MSc Marketing Management

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Derby

Program Overview

The MSc Marketing Management at the University of Derby gives you a practical, forward-thinking understanding of how modern marketing really works — from branding and consumer psychology to digital strategy and global communication. It’s perfect for anyone who wants to build strong leadership skills in marketing and learn how to design campaigns, analyse data, and manage brands in a fast-moving business world.

Curriculum Structure

What You Will Study

Integrated Marketing Communications in a Digital World & Marketing Metrics
You’ll explore how organisations communicate across different digital and traditional channels, learning to plan campaigns that work globally and resonate with real audiences. Along the way, you’ll get hands-on experience with marketing metrics, web-based projects, and the data behind measuring campaign success.

Consumer Behaviour in the Modern Era
This module helps you understand the “why” behind customer decisions. You’ll study how people behave across different social and cultural contexts, and you’ll learn to interpret buying motivations so you can create marketing strategies that genuinely connect with today’s consumers.

Strategic Brand Management
Here you’ll dive into what makes brands powerful, memorable, and trusted. You’ll learn how to position a brand, manage its identity across markets, and build strategies for businesses, public organisations, and non-profits.

Services Marketing & User Experience
You’ll look closely at how services are designed, delivered, and improved — especially as customer expectations shift with technology. This module teaches you how organisations tailor services, manage the service life cycle, and create customer experiences that feel innovative and human-centred.

Contemporary Marketing Challenges
This part of the course prepares you to evaluate marketing performance using real business data. You’ll explore CRM, customer loyalty, satisfaction, brand evaluation, and research methods — learning how to gather insights and measure the impact of marketing decisions.

Independent Study (Dissertation or Marketing Project)
Toward the end of your MSc, you’ll choose a topic that matters to you — whether it’s brand strategy, customer behaviour, digital communication, or a consultancy-style business problem. You’ll conduct research or deliver a practical project and showcase your ability to think strategically and independently.

Focus areas:
“Brand management; integrated marketing communications; consumer behaviour analysis; services marketing and user experience; digital marketing and metrics; strategic marketing planning.”

Learning outcomes:
“Develop the ability to design integrated marketing strategies, understand and influence consumer behaviour, build and manage strong brands, apply research methods to real business challenges, and evaluate marketing performance using data-driven insights.”

Professional alignment (accreditation):
The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving you a respected industry-recognised edge as you move into professional roles.

Reputation (employability rankings):
Derby highlights that graduates from its marketing programmes progress into influential roles with companies worldwide, and the university continues to be recognised for strong industry links and real-world learning.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the best things about studying Marketing Management at Derby is how hands-on the experience truly is. You won’t just learn about marketing theories — you’ll use them. From the very start, you’ll be working on real projects, solving real business challenges, and building the kind of practical confidence employers love to see. The course is intentionally designed so that every module gives you something you can later show in your portfolio.

You’ll also learn in a supportive environment with access to Derby’s campus facilities, collaborative spaces, and opportunities to work directly with businesses through projects, internships, and industry events. It’s marketing learning that feels real, relevant, and career-ready.

And here’s what that looks like in practice:

Live industry projects where you help real companies with branding, market research, communication plans, and new market strategies. Past students have worked on everything from heritage venue branding to charity campaigns.
Optional internships with local businesses, giving you the chance to apply your skills in a real workplace and build professional experience before graduation.
Regular guest lectures and masterclasses delivered by marketing professionals who share current industry trends, tools, and insights from their own careers.
Group projects and consultancy-style assignments that mirror real marketing team environments — including brainstorming sessions, client-style presentations, and strategic planning.
Full access to the Kedleston Road campus facilities, including the main library, dedicated study areas, and collaborative spaces that support both individual and group work.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Completing the MSc Marketing Management at Derby sets you up for a career where you can confidently step into roles such as Brand Manager, Marketing Manager, Marketing Analyst/Consultant, or even a Digital Communications Specialist. The blend of strategic marketing knowledge, hands-on projects, and industry contact points ensures you graduate with both the expertise and the confidence employers look for.

Here’s what your future could look like — and how Derby helps you get there:

Dedicated employability support: You’ll have access to Derby’s Careers & Employment Service for up to three years after you graduate, giving you help with CVs, interviews, placements, and navigating the job market when it matters most.
Strong industry links: The University works closely with local and global businesses, meaning you’ll benefit from guest lectures, live company briefs, Marketing Festival events, and networking opportunities through the University’s Network of Entrepreneurs.
CIM accreditation: Because the course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing, your qualification carries long-term professional credibility — something employers recognise instantly.
Positive graduate outcomes: Marketing-related graduates from Derby report average earnings of around £27,000 within 15 months — a strong start for early-career marketers.
Wide-ranging career options: Graduates move into roles across creative agencies, multinational brands, consultancy firms, and fast-growing start-ups. Others use the degree as a launchpad to shift into broader business or strategic leadership roles.

Further Academic Progression:
If you’re excited by research or want to build even deeper expertise, the MSc provides a solid pathway into a PhD in Marketing or other advanced postgraduate or executive-level qualifications. Many students choose to specialise further in brand strategy, consumer behaviour, analytics, or leadership as they progress in their careers.