MSc Marketing with Advanced Practice

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

Northumbria University

Program Overview

The MSc Marketing (Advanced Practice) at Northumbria University is designed for students who want to combine strong marketing theory with real-world experience. Whether you’re coming from a business background or looking to switch careers, you’ll gain the skills to craft marketing strategies, understand consumer behaviour, and work directly with real organisations.

Curriculum Structure

Year One:
You’ll start by building a solid foundation in marketing. Strategic Marketing for Sustainable Competitive Advantage teaches you how marketing drives business success, from branding and pricing to digital strategy — all explored through engaging simulations. In Research Methods and Analytics for Business Practice, you’ll learn how to design surveys, run focus groups, and use tools like SPSS to make data-driven marketing decisions. Meanwhile, Developing Leadership Capability for Professional Practice helps you reflect on your strengths, enhance your leadership skills, and prepare for future professional challenges.

Year Two:
The focus shifts to hands-on experience. In the Business Clinic PG Consultancy Project, you’ll work in teams with real clients, tackling actual marketing challenges, conducting research, and presenting actionable recommendations. Alternatively, you can pursue a Master’s Dissertation or Management Enquiry for a research-led, in-depth investigation into a marketing topic or real-world business problem.

Focus Areas

"Strategic marketing, market research & analytics, branding, global consumer behaviour, leadership, consultancy skills, digital marketing"

Learning Outcomes

"You’ll graduate able to design and implement effective marketing strategies, analyse market research data, manage brand identity, work in teams to consult for real clients, and lead with confidence in professional marketing roles."

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This MSc aligns with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Graduate Gateway, giving you a pathway to professional marketing qualifications. It’s also delivered by Newcastle Business School, which holds double AACSB accreditation, a globally recognized mark of business-school excellence.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

You’ll leave Northumbria not only with academic knowledge but also a strong professional portfolio, thanks to the consultancy projects through the Business Clinic. With guidance from the Careers and Employment Service, plus the CIM and AACSB recognition, you’ll be well-positioned to impress employers and succeed in marketing roles worldwide.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Northumbria, learning goes far beyond the lecture hall. You’ll get hands-on experience from day one, working on real business challenges, live client projects, and interactive simulations that let you practise your marketing skills in a realistic setting. With modern IT labs, industry-standard software, and a 24/7 library, you’ll have all the tools you need to research, analyse, and collaborate effectively — helping you build confidence and a professional portfolio before you graduate.

Here’s how your practical learning is structured:

Business Clinic Consultancy Project: Work in a team with real clients to tackle actual marketing challenges, produce actionable recommendations, and present your findings professionally.
Research & Analytics: Learn to collect and analyse data using SPSS and other industry tools through the Research Methods and Analytics for Business Practice module, developing skills you can apply directly in your career.
Business Simulations & Workshops: Take part in strategic marketing simulations and team workshops in Strategic Marketing for Sustainable Competitive Advantage, where you make real-world decisions in a risk-free environment.
Flexible Final Projects: Choose between a traditional dissertation or a live consultancy project via the Business Clinic, depending on your career goals.
Industry Insight & Networking: Attend guest speaker events and take part in live competition briefs to gain current industry knowledge and make professional connections.
Digital Tools & IT Labs: Access IT labs equipped with ARIS Express, SAS, Microsoft Project, and other software to support your projects and research.
Library & Learning Resources: Benefit from a 24/7 library, electronic reading lists, lecture capture, and the Blackboard learning platform for continuous study support.

With these experiences, you’ll graduate not just with a degree but with the skills, confidence, and professional experience to make a real impact in the marketing world.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating from the MSc Marketing (Advanced Practice) at Northumbria gives you the skills, confidence, and real-world experience to step straight into roles like Marketing Manager, Brand Strategist, Market Research Consultant, or Marketing Analyst. The combination of hands-on consultancy projects, strategic training, and leadership development means you’ll graduate with more than a degree — you’ll have a professional portfolio and practical skills that employers really value. Here’s how the university helps you make your next career move:

Careers & Employment Support: Receive personalised guidance with CVs, LinkedIn profiles, interviews, and networking events to help you secure internships, placements, or graduate roles.
Graduate Success: Around 96% of master’s graduates are either employed or in further study shortly after finishing, showing strong employability outcomes.
Industry Partnerships: Benefit from accreditation and alignment with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Marketing Research Society (MRS), ensuring your skills meet professional standards.
Global Recognition: Newcastle Business School’s AACSB accreditation adds long-term credibility, respected by employers worldwide.
Practical Experience: Gain real client-facing experience through the Business Clinic, where you work on live consultancy projects that can be showcased in your professional portfolio.

Further Academic Progression:
After your MSc, you could continue with CIM professional qualifications to boost your marketing credentials or pursue a PhD if you’re interested in research, building on the analytical and consultancy skills you’ve developed during your master’s.