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Degree type

MSc

Course length

1 year full-time

Location

Durham City

Program code

N5K609

Business School Programmes
1

Course details

Marketing touches all aspects of an organisation and helps shape and direct corporate strategy.

Durham’s MSc Marketing programme will equip you with the essential skills and knowledge to excel long-term across all marketing-related careers.

World-class Business Education

  • 7th (UK) 25th (Europe) 33rd (Global) - QS World University Rankings: Masters in Marketing 2023

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (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 practitioners. Durham University has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through CIM Graduate Gateway. CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers, and map alongside our own degrees which ensures we are equipping students with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career.

Term 1:

You will learn the application of key marketing models and theories to apply to real world scenarios. In Term 1, teaching is based on core learning that provides you with the opportunity to develop skills and experience relevant to a multitude of business marketing careers, from the commercial sector to charities and beyond.

Core modules are:

  • Behavioural Science for Marketing
  • Business to Business Marketing
  • Contemporary Marketing Communication
  • Marketing Management and Strategy
  • Marketing Theory

Term 2:

In Term 2, the course includes optional modules to enable you to gain advanced-level training in contemporary marketing and management. You will have the opportunity to select elective modules to customise your learning.

You will then choose three elective modules, from a range, which has typically included:

  • Advanced Marketing Strategy
  • Buyer Behaviour and Marketing Innovation
  • Consulting
  • Digital Marketing
  • Global Marketing
  • Global Sport Business
  • Innovation and Technology Management
  • Retail Marketing Management

Term 3: Dissertation

In the third term, you will carry out an original research project. This may be an independent piece of work or, alternatively, you may decide to develop a more applied project with an appropriate organisation. Supervised by a faculty member with relevant experience, you’ll investigate in greater detail a subject that you’ve already studied as part of your programme. This is an opportunity for you to develop your business insight and present your analysis and ideas in a scholarly and professional manner.

Adding to your experience

International Experience

If your ambitions lie beyond the UK, we offer a number of places on our unique Dissertation Abroad scheme. This will involve writing a dissertation at one of our international partner institutions in the period June to August. A number of scholarships are available

Guest Speakers

As part of your programme, you have the opportunity to enjoy presentations by academics and practitioners within your chosen area of interest. Past speakers have included representatives of major global multinationals such as Google, Deloitte and Sage in addition to leading academics, providing an ideal opportunity to gain practical knowledge and progressive insight.

Learning

The programme is mainly delivered through a mixture of lectures which may contain seminar-style sessions to allow for small group work. Lectures provide key contents of a particular topic. Occasionally lectures might be delivered by guest speakers who are internationally recognised academic experts or practitioners in their field. Students can also attend the Durham Speaker Series, providing the opportunity to network with senior business leaders, staff and alumni.

Students study 5 core modules, and select 3 elective modules to study which enables them to undertake more in-depth study of particular topics. This is followed by a 12,000 word dissertation to allow students to carry out independent research and develop their skills in analysis and scholarly expression, using an appropriate theoretical framework. They are supported in writing their dissertation through the study of research methods, and attending individual meetings with an allocated supervisor, who monitors their progress and provides advice.

Academic Support:

Throughout the year, students may have the opportunity to participate in extracurricular activities. They also have the opportunity to attend the London Marketing Visit which gives students the opportunity to gain an ‘insider perspective’ on businesses and network with key business staff.

Learning Resource:

Outside of timetabled contact hours, students are expected to undertake a significant amount of independent study in preparation for teaching sessions, assignments and other forms of assessment including exams, and general background reading to broaden their subject knowledge. All students have an Academic Adviser who is able to provide general advice on academic matters. Teaching staff are also available to provide additional support on a one-to-one basis via appointments with staff.

Students also have access to the facilities available at Mill Hill Lane including an onsite library and IT helpdesk.

Entry requirements

Application deadline:

October 2023 start

**Applications are now closed to all overseas applicants for 2023.**

Please note: The application process opens on 1 October for Masters programmes commencing 2023

Our application deadline dates for this programme are:

  • Applications from individuals resident in Mainland China must be received by 23:59hrs on 31 March 2023.

There is a high demand for places on this programme. To maximise your chances of being offered one of these places, we recommend that you submit your application to the University as early as possible.

We aim to have a diverse student body and recognise that we can only offer places to a finite number of applicants. To help achieve our aim, we look to ensure we offer places to applicants from all nationalities and close applications when we receive the allocated numbers.

The University is under no obligation to make any offer of a place on the programme to any applicant, nor is the University obligated to fill all spaces available on the programme.

This programme is intended for graduates in any subject or discipline; no previous study in Marketing is necessary. Please note however, Marketing undergraduate students, or students who have completed a professional Marketing qualification may find some content on this programme overlaps with their prior learning.

What do I need first?

You will need the equivalent of a UK first or upper second class honours degree. Check the full list of equivalent qualifications.

If you are an international student who does not meet the requirements for direct entry to this degree, you may be eligible to take a pre-Masters pathway programme at the Durham University International Study Centre.

NB Chinese Applicants: Applications will be accepted from students who have graduated from a prestigious university in China. Entry requirements may vary depending upon the reputation of the university you have graduated from and the academic programme you have applied for. As a guide, applicants are expected to have achieved an overall average of 85%.

How do I apply?

You will need to complete an online application form.

Fill out the online application form

To support your online application form, you will need to provide the following documents.

  • Official transcript of marks
  • Copy of degree certificate (if available)
  • Copy of English test results (if available).

You can either upload your supporting documents with your online application or email or fax them to the Postgraduate Admissions Office using the contact details below.

NoteOnly files of type .doc, .docx, .gif, .jpg, .pdf, .png, .rtf are permitted to be uploaded.The maximum file size is 5MB.

College membership

If you’re applying for a full-time programme you’ll need to become a member of one of our Colleges as well as being accepted by a department. Here’s more information about how the college system works. Once you accept your programme offer, the College Postgraduate Office will get in touch with you to arrange accommodation. Please note that demand for college accommodation usually exceeds availability, so please try to arrange it as soon as possible.

Application fee

Once we receive your online application form, you’ll get an automatic email within 48 hours asking you to pay the £60 application fee* which is required to progress your application.

You’ll need to follow the link in the email to the webpage where you can confirm your details and make the payment using a debit or credit card. This is a secure website operated by Secpay, which will send you an automatic receipt of payment.

Once we receive confirmation that your application fee has been paid, we’ll be able to progress your application. If you do not pay the application fee your application will be automatically withdrawn.

*Please note you will only be able to make a payment for one programme in each suite i.e. one MSc Finance programme, one MSc Management programme, one MSc Marketing programme, one Islamic Finance programme.

Admissions process

Here are the steps in the admissions process:

  1. We will let you know when we’ve received your application.
  2. Once we’ve received all of your supporting documents, we will email you to let you know our decision.
  3. If the decision is to make you an offer of a place on the programme we will let you know by email. Please note we do not issue hard copy offer letters as these are not required to obtain a student visa.
  4. You should confirm acceptance of your offer as soon as possible. In order to secure your place, you are required to pay a deposit within six weeks of the date of your original offer (check your offer documents for details of payment methods).
  5. International students requiring a student visa will receive a CAS (Certificate of Acceptance of Studies) via email once all offer conditions are met, acceptance and deposit have been received and you are within five months of the start date of your programme.

Please note: You must let us know your own personal email address when applying. Please do not note use a University-linked email which may stop working once you complete your bachelor degree.

English language requirements

Fees and funding

Full Time Fees

Tuition fees
Home students £13,900 per year
EU students £29,500 per year
Island students £13,900 per year
International students £29,500 per year

The tuition fees shown are for one complete academic year of full time study, are set according to the academic year of entry, and remain the same throughout the duration of the programme for that cohort (unless otherwise stated).

Please also check costs for colleges and accommodation.

Scholarships

We are committed to supporting the best students irrespective of financial circumstances and are delighted to offer a range of funding opportunities. 

Find Out More

Career opportunities

Business School

Department information

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