MSc Management & Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University College Cork UCC

Program Overview

This one-year MSc in Management & Marketing is a conversion programme designed especially for graduates who haven’t already studied business or marketing but want to build the strategic, creative and leadership skills needed to succeed in modern organisations. You’ll gain strong analytical, management and digital marketing capabilities that prepare you for careers in business, consulting, brand strategy, marketing and leadership across sectors.

Curriculum Structure

Part I – Core Study (Semesters 1 & 2):
In the taught phase you’ll cover essential business and marketing disciplines with modules such as Introduction to Marketing, Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Communications, Strategy, Market Research, People and Organisations, Organisational Dynamics, Project Management, and Foundations of Management, giving you a well-rounded understanding of how people, products and strategy come together in business. Ethical and contemporary issues are woven through Ethical Issues in Business and Digital Marketing for International Markets, helping you relate theory to real market contexts.

Part II – Applied Research Project:
The final stage is a substantial Applied Research Project (30 credits) where you work on a real organisational challenge — either through an industry placement, consultancy partnership or academic project — demonstrating your ability to apply management and marketing skills in practical settings.

Focus areas:
Marketing strategy, consumer and digital marketing, organisational behaviour, strategic management, project leadership.

Learning outcomes:
Develop strong analytical and problem-solving skills; apply strategic concepts to marketing and management challenges; communicate and lead effectively in professional contexts; bridge theory and practice through applied research.

Professional alignment (accreditation):
This is a Level 9 Masters qualification on Ireland’s National Framework of Qualifications (NFQ), recognised internationally as a postgraduate business degree.

Reputation (employability rankings):
University College Cork is a well-established research university in Ireland, and this MSc’s strong industry links and practical emphasis help graduates move into roles in marketing, management, consulting and digital business — with alumni hired by multinational firms including Nike, Dell, Meta and Google.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

Students gain practical skills through simulated business environments, live company projects, professional skills workshops, and access to dedicated business school facilities like trading rooms and innovation labs. This applied learning approach is designed to mirror real-world management challenges. The experiential learning components typically include:

Live Client Projects & Consultancy: Many programs feature core modules where students work in teams as consultants for real companies (often SMEs or startups) to solve a current strategic or operational business problem, presenting solutions directly to company leadership.
Business Simulation Software: A key tool is competitive business simulation software (like Cesim SimFirm, Capstone, or Marketplace). Students manage a virtual company, making integrated decisions across all business functions in a simulated market over several rounds.
Professional Development Workshops: Dedicated non-credit workshops often cover practical skills such as advanced Excel for business, financial modeling, LinkedIn profile optimization, networking, and presentation skills.
Dedicated Business School Facilities: Students typically have access to:
- Trading Rooms (Bloomberg Terminals): Equipped with Bloomberg Professional terminals for real-time financial data analysis, found in many business schools.
- Innovation & Entrepreneurship Hubs: Dedicated spaces for design thinking, prototyping, and startup development, often connected to the university's entrepreneurship center.
- Behavioral Labs: Used for consumer and organizational behavior research, featuring tools like eye-tracking software.

Progression & Future Opportunities

University College Cork's MSc in Management and Marketing (CKL22, 1-year full-time, NFQ Level 9) is a conversion program for non-business graduates, blending core management (strategy, HRM, organizational dynamics, project management, ethics) and marketing (intro/marketing communications, consumer behavior, market research, digital marketing) modules with a 30-credit Applied Research Project or industry placement for real-world application.

Career Support Elements

Dedicated placement manager aids securing optional work placements with partners for practical exposure.
Personal/professional development module covers CV building, interviews, team skills, and communications.
Industry guest speakers, field trips, and case studies prepare for roles like brand management, social media analysis, HR/operations/project management, consultancy, or entrepreneurship at firms including Nike, Dell, Accenture, Deloitte, Meta, Google.
IMCA accreditation enhances consulting credentials.

Further Academic Progression
Graduates advance to PhDs in management/marketing or professional certifications (e.g., CIM), leveraging research project skills.