MSc Strategic Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Surrey

Program Overview

The MSc Strategic Marketing at the University of Surrey is designed for students who want to build real strategic thinking skills and gain confidence in digital, sustainable, and data-driven marketing. It’s a great fit if you’re aiming for a career where you’ll shape customer experiences, design marketing strategies, and make decisions backed by solid research.

Curriculum Structure

Semester 1

Your first semester sets the foundation, helping you understand how modern marketing really works. You’ll study Strategic Marketing, where you learn to analyse markets, define the right target segments, and build strong competitive positioning. Modules like Sustainability Marketing and Services Marketing introduce you to the realities of today’s customer-centric, socially responsible business world. You’ll also take Marketing Research, which gives you hands-on experience in collecting and analysing data — something every employer values.

Semester 2

As you move into the second semester, the focus shifts to applying what you’ve learned. In Integrated and Digital Marketing Communications, you’ll explore how brands create powerful, multi-channel marketing campaigns. Perspectives on Consumer Behaviour helps you understand why people make the choices they do, giving you insights you’ll use in everything from branding to pricing. You’ll continue developing your research abilities so you're fully prepared for your final project.

Final Dissertation

You’ll round off the year with your Marketing Dissertation, where you choose a topic that genuinely interests you. Whether it’s digital marketing trends, consumer psychology, or sustainability, this is your chance to produce work that showcases your ability to think critically and strategically — exactly what employers look for.

Focus Areas

Strategic marketing, digital communication, consumer behaviour, marketing research, sustainability, service innovation.

Learning Outcomes

Graduate with the ability to design effective marketing strategies, understand what drives customer decision-making, conduct meaningful research, and confidently use digital tools to solve real marketing challenges.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The program is housed within an AACSB-accredited business school and is closely aligned with professional standards set by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM).

Reputation (Employability & Rankings)

Surrey Business School has a strong track record — 91% of its postgraduate students are working or in further study shortly after graduation. The university is also ranked in the global top 100 for Management, and Marketing is consistently recognised among the top 100 globally and top 10 in the UK in major subject rankings.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

One of the biggest strengths of Surrey’s MSc Strategic Marketing is how practical it is. You won’t just sit in lectures — you’ll actually apply what you learn by working with real businesses, using industry-standard software, and developing insights the way professional marketers do. Surrey Business School gives you access to dedicated labs, specialist tools, and hands-on projects, so by the time you graduate, you’ll have genuine experience that employers recognize and value.

To show you what this looks like in practice, here’s how you’ll gain real-world skills throughout the program:

The B-Clinic (student consulting projects): You get the chance to work directly with local companies and startups, helping them solve live marketing challenges — from customer research to strategy development.
Bloomberg Suite & professional databases: You’ll have access to Bloomberg terminals and databases like Datastream, Orbis, and LexisNexis, giving you the same analytical tools used by marketing and business analysts.
Digital marketing and research tools: Throughout your coursework, you’ll use platforms such as Qualtrics and social media analytics tools to design surveys, gather data, and measure campaign performance.
Collaborative group projects: Many modules involve teamwork, where you and your classmates tackle real business scenarios, present strategies, and receive feedback from academics and industry guests.
Placement-style consulting opportunities: Surrey Business School partners with organisations that need support with brand research, marketing analysis, and social media campaigns — giving you additional chances to work on real briefs.
SurreyIDEA entrepreneurship hub: If you’re interested in innovation or startups, you can work with entrepreneurs, develop business concepts, and take part in workshops that strengthen your creative marketing skills.
Specialist learning spaces: You’ll spend time in the Rik Medlik Building, which includes computer labs, collaborative breakout rooms, and dedicated areas designed for business students to research, create, and test ideas.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with Surrey’s MSc Strategic Marketing sets you up for a strong career start. Employers value the blend of strategic thinking, digital skills, and research experience you gain here, and many Surrey Business School graduates quickly move into impactful marketing roles. Typical career paths include becoming a Brand Manager, Digital Marketing Manager, Marketing Consultant, or Strategic Marketing Analyst — roles where you can directly shape how organisations grow and connect with customers.

To help you get there, Surrey provides a solid support system and strong industry recognition:

Dedicated careers support: The University’s Employability & Careers team offers personalised coaching, CV and LinkedIn guidance, interview practice, and access to employer workshops and job fairs — all designed to help you stand out.
Graduate Advantage: After graduation, you receive three full years of in-person career guidance and lifetime access to the Surrey Pathfinder platform, giving you ongoing access to job listings, skills courses, and employer events.
Excellent graduate outcomes: Surrey reports that 91% of postgraduate students from Surrey Business School enter work or further study shortly after completing their degree — a strong indicator of employer confidence.
Industry engagement: Through events, employer talks, and collaboration opportunities, you’ll meet organisations looking for talent in areas like market research, brand development, and digital strategy.
Accredited by CIM: Your degree is aligned with the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) — a mark that strengthens your credibility and helps you stand out in competitive marketing roles.

Further Academic Progression:

If you decide to continue your academic journey, you’ll be well prepared to pursue a PhD in Marketing or Business, especially in areas like consumer behaviour, marketing analytics, or sustainability. Some graduates also choose to progress to an MBA to deepen their leadership and strategic management skills.