Marketing (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year - September start
- Mode: Full time
Conversion course
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Develop the creative expertise to understand customers, influence markets, and succeed as a modern marketing professional.
Global top 100
Placed 71-80 in the QS Business Masters Rankings 2026 for Marketing.
Innovative and adaptive
Understand the digital and global trends impacting the marketing landscape.
Reorient your career
Our programme offers an accessible pathway into marketing careers without the need for prior experience or knowledge.
CIM Accreditation
The opportunity to complete a CIM professional qualification, plus a pathway to CIM student membership.
Our experts, your lecturers
Learn from a large, diverse faculty bringing unique insights from their own research into the classroom.
Discover the world of marketing through our dynamic and forward-looking Marketing (MSc) programme. Designed as a conversion degree, it welcomes students from a wide range of academic backgrounds and provides a comprehensive pathway into the marketing profession. Your learning journey begins with examining the role of marketing in a globalised economy and gaining insight into the psychological and sociological factors that influence consumer behaviour. You’ll then learn how to create, deliver, and measure value across the customer journey, while addressing the growing importance of ethical, responsible, and sustainable business practices in contemporary marketing. Your learning journey will culminate in an applied live project or dissertation in marketing.
Core modules cover all essential areas of professional marketing, while optional modules allow you to tailor your studies to your career goals and interests. Your success matters to us, which is why we also offer an optional (but recommended) online preparatory module focused on developing foundational skills in marketing management. Available upon enrolment and before formal teaching begins, it allows you to start your studies with confidence.
You’ll gain a strong grounding in core marketing principles alongside critical and strategic thinking, combining theory with practical application to prepare you to thrive in fast-evolving, competitive markets. As a Marketing (MSc) graduate, you’ll be ready to navigate complex business environments with creativity and confidence in today’s global marketplace, and to lead marketing efforts that create value not just for businesses, but for society as a whole.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
"Our MSc in Marketing is a dynamic conversion programme designed for ambitious students from any discipline who have a keen interest in pursuing a career within the marketing field. Through exploration into contemporary industry practices and academic research, the programme aims to prepare students to become future market leaders across industries."
Where you'll study
Cardiff Business School
We’re an AACSB International and AMBA-accredited Business School with a clear mission: to make a positive impact in the communities of Wales and the world.
Admissions criteria
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.
To be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
If you do not have a degree in a relevant area, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
If you have previous study or work experience in marketing you may be interested in our MSc in Strategic and Digital Marketing programme. If you have at least three years of professional experience and meet the criteria detailed below, you may be interested in our MBA programme.
If you are an international student and your qualifications do not support direct entry, you may want to consider our Pre-Master's programme at our International Study Centre.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application and if you meet all of the entry requirements, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a 1-year full-time programme, running from September to September.
Between September and June, you’ll study 140 credits of taught modules. These are a mix of core modules, covering the key aspects of the discipline, and optional modules, allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests and career aspirations.
On successful completion of the taught stage, you’ll undertake a dissertation project.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.
Taught Stage (September – June)
You’ll study a total of 7 modules in the taught stage: 5 core modules and 2 optional modules.
On successful completion of the taught stage, you’ll progress to the dissertation stage.
Dissertation Stage (June – September)
In this stage, you’ll complete a self-directed project (40 credits). This can either be an individual dissertation or a group marketing project, which will run for the entire summer semester.
You’ll be supported by an academic supervisor, who’ll mentor and support you throughout.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Understanding Customers | BST358 | 20 credits |
| Professional & Research Skills | BST359 | 20 credits |
| Global Marketing | BST361 | 20 credits |
| Managing Customer Experiences | BST362 | 20 credits |
| Ethics, Sustainability & Circular Economy | BST363 | 20 credits |
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Live Marketing Project | BST365 | 40 credits |
| Marketing and Strategy Dissertation | BST373 | 40 credits |
| Innovation Management | BST366 | 20 credits |
| Digital & Influencer Marketing | BST367 | 20 credits |
| Brand Management | BST368 | 20 credits |
| Technology & Transformation | BST369 | 20 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You’ll be taught by active researchers within marketing, meaning that module content is informed by the latest sector developments. You’ll engage with state-of-the-art thinking and techniques, combined with contemporary examples to bring that theory to life.
Most modules adopt an in-class workshop teaching style, comprised of both taught and discussion activities. These are complemented by online, independent study activities - videos, assignments, discussion boards, reading etc). Technology is also brought into the classroom, with online polls and tools used to encourage interaction, even in large lectures.
How will I be assessed?
A variety of assessment methods are used on the Marketing (MSc) programme. This includes group projects, class tests, coursework, portfolios and exams.
You’ll have opportunities to reflect on your learning throughout; formative assessments help build your confidence and enhance your approach to formal assessment tasks.
All assessments are designed to guide and assess your understanding, practical application and personal and professional skills.
How will I be supported?
Learning
Course materials will be provided on Learning Central, our Virtual Learning Environment. You’ll also have access to libraries across our campus which hold over 1.1 million printed books, supplemented by online books, journals, resources and databases.
If English is not your first language, then our Academic English Skills for International Students team offer classes and one-to-one tutorials to support your studies including reading, writing and presentation skills.
Wellbeing
You’ll be assigned a Personal Tutor, who can support you with academic and pastoral matters in a confidential and informal manner. Additional support is available through our Student Life teams, based in the Centre for Student Life. These teams include Advice and Money, Counselling services, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service including dyslexia support, and Student Visa Support.
Careers and Employability
The Student Futures team can enhance your career prospects by offering tailored support throughout your studies. You’ll benefit from expert advice on CV writing, interview techniques, and job applications. The team can support you with internships, placements, and networking opportunities, giving you valuable real-world experience. If you are an international student, Student Futures offers tailored support to explore part-time jobs, placements, and graduate roles in the UK and globally.
Community
You’ll become a member of the Cardiff Business School community, making friends and connections that will last beyond your studies. You’ll have the opportunity to participate in programme and school level events and activities that enhance your learning and broaden your experiences.
What skills will I practise and develop?
The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.
On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:
Knowledge & Understanding:
- Demonstrate advanced understanding of marketing concepts, theories and frameworks across the marketing discipline.
- Critically evaluate core marketing theories and applications across retail and service contexts.
- Critique contemporary issues in marketing and their impact on theory, practice and society.
- Demonstrate a systematic understanding of contemporary innovations for marketing strategy and performance.
Intellectual Skills:
- Synthesise marketing theories and principles for a variety of industry settings to inform decision-making.
- Analyse marketing practice to formulate evidence-based recommendations for improvement.
- Apply marketing knowledge in an original, clear and concise way.
- Demonstrate critical thinking in assessing competing perspectives, assumptions and analyses within marketing theory and practice.
Professional Practical Skills:
- Apply marketing and analytical tools in a systematic and professional manner to case examples.
- Develop creative solutions to practical marketing problems.
- Demonstrate originality and autonomy in tackling a range of different problems in marketing.
- Communicate marketing insights and recommendations effectively to a variety of different stakeholders.
Transferable/Key Skills:
- Demonstrate effective time, information and resource management skills in producing high-quality and timely outputs.
- Work effectively in a team and as an individual to provide solutions to problems and disseminate ideas to practical and academic audiences.
- Engage in critical self-reflection and lifelong learning skills to evaluate personal performance, identity development needs and respond proactively and professionally to feedback.
- Conceive, plan, execute and communicate outcomes of significant project or research work.
Tuition fees for 2026 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £12,950 | None |
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £29,700 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
There are no additional course costs.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Careers and placements
A strong employability focus is embedded throughout, including case studies and workshops that mirror the challenges you’ll face in the workplace. Combining academic depth with real-world relevance, you'll become a knowledgeable, confident, critically reflective and globally aware professional able to make informed, ethical and inclusive decisions.
The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) accreditation also means that, in completing the programme, you will have already completely the foundational modules and therefore have exemptions to when you choose to engage in your marketing chartership through the CIM.
As a Marketing (MSc) graduate you’ll be equipped with the essential skills and knowledge to excel in high-level marketing roles across a wide range of industries. Our alumni have gone on to enjoy successful careers in a range of organisations and roles. With marketing agencies and in-house corporate marketing teams operating worldwide, you’ll benefit from truly global career opportunities. Potential roles include marketing manager, customer relationship manager, product and brand development manager, marketing analyst, social media manager, and customer experience manager, among many others. You’ll also be well placed to undertake a PhD in marketing.
Placements
You’ll benefit from a range of experiential and work-based learning opportunities that allow you to apply theory to practice and develop professional skills.
While there are no formal placement opportunities on the programme, you’ll benefit from a range of workplace experiences and opportunities through the lens of applying theory to practice across your journey through the programme. You will engage with case studies, take part in skills development sessions, and undertake exercises that reflect contemporary HR challenges and tasks. Some modules enable you to undertake applied research, consultancy-style or entrepreneurial work that addresses real-world organisational or policy issues. The programme also arranges opportunities to join field trips to various companies and engage in networking events.
In the dissertation stage, you can choose to undertake a live project, giving you the opportunity of working with real clients to provide develop marketing solutions, build confidence and gain experience in applying theory to practice.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our upcoming dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
Learn more about our truly global university.HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
