MSc Strategic Marketing

1 Year On Campus Masters Program

Cardiff Metropolitan University Llandaff Campus

Program Overview

The MSc Strategic Marketing at Cardiff Met is designed to help you combine marketing know-how with practical skills, giving you the confidence to thrive in today’s fast-paced marketing world. It’s perfect for graduates from any background who want to kick-start or advance a career in advertising, digital marketing, branding, or market research.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year full-time (or two-year part-time) course covers all the essential areas of modern marketing while allowing you to tailor your learning to your interests:

Core modules: You’ll dive into Omnichannel Marketing, Strategic Marketing Management, Social Media and Influencer Marketing, Consumer Insights, Marketing Intelligence, and Content Marketing. These modules teach you how to design integrated campaigns, understand consumer behaviour, use insights to guide decisions, and manage marketing across multiple channels.
Optional modules: Depending on your career goals, you can choose from Effective Brand and Advertising Management, Strategic Global Marketing, or In Search of Creativity, Innovation & Difference, giving you flexibility to focus on areas that excite you most.
Final project: For your capstone, you can complete a Dissertation, a Marketing Plan, or Launch a Strategic Marketing Project. This lets you apply what you’ve learned to a real challenge, producing work you can showcase to potential employers.

Focus Areas

Integrated & omnichannel marketing, strategic marketing management, digital & social media marketing, consumer insights & marketing intelligence, content marketing, brand management, global marketing, marketing research & project-based strategic planning.

Learning Outcomes

You’ll graduate ready to design and run marketing campaigns across channels, analyse consumer behaviour and market data, manage brand and advertising projects, and plan comprehensive marketing strategies — giving you the skills needed for both digital and traditional marketing roles.

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), meaning your degree meets international professional standards and gives your CV added credibility with employers worldwide.

Reputation (Employability / Industry Readiness)

Cardiff Met ensures this MSc prepares you for real marketing careers: the combination of practical projects, core and optional modules, and a final project means you graduate with both knowledge and hands-on experience. Graduates move into roles in advertising, brand management, market research, digital & omnichannel marketing, communications, and more.

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

At Cardiff Met, the MSc Strategic Marketing isn’t just about lectures and theory — it’s designed so you can apply your knowledge in real-world marketing situations from day one. Through live projects, case studies, guest talks, and company visits, you’ll learn how marketing works in practice and gain skills that employers value:

Live projects & real-world case studies: Tackle marketing challenges based on actual business scenarios in modules like Omnichannel Marketing, Social Media & Influencer Marketing, and Consumer Insights, helping you develop strategies that work in the real world.
Guest speakers & business visits: Hear directly from industry experts and see how marketing and business strategy operate in real companies.
Strategic Marketing Project / Marketing Plan: For your final project, you can either launch a strategic marketing campaign or produce a marketing plan, giving you hands-on experience and a tangible piece for your portfolio.
Collaborative group work: Many modules include group projects and seminars, letting you practise teamwork, communication, and strategic decision-making — just like in a real marketing team.
Digital learning tools & support: Access resources, guidance, and peer collaboration through Cardiff Met’s virtual learning environment (VLE), ensuring you have the support you need for practical assignments and research.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from the MSc Strategic Marketing at Cardiff Met leave ready to take on exciting roles across the marketing world. You’ll be equipped to manage brands, run campaigns, or lead market research, with common early-career roles including Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Digital / Social Media Marketing Executive, or Market Research Analyst. The practical skills and industry insights you gain also mean you can build a versatile career across agencies, corporate marketing teams, digital startups, or even consultancy and freelance work:

Career support from Cardiff Met: The Careers & Employability team helps you build your CV, prepare for interviews, and connect with internships or graduate jobs — giving you a strong start even before you graduate.
Strong graduate employability: Around 94–96% of Cardiff Met graduates are in work or further study within 15 months of finishing their course, highlighting the degree’s value in the job market.
Professional accreditation: Accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), this MSc signals to employers worldwide that your skills meet high professional standards.
Versatile career paths: The course prepares you for roles in brand management, digital marketing, market research, advertising, content marketing, or strategic consultancy across industries like retail, media, services, or B2B.
Hands-on experience: Through case studies, project-based assessments, and your final Marketing Plan or Strategic Marketing Project, you graduate with real-world experience and a portfolio you can showcase to employers.

Further Academic Progression:
After your MSc, you could continue to doctoral-level study (PhD) in marketing, business strategy, or related fields, opening doors to research, consulting, or academic careers. You can also pursue specialised postgraduate diplomas or professional certifications, such as through CIM, to further sharpen your marketing expertise.