MSc Digital Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Chester

Program Overview

The MSc Digital Marketing equips you with the skills needed to succeed in today’s digital-first marketing world, blending strategy, data analysis, and practical digital tools. It’s ideal for students looking to start or boost a career in marketing, especially if you’re interested in online campaigns, social media, content creation, and understanding digital consumer behaviour.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year full-time master’s (with an optional two-year route for a placement/project) combines core marketing knowledge, practical application, and research skills to prepare you for professional success.

Year 1 (Core Learning & Practical Modules)
You’ll study modules such as Digital Marketing Strategy & Planning, Digital Marketing Acquisition, Conversion & Retention, Social Media Strategy, Understanding the Digital Customer, and Digital Disruption. These courses teach you how to plan and execute digital campaigns, attract and retain customers, manage social media and digital communications, and understand how technology is changing the marketing landscape.

Year 1 (Research and Project Focus)
Alongside the core modules, you’ll complete Marketing Research Methods and a Marketing Project, or if you choose the placement/project track, a real-world marketing project or professional placement. This gives you hands-on experience in research, project management, and applying your digital marketing knowledge in a real business context.

If you opt for the two-year route, the second year provides industry exposure through placements or applied projects, helping you build a stronger professional profile while still completing your master’s.

Focus Areas:
Digital marketing strategy and planning; customer acquisition, conversion and retention; social media strategy and digital communications; online consumer behaviour; digital disruption and emerging technologies; research methods and applied marketing project or placement.

Learning Outcomes:
You will graduate able to plan and run effective digital marketing campaigns, analyse consumer behaviour and online data, manage social media and digital communications, design customer-centric acquisition and retention strategies, adapt to emerging digital technologies, and deliver professional-level marketing projects or placement-based work.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation):
The programme is developed in collaboration with industry experts and aligned with standards from professional marketing bodies, ensuring your learning meets current digital marketing demands.

Reputation (Employability & Career Prospects):
Graduates go on to roles such as digital marketing manager, social media strategist, online marketing analyst, content marketing specialist, or digital campaign manager. The University of Chester’s Careers and Employability services provide guidance and networking opportunities to help you launch your career successfully.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc is designed to make sure you graduate not only with knowledge but also with practical skills and real-world experience that employers value. Throughout the programme, you’ll engage in hands-on projects, use industry-standard digital tools, and work on assignments that mirror real marketing challenges. These experiences allow you to apply theory in practice, develop professional confidence, and build a portfolio of work that will impress future employers.

Here’s how experiential learning is integrated into the course:

Practical workshops and applied projects: Modules like Digital Marketing Strategy & Planning, Social Media Strategy, and Digital Marketing Acquisition, Conversion & Retention include exercises and case studies where you plan campaigns, manage digital communications, and analyse consumer behaviour in realistic scenarios.
Marketing project or placement: Depending on your chosen track, you’ll complete either a research-based Marketing Project or a real-world professional placement, providing hands-on experience and insight into how businesses operate in the digital marketing space.
Digital tools and analytics: You’ll learn to use analytics platforms and other digital tools to track campaign performance, interpret customer data, and make informed, data-driven marketing decisions.
Portfolio development: Coursework is designed to produce tangible outputs — from campaign plans to digital content — giving you concrete examples of your skills to show employers.
Industry engagement and networking: Guest lectures, industry events, and seminars give you exposure to current trends, emerging technologies, and the chance to connect with marketing professionals.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this MSc are ready to step confidently into the fast-paced world of digital marketing. Common career paths include digital marketing manager, social media strategist, online marketing analyst, content marketing specialist, or digital campaign manager. The programme equips you with both practical skills and strategic thinking, allowing you to deliver results, manage campaigns, and contribute meaningfully in professional marketing teams.

Here’s how the University of Chester supports your career journey:

Career guidance and employability services: Dedicated career advisors provide support with CVs, interview preparation, networking, and connecting you with employers to secure placements or graduate roles.
Industry-aligned skills: The curriculum ensures your knowledge and capabilities match current digital marketing industry needs, from data analysis to social media management and campaign strategy.
Portfolio-ready projects: Your Marketing Project or placement gives you real-world experience and tangible outputs to showcase to employers.
Flexible career pathways: Graduates pursue roles across sectors, from digital agencies and e-commerce companies to corporate marketing and consultancy.
Strong employability: The University’s practical focus, professional projects, and career support help graduates secure skilled roles quickly and confidently.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the MSc, you could continue your studies with research-focused postgraduate degrees, such as a PhD in marketing, digital business, or consumer behaviour. You could also explore specialised master’s programmes in areas like digital strategy, strategic communications, or data-driven marketing, opening doors to advanced career opportunities, consultancy, or academic research roles.