MSc Marketing and Brand Management

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Nottingham Trent University

Program Overview

The MSc Marketing & Brand Management is perfect for anyone looking to understand how successful brands are built, managed, and grown in a competitive global market. Whether you’re new to marketing or already have some business experience, this course equips you with the skills to create strong brand identities, engage customers effectively, and make strategic marketing decisions.

Curriculum Structure

Semester 1
Your first semester lays the foundation for your marketing and branding journey. In Principles of Marketing, you’ll explore the core frameworks and tools that guide marketing in practice. Understanding the Customer Experience lets you dive into consumer behaviour, uncovering what drives loyalty and engagement in both digital and physical markets. Strategic Global Marketing then challenges you to see the bigger picture, helping you understand how companies plan and execute marketing strategies across different international markets.

Semester 2
In the second semester, you’ll focus on the heart of brand management. Brand Management teaches you how to develop and maintain brand identity, equity, and positioning for different types of businesses. Brand Development gives you the practical skills to translate strategy into action, including creative direction and brand storytelling. Meanwhile, Contemporary Perspectives in Customer Engagement explores modern engagement tactics, and Customer Insight through Marketing Research equips you with data-driven tools to understand and influence consumers effectively.

Semester 3
In your final semester, you’ll apply everything you’ve learned. You can choose a Consultancy Experience Project, tackling a real-world branding or marketing challenge in a team, or a Business Research Project, producing a rigorous, research-driven study. Both options allow you to put theory into practice, build a strong portfolio, and gain the confidence to succeed in your future career.

Focus areas: Brand strategy, consumer behaviour, global branding, marketing research, design management
Learning outcomes: Develop brand strategies, apply consumer insight, manage brand identity and equity, conduct marketing research, and implement brand-driven marketing campaigns
Professional alignment (accreditation): The MSc is aligned with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving you the opportunity to earn the CIM Level 4 Certificate and Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing.
Reputation (employability rankings): Nottingham Business School is Triple Crown accredited, and 92% of students report being satisfied with this MSc programme.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At NTU, the MSc Marketing & Brand Management is designed so you don’t just learn about brands — you experience what it’s like to manage them in the real world. You’ll work in modern, collaborative spaces at the Postgraduate Centre, using industry-standard tools like Mintel, Passport, SPSS, Adobe Creative Cloud, and Bloomberg terminals. From the start, you’ll get hands-on with projects, simulations, and professional guidance that prepare you to step confidently into your marketing career.

Here’s how your practical learning is brought to life:

Consultancy Experience Project: Work in a team to tackle a real-world branding or marketing challenge, conducting research and presenting solutions directly to a client.
Business Research Project: Alternatively, pursue a detailed research dissertation to develop analytical and strategic skills, ideal if you’re considering further study.
Placement Year (2-Year Option): Take a 36–48 week placement to gain valuable on-the-job experience, expand your professional network, and boost your employability.
Marketing Simulations: Early in the programme, you’ll manage a virtual company in a competitive market, testing strategies and learning from real-time feedback.
Professional Practice & Workshops: Participate in mentoring, skill-building workshops, and career-focused sessions to strengthen your professional identity and readiness for work.
Guest Lectures & Industry Insights: Learn from marketing professionals and industry experts through workshops and lectures, gaining first-hand knowledge of current trends and practices.

By the end of this programme, you’ll not only have a strong academic foundation but also a portfolio of practical experiences and the confidence to make an impact in the world of brand management.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of the MSc Marketing & Brand Management leave NTU ready to take on exciting and dynamic roles such as Brand Manager, Marketing Executive, Regional Marketing Manager, or Strategic Brand Consultant. The programme equips you not only with theoretical knowledge but also with hands-on experience, professional qualifications, and industry connections — giving you the confidence to make an immediate impact in the workplace:

Dedicated Career Support: NTU’s Employability Team helps you craft standout CVs, prepare for interviews, explore placements and internships, and offers continued guidance even after you graduate.
Professional Accreditation: The course is aligned with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), allowing you to earn the Level 4 Certificate and Level 6 Diploma, credentials highly respected by employers worldwide.
Award-Winning Employability: This MSc is part of the first UK postgraduate programme to receive the CIM Employability Programme Award, demonstrating how well it prepares students for real-world marketing careers.
Industry Placements: If you choose the two-year pathway, you can complete a 36–48 week placement, gaining invaluable on-the-job experience and building a professional network before graduation.
Graduate Success: Alumni have gone on to roles with companies like Levi Strauss & Co, EE, and BT, moving into positions such as Brand Manager, Marketing Executive, and Senior Communications Officer.
Global Recognition: Nottingham Business School’s Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, EQUIS, AMBA) ensures your degree is respected internationally, adding long-term credibility to your career.

Further Academic Progression:
If you wish to continue your studies, you could pursue a PhD in Marketing or Brand Management, explore advanced master’s programmes like Strategic Communications or Marketing Analytics, or complete higher-level CIM qualifications. This allows you to deepen your expertise while expanding your career options in both academic and professional spheres.