Strategic Marketing (MSc)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Carve out your niche in the global marketing world with our practically focused programme.
Professional accreditation
We're proud that our programme is a CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) accredited degree.
Change business for good
Address a contemporary business challenge in a public, private or third sector organisation with your live Marketing Management Project.
Industry insights
See marketing in action on company visits and from high-profile guest speakers.
Socially responsible
As the world's first Public Value Business School, we're committed to delivering social improvement alongside economic development.
In a saturated global marketplace, dominated by influencers, viral content and hype, marketing collateral is sinking to the bottom of social media feeds.
Consequently, marketing professionals with the ability to plan, strategise and operationalise creative campaigns are in demand by international organisations across industries and sectors.
The business of changing the world is ours.
Our MSc in Strategic Marketing puts theory into practice. We’ll help you prepare for a career as a marketing professional while making a real difference to the day-to-day operations of a local business.
You'll take part in a live team consultancy project in organisations in Cardiff or the surrounding area. You’ll spend two months learning about their operating environment, analyse their business challenges and design marketing solutions before presenting your proposals to their management board.
To complement this live project, our team of academic and practitioner experts will use internationally recognised research and real-world examples to introduce you to the latest developments in marketing and strategy. You’ll learn about digital media, consumer and organisational behaviour, integrated communications and societal campaigns, to ensure you have the professional knowledge, confidence and practical skills to stand out in the graduate job market.
If you have three years of relevant work experience, you may be interested in our MBA programme.
Accreditations
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
- Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Cardiff Business School is accredited by AACSB international - The Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business.
“The marketing project was the most enjoyable part of the course for me. My team produced a practical and insightful marketing plan which was presented to the board in a formal presentation.”
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
In order 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 2:1 honours degree in a relevant subject area such as business, marketing or management, to include a minimum of 60% in at least three marketing modules (e.g. principles of marketing, marketing communications, consumer behaviour, relationship marketing) or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- Evidence of a basic knowledge of mathematics, such as a GCSE or A level or a module from previous study in a mathematics related subject.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 6.5 with 6.0 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 three years of professional experience and meet the criteria detailed above, you may be interested in our MBA programme.
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 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
The programme has two academic stages, leading to the award of a Master’s Degree. The programme is for full-time students and runs for one calendar year.
- Stage 1 consists of eight modules (120 credits in total).
- Stage 2 consists of a Marketing Project of 60 credits.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/25 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.
This course is taught from September to June and you will take a range of core modules.
Upon successful completion of the taught phase you will proceed to the Marketing Project which takes the place of a traditional dissertation.
The Marketing Project aims to integrate and apply core marketing course concepts, skills and techniques holistically, experientially and in a self-guiding context in order to construct and present a complete marketing project report for an organisation based on a defined brief.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| Strategic Marketing Management | BST141 | 15 credits |
| Behavioural Aspects of Marketing | BST143 | 15 credits |
| Research in Strategic Marketing | BST146 | 15 credits |
| Integrated Marketing Communications | BST150 | 15 credits |
| Digital Marketing | BST240 | 15 credits |
| Marketing Metrics | BST244 | 15 credits |
| Marketing and Society | BST247 | 15 credits |
| International Marketing | BST248 | 15 credits |
| Project | BST249 | 60 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?
Our teaching is heavily informed by research and combines academic rigour with practical relevance. Our internationally leading faculty consists of academics who are at the forefront of knowledge within their field. They bring the lessons learnt from their most recent research into the classroom, giving you access to up to date real life examples and scenarios and critical business thinking.
Your teaching and learning resources will be provided and we will be responsive to your needs and views. For your part, you will need to put in the necessary amount of work both during and outside formal teaching sessions, and to make good use of the facilities provided.
Methods of teaching
Most modules involve a mixture of lectures and small group teaching (called classes, seminars, workshops or tutorials).
In a lecture, the lecturer will mainly be giving an overview of a particular aspect of the module content (as well as opportunities for you to ask questions and be reflective), while in classes and workshops you will have an opportunity to practice techniques, discuss ideas, apply concepts and consolidate your understanding in the topic.
How will I be assessed?
Assessment methods vary from module to module but, across your degree scheme as a whole, you can expect a mixture of exams, coursework, essays, practical work, presentations, and individual and group projects.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a personal tutor at the beginning of your studies. Normally, your personal tutor will teach on your own degree course and you will keep the same personal tutor throughout your course.
Your personal tutor will be able to give you advice on academic issues, including module choice and assessment. If you encounter any problems which affect your studies, your personal tutor should always be your first point of contact; she/he will be able to put you in touch with the wide range of expert student support services provided by the University and the Students' Union as appropriate. You are required to meet with your personal tutor at three points during each academic year but you are also encouraged to get in touch with them at any other point if you need help or advice.
For day-to-day information, the staff of our Postgraduate Student Hub are available, in person, by telephone or by email, from 8am to 6pm each weekday during term time to answer your questions.
Feedback
We’ll provide you with regular feedback on your work. This comes in a variety of formats including oral feedback, personalised feedback on written work, and generic written feedback.
You will be given general feedback in relation to examinations following all examination periods and you will be able to discuss your overall performance with your personal tutor.
When undertaking the dissertation/project you are expected to meet regularly with your supervisor to review progress and discuss any questions. Your supervisor will be able to provide feedback on your research plan and drafts of your work as you progress.
What skills will I practise and develop?
As a result of engaging fully with this course, you will acquire and develop a range of valuable skills, both those which are discipline specific and more generic ‘employability skills’. These will allow you to:
- Grasp complex issues with confidence.
- Ask the right questions of complex texts.
- Have an imaginative appreciation of different views and options and analyse these critically.
- Identify and apply relevant data.
- Develop practical research skills.
- Propose imaginative solutions of your own that are rooted in evidence.
- Communicate clearly, concisely and persuasively in writing and speech.
- Sourcing, interpreting and presenting relevant numerical information – to support the composition of projects reports and business cases.
- Work to deadlines and priorities, managing a range of tasks at the same time.
- Work as part of a team, developing a collaborative approach to problem-solving.
- Use IT programmes and standard software packages, where appropriate.
- Take responsibility for your own learning programme and professional development.
Tuition fees for 2024 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 | £12,200 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £27,200 | £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
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment is needed.
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
At Cardiff Business School, you’ll receive a career-changing education from world-leading academics that have different points of view. They’ll challenge your thinking as you consider the world of business from a range of alternative perspectives.
On our MSc in Strategic Marketing, you’ll benefit from the knowledge and expertise of our Career Enhancer Team. They’re ready and waiting to identify events and opportunities to help you achieve your future aspirations.
We’ve developed relationships that range from the largest multinationals to the smallest micro-businesses, and include a wide variety of social enterprises and cooperatives. We use these networks to deliver value for our students through:
- real-world case studies and insights
- collaboration with our Public Value Entrepreneurs in Residence
- guest lectures
- field trips and workshops .
This wide ranging and varied learning experience will help enhance your career and demonstrate how you can make a difference along the way.
This MSc aims to offer knowledge and expertise for a career in marketing in the UK or overseas in industry, commerce or the public sector, or to pursue further research for a PhD.
Graduates from this course have gone on to careers in digital marketing, tourism marketing, advertising, product development marketing, customer relationship management, etc.
“The great thing about being a Client Manager at Gartner is that there are no regular days. I might have a client workshop or presentation, an internal solutioning session, research, time spent on client deliverables for an engagement, or many other activities. Studying at Cardiff really developed my critical thinking, problem solving and presentation skills, all of which come in handy every day.”
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our 2023 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.
