MSc Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Edinburgh Napier University

Program Overview

The MSc Marketing at Edinburgh Napier equips you with the skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s fast-paced marketing world. Whether you’re aiming for a career in brand management, digital marketing, market research, or international marketing, this programme gives you both the theory and practical experience to succeed.

Curriculum structure

This one-year, full-time course is carefully structured to take you from marketing fundamentals to advanced, real-world applications:

Trimester 1: You’ll start with Principles and Practice of Marketing, learning how businesses plan and execute effective marketing strategies. Marketing Communications and Consumer Insights help you understand how to engage audiences, influence decisions, and communicate effectively with different consumer groups.
Trimester 2: Next, you move into Global Marketing, where you learn to adapt marketing strategies for international markets and understand cross-cultural consumer behaviour. Strategic Brand Management teaches you how to build, maintain, and grow powerful brands, both locally and globally. Digital Marketing Strategy equips you with the latest skills in online marketing, social media, content marketing, eCRM, and mobile platforms.
Trimester 3: Finally, Research Methods gives you the tools to gather and analyse data, enabling you to make informed, evidence-based marketing decisions. You’ll also complete a dissertation or major project to apply your knowledge to a topic you’re passionate about, giving you a real showcase for potential employers.

Focus areas: marketing fundamentals; brand management; global/international marketing; consumer behaviour & insights; digital marketing strategy; marketing communications; market research & data-driven analysis.

Learning outcomes: design and implement marketing plans; build and manage strong brands; understand and segment consumer behaviour; adapt marketing strategies for global markets; leverage digital media for marketing; conduct marketing research and make data-informed decisions.

Professional alignment (accreditation): The programme is connected with respected industry bodies including the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Marketing Society Scotland, and the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM), giving your degree extra credibility in the professional world.

Reputation (employability / outcomes): Edinburgh Napier is ranked among the top 5 UK modern universities for graduate prospects (The Times Good University Guide 2026), reflecting strong career opportunities for MSc Marketing graduates.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Napier, the MSc Marketing is designed to get you actively applying marketing theory from day one. You won’t just learn concepts — you’ll work on real business scenarios, collaborate in teams, and use the tools and techniques that professional marketers rely on. This hands-on approach ensures that by the time you graduate, you’re ready to confidently step into the workplace.

Here’s how practical learning is built into the course:

Real business projects and marketing plans: In Principles and Practice of Marketing, you’ll develop complete marketing plans, making decisions on product strategy, pricing, distribution, and communications — applying theory directly to practical challenges.
Collaborative group work and presentations: Many modules involve team projects, reports, and presentations, helping you sharpen your communication and teamwork skills — exactly what employers are looking for.
Global and cultural market exposure: Through Global Marketing and Intercultural Business Communication, you’ll tackle international case studies and practice marketing strategies tailored to diverse audiences.
Research and data-driven decision making: In Research Methods, you’ll learn how to collect and analyse data, understand consumer behaviour, and make evidence-based marketing decisions.
Industry links and guest insights: The programme includes input from industry professionals through guest lectures and workshops, giving you a real-world perspective on marketing trends and challenges.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from Napier’s MSc Marketing leave ready to take on exciting roles in the marketing world. Whether you want to work as a Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, or Market Research Analyst, this course equips you with the skills, confidence, and practical experience to succeed in a range of marketing careers. With its combination of theory, hands-on projects, and industry insight, you’ll be prepared to step straight into professional marketing roles or take your existing career to the next level.

Napier supports your career journey in several ways:

Dedicated career guidance: The Employability & Careers service helps you polish your CV, practice interviews, identify opportunities, and connect with employers through the “myFuture” portal.
Placements and work experience: You can access placements, internships, or volunteering opportunities, giving you real-world experience to enhance your CV before graduation.
Strong graduate prospects: Napier is ranked among the top 5 UK modern universities for graduate prospects (Times Good University Guide 2026), highlighting the value of your degree in the job market.
Industry-recognised accreditation and connections: The programme is linked with bodies like the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the Marketing Society Scotland, and the Institute of Direct Marketing (IDM), giving you extra credibility with employers.
Global and flexible career paths: With a focus on marketing fundamentals, digital strategy, and global marketing, you can pursue careers in branding, consumer research, digital agencies, multinational companies, or even consultancy roles.

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue your studies, you could pursue a research-focused degree such as an MPhil or PhD in marketing, consumer behaviour, global business, or business analytics. The research skills you gain in this MSc provide a strong foundation for advanced academic work or strategic consultancy careers.