MScDigital Marketing
Contact admissions- 1 year full-time (January start)
- 1 year full-time (May start)
- 1 year full-time
Why study a digital marketing master's degree at Solent University
This exciting, challenging, practice-orientated course will develop your strategic and creative skills, equipping you for a dynamic career in the rapidly expanding digital marketing sector.
- 0thUK uni for sustained employment (Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022)
- £0mspent on our campus estate and facilities in the last five years
- The course provides a clear focus on the dynamic digital landscape, covering contemporary subjects such as digital strategy, data analysis, consumer insights and digital content creation.
- Benefit from a weekly guest lecture programme. You'll hear from industry experts and building your professional network through the weekly guest lecture programme.
- The course is delivered by a team with extensive experience in digital marketing across a broad range of industries.
- The course has strong links with a number of marketing, communications, PR and advertising agencies. We draw upon these links to supply ‘live’ briefs and to inform the course curriculum.
- Benefit from free marketing career consultation for life. Our careers advice service, Solent Futures is available to all Solent students and graduates helping you to progress in your current career or discuss options for a change in career.
- This course is eligible for the Postgraduate Master's student loan. The loan is from Student Finance England and can be used to cover costs (ie, accommodation, tuition fees) associated with postgraduate studies (it was up to £12,167 for 2023 entry).
Course overview
Solent's exciting, challenging, practice-orientated MSc Digital Marketing programme will develop your strategic and creative skills, equipping you for a dynamic career in or related to the rapidly expanding digital marketing sector - especially as it increasingly operates in online spaces where innovation is key.
The course is designed to give students the latest knowledge and skills to become experts within the growing sphere of online marketing communications and management.
It will enable you to understand the many facets of consumer behaviour, helping to answer this critical question: "what drives us to act in the ways we do as consumers?" It will also enable you to formulate complex digital marketing strategies and create effective digital campaigns for a variety of brands and organisations.
You'll develop your data analysis skills and the ability to use this data to generate insights about online consumer behaviour in a fast-changing digital landscape. You'll also gain valuable experience in responding to ‘real-world’ live client briefs, leading projects to fruition and then persuading clients to select your plan over other options.
The course will help develop your proficiency in using a variety of online resources including Adobe Creative Cloud’s core applications. Throughout the course you'll be introduced to relevant theoretical models and shown how these can be applied to real scenarios: the essence of theory into practice.
If you have ambitions to work in a senior capacity within the world of digital marketing this course will help you realise those ambitions.
Course features
Apply direct
You can apply direct to Solent University for this course
May start available
This course has an option to start in May.
This course is for
This course would be ideally suited to students from an undergraduate business-related course that contains an element of marketing, as well as those from marketing, advertising and PR undergraduate courses. We will, however, consider applications from students from a wide range of other courses, subject to a compelling personal statement/interview.
What this course leads to
Typical career destinations for MSc Digital Marketing graduates encompass:
- Digital marketing executive
- Digital marketing and communications officer
- Social media executive
- Digital content creator
- Digital analyst
- Digital account manager
Meet the team
The University cannot guarantee any particular members of staff will teach specific aspects of the course in the future, but will endeavour to ensure the teaching team maintains their balance of experience and qualifications.
Facilities
Students on this course will have access to a range of specialist facilities, including Mac computers with professional creative Adobe software. Our vibrant campus brings state-of-the-art facilities to enhance your learning and elevate your student experience. Our award-winning teaching building, The Spark is centred around students and offers a stimulating study environment with flexible learning spaces.
Away from studying, why not try out the gyms, fitness studios and sports halls in our £28 million Sports Complex, or watch a blockbuster film at our student-run cinema with Dolby Atmos audio.
Year one
Core modules
Academic Skills and Career Development
This module will allow you to build a strong foundation of academic, personal and professional development skills that will ensure success in the workplace. Throughout the module you'll develop a stronger reflective awareness of what your skills are, how they can be put into action to ensure your professional success, and where improvements can be made through a clear plan of action. You'll also develop a confident grasp of the study skills you need to succeed at master's level. This is a must-pass module.
Consumer Insights and Data Analysis
This module will give you a 360-degree understanding of contemporary consumers and how to align this to customer relationship management processes and programmes. You'll consider methods that generate insights from consumer data and information gained from marketing research data, and big data collected via web interfaces and social media.
Integrated and Digital Marketing Communications
In this module you'll examine the theoretical and practical application of marketing communications concepts with a particular emphasis on the digital domain. Working to a live brief, you'll produce a digital-first integrated marketing plan and associated digital creative artefacts using Adobe Creative Cloud’s core applications.
Research Methods and Final Major Project
This module consists of two parts: Research Methods and Final Major Project. The Research Methods element will develop your skills of inquiry and management research required for your Final Major Project, resulting in a project proposal used as the basis for your Final Major Project. For your Final Major Project, you'll have the opportunity to apply your research and analytical skills to an area of your interest within the field of business/management, as defined in your project proposal.
Strategic Digital Marketing
This module will help you to identify opportunities for change in a digital marketing setting, engaging with tools and practices to plan and design strategies effectively. You'll explore the dynamic digital environment through a digital strategy simulation exercise, learning how to take a strategic approach in digital marketing planning.
Optional modules
Developing the Project Professional
During this module you'll develop your knowledge and understanding of the exciting world of projects, with project management being a very fast-growing profession utilising a skillset much valued by employers. These project management skills are transferable to any job role which you aspire to, as well as directly for project management roles.
Enterprise and Innovation
In this module, you'll learn about the concepts of entrepreneurship, intrapreneurship, business development, and the role of SMEs in economy - all with the aim of developing your confidence with being immersed in an ever-changing business environment and recognising opportunities, as well as equipping you with the skills and knowledge to start your own business. You'll gain theoretical knowledge of key areas in digital innovation and business transformation, as well as the ability to understand new innovations to offer opportunitites within businesses.
Professional Practice
This module equips you with an in-depth knowledge of your chosen industry, giving you the insight to plan your long-term career. You'll be required to secure a work placement or freelance assignments equivalent to 100 hours in order to strengthen your knowledge of your chosen industry and to refine your skills.
Learning resources
At Solent, our aim is to deliver innovative, inclusive and intellectually stimulating teaching to develop self-confident and highly employable graduates. All our courses are designed with employability in mind, which makes industry-based learning a priority.
Assessment formats include presentations, written assignments, exams, reports, projects, vivas, and dissertations.
Learn transferable skills
You will build a range of transferable skills relevant to many industries, such as critical and creative thinking, complex problem-solving, market research, developing marketing plans, digital skills, persuasion, team-working, and managing the creative process. You'll also develop personal effectiveness within team environments and the ability to use individuals' contributions in group processes, particularly in response to the changing marketing environment.
Why choose a career in digital marketing?
According to Statista, digital marketing has become one of the most indispensable promotional tools of the recent past. Around the world, companies are reacting to the digitalization of everyday life and the rapid changes in consumer behavior by switching from traditional forms of advertising to more dynamic digital channels. This adaption of digital marketing methods is particularly advanced in the United Kingdom, the largest digital ad market in Europe and one of the leading digital advertising spenders worldwide.Â
The course has numerous links with marketing, communications, PR and advertising agencies. We draw upon these links to supply ‘live’ briefs for our core creative modules, as well as to inform the course curriculum. We also offer a weekly guest lecture programme that features a wide range of industry speakers, from recent Solent alumni to seasoned professionals.Â
Solent Business School, winner of the Outstanding Higher Education Training Provider of the Year at the CMI Awards 2022, brings businesses to life - our students are entrepreneurial, creative, agile, and digital natives. The School is one of only 62 business schools to hold the Small Business Charter. The School and its students are an integral part of business innovation in Southampton with an extensive network of partnerships.
Solent Careers
The Solent Careers team is committed to getting students into great careers.
While you are studying, the team can help you with finding work experience or placements, link you with a mentor, check your CV, or offer one-to-one guidance.
If you're in your final year, we also have graduate job opportunities just for Solent graduates.
6th
UK uni for sustained employment
Longitudinal Educational Outcomes, 2022
Alumni network
As part of our global alumni community, you can take advantage of a range of benefits.
Whether it's been days or decades since you left us, or you're soon to don your cap and gown, things are constantly changing at Solent. We're always innovating, but we're also immensely proud of our heritage. And that means you.
20% alumni discount
Research and knowledge exchange
Research doesn't just live in publications and journals - the effects of groundbreaking research can be found everywhere you look. That's why research at Solent has always been firmly rooted in industry needs and real-world application.
Solent University prides itself on carrying out not only pioneering research, but also research that addresses real world problems. We offer opportunities to study for a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree in a number of areas.
At Solent, we want to help you achieve your best and discover new insights. Whether you're thinking about applying for a PhD, or already underway with your research studies, you'll find useful guidance and information in our research pages.
Research at SolentTuition fees
The tuition fees for the 2024/25 academic year are:
- UK and Channel Island full-time fees: £9,675 per year
- International full-time fees: £17,065 per year
For further information, please visit our tuition fees page.
Alumni discount
Solent alumni are eligible for a 20% reduction of tuition fees if returning to study a postgraduate course.
Find out moreBursaries, scholarships and financial support
Solent University offers a range of bursaries and scholarships that provide financial assistance or waive fees for tuition or accommodation. Each bursary or scholarship has specific eligibility criteria. Check out our bursaries and scholarships pages to find out more.
Cost of living support
At Solent, we understand that the cost of living crisis may be of some concern. To help, we've put together some detailed information to show what support is available and how to make your money go further.
Graduation costs
There is no charge to attend graduation, but you will be required to pay for the rental of your academic gown (approximately £45 per graduate, depending on your award). You may also wish to purchase official photography packages, which range in price from £15 to £200+. Graduation is not compulsory, so if you prefer to have your award sent to you, there is no cost. Extra guest tickets will go on sale after results publication and will be sold on a first-come-first-served basis. The cost per ticket is currently £15. Please note, we do not guarantee there will be any extra tickets available to purchase.
Student finance videos
Entry requirements
Please select an option below:
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher from a marketing, advertising, PR, promotions, communications, business studies, or management-related course
Applicants from degree courses other than those listed above should either have taken one or more marketing-related modules as part of their degree programme, or possess some experience of marketing-related activities, perhaps through work or work experience.Â
If you do not have these qualifications or are unsure of your eligibility please contact the University.
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher
If you do not have these qualifications or are unsure of your eligibility please contact the University.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Key entry requirements
An honours degree at 2:2 or higher
If you do not have these qualifications or are unsure of your eligibility please contact the University.
If you are applying from outside the UK, find information about entry requirements, visas and agents for your country here.
For further information about UK, EU and international qualifications, please contact admissions.
Note to all international students requiring a visa
All international applicants need to be aware that the English language requirements to attend Solent University, and the English language requirements to obtain a visa from the Home Office, may be different. This means that if you meet the Solent University language requirement to gain a place on the course, you may still have to meet additional requirements to be granted with a visa by the Home Office.
We strongly advise all applicants to visit the Home Office website which outlines all the requirements for a successful visa application and to take a look at our 2023 course entry statement document.
An honours degree at2:2 or higher
Your application checklist
Applications for postgraduate courses can be made at any time prior to the start of the course. However, we strongly recommend you apply at your earliest convenience.
Please ensure you upload the following mandatory documents with your application:
- Two academic references.
- Certified transcripts of qualifications, including English language proficiency if non-UK student.
- Copy of passport.
- Copy of current visa (if applicable).
- A personal statement.
- Employer sponsor form, where appropriate.
Language requirements
Applicants who do not have English as their first language will be required to demonstrate an approved level of proficiency in the use of the English language. The agreed minimum requirements for this course are:
- IELTS minimum 6.5 overall with minimum of 6.0 in writing and a minimum of 5.5 in reading, listening and speaking.
- TOEFL IBT 92 with a minimum of 22 in writing and a minimum of 20 in reading, listening and speaking
- Duolingo English Language Test - 115 overall with minimum of 100 in each component
or equivalent.
Qualifications are checked before enrolment, and international students must bring their original certificates or certified copies when coming to study at the University.
Pre-Sessional English programme
The University also offers a pre-sessional English programme for international students who wish to improve their level of English before starting a degree course.
Study options
Make your application
- 1 year full-time (January start)
- 1 year full-time (May start)
- 1 year full-time