MSc Digital Marketing and Analytics with Industrial Placement

2 Years On Campus Masters Program

University of Kent

Program Overview

The MSc Digital Marketing & Analytics with Placement is perfect for anyone looking to combine creativity with data-driven decision-making in marketing. You’ll learn how to plan and run digital campaigns, analyse consumer behaviour using tools like Google Analytics and R, and gain hands-on experience through a year-long placement in a real company.

Curriculum Structure

Stage 1 – Core Learning:
In your first year, you’ll build the foundations of modern marketing and analytics. Through Digital Marketing Communications, you’ll explore digital channels like email, websites, and immersive online ads while learning how to craft compelling brand narratives. Social Media Design helps you create engaging online content, while Digital Marketing Strategy & Online Consumer teaches you how to make data-driven strategic decisions by understanding online consumer behaviour.

Modules like Social Media Marketing & Web Analytics let you get hands-on with tools such as Google Analytics, Google Ads, SEO, and R to measure campaign success. Applied Data‑Driven Marketing Analytics equips you with skills in data visualization, mining, and content analysis using software like Excel, SPSS, and NVivo. You’ll also gain insights into customers through Customer Insights and explore current trends, ethics, and sustainability in marketing with Emerging Issues in Contemporary Marketing.

Stage 2 – Placement & Application:
In your second year, you’ll bring your skills to life with a real-world experience. The Industrial Placement Experience lets you work in a company for 39–44 weeks and write a reflective Industrial Placement Report to consolidate your learning. Alternatively, The Digital Marketing Challenge offers a consultancy-style experience where you tackle real business problems and produce strategic recommendations.

Focus Areas

Digital strategy · Web analytics · Social media design · Consumer insights · Data mining · Marketing ethics & privacy

Learning Outcomes

Graduates will confidently design, implement, and evaluate data-driven marketing campaigns, analyse digital metrics, map customer journeys, and make informed marketing decisions that are ethical and insight-driven.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This program is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving you a recognised professional edge in the marketing industry.

Reputation / Employability

Kent Business School is in the top 1% of business schools worldwide with triple-crown accreditation (AMBA, EQUIS, AACSB). Graduates pursue roles such as Digital Marketing Analyst, Social Media Strategist, Data Consultant, Campaign Manager, and Content Specialist at companies including Hitachi, Press Group, European Green, and Sparta Global.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

On this course, you don’t just learn digital marketing — you practice it. From day one, you’ll gain hands-on experience using real-world data and industry-standard tools, working on live campaigns and projects. The course is designed so that everything you study can be applied straight away, and with the optional full-year placement, you’ll have the chance to step directly into a professional marketing environment and make a real impact.

Here’s what that looks like in practice:

Industrial Placement Experience: Spend 39–44 weeks in a company, applying your skills in a real business setting and gaining valuable professional exposure.
Industrial Placement Report: Reflect on your placement experience through a structured report, linking academic learning to real-world business challenges.
The Digital Marketing Challenge: Work in teams on live business problems, pitch your solutions, and develop a comprehensive strategy report.
Analytics Tools & Software: Gain practical experience with Google Analytics, Google Ads, SEO platforms, and R programming to track and analyze marketing campaigns.
Data Skills Workshops: Learn data mining, visualization with Excel and SPSS, and content analysis using NVivo in the Applied Data-Driven Marketing Analytics module.
Customer Research: Conduct real marketing research and interpret customer insights in the Customer Insights module.
Emerging Marketing Trends: Explore current industry topics like AI, privacy, ethics, and sustainability through Emerging Issues in Contemporary Marketing.
Entrepreneurial Opportunities via ASPIRE: Develop your own sta

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates of this MSc leave Kent ready to step straight into exciting roles where creativity meets data. Typical positions include Digital Marketing Analyst, Social Media Strategist, Data Consultant, and Digital Campaign Manager — and your placement year ensures you gain the kind of practical experience that really makes your CV stand out.

Here’s how Kent helps you launch your career and what your future could look like:

Career Support – The Careers & Employability Service offers personalised guidance, workshops, and one-to-one coaching to help you plan your career and connect with employers, supporting you even after graduation.
Placement Year – Spend 12 months working in a real-world role, applying your digital marketing and analytics skills while building professional networks.
Professional Accreditation – The programme is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), giving your qualification strong recognition in the industry.
Graduate Opportunities – Kent graduates have gone on to work with organisations like Hitachi, Press Group, European Green, and Sparta Global, taking on roles in analytics, SEO, social media, and data consultancy.
Employability in Action – Initiatives like Kent’s ASPIRE programme and live consultancy projects, such as the “Digital Marketing Challenge,” allow you to gain hands-on experience and create a professional portfolio while studying.

Further Academic Progression:
After your MSc, you could pursue a PhD in Digital Marketing, Analytics, or Consumer Behaviour, taking advantage of Kent’s strong research expertise. Alternatively, professional certifications through CIM or executive education courses can help you advance your career and develop specialised leadership skills.