MSc Digital and Social Media Marketing

1 Years On Campus Postgraduate Program

Lancaster University

Program Overview

Lancaster’s MSc Digital & Social Media Marketing is designed to give you the skills and confidence to thrive in today’s fast-moving digital landscape. You’ll learn how to plan campaigns, harness data, engage audiences on social platforms, and leverage influencer networks — perfect for graduates who want to combine creativity, analytics, and strategy in their careers.

Curriculum Structure

This one-year full-time MSc takes you on a journey from theory to practice, preparing you for real-world digital marketing roles.

You’ll start with core modules like Building Marketing Intelligence & Analytics, where you’ll learn to interpret data and make strategic decisions, and Consumer Behaviour, Insights & Behavioural Science, exploring what motivates audiences online. Digital Marketing & Social Media in Practice gives you hands-on experience planning campaigns and managing content across platforms like Instagram, TikTok, and LinkedIn.

Next, you’ll deepen your skills with Influencer Marketing, learning how creators shape brand narratives, and Marketing Communications & Strategy, where you’ll design campaigns that align with business goals. Marketing Fundamentals, Brand Growth & Global Strategy rounds things off by showing you how global brands expand and maintain their presence in connected markets.

Finally, the programme culminates in a company-commissioned dissertation, supported by a Professional Skills module, where you’ll tackle a live business challenge, apply your strategy and analytics, and showcase your work in a digital portfolio — giving you tangible experience to show employers.

Focus Areas

digital strategy, social media campaigns, influencer marketing, brand growth, analytics

Learning Outcomes

you will be able to design and execute data-driven digital campaigns, understand online consumer behaviour, leverage influencer networks, and develop strategic approaches for global brands

Professional Alignment (Accreditation)

The MSc is CIM-accredited, meaning you’ll automatically join the Chartered Institute of Marketing’s study programme for a year, with exemptions from some CIM assessments once you graduate — giving you a professional head start.

Reputation (Employability / Rankings)

Ranked 6th in the UK for Marketing & PR by The Guardian University Guide (2026)
Ranked 8th in the UK for Marketing in the QS World University Rankings by Subject (2025)

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

This MSc isn’t just about theory — it’s designed so you can get your hands dirty in real digital marketing work from the very start. You’ll tackle live business challenges, plan campaigns, and build a digital portfolio that shows exactly what you can do. By the end of the course, you’ll have real-world experience, practical skills, and a professional portfolio that sets you apart in the job market.

Here’s how you’ll get hands-on experience:

Live Client Consultancy Project – work on a real company brief as part of your dissertation, offering strategic and creative solutions that are actually implemented.
Digital Portfolio – create a showcase of your campaigns, analytics, content, and strategies that you can use to impress future employers.
Professional Skills Module – develop your presentation, project management, and client-facing abilities to prepare you for industry work.
Team Projects & Collaboration – plan digital campaigns and influencer strategies in groups, mimicking the way marketing teams work in real agencies.
Expert Faculty & Industry Insight – learn from lecturers who are also experienced marketing practitioners, giving you both academic and practical perspectives.
CIM Accreditation & Networking – gain access to Chartered Institute of Marketing resources and networks, enhancing your professional connections and career prospects.

With all these experiences, you graduate ready to step into a digital marketing role with confidence and a portfolio that proves your skills.

Progression & Future Opportunities

Graduates from this MSc leave Lancaster ready to take on exciting roles such as Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Strategist, Content Marketing Specialist, or SEO Analyst. The programme equips you with the skills, experience, and professional connections you need to confidently step into the digital marketing world, making you a highly attractive candidate to employers:

Career & Employability Support – Lancaster’s Careers & Employability team helps you polish your CV, practice interviews, and connect with employers in the digital marketing space.
Professional Accreditation – This MSc is CIM-accredited, so you’re automatically enrolled in the Chartered Institute of Marketing programme, giving you exemptions from some assessments and a strong professional edge.
Real-World Business Experience – Your company-commissioned dissertation gives you hands-on experience solving genuine marketing challenges, so you graduate with tangible work to show employers.
Wide Range of Career Paths – Alumni work across agencies, global brands, start-ups, or as freelancers, putting their digital marketing, social media, and analytical skills into action.
Earning Potential – Marketing graduates from Lancaster typically earn between £24,000–£30,000 in the early stages of their careers, with strong growth potential as you gain experience.

Further Academic Progression:
If you want to continue your studies, this MSc sets you up perfectly for a PhD in Marketing, focusing on areas like digital strategy, consumer behaviour, or social media. You could also pursue specialised postgraduate programmes in Marketing Analytics, Digital Entrepreneurship, or User Experience (UX) Research, building directly on the research and practical skills you develop throughout the course.