MSc Strategic Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

University of Sussex

Program Overview

The MSc Strategic Marketing at Sussex is designed to turn you into a forward-thinking marketer who can make real impact. You’ll learn how to design strategies that work in the real world, understand consumer behaviour, and integrate sustainability and ethics into every decision — perfect for anyone looking to lead in marketing, whether in a large company, a start-up, or their own venture.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year master’s takes you from foundational knowledge to advanced strategic application:

Autumn (Early Stage): You’ll start with Buyer Behaviour, Global Marketing Management, and Marketing Ethics and Sustainability, exploring how consumers make choices, how to ethically design campaigns, and how to analyse global marketing landscapes. Design Thinking for Innovative Problem Solving and Marketing Research give you practical tools for gathering insights and creating innovative solutions.
Spring (Middle Stage): Next, Marketing Strategy challenges you to make real strategic decisions, including participating in a “Blue Ocean” strategy simulation. At the same time, Strategic Brand Management teaches you how brands create lasting value and stay competitive in fast-moving markets.
Spring & Summer (Final Stage): You’ll finish with a Research Project (Strategic Marketing), where you dive deep into a topic of your choice, applying everything you’ve learned to deliver data-driven marketing recommendations. Alongside this, you can select optional modules like Advanced Marketing Analytics, Digital Marketing, New Product Development Strategy, or Business-to-Business Marketing to tailor your degree to your career goals.

Focus Areas

“Marketing Strategy, Global Marketing, Ethical & Sustainable Marketing, Brand Management, Consumer Research, Marketing Analytics”

Learning Outcomes

“You will be able to design and implement effective marketing strategies, understand and influence consumer behaviour, lead brand-building efforts, apply ethical frameworks, conduct independent marketing research, and make data-driven strategic marketing decisions.”

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

This MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) Graduate Gateway, giving you a head start toward CIM professional qualifications. It is also offered by the EQUIS- and AMBA-accredited Sussex Business School, reflecting its high international standard.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Sussex is ranked 17th in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide 2026) and 8th in the UK for Marketing (Guardian University Guide 2026).
Globally, it’s recognised in the top 100 for QS Masters in Marketing, showing its strong international reputation.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Sussex, the MSc Strategic Marketing isn’t just about theory — it’s about applying what you learn to real-world marketing challenges. You’ll gain hands-on experience through research projects, collaborative group work, and opportunities to work directly with businesses, all while being supported by cutting-edge facilities and expert staff.

Here’s how you’ll put your skills into practice:

Real-World Projects: Work on live marketing challenges with UK employers, collaborating in teams to develop solutions and present your findings, giving you practical experience to showcase to future employers.
Research Project (Strategic Marketing): In your final term, dive deep into a topic that excites you, conducting independent research and applying your learning to produce a professional portfolio.
Collaborative Learning: Modules like Marketing Strategy and Strategic Brand Management include group work, letting you experience real marketing teamwork and problem-solving.
Entrepreneurial Support: Use Sussex’s Careers and Entrepreneurship Team and resources like StartUp Sussex and the Ideas Lab to explore turning your ideas into actual business ventures.
Ethics and Sustainability in Action: Through modules like Marketing Ethics & Sustainability, you’ll learn to make marketing decisions that are socially responsible and strategically effective.
Modern Facilities: Study in the Sussex Business School’s Jubilee Building, designed for collaboration, innovation, and a supportive learning environment.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduating with an MSc Strategic Marketing from Sussex opens doors to exciting roles like Brand or Product Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, Market Research Consultant, or International Marketing Executive. You’ll leave with not just strategic know-how, but practical experience and ethical insight that employers really value in global firms, creative agencies, and innovative start-ups.

Here’s how Sussex helps you get there:

Tailored Career Support: Sussex Business School’s Careers & Employability team offers one-to-one guidance with specialist advisers, helping you refine your career goals, perfect your CV, and prepare for interviews.
Work Experience Opportunities: Around 91% of Sussex postgraduates complete work experience as part of their course, gaining real-world exposure that sets them apart in the job market.
Entrepreneurship & Innovation: Through StartUp Sussex and the Ideas Lab, you can explore launching your own venture with mentoring, workshops, and even potential funding.
Industry Connections: Benefit from Sussex’s strong links with global companies and local businesses through guest lectures, networking events, and live business challenges.
Professional Accreditation: The programme is part of the CIM Graduate Gateway, helping you fast-track CIM qualifications and boosting your professional credibility.
Graduate Outcomes: Many alumni go on to rewarding careers in brand management, digital marketing, market research, sales, or business development.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue studying, you could pursue a PhD in Marketing, Management, or Strategic Innovation, building on your master’s research project. Alternatively, you could specialize further with postgraduate qualifications like a CIM diploma or a master’s in business analytics to enhance your strategic marketing expertise.