About this course
Develop the skills needed for success in one of the fastest-growing areas of global business. This Luxury Brand Management MA will offer you a high level of industry exposure, creating a range of career opportunities.
You'll have exceptional learning experiences, visit luxury brands, have the invaluable chance to work on an industry consultancy project, and benefit from regular talks from top companies.
This Luxury Brand Management master’s is one of just a few courses of its kind in the UK. You'll look at a variety of premium industries including; fashion, perfume, hotels, yachts, automobiles, fine wines and spirits, and exclusive clubs.
You can apply for this degree if you have 1 to 2 years’ experience in the luxury industry and an accepted 2:1 degree or relevant qualification. It is also suitable for those with relevant professional experience.
Our MA Luxury Brand Management degree covers brand design and management, whilst exploring current industry issues and debates. You’ll take part in 2 week-long study trips to London and Paris working on a project, visiting luxury businesses and meeting industry professionals.
You'll also learn:
- luxury consumer profiles and website design
- evolution of the luxury market and globalisation of luxury brands
- consultancy and project management
- social media influence
- cobranding, brand extensions, and brand heritage
We also collaborate with a London-based luxury brand agency to offer a limited number of internships. Additional industry input will allow you to develop your networks.
Previous input has been provided by;
- Aston Martin
- Bremont
- Maserati
- George Bayntun
- The Ritz
- Royal Southampton Yacht Club
- The Savoy
- Wright & Teague
Course lead
Debbie Pinder has held senior global marketing positions for international luxury brands, such as De Beers, Jo Malone, Coty, Clarins, L’Oreal. Debbie continues to advise luxury brands on global strategy as a consultant. Her current research focuses on the new affluent luxury consumer, luxury wellbeing and luxury in the airport. Her inspiring teaching was recently recognised with a University Vice-Chancellors’ award.
Our academics are also members of the prestigious Winchester Luxury Research Group, a hub for world-leading research into a range of luxury-related areas.
Course location
This course is based at Winchester.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
You’ll need a 2:1 degree or accepted qualification in:
- business studies
- management
- marketing
- art design
- fashion management
- design management
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
This course also requires you to have a minimum of 1 to 2 years’ luxury industry experience. You can have this from paid employment, or work experience and internships in relevant luxury industry companies.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 6.5
- reading
- 6.0
- writing
- 6.0
- speaking
- 6.0
- listening
- 6.0
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
You can also apply if you have professional experience. You’ll need to demonstrate significant relevant work experience within the relevant subject field.
We may ask you to an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is a one-year, full-time degree course running from September to September.
You'll study taught modules in semesters 1 and 2, followed by independent study for your final project. You'll complete your final project in the summer, over the last few months of the course.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
On this module will you put into practice the research and analytical skills that you have learned on the programme. Focusing on a contemporary luxury brand management issue, you will investigate this issue/area of research to prepare a final project, cr...
This module explores a range of historical and contemporary issues affecting luxury, from luxury consumption, luxury marketing and management, technology and luxury, the relativity of luxury to the evolvement of luxury over time. As part of this module, ...
This module aims to develop your knowledge and skills in core luxury marketing related concepts, as well as appreciate the environmental factors that influence luxury marketing decisions. It focuses on the role of the wider environment in particular the s...
This module is one of the compulsory modules taken by all students in the creative management programmes at WSA. While the learning outcomes are the same across programmes, the content will be delivered with reference to your subject specialism and your...
This module is one of the compulsory modules on your programme that provide you with a deeper engagement with the academic and professional skills to support the preparation of your Final Project work. The module encourages you to engage directly with...
The module aims to review the main concepts, methods and tools which are used in the strategy analysis, formulation and implementation processes. These processes will be applied at a corporate, business and operation level to luxury organisations. The ...
You must also choose from the following modules:
The module been designed for the purpose of promoting and developing creative thinking and problem solving (CTPS) skills and addresses the need for individuals and teams who can ‘think outside the box’, and apply fresh thinking to practical, ‘real world’ ...
Digital Cultures is an elective module covering a broad range of topics relating to the encounter with digital environments, audiovisual content and the aesthetics and politics of media technologies in historical and contemporary contexts. This module int...
The module enables you to recognise entrepreneurial traits and behaviours and apply elements of these to the real world. With a strong orientation towards the future, realised through forecasting in both finance and marketing, the module will provide ...
The consideration of what publishing actual means today remains a relevant question for any creative practitioner. Over the past few years we have seen a huge rise in self-publishing, print on-demand services, tweeting and social media, from post-digital ...
The module provides thematic examples of the theories and practices of visual presentation and display explored through interdisciplinary and critical contexts appropriate to the MA pathways. It offers a number of critical “tools”, enhanced through refere...
The module seeks to advance your knowledge on key issues of globalization and changes to marketing approaches that have taken place due to internationalisation.. The module situates the concepts and terminology of global marketing in a range of different ...
This module addresses critical perspectives in relation to sustainability and its impact in art, design and the creative industries. The module seeks to inform your thinking in relation to sustainability issues, be they environmental, social or economic, ...
We live in a world that is saturated by images, from the far reaches of space to the sub-atomic level and just about everything in between. Images seem to have a special power in our lives, playing a part in the constructions of who and what we are and t...
Learning and assessment
Learning
During our brand management masters we'll encourage you to reflect on your progress and learn from this. You’ll receive formative assessment throughout the course to help you focus your studies.
You'll learn through a combination of methods, including:
- lectures, seminars, and tutorials
- workshops and field trips
- independent study
- presentations
- group work
- interactive exercises
Assessment
We'll assess you through different methods including:
- essays
- critical papers
- a consultancy project presentation and report
- reflective statements
- your final project write-up
Dissertation
You’ll need to complete an independent 10,000-word final project (dissertation).
Focusing on a contemporary luxury brand management issue, you will investigate this issue/area of research to prepare a final project, critically analysing and commenting on the ideas and viewpoints of others, together with those of your own.
Academic Support
We intentionally keep student numbers low on this course, which results in a close-knit group and means you’ll receive plenty of support from your peers and tutors. You’ll have a personal academic tutor, who is the first point of contact for advice about academic or other matters.
You’ll also have access to the wide range of University student services should you need them, including visa information, advice on money matters, and welfare or academic support.
Careers
Graduates from this programme will typically find employment in a variety of different careers associated with luxury marketing and brand management including:
- account handlers
- marketing executives
- marketing managers
- consultants
- brand managers
- marketing communication experts
- executive/management level roles within the luxury and marketing industry
Our graduates find employment opportunities within these roles either working for agencies or their clients and in some cases choose to operate as freelance consultants within their chosen careers. Many of our graduates also go on to start their own companies.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £24,000.
- EU and international students pay £24,000.
Deposit
When you accept your offer to study on this course you’ll be asked to pay a deposit. This is non-refundable. The deposit amount is:
- UK students: £250
- EU and international students: £1,000
Full terms and conditions and details of how to pay this deposit will be sent to you in your offer letter.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)
This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.
International Postgraduate Taught Merit Scholarship
You are eligible for this scholarship if you:
are an international student who hasn’t taken a master's with us before
are enrolling to start a master's in September 2020
gained a 1st class honours degree at undergraduate level
If you meet these criteria you’ll be awarded an automatic £3,000 scholarship. This will mean a £3,000 reduction in your tuition fees. We’ll confirm your scholarship in your offer letter.
Unfortunately this offer isn’t open to UK / EU students.
Other postgraduate funding options
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
Funding for EU and international students
Find out about funding you could get as an international student.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
International students
We recommend you apply at least 6 weeks before the start of the course to ensure you're able to meet our requirements and apply for a visa in time.
We cannot guarantee students who do not meet these deadlines will be able to begin their course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
