MA Marketing and Brand Management

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Bath Spa University

Program Overview

The MA in Marketing and Brand Management at Bath Spa University equips you with the skills to become a creative, strategic, and data-savvy marketing professional. It’s ideal for students who want to understand consumer behavior, build strong brand identities, and use insight-driven strategies to make real-world marketing impact.

Curriculum Structure

Early Stage (Core and Optional Modules)
In the first stage, you’ll explore the fundamentals of marketing and branding through modules such as Strategic Brand Management, Digital Marketing, and Marketing Analytics. You’ll learn how to develop effective brand strategies, engage audiences online, and interpret data to make informed marketing decisions. Optional modules let you tailor the course to your interests, with choices like Entrepreneurship, Fashion Marketing, Sustainability, or International Business Management.
Industry / Work-Based Project Phase
As you progress, you’ll apply what you’ve learned in a practical context through a work-based project or placement. This hands-on experience allows you to develop professional skills, gain real-world insights, and expand your network, giving you a strong foundation for a marketing or brand management career.
Final Research Phase / Dissertation
In the final phase, you’ll complete a dissertation, tackling a real marketing or brand-management challenge. This project lets you integrate theory and practice, showcasing your ability to research, analyse, and provide creative, practical solutions.

Focus Areas: Strategic brand development, digital marketing and analytics, marketing communications, creative and entrepreneurial marketing, sustainability, and international business.

Learning Outcomes: Graduates will be able to think strategically and creatively about brands, interpret and act on marketing data, design and execute campaigns, respond to global and socially responsible marketing challenges, and collaborate effectively across creative, technical, and business domains.

Professional Alignment / Accreditation: The program is designed to meet the demands of modern marketing roles, combining academic rigor with practical experience. It prepares students for careers in marketing, brand strategy, digital marketing, and communications.

Reputation (Employability): Bath Spa University is known for blending creativity with business skills. The MA emphasizes hands-on experience alongside theoretical learning, ensuring graduates are ready to enter the industry with confidence and practical expertise.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Bath Spa, learning goes far beyond textbooks and lectures. You’ll gain hands-on experience that mirrors what marketing and brand professionals actually do, giving you the confidence and skills to hit the ground running after graduation. From working on real business projects to using industry-standard tools, you’ll have the chance to apply your knowledge in practical settings, develop a professional portfolio, and build connections with companies and mentors along the way.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Work-Based Placement or Project: You can choose a substantial placement or project where you work directly with a company, producing real marketing or brand-management work under the guidance of both academic tutors and industry mentors.
Industry-Relevant Case Studies: Throughout the course, you’ll tackle real market challenges and scenarios, applying theory to contemporary business situations and learning how to make decisions that have real-world impact.
Access to Professional Digital Tools: As part of the course, you’ll use the full Adobe Creative Suite, enabling you to create marketing materials, visuals, and campaigns to professional standards.
Campus and Library Resources: Workshops, seminars, and tutorials take place in well-equipped campus facilities, supported by a business-focused library and extensive digital resources for research and independent learning.
Blended Learning Approach: You’ll experience a mix of lectures, seminars, workshops, group projects, and online activities, helping you develop both practical skills and critical thinking while collaborating with peers on real-world tasks.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MA in Marketing and Brand Management leave Bath Spa ready to step confidently into the professional world. Many go on to roles such as Brand Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Marketing Analyst, or Marketing and Communications Executive. Thanks to the programme’s combination of creative, analytical, and strategic learning — along with real-world projects — you’ll graduate with both practical experience and a strong, industry-ready portfolio.

This translates into opportunities like:

University Careers Support: You’ll benefit from Bath Spa’s Careers and Employability service, which offers guidance on CVs, interviews, job applications, networking events, and ongoing career advice — helping you navigate the job market effectively.
Work-Based Experience: The programme’s work-based placement or project lets you apply your learning in real professional settings, developing skills and contacts that employers value.
Industry-Relevant Skills: You’ll gain hands-on experience with professional digital tools, including the full Adobe Creative Suite, which many marketing and branding roles expect today.
Versatility Across Sectors: Marketing and brand-management skills are in demand across industries — from consumer goods to media, fashion, and sustainability — giving you flexibility in choosing your career path and the possibility of working internationally.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies after the MA, you could pursue specialized postgraduate programs in areas such as marketing research, consumer behavior, or international business, or even a PhD in marketing or brand management. This could open doors to strategic consultancy roles, academic research positions, or senior leadership roles in brand and marketing management.