Research at Master's level is important to a wide range of disciplines but none more important than business and in making business decisions based on solid evidence. Your skills could be informing whether to launch a product in China, start manufacturing in India, decide whether your market really do like eating breakfast bars on the train to work, or deciding what exactly is not aligned about your marketing strategy. Business Research is a discipline which is widely used by a range of consumer, charity, public sector and service industries to understand their customers in detail. It is often an essential skill to support competitive advantage in markets but there are many and varied applications to its value and use. You are encouraged to undertake compulsory and optional courses to develop your research knowledge and skills.
This programme offers you all the skills you need to make an impression when looking for research positions. You study qualitative research methods to understand problems thoroughly, quantitative methods to study the evidence provided and analyse challenges,, strategy, management, consultancy and decision making. The programme is more than simply Business Research as you are looking at large research areas within the business process such as new product development, marketing, and a wide variety of methods to ensure your results provide essential information for growing businesses.
These skills are internationally recognised and they will provide the foundation to any new technology which gathers data such as smart phones, machine to machine technology and the 'Big Data' revolution
First Semester
Semester 2
Semester 3
Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page
Find out more about fees
*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.
View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page
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The Strategic Marketing MSc will give you the specialised skills and knowledge to become a successful marketing leader of the future. Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and Market Research Society (MRS), you will gain an in-depth understanding of marketing, including marketing strategy, digital marketing, branding, communications, marketing consulting, CRM, key account management, market research, omnichannel marketing and big data marketing analytics.
More than just an academic institution, Cranfield School of Management’s world-class research, expertise and teaching result in practical management solutions that are transforming the world of business today. For 50 years, we have been working with leading companies across the globe, pursuing our mission to improve the practice of management.
Our Strategic Marketing MSc will provide you with a thorough grounding in the core disciplines of marketing and how to apply them. Programme highlights include:
As one of the top schools for postgraduate marketing education, we develop proactive marketing professionals who can put their practical skills straight to work in the marketplace.
Our Strategic Marketing MSc faculty are experts in their field and have considerable industry experience. They work with the operating boards of many of the world's leading multinationals so bring the latest insights and best practice to their lectures.
Our faculty are supported by a team of international visiting industry speakers and professors who also bring the latest thinking and best practice into the classroom.
The leadership of the course is informed by a panel of high-profile marketing professionals, the Practice Advisory Board. Our Practice Advisory Board informs the design and development of the master's in marketing programme. Comprising leading figures from the world of marketing, it recommends additions and amendments to the course to reinforce its relevance to the modern marketing world.
The Strategic Marketing MSc is a Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Graduate Gateway accredited degree, enabling you to achieve CIM’s professional marketing qualifications and awards alongside your Cranfield degree. CIM is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing professionals. More information can be found at: http://www.cim.co.uk
The Strategic Marketing MSc is also one of only a few master's degrees in the UK that is accredited by the Market Research Society (MRS). This means that while studying for your master's in marketing, you also have the opportunity to work towards achieving the MRS Advanced Certificate in Market and Social Research Practice, and with appropriate work experience you will be eligible to join the Market Research Society after graduation. More information can be found at: http://www.mrs.org.uk
The course has been developed to produce practical, proactive strategic marketers, and our teaching methods are specifically geared towards encouraging participation, self-development and team working. As well as studying a number of core modules, you will complete a marketing consultancy project carried out in teams and have the opportunity to undertake a research project, which can be either company-sponsored, or an empirical project in an area of marketing you are passionate about.
Consultancy project
The marketing consultancy project simulates a real-life consultancy assignment. You will work in teams in a time-constrained environment, competing against your class colleagues to make the strongest marketing strategy presentation to senior executives from partner firms. You will attend a briefing meeting to define the project, research the situation and consider your options. You will then formulate your recommendations and present them to company leaders at the final client presentation. On completion you will receive feedback from your supervisor and an industry expert. Companies students have worked with include Google, Nike, Cobra Beer, InterContinental Hotels Group, Acer and Sainsbury’s.
Research project
The culmination of the learning process is your opportunity to undertake a research project, which can be either company-sponsored, or an empirical project in an area of marketing you are passionate about (usually involving direct research with either marketing professionals/managers or with customers).
Assessment
Taught modules 60%, MSc thesis project 40%
95% of School of Management students were employed within 3 months of graduation*.
The Cranfield Career Development Service offers a comprehensive service to help you develop a set of career management skills that will remain with you throughout your career.
During your course you will receive support and guidance to help you plan an effective strategy for your personal and professional development, whether you are looking to secure your first management role, or wanting take your career to the next level.
Cranfield Strategic Marketing MSc graduates have secured jobs with a diverse range of companies including Vodafone, TJX, Kerry, Christian Dior, Henkel, GE, Schlumberger, Ernst & Young, Estée Lauder, Coca-Cola, Mars, Beiersdorf, KMPG Nunwood and Microsoft. Their roles have included Customer Insight Consultant, Junior Manager, Buying and Merchandising Graduate Programme trainee, Marketing Manager and Associate Consultant.
*based on those students for whom we hold data, across all School of Management full-time master's courses (2015/16 cohort).
Our CIM-accredited Marketing (Social Marketing) MSc explores the nuances of marketing for the wider benefit of society, preparing you for a marketing career in the public sector, health authorities, not-for-profit organisations and social marketing consultancies in the UK and internationally.
On the course, you will:·
This course is part of our Marketing MSc programme. All students complete the same core modules to give you practical knowledge in key marketing subjects, then from the end of your first term you will be able to tailor your course to your interests or career aspirations through a choice of specialisms and option modules, or continue on a more generalist route with our Marketing MSc.
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 (Social Marketing), but you can also select from 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.
All students will study seven core modules. You will also select one option module, which will allow you to specialise in an additional strand of marketing.
Modules
One from:
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:
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.
Most of our tutors worked in industry before joining the university and continue to consult for corporate firms, which allows them to integrate the latest commercial developments into our courses. They are also active researchers at the forefront of marketing theory.
Industry representatives advise on the content and development of our courses and contribute to teaching as guest lecturers. Their talks help to bring classroom theory to life by sharing real-world case studies, results and pitfalls.
You will learn transferable skills in research, presentations, group work and conflict resolution, all of which are highly sought after in today's highly competitive job market.
Class sizes are small enough for there to be a personal and friendly atmosphere where staff know students by name and can closely monitor their progress.
A Marketing (Social Marketing) 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 theoretical knowledge and practical skills necessary for a successful career in marketing.
The course has been designed for people wanting a successful and rewarding careers in sectors such as:
The course is ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level or working as a professional researcher in marketing.
The programme is 180 credits with 11 modules. Classes are 7 weeks long and the full programmes consist of 90 credits core courses, 45 credits focused on marketing electives and/or business electives, and a 30-credit dissertation (with a supporting 15-credit Research Skills module). The programme can be completed in 2 years. Classes are 100% online, and you’ll join a diverse group of professionals from a variety of industries. You’ll participate in class discussions, lectures and assessments at your own pace. Collaborate with fellow students, faculty, and staff to tackle case studies and challenges from the marketing field. At the same time, you’ll enjoy the advantage of building a career network while completing your postgraduate degree.
Class materials are accessible 24/7, and courses are delivered in an innovative online learning environment. We offer six intakes per year so you can start your online postgraduate marketing degree when you’re ready. A Student Support Advisor will work with you throughout the programme to help you succeed.
The online marketing programme’s dissertation is designed to test your cumulative knowledge. You’ll be asked to apply classroom concepts, experience, and theory to a real-world scenario. The dissertation portion of the online programme may be a valuable portfolio piece that shows potential employers the direct application of your marketing degree.
Core Modules - 90 Credits
Marketing Strategy
The aim of this module is to introduce marketing as a central feature of the strategic planning process. The American Marketing Association defines marketing as the activity, set of institutions, and processes for creating, communicating, delivering, and exchanging offerings that have value for customers, clients, partners, and society at large. A marketing perspective focuses on an in-depth and critical understanding of desires and decision processes of customers and businesses. This module will introduce the stages of an organisation’s marketing strategy as: strategic analysis; strategic choice; strategic implementation; and monitoring and control. Understanding the processes involved in these stages, from both theoretical and practical perspectives will develop participant’s awareness of the changing role of marketing in today’s organisations. The module content is structured around practical examples and case studies that aim to help you develop skills of critical analysis and problem-solving.
Understanding Consumer Behaviour
The aim of the module is to understand the behaviour of people as consumers and the strategic implications of this understanding for marketing managers. This understanding is one of the critical components of marketing analysis in examining and diagnosing problems and reaching effective decisions. Principles from several social sciences including psychology, sociology, and anthropology are integrated to understand and analyse consumer actions, experiences, feelings, and judgment processes.
Integrated Marketing Communications
Consumers find themselves increasingly surrounded by media and marketing-related messages and the impact of technology, and digital communication are transforming the way consumers interact with each other and organisations. Consumers are active and engaged, often generating their own content and co-creating communications with producers and other consumers. This raises both opportunities and challenges for organisations. This module will give students an in-depth understanding of the marketing communication mix both from a theoretical and practical perspective, exploring how different forms of communication work together, acknowledging the development of the new mediums by which organisations may communicate with stakeholder and influencer groups and how such communications affect business and society.
Principles of International Business
Business is increasingly international in scope as managers take advantage of greater access to foreign markets, not only to sell products, but also to access inputs, knowledge and skills. This module addresses several questions. ‘How does becoming an international business change a company that previously operated only in the home market?’ ‘How are its resources and capabilities challenged and transformed by internationalisation?’ ‘What factors determine an international business is successful?’ While many practical examples are provided, focus is given to developing an analytical approach to addressing these questions, drawing on two perspectives. These are the Resource Based View, which focuses on the resources and capabilities of the firm and the Institution Based View which requires studying the differences in the business environment around the globe, to which successful companies need to adapt. The module considers political, economic and cultural difference and the strategies companies adopt when conducting business across national boundaries.
Marketing Analysis & Research
The aim of this module is to provide knowledge on the qualitative and quantitative methodologies used in market research, which provides a foundation to understand markets and consumers. A variety of qualitative and quantitative data collection and data analysis methods for descriptive, causal, and exploratory research designs will be discussed and compared, alongside the utilisation of these techniques in market research. The research design process (problem identification, proposal writing) will also be taught.
Digital Marketing Strategy
This module focuses on the role and consequences of digital technology and social media developments for marketing theory and practice. Digital marketing has fast become an essential area of marketing for many, if not all, organisations. Digital marketing is not only marked by significant cultural changes, but also changes in the ways that marketers operate and relate to consumers. Along with these changes come far-reaching implications related to data security and privacy, social relations, mixed realities, and Big Data, among many others. Looking across a variety of issues within digital marketing, the course interrogates the relationship between digital and ‘traditional’ marketing strategy, with a critical eye to societal implications. As such, this course begins by examining theory around marketing, particularly from a sociological perspective to consider how ‘consumers’ engage with digital marketing and what it means to live in a digital world. Next, the course examines digital marketing practices that are now integral, if not essential, to marketing strategy from a ‘real world’ perspective, including the role and practice of communication, market research, campaign planning and evaluation. Finally, the course considers the implications of digital marketing, not only related to marketing practice but also to the social.
Our CIM-accredited Marketing (International Marketing) MSc is designed for those seeking to develop their knowledge of global and multi-cultural marketing – positioning you for a career in a multinational organisation.
On the course, you will:
Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the world’s leading professional marketing body, this course progresses you towards Chartered Marketer status through exemptions from examinations of the institute. This course is part of our Marketing MSc programme.
All students complete the same core modules to give you practical knowledge in key marketing subjects, then from the end of your first term you will be able to tailor your course to your interests or career aspirations through a choice of specialisms and option modules, or continue on a more generalist route with our Marketing MSc.
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 (International Marketing), 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.
All students will study seven core modules. You will also select one option module, which will allow you to specialise in an additional strand of marketing.
Modules
One from:
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:
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.
Through our partnership with MIP Politecnico di Milano Graduate School of Business you have the opportunity to gain an international perspective to your studies. On our study exchange programme you would join MIP’s International Master in Multichannel Marketing Management course, which is taught in English.
You will be able to choose from a range of modules including Design & Marketing: the Italian way in different sectors including for example Design, Fashion and Furniture, Automotive, Wine and Sports Marketing.
A Marketing (International Marketing) 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 such as:
The course is ideal preparation for continuing your study at MPhil or PhD level or working as a professional researcher in marketing.
International business and marketing is a powerful combination if you have set your sights on a high-flying career in a leading global organisation. Our MSc equips you with the vision, professional credibility, practical skills and specialist knowledge you need to excel.
Join our highly successful network of alumni now pursuing lucrative careers in international and multinational organisations
This programme provides an opportunity for those with some familiarity with the theory and techniques of management science to extend their knowledge of methodology and applications and carry out an extended piece of desk research.
The MRes may be taken as a stand-alone programme for those wishing to extend their knowledge in a specific area of Management Science or as preparation for PhD study or a specialist career in industry, government or consulting.
You will study a range of modules as part of your course, some examples of which are listed below.
Core
Information contained on the website with respect to modules is correct at the time of publication, but changes may be necessary, for example as a result of student feedback, Professional Statutory and Regulatory Bodies' (PSRB) requirements, staff changes, and new research.
The assessment procedures for the taught components are the same as for the taught MSc programmes. A dissertation must be submitted by mid-September.
The Department of Management Science provides an extensive careers service and postgraduate students may expect to be eagerly sought after by employers. More than 40 major employers normally contact the Department each year to recruit. Many former students now hold senior positions in their organisation – as management scientists or as managers.
The Department has strong links with companies and organisations, many of which employ our alumni. Companies visit the department to make presentations and interview students as part of their selection process. In other instances, opportunities are advertised via the noticeboards and electronically on the student VLE. You are also asked to contact company recruitment offices directly.
Management Science, Operational Research, Logistics, Supply Chain and Market Analysis are seen by leading companies as the start of a fast track to promotion for high flyers with a numerate or scientific background. Experience has shown that if you have a postgraduate qualification, you will not only obtain a better starting job but will also receive more rapid promotion.
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