Marketing: Branding and Communications (MSc/PGDip/PGCert)

Branding is one of the most important aspects of marketing. This course is designed for those seeking to develop a specialist understanding of brand management and communications. If you want to kick-start a career in one of these exciting fields, this is the course for you.

Communications contribute to the competitive advantage of a business through differentiation and building brand value and equity. This degree will introduce you to the various tools businesses use - including advertising, promotion and PR to communicate with target markets.

The degree develops your knowledge of both the theory and practice of marketing at an advanced level. It will provide you with an in-depth and critical understanding of research methodologies, as well as marketing communications planning and strategy.

You will critically analyse real world branding and develop a marketing communications strategy for a real client. This will provide you with the commercial marketing experience that employers are looking for.

Course structure

The course is organised into three-hour blocks of teaching and seminar activities, which are based on specialist reading, research and case studies. Modules are assessed through essays, reports, group work, presentations and examinations.

All of our Marketing MSc courses share six core modules (Moving to Masters, Critical Developments in Marketing Theory and Practice, Marketing Planning and Strategy, Marketing Research I: quantitative methods, Marketing Research II: qualitative methods, and a dissertation).

This specialist route includes one subject-specific module (Branding and Communications), but also shares a range of optional modules which enable you to tailor the course to your interests and career aspirations.

In the final phase of the course, you will complete a 15,000-word dissertation on a marketing topic of your choice, which will require you to make recommendations for real-life marketing practice. Throughout your dissertation, you will receive support from a supervisor who will help to guide you in your research.

Syllabus

All students will study six core modules including a masters transition module and a dissertation. You will also choose an option module to study. This will allow you to specialise in the areas of the course that interest you the most.

Modules

• Moving to Masters
• Critical Developments in Marketing Theory and Practice
• Marketing Planning and Strategy 
• Marketing Research I: Quantitative Methods
• Marketing Research II: Qualitative Methods
• Branding and Communications
• Dissertation

One from:

• International Marketing 
• Social Marketing 
• Behavioural Economics 
• Digital Marketing 
• New Product Development

Chartered Institute of Marketing

This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the world's largest organisation for professional marketers. The CIM have awarded the course Multiple Award Pathway status, which means that you will have a number of exemptions from CIM qualifications.

CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers and – alongside our Marketing MSc – will ensure that you are equipped with the best education for a successful marketing career.

CIM membership 

You will be entitled to free CIM affiliate-level membership, giving you access to a range of benefits and services. CIM membership is a clear demonstration of your commitment to ongoing professional development.

Membership benefits include:

• The Marketer – the members' magazine
• Studying Member e-news
• Learning Zone website – study resources
• Marketing library and online archive resources

You will also be able to take modules from your course that will help you gain the following CIM qualifications:

CIM Certificate in Professional Marketing

To obtain this certificate you will need to pass the CIM’s Integrated Communications module and one option module. You will be exempt from the CIM’s Marketing module.

CIM Diploma in Professional Marketing

To obtain the diploma you will need to pass the CIM’s Marketing Metrics module and one option module. *

CAM Diploma in Digital Marketing

To obtain the diploma you will need to take the Branding and Marketing Communications module and pass the CIM’s Digital Marketing Essentials module and one option module. You will be exempt from the Marketing and Consumer Behaviour module.

Careers and employability

A Marketing (Branding and Communications) MSc from Brighton Business School will help you to specialise and stand out in today's competitive job market. It will equip you with both the theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career.

The course has been designed for people wanting a successful and rewarding career in sectors including advertising, branding, communications, digital marketing, direct marketing, event management, public relations and sales.

The course is also ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level or working as a professional researcher in marketing.

Previous graduates have started successful careers with the following companies:

• Product Manager for Astra Zeneca, Milan
• Brand manager for Campari, Switzerland
• Account Executive for Blaze Communications, UK
• Marketing Manager for Mitchells and Butlers, UK
• Marketing Manager for Cartier, Taiwan
• Brand Manager for L'Oreal, Greece

Visit the Marketing: Branding and Communications (MSc/PGDip/PGCert) page on the University of Brighton website for more details!