and does take a lot of effort, but this gives you valuable experience. You would need to cover your own living and travel costs throughout this duration.

Dissertation
The dissertation is an opportunity for you to explore and develop expertise in digital marketing. You are encouraged to choose a topic that will be valuable in your future career. This is a self-managed activity, with you driving your own research project, with guidance and advice by a supervisor, based on the proposal developed in the Research Methods in Events and Marketing module.

As our courses are reviewed regularly as part of our quality assurance framework, course content and module choices may change from those listed in the course entry.