MSc Strategic and Digital Marketing

1 Years On Campus Masters Program

Cardiff University

Program Overview

If you're aiming to build a career in modern marketing, this MSc gives you the blend of strategic thinking and digital know-how that employers look for. It’s ideal for students who want to understand how brands compete, grow, and communicate in a fast-moving digital world, while also exploring the human side of consumer behaviour.

Curriculum Structure

Taught Stage

Across the year, you'll work through a set of modules that help you understand marketing from every angle. You begin with Strategic Marketing Management and Research in Strategic Marketing, which build your foundation in analysing markets and making evidence-based decisions. As the course progresses, you dive into more specialised areas such as Brand Communications in the Digital Age, Digital Marketing, and Strategic Marketing Analytics, where you learn how brands craft messages, use data, and build meaningful customer connections.
You’ll also explore how people think and behave through Consumer Behaviour, examine marketing’s wider role in Marketing & Society, and understand how global brands operate through International Marketing.

Project Stage

The year ends with a 60-credit Marketing Project, giving you the chance to take everything you’ve learned and apply it to a real business challenge. You’ll work closely with an organisation, analyse their needs, and create a full strategic marketing plan that you present professionally — a great talking point for future interviews.

Focus areas

“strategic marketing, digital marketing, brand communications, consumer behaviour, marketing analytics, international marketing”

Learning outcomes

“ability to design digital and strategic marketing plans, analyse customer behaviour, use data for decision-making, evaluate marketing’s societal impact, and apply marketing strategies across global contexts”

Professional alignment (accreditation)

The program is CIM-accredited, meaning you can work toward Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications faster, with fewer assessments to complete.

Reputation (employability rankings)

Cardiff Business School holds AACSB accreditation, placing it among the world’s leading business schools. Cardiff is also ranked in the global top 100 for Marketing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject — a strong signal of the value of your degree.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What really sets this MSc apart is how much of your learning happens through doing. Cardiff doesn’t just teach you marketing theory — it puts you in situations where you can actually practise it. From day one, you'll work closely with real organisations, industry speakers, and small-group workshops that help you gain confidence using the tools and strategies professionals rely on.

And because Cardiff Business School is one of the UK’s leading business schools, you’ll have access to modern facilities, specialist digital resources, and a postgraduate community that supports hands-on learning at every step. Here’s how that experience comes to life:

Live Marketing Management Project: Over the summer, you’ll take on a real brief from a real organisation, applying your strategic and digital marketing skills to a genuine business problem.
Industry Guest Speakers & Company Visits: Professionals from major sectors visit the school to share insights and current trends, giving you an authentic look at how marketing decisions are made.
Interactive Workshops & Tutorials: Many modules include small-group sessions where you analyse case studies, test strategies, and get personalised feedback from academic staff.
Marketing & Society Projects: You’ll explore how marketing influences people and communities, helping you understand the broader impact of modern marketing practice.
Excellent Facilities: You’ll have access to 24-hour computer labs, collaborative seminar rooms, and Cardiff Business School’s postgraduate spaces — all designed to support research, teamwork, and digital learning.
Digital & Analytical Tools: The school gives you access to various software and databases used for marketing analytics, consumer insight, and research, helping you build data-driven marketing skills.

These experiences ensure that by the time you graduate, you’ll have practical examples and real project work to showcase — something employers value highly.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc leave Cardiff ready to step into exciting marketing roles such as Digital Marketing Manager, Brand Strategist, Marketing Analyst, or Marketing Consultant. With a combination of hands-on project experience, strategic insight, and digital expertise, you’ll be equipped to make an impact in a wide range of industries.

Here’s how Cardiff supports you in turning your degree into a successful career:

Career & Employability Support – The Student Futures team helps you craft CVs, ace interviews, and access marketing-specific job opportunities.
Graduate Destinations – Alumni work in digital marketing, advertising, CRM, brand management, and product development across national and international companies.
Professional Value – Being CIM-accredited, the course gives you a fast track towards Chartered Institute of Marketing qualifications, saving time on professional certification.
Industry Connections – Through live business projects, guest lectures, and Cardiff’s Public Value Entrepreneurs in Residence, you’ll gain first-hand experience with real companies and marketing challenges.
Graduate Success Rate – Cardiff Business School reports that 93% of graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc, you could continue your studies with a PhD in Marketing or Strategic Management, or explore postgraduate certificates and diplomas in Digital Strategy, Consumer Insights, or Brand Analytics, building on the research and project skills you’ve developed during the program.