MSc Management and Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University College Cork UCC

Program Overview

The MSc in Management & Marketing at University College Cork (UCC) is a one-year, full-time NFQ Level 9 master’s designed to give students a solid foundation in both business management and marketing practice, especially those who have limited or no prior academic study in these subjects at undergraduate level. It suits graduates from science, arts, engineering, psychology, law, healthcare and other non-business backgrounds who want to pivot into business-oriented careers and develop broad strategic, analytical and practical skills relevant across industries.

Curriculum structure:

In the one-year master’s programme, students build essential competencies across both management and marketing domains. They engage with Introduction to Marketing, Consumer Behaviour and Marketing Communications to understand market dynamics, customer insight and how to craft effective promotional strategies in contemporary contexts. Alongside these, modules such as People and Organisations, Foundations of Management, Organisational Dynamics and Strategy develop practical understanding of organisational behaviour, leadership, strategic planning and project management. Through Market Research and Digital Marketing for International Markets, learners gain analytical skills to interpret data and make evidence-based decisions. The programme culminates in an Applied Research Project (30 credits) where students apply theory to real-world business challenges, synthesising their integrated management and marketing learning.

Focus areas (in a string):

Management fundamentals, consumer behaviour, marketing communications, market research & analytics, organisational dynamics & leadership, digital marketing, strategic project.

Learning outcomes (in a string):

Demonstrate core management and marketing knowledge; apply analytical and strategic frameworks to business problems; interpret market and consumer data; integrate leadership and organisational insight; and complete an applied research project addressing a real-world challenge.

Professional alignment (accreditation):

This MSc is awarded as an NFQ Level 9 Master’s degree by University College Cork and is designed to align with professional expectations for business, management, consulting, marketing and strategy roles; the programme also holds accreditation and industry recognition supportive of careers across sectors.

Reputation (employability rankings):

University College Cork is ranked internationally in global university rankings such as QS World University Rankings, and its business postgraduate programmes are recognised for strong graduate outcomes across a wide range of industries including technology, consumer goods, consulting and public sector roles.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical skills through a strong focus on real-world application, using live client projects, professional-standard digital tools, and simulations in dedicated campus facilities. The program integrates theoretical knowledge with hands-on execution through multiple applied elements. This experiential learning is structured as follows:

Live Client Projects: A core component involves working on live projects and briefs from real companies. Students develop and present strategic digital marketing solutions to actual client challenges.
Professional Software & Tools: The curriculum is built around gaining proficiency with industry-standard platforms. Key tools include Google Analytics, Google Ads, Facebook Business Manager, and other social media advertising platforms for campaign management and analytics.
Simulation-Based Learning: Students use professional marketing simulation software (such as Markstrat or similar) to manage a virtual brand in a competitive market, making strategic decisions on product, price, promotion, and digital spend.
Dedicated Facilities: The program is taught within Trinity Business School, which provides dedicated computer labs equipped with the necessary software, collaborative workspaces, and access to the business school's research and data resources.
Career-Focused Support: Students benefit from the Trinity Business School Careers Team, which offers workshops on personal branding, LinkedIn optimization, and interview preparation specifically for the digital marketing sector, alongside networking events with industry professionals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of University College Cork's MSc in Management & Marketing (CKL22) gain versatile business skills through practical modules in strategy, digital marketing, consumer behavior, and project management, enabling rapid career entry across diverse industries. Typical positions include business consultant, marketing coordinator, operations analyst, and brand strategist at companies like Nike, Dell, Accenture, Deloitte, Meta, Google, and Kerry Group.

Career Support Elements:

University Services: Dedicated placement manager assists with work placements, CV building, interview skills, and professional development workshops.
Employment Stats: Strong graduate outcomes in consulting, retail, tech, and FMCG sectors with competitive starting salaries reflecting broad applicability.
University-Industry Partnerships: IMCA accreditation, industry guest speakers, company visits, and live research projects with partners ensure real-world readiness.
Long-term Accreditation Value: Conversion program equips non-business graduates for management consulting certification and senior business roles.
Graduation Outcomes: Diverse employment in financial services, education, tourism, manufacturing, media, and entrepreneurship.

Further Academic Progression: Graduates pursue MBA programs, PhD research in business strategy/marketing, or professional certifications in digital analytics/project management, leveraging the Applied Research Project experience.