MSc Marketing in Digital Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Brighton

Program Overview

The MSc in Marketing (Digital Marketing) at the University of Brighton is designed to give you hands-on expertise in digital marketing, e-commerce, and online brand strategy. It’s perfect if you want to build a career in social media marketing, digital advertising, e-commerce, or any role that focuses on connecting brands with audiences online.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1 (Full-time MSc)
You’ll start by mastering the fundamentals of marketing. Modules like Marketing Planning and Strategy teach you how to analyse markets and create effective marketing plans, while Buyer Behaviour helps you understand what drives consumers and businesses to make decisions online and offline. Responsible Marketing ensures you’re aware of ethical and socially responsible practices in marketing.

As you progress, the course dives into the digital world. In Digital Marketing, you’ll learn how social media, e-commerce platforms, and emerging technologies are shaping the way brands reach and engage customers. You’ll discover how to design digital campaigns, use data to understand customer behaviour, and plan strategies that really work online.

Through Business Solutions in Action, you’ll collaborate with students from other master’s programmes to work on live client projects — giving you real experience applying theory to practical business challenges. You’ll also study Research Methodologies and Methods, which equips you with the skills to collect, analyse, and interpret data for a dissertation or a work placement project.

Finally, you’ll complete either a 10,000-word Dissertation on a digital marketing topic of your choice or a Work Placement Project, where you apply your learning in a real-world industry setting.

Focus areas: Digital Marketing, Marketing Planning & Strategy, Buyer Behaviour, Responsible Marketing, E-Commerce & Online Channels, Live Client Projects, Research Methods

Learning outcomes: Graduates will be ready to design and manage digital marketing campaigns, understand online consumer behaviour, apply responsible marketing practices, conduct meaningful marketing research, and tackle real-world marketing problems.

Professional alignment (accreditation): This MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving you the chance to earn a CIM Diploma alongside your degree — a qualification recognised globally by employers. The University of Brighton’s Business School also holds AACSB accreditation, which fewer than 6% of business schools worldwide achieve.

Reputation (employability & rankings): The University of Brighton is ranked among the top 4% of universities worldwide, reflecting its strong academic reputation and the employability value of its degrees.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc isn’t just about learning theory — it’s about putting your skills into practice from day one. At Brighton, you’ll get hands-on experience working on real marketing projects, collaborating with peers, and, if you choose, spending up to a year in an industry placement. By the time you graduate, you’ll have not only knowledge, but practical skills and confidence that employers are looking for.

Here’s how you’ll get that real-world experience:

Live client projects through the Business Solutions in Action module, where you team up with other master’s students to solve genuine business challenges using digital marketing strategies.
Group work, presentations, and reports across modules, giving you experience in collaboration, communication, and problem-solving — just like in a professional marketing role.
Optional 9–12 month placement year, offering hands-on industry experience and the chance to complete a Work Placement Project instead of a dissertation.
Dedicated Placements and Employability support, including help with CVs, cover letters, interviews, and networking with employers.
Access to Careers Connect, placement fairs, and employability workshops, where you can explore internships, graduate roles, and opportunities to build your professional network.
Entrepreneurship support through Beepurple, the university’s start-up network, ideal if you want to freelance, launch your own business, or work independently in digital marketing.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc go on to exciting careers in digital marketing, e-commerce, advertising, social media, or agency roles. Typical first positions include Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, SEO/SEM Manager, or E‑commerce Manager, and many progress into senior marketing or strategic roles after gaining a few years of experience. Thanks to the combination of practical projects, placement options, and professional accreditation, you’ll graduate not just with a qualification, but with a portfolio and hands-on experience that employers really value.

Here’s how Brighton helps you make that leap into the professional world:

Tailored career support through the Careers and Employability team, including CV and cover letter reviews, mock interviews, mentoring, and guidance on placements and internships.
Access to jobs and internships via Careers Connect, the university portal listing part-time roles, internships, graduate positions, volunteering opportunities, and more in the UK and abroad.
Strong industry links and placement opportunities, including an optional 9–12 month paid placement year where you can work with well-known companies and agencies, building real-world experience.
Professional accreditation with long-term value: The course is CIM-accredited, letting you work towards a CIM professional qualification alongside your MSc — a credential recognised by employers worldwide.
Excellent graduate outcomes: A high percentage of Brighton graduates are in skilled employment or further study within 15 months of finishing their degree, reflecting the programme’s strong employability support.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to go further academically, this MSc provides a solid foundation for research-level study, such as an MPhil or PhD in marketing, digital business, or consumer behaviour. The research skills you develop during your dissertation or placement project prepare you for advanced study, consultancy roles, or strategy-focused careers.