Creativity and analysis are at the centre of marketing in the digital age and expertise in digital marketing is a highly valued skill. Our Digital Marketing MSc provides a focused pathway for you to gain the knowledge, skills, experience and aptitude to advance your marketing career in today's fast-paced and global digital marketing environment.
This programme is professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Unique opportunity to study and interact with entrepreneurs and business owners based in the Smart Innovation Hub, the first to be located directly in a Business School
Expand your professional network at the university’s Global Challenge lecture series, where key speakers provide fresh perspectives on the political, ethical and intellectual problems we face as a world today
Taught by leading experts in marketing, branding and strategic management, whose specialist knowledge spans topics such as digital marketing, consumer behaviour, branding and nostalgia marketing
Course summary
Course summary
Together with established marketing methods, digital marketing techniques play a vital role in organisations achieving their strategic marketing objectives. Current ideas and research in digital marketing are integrated into our programme and the curriculum will provide you with a solid grounding in the contemporary theories and concepts of digital marketing, marketing and consumer behaviour.
What you’ll learn
You will develop a critical understanding of digital marketing’s role within different types of organisations and the range of opportunities digital marketing offers. You will study the various digital marketing tools and channels, investigating how to effectively use them in a creative and organised way to achieve strategic marketing goals and objectives.
The programme will expand your understanding of integrated marketing - incorporating all appropriate marketing channels to achieve campaign success. You will explore how to create integrated digital marketing plans and strategies to communicate successfully with numerous target audiences.
You will study consumer behaviour within the context of the global marketplace, embracing global and localised perspectives as well as exploring consumption and consumer culture, and how consumers are influenced by family, groups and culture. Insights on the subject of consumer behaviour also draw from other disciplines such as sociology, psychology, and anthropology, and you will study concepts and theories underpinning consumer society and how these influence consumer behaviour.
You will explore marketing management in the digital age, developing your skills as a marketing professional enabling you to competently respond to key issues and challenges. Contemporary strategic marketing in a global and digital context is analysed so you can improve your understanding of what is involved in terms of decision making and the processes involved, alongside enhancing your skills in devising appropriate solutions for an organisation's specific environment.
What factors influence creativity in an organisation? Our creativity module will give you the confidence to creatively and successfully solve business problems utilising different techniques to produce and implement solutions.
You will be able to choose from a range of optional modules to adapt your studies to suit your own specific areas of interest. This could include themes such as branding, leadership, communications, accounting for decision making and international operations and supply.
Professionally-accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM), the leading professional body for marketers worldwide, our master’s degree has a key aim: to prepare you to make an impact in the real world of work. That’s why, unlike some other courses, the move to digital first and the society-driven demand for increased sustainability and ethical behaviour are embedded into our programme. For those new to marketing, we’ll quickly bring you up to speed with basic and then advanced digital marketing theory.
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Course structure
Modules
The module details given below are indicative, they are intended to provide you with an idea of the range of subjects that are taught to our current students. The modules that will be available for you to study in future years are prone to change as we regularly review our teaching to ensure that it is up-to-date and informed by the latest research and teaching methods, as well as student voice. The information presented is therefore not intended to be construed and/or relied upon as a definitive list of the modules available in any given year.
After you have completed the taught modules of the course, you will undertake a large project to further develop your knowledge, skills and experience in a specific area of marketing. You will choose from one of the pathway options below.
The research dissertation is a formal written academic project of between 10,000 and 15,000 words, making it ideal preparation for future academic research at MPhil or PhD level or for the report-writing and scrutiny expected of senior management professionals. Taking inspiration from your own interests, and with support throughout from a supervisor with relevant expertise, you’ll choose a topic to research in the field of digital marketing. To give you an idea, it could be anything from country perceptions of social media brand ambassadors to a comparison between charity and corporate digital marketing strategies.
During June to September, you will spend eight to 12 weeks undertaking a marketing research project on behalf of an organisation (chosen by Keele Business School). You’ll put into practice what you’ve learned, developing and applying your skills to solve a business problem, issue or focus on a specific project. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. As an example, one student worked with a pet food company to explore new and innovative marketing techniques to promote their digital brand, while another undertook research and developed a marketing plan and social media campaign for fire training facilities. We also had one student help an online retail company develop and relaunch its digital brand, with another developing PR and marketing activities for a local arts centre.
Please note that participation in the Consultancy Project is only available after a comprehensive selection process. Please view our terms and conditions to find out more.
An excellent opportunity if you have an idea for a new business venture, this module will provide you with the time, space and expertise to develop it. For between eight weeks to 12 months, you’ll be given the option of a base within the University’s incubator and have access to workshops and guidance from a network of entrepreneurs and business advisers. During this time, you’ll complete a portfolio of evidence on your idea and present this to an external stakeholder. Places are limited, and you will be required to undertake an interview prior to acceptance on this module.
Please note: The Entrepreneurship pathway is available to UK Students only
In an increasingly competitive job market, employers are looking to recruit employees who have high-level knowledge, skills and workplace experience. With support from the Faculty Placement Officer, you will gain first-hand professional experience on a suitable, paid work placement for between eight weeks to 12 months. During your placement, you will be required to complete an extended project on behalf of the organisation. As part of the eventual assessment, you’ll present your findings to the host organisation, exactly as you would do within the workplace. Your placement can be based anywhere in the UK giving you the opportunity to work with local, national and international organisations.
Students who require a visa to study in the UK may be able to add in a work placement depending upon the programme. The ability to add a work placement is dependent upon the UK Immigration rules at the time of the request. It may be that for some programmes students will not have the option to request a placement period to be added to their programme before they arrive in the UK and would need to apply for a new visa. There is no guarantee that a placement will be provided and that students who have a visa are subject to a number of restrictions on the type of work, including placements they can undertake.
"I felt a great sense of belonging that stemmed from the supportive network that the University provides for all of its students. During my studies, I found that my lecturers' were always willing to offer additional help and guidance when asked which helped me, and many others, to flourish and achieve our academic potential. "
PRME Champions
Keele Business School (KBS) has been selected for the 2024-2025 cohort of PRME Champions. Consisting of 47 businesses and management schools from around the world, The Principles for Responsible Management Education (PRME) is an initiative of the United Nations Global Compact, focused on raising the bar for sustainable business education. More information about PRME Champions can be found here.
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Entry requirements
Pre-Master's in Business
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.
The following section details our typical entry requirements for this course for a range of UK and international qualifications. If you don't see your qualifications listed, please contact us to find out if we can accept your qualifications.
Typical offer
Please ensure that you read the full entry requirements by selecting your qualifications from the dropdown menu below. This will include any subject specific, GCSE/Level 2 Maths, and English language requirements you may need.
Typical offer: 2:2 degree in any subjectAdditional criteria apply
Please select your country from the drop-down list below for the full entry requirement information
UK
2:2 degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Bangladesh
60% in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a public university or CGPA 2.8 in a 4-year degree or 3-year degree with a 2-year Master's in any subject from a private university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
We don’t accept degrees from certain universities, please see our Bangladesh Country Page for more information
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Canada
70% or C or a GPA of 2.5 in a degree (Ordinary or Honours) in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
China
70% in a degree in any subject or 65% in a degree in any subject from a '211' university or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Ghana
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
India
55% or CGPA 6/10 in any degree of three years or longer or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Kenya
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nepal
60% / 2.4 in a 4-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or 65% / CGPA 2.8 in a 3-year Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Nigeria
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pakistan
We accept a range of qualifications from Pakistan. Please visit our Pakistan Country Page for more information
or we will consider demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need an English language qualification (see below)
South Africa
Second class division 2 / 60% in a Bachelor's degree with Honours in any subject or Second class division 1 / 70% in an Ordinary Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Sri Lanka
55% in a Special Bachelor's degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Uganda
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Zimbabwe
Second class degree in any subject or demonstrated relevant professional qualifications or experience
You will also need: an English language qualification (see below)
Pre-Master's in Business
The Keele University International College offer a one semester Pre-Master's in Business programme for international students who do not meet the traditional entry requirements for a postgraduate business degree at Keele University.
All of our courses require an English language qualification or test. For most students, this requirement can be met with a 4 or C in GCSE English. Please see our English Language guidance pages for further details, including English language test information for international students. For those students who require an English language test, this course requires a test from Group B.
References
Normally, you will need to provide at least one academic reference to support your application unless you have been out of study longer than two years. If it has been more than two years since you last studied on a degree-level programme, you will normally need to provide an employment reference instead. For more information about Academic References, please see our Postgraduate how to apply web pages.
The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) is a process which enables applicants to receive recognition and formal credit for learning acquired in the past through formal study or work and life experiences.
RPL can also be requested for admission onto the start of a programme in lieu of the admission requirements. For more information, see our Recognition of Prior Learning web pages.
Professional qualifications and work experience
The majority of our courses will consider relevant work experience and/or professional qualifications at the appropriate level, as an alternative to an undergraduate degree for entry. The work experience should be for a sustained period and at a suitable level, based within a relevant sector to your chosen course.
Admissions staff will review your work experience and/or professional qualifications during the assessment of your application to ensure suitability in terms of relevancy, level and appropriate learning outcomes.
General information
The entry grades outlined in this section indicate the typical offer which would be made to candidates, along with any subject specific requirements. This is for general information only. Keele University reserves the right to vary offer conditions depending upon a candidate's application.
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Funding
Please note, if your course offers a January start date, the January 2024 start date falls in the 2023/24 academic year. Please see the 2023/24 academic year fees for the relevant fees for starting this course in January 2024.
Planning your funding
It's important to plan carefully for your funding before you start your course. Please be aware that not all postgraduate courses and not all students are eligible for the UK government postgraduate loans and, in some cases, you would be expected to source alternative funding yourself. If you need support researching your funding options, please contact our Financial Support Team.
For continuing students, fees will increase annually by RPIX, with a maximum cap of 5% per year.
Our programme aims to provide you with a detailed understanding of contemporary digital marketing, complemented by optional modules that give you the opportunity to further explore other areas of marketing. Successful completion of our MSc in Digital Marketing will equip you with highly valued transferrable skills that could help you achieve your career goals working in a variety of roles and industries.
Digital Marketing graduates can be found in a wide variety of roles, working for bespoke marketing and creative agencies or within a wide range of organisations in the private, public and non-for-profit sectors.
On completion, you’ll be ideally placed to pursue further postgraduate studies at MPhil or PhD level.
Examples of the roles you might progress to during the course of your career include:
As a postgraduate student at Keele Business School you will benefit from being taught in small groups by lecturers who are recognised experts in their fields.
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Teaching, learning and assessment
How is the programme taught?
Our teaching and learning strategy is wide-ranging and innovative, seeking to give you a rich learning environment that draws actively upon leading-edge research, as well as current professional practice. A key strength to our programme is helping you to develop your critical thinking skills along with the digital marketing knowledge you will need to progress your career. You will be encouraged to apply and evaluate various theories, creative and innovative approaches and technology and techniques. We will encourage you to question and appreciate different perspectives and appreciate the rapidly changing contemporary global and local environment.
Lectures will feature activities such as class discussions, group presentations and exercises which will ensure your understanding of digital marketing.
Tutorials focus on class discussions, group activities, group or individual presentations, case studies, question and answer sessions. Case study workshops may include class participation activities related to presentations by academics and external business speakers.
Essay guidance sessions are an opportunity for you to discuss and receive feedback on essays before submission.
Web-based learning using Keele University's virtual learning environment, the KLE. This will give you access to a wide range of resources and research tools.
You will undertake independent study based on direct reading from a range of sources including research papers, academic journals, business reports and (e)text books.
Work in groups on assessments and other activities to build your team working skills.
How is the programme assessed?
We use a wide variety of assessment methods on this programme which will reflect the breadth of knowledge and skills you will develop on the MSc in Digital Marketing. These methods may include:
Essays, including some based on case study material. These will test the quality and application of your digital marketing subject matter.
Research reports will test your knowledge of different research methodologies and your ability to formulate research questions and appropriately answer them.
Oral presentations will assess your subject understanding and test your team work and communication skills.
Examinations in various formats will evaluate your core and in-depth knowledge and your ability to apply that knowledge. Examinations may consist of essay, short answer and/or multiple choice.
The dissertation will examine your capabilities to work independently, formulate and competently answer a specific research topic that will demonstrate your mastery of digital marketing by applying it to a business context.
If you undertake a Consultancy Project you will be tested on your ability to work independently with business clients on a specific project of benefit to that organisation. You will undertake a final project report and presentation as part of this project's assessment.
Undertake the Work Placement option and your workplace report will assess your ability to work independently with a business on a particular project of benefit to that organisation. You will undertake a final project report and presentation as part of the Work Placement opportunity.
On the Entrepreneurship pathway you will develop a portfolio that will present evidence of entrepreneurial activity that supports the development of your new business venture.
Keele University is one of a handful of universities in the UK to have a dedicated students' union for postgraduate students. A fully registered charity, Keele Postgraduate Association serves as a focal point for the social life and welfare needs of all postgraduate students during their time at Keele.
Hugely popular, the KPA Clubhouse (near Horwood Hall) provides a dedicated postgraduate social space and bar on campus, where you can grab a bite to eat and drink, sit quietly and read a book, or switch off from academic life at one of the many regular events organised throughout the year. The KPA also helps to host a variety of conferences, as well as other academic and career sessions, to give you and your fellow postgraduates the opportunities to come together to discuss your research, and develop your skills and networks.
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Our expertise
You will be taught by academics who are experts in the areas of digital marketing, marketing, branding and strategic management. Our academics have extensive teaching, research and work experience in their specific fields and the majority of teaching staff on this programme engage with continuing professional development. Teaching is informed by research with academics regularly presenting and publishing academic papers at conferences and marketing and digital marketing journals.
The course is run from Keele Business School’s new home – the Denise Coates Foundation Building – a state-of-the-art facility complete with 220-seat lecture theatre, a ‘think lab’ study space, data laboratory, cafe and business lounge.
Home to our accounting, business management, economics, finance, HRM, international business, management and marketing programmes, our Business School is the first to be located on a Science Park. As well as new teaching spaces, our building is unique in that it is also home to the Smart Innovation Hub, a project part-funded by the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF), which includes space and support programmes for innovation-led businesses, providing opportunities for students and staff to work collaboratively with entrepreneurs and business owners, gaining invaluable networks and experience.
If you choose to study business and management modules available, you’ll have access to the Bloomberg Suite with all its economic, financial and business real-time data, world news, analyses and reports from the world’s biggest financial organisations. You can choose to complete the Bloomberg Market Concepts (BMC) certificate free of charge, an eight-hour e-learning, self-paced course which covers economic Indicators, currencies, fixed income and equities.
Based in the heart of England, Keele University is easily accessible by motorway and public transport. You’ll find everything’s on your doorstep, with the most important facilities gathered together at the centre of campus, which, at 600 acres, is one of the biggest in the UK.
80% of our research is deemed world-leading or internationally excellent (REF, 2021). In the global top 20 for campus sustainability, environmental and corporate responsibility underpin the running of our own business and these themes are embedded into our teaching of future professionals and leaders.
