Strategic Marketing MSc – 2023 entry
Key information
- Start date: February 2023
Full-time: 1 year
- Start date: September 2023
Full-time: 1 year
Full-time (with study abroad): 15 months
Full-time (with placement): 2 years
Part-time: 2 years
Why choose this course
Creative, client-facing, analytical, practical or more; whatever marketing specialism you aspire to, our MSc Strategic Marketing aims to equip you with marketing knowledge and skills that can help you get there.
You'll gain comprehensive strategic, digital marketing and social media knowledge and skills, which will give you advanced understanding of contemporary marketing principles. Digital and strategic marketing skills are vital for marketing in a data-driven world, and this course will give you the knowledge and skills you need to make informed marketing decisions in today’s dynamic marketing world and be an asset for future employers.
We are ranked 67th for business and economics in the world by the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2023.
What you will study
At Surrey Business School, we emphasise innovation and leadership, and provide an in-depth and hands-on approach to teaching. Our MSc Strategic Marketing builds on the established research strengths and teaching capabilities of the Department of Marketing and Retail Management, which aim to equip you with the attributes, ways of thinking and behaviour of a contemporary marketer.
We’ll bring out your creativity and problem-solving abilities and develop your skills as a successful, contemporary marketer. We’ll teach you the ‘ins’ and ‘outs’ of marketing strategies, processes and techniques. You’ll also learn about communication, digital and social media marketing, marketing research, and customer-facing functions.
You’ll study a range of core concepts from other management disciplines, including innovation management. You can tailor our course to suit your career aspirations by choosing from distinctive optional modules, covering different topics such as global strategy, marketing analytics and more.
Please be aware: the course content and modules listed for this course are subject to change for the 2023/24 academic year, whilst we undertake a curriculum design review. Please contact the programme leader if you have any queries about the course.
Add Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) qualifications to your masters
Our course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing. If you want to enrol with the Chartered Institute of Marketing as an affiliate, you can study CIM qualifications without having to complete all the modules. For most CIM qualifications, you'll only need to take two assessments instead of the usual three. Therefore, you'll add an individual additional award to supplement your degree. There is a fee to join CIM.
Placement opportunity
Our two-year MSc Strategic Marketing with professional placement year course enables you to spend time working in industry.
After a year of full-time study at Surrey, you'll be able to spend up to an additional 12 months gaining paid, professional work experience with an organisation. You'll be responsible for securing your own job offer(s), however, you'll be supported in your search with a series of employability workshops and benefit from some individual coaching.
The University works closely with several potential employers to help facilitate successful placement applications and there are several resources setup by the Employability and Careers Centre to assist you.
If you decide not to complete a placement, or don't secure an offer from an employer, you’ll complete your course within 12 months studying full-time.
Study and work abroad
Our 15-month MSc Strategic Marketing course can also provide you with the opportunity to study abroad and support your academic, personal and professional development as a global citizen. If you choose and secure a place at a partner university, you’ll complete two semesters (nine months) of study at Surrey and spend a semester studying abroad. This means you can complete your course in 15 months studying full-time. You'll also not be required to write a dissertation.
If you decide not to study abroad or don't secure a place, you’ll complete nine months of study followed by three months working on your dissertation, meaning you can complete your course in 12 months studying full-time.
Professional recognition
MSc - Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB)
Accredited by the Association to Advance Collegiate Schools of Business (AACSB).
MSc - Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM)
Accredited by The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) for the purpose of gaining CIM qualifications through the Graduate Gateway.
Careers and graduate prospects
We offer careers information, advice and guidance to all students whilst studying with us, which is extended to our alumni for three years after leaving the University. Our graduates have lifetime access to Surrey Pathfinder, our online portal for appointment and events bookings, jobs, placements and interactive development tools.
Some of our graduates have embarked on careers in the following roles:
- Marketing manager
- Digital marketing manager
- Marketing and brand strategist
- Brand and product manager
- Content marketing manager
- Account manager
- Management consultant.
Schools and departments
Academic year structure
You'll study our course for two semesters. There is also a dissertation module on the full-time, part-time and full-time with placement pathways.
Modules
Modules listed are indicative, reflecting the information available at the time of publication. Please note that modules may be subject to teaching availability, student demand and/or class size caps.
The University operates a credit framework for all taught programmes based on a 15-credit tariff. Modules can be either 15, 30, 45, 75 and 120 credits, and additionally for some masters dissertations, 90 credits.
The structure of our programmes follows clear educational aims that are tailored to each programme. These are all outlined in the programme specifications which include further details such as the learning outcomes:
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM019 - APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH
MANM434 - STRATEGIC MARKETING
MANM435 - SERVICES AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
MANM299 - DIGITAL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM047 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANM018 - INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKEING COMMUNICATIONS
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM297 - ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
MANM407 - GLOBAL STRATEGY
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
And you will complete the dissertation module (60 credits):
MANM388 - DISSERTATION FOR MARKETING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
FEBRUARY START
First semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules (15 credits each unless stated otherwise):
MANM047 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANM018 - INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKEING COMMUNICATIONS
MANM388 - DISSERTATION FOR MARKETING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT (60 credits)
And you will need to choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM297 - ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
MANM407 - GLOBAL STRATEGY
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
Summer period you will complete the following compulsory module (15 credits):
MANM019 - APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH
Second semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these three compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM434 - STRATEGIC MARKETING
MANM435 - SERVICES AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
MANM299 - DIGITAL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time with Study Abroad - 15 months) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM019 - APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH
MANM299 - DIGITAL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
MANM434 - STRATEGIC MARKETING
MANM435 - SERVICES AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM047 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANM018 - INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKEING COMMUNICATIONS
And you will choose two of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM297 - ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
MANM407 - GLOBAL STRATEGY
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
In addition you will complete the following module (60 credits) across the academic years:
MANM472 - STUDY ABROAD
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 1 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
YEAR 1
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these four compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM019 - APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH
MANM299 - DIGITAL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
MANM434 - STRATEGIC MARKETING
MANM435 - SERVICES AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM047 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANM018 - INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKEING COMMUNICATIONS
And you will choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM297 - ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
MANM407 - GLOBAL STRATEGY
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
In addition you will complete the following module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM388 - DISSERTATION IN MARKETING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR | Core | Year-long |
Optional modules for Year 2 (full-time with placement - 24 months) - FHEQ Level 7
YEAR 2
You will complete the following core module (60 credits):
MANM486 - PROFESSIONAL PLACEMENT YEAR
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
| Module title | Status | Semester |
|---|---|---|
| INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKETING COMMUNICATIONS | Compulsory | 2 |
| APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH | Compulsory | 1 |
| DIGITAL MARKETING & SOCIAL MEDIA | Compulsory | 1 |
| CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR | Compulsory | 2 |
Optional modules for Year 1 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
OCTOBER START
YEAR 1
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM019 - APPLIED MARKETING RESEARCH
MANM299 - DIGITAL MARKETING AND SOCIAL MEDIA
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM047 - CONSUMER BEHAVIOUR
MANM018 - INTEGRATED AND DIGITAL MARKEING COMMUNICATIONS
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Optional modules for Year 2 (part-time) - FHEQ Level 7
YEAR 2
First semester (semester 1 according to the academic calendar) you will study these two compulsory modules (15 credits each):
MANM434 - STRATEGIC MARKETING
MANM435 - SERVICES AND RELATIONSHIP MARKETING
Second semester (semester 2 according to the academic calendar) you will choose TWO of the following optional modules (15 credits each):
MANM297 - ACCOUNTING AND FINANCE FOR BUSINESS
MANM407 - GLOBAL STRATEGY
MANM115 - INNOVATION MANAGEMENT
MANM317 - INTRODUCTION TO MARKETING ANALYTICS
In addition you will undertake the dissertation module (60 credits) with submission at the end of the summer period:
MANM388 - DISSERTATION FOR MARKETING AND RETAIL MANAGEMENT
For key dates and semester lengths including the summer period visit: Key Dates
Timetable
New students will receive their personalised timetable in Welcome Week, and in subsequent semesters, two weeks prior to the start of semester. Please note that while we make every effort to ensure that timetables are as student-friendly as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week (Monday–Friday). Wednesday afternoons are normally reserved for sports and cultural activities. Part-time classes are normally scheduled on one or two days per week, details of which can be obtained from the Academic Hive. View our Code of practice for the scheduling of teaching and assessment (PDF).
Contact hours
Contact hours can vary across our modules. Full details of the contact hours for each module are available from the University of Surrey's module catalogue. See the modules section for more information.
Entry requirements
A minimum of a 2:2 UK honours degree, or a recognised equivalent international qualification.
We may be able to take relevant work experience into consideration if you don't meet these requirements. If you have at least one year of relevant experience in a full-time graduate-level role (or a minimum of two years’ experience in a relevant graduate-level part-time role) please provide full details of your role and responsibilities in your personal statement and CV when you submit your application.
International entry requirements by country
Do I meet the requirements for this course?
We require you to submit a full application so that we can formally assess whether you meet the criteria published. Unfortunately, we are unable to provide an outcome based on an enquiry (via email, webform enquiry, phone or live chat).
English language requirements
| Course length | IELTS Academic requirements or equivalent |
|---|---|
| Full-time: 1 year | 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category |
| Full-time (with study abroad): 15 months | 7.0 overall including 6.5 in each category |
| Full-time (with placement): 2 years | 7.0 overall including 6.5 in each category |
| Part-time: 2 years | 6.5 overall including 6.0 in each category |
View the other English language qualifications that we accept.
If you do not currently meet the level required for your programme, we offer intensive pre-sessional English language courses, designed to take you to the level of English ability and skill required for your studies here.
Credit transfer
The University of Surrey recognises that many students enter their higher education course with valuable knowledge and skills developed through a range of professional, vocational and community contexts. If your experience exceeds the typical requirements for entry to the programme, a process called recognition of prior learning (RPL) may allow you to enter your course at a point appropriate to your previous learning and experience. If you can demonstrate that you have met the learning outcomes for specific modules through your previous learning, it may be possible to exempt you from those modules, and for you to be awarded credit based on your previous qualifications/experience. There are restrictions on RPL for some courses and fees may be payable for certain claims.
In some cases, prior knowledge and skills may allow applicants to join the start of a course without meeting the formal entry requirements.
Please see our code transfer and recognition of prior learning guide (PDF) and recognition of prior learning and prior credit web page for further information. Please email Admissions (admissions@surrey.ac.uk) with any queries.
Fees
Start date: February 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £13,500
- Overseas
- £20,800
Start date: September 2023
Full-time - 1 year
- UK
- £13,900
- Overseas
- £22,000
Full-time (with study abroad) - 15 months
- UK
- £13,900
- Overseas
- £22,000
Full-time (with placement) - 2 years
- UK
- £13,900
- Overseas
- £22,000
Part-time - 2 years
- UK
- £7,000
- Overseas
- £11,000
The two-year full-time programme which includes a 12-month placement costs an additional £1,850 on top of the base course fee listed above.
Please note:
- These fees apply to students commencing study in the academic year 2023-24 only. Fees for new starters are reviewed annually
- If you are on a two-year full-time MFA programme, or a two-year or three-year part-time masters programme (excluding modular/self-paced/distance learning), the annual fee is payable in Year 1 and Year 2 of the programme
- Annual fees will increase by 4% for each subsequent year of study, rounded up to the nearest £100, subject to any overriding applicable legislative requirements.
Additional costs
There are associated costs with this course:
Commuting (local travel expenses): Students are required to pay upfront cost of travel and accommodation expenses incurred when on placement when not covered by the placement provider. These may vary depending on the location.
Funding
You may be able to borrow money to help pay your tuition fees and support you with your living costs. Find out more about postgraduate student finance.
Scholarships and bursaries
We're committed to making sure that we offer support for students who might need it.
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Course | Status |
|---|---|
| Strategic Marketing MSc Full-time, 12 months, February 2023 | Applications closed |
Strategic Marketing MSc Full-time, 12 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. We are currently working on February applications. Applicants applying for September entry can expect to start receiving decisions from December. | |
Strategic Marketing MSc Full-time (with study abroad), 15 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. We are currently working on February applications. Applicants applying for September entry can expect to start receiving decisions from December. | |
Strategic Marketing MSc Full-time (with placement), 24 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. We are currently working on February applications. Applicants applying for September entry can expect to start receiving decisions from December. | |
Strategic Marketing MSc Part-time, 24 months, September 2023 | Applications open Closing date: Thursday 1 June 2023 |
Please note that we may have to close applications before the stated deadline if we receive a high volume of suitable applications. We advise you to submit your application as soon as it is ready. We are currently working on February applications. Applicants applying for September entry can expect to start receiving decisions from December. | |
Admission information
Our postgraduate admissions policy* provides the basis for admissions practice across the University and gives a framework for how we encourage, consider applications and admit students. You can also read our postgraduate applicant guidance.
Terms and conditions
When you accept an offer of a place at the University of Surrey, you are agreeing to comply with our Charter, Statutes, Ordinances, Policies, Regulations and our terms and conditions. These terms and conditions are provided in two stages: first when we make an offer and second when students who have accepted their offers register to study at the University. View our offer terms and conditions and our registration terms and conditions (PDF) for the 2022/2023 academic year as a guide as to what to expect.
Please note: the offer terms and conditions and registration terms and conditions which you will be asked to agree to may be different from those detailed in the examples. Our offer terms and conditions will generally be available in the September of the calendar year prior to the year in which you begin your studies. Our registration terms and conditions will be available at the start of each academic year and will vary to take into account specifics of your course and changes for the specific academic year.
Disclaimer
This online prospectus has been prepared and published in advance of the academic year to which it applies. The University of Surrey has used its reasonable efforts to ensure that the information is accurate at the time of publishing but changes (for example, to course content or additional costs) may occur given the interval between publishing and commencement of the course. It is therefore very important to check this website for any updates before you apply for a course with us. Read our full disclaimer.
Course location and contact details
Campus location
Stag HillStag Hill is the University's main campus and where the majority of our courses are taught.
University of Surrey Admissions
- Phone: +44 (0)1483 682222
Address
University of Surrey
Guildford
Surrey GU2 7XH