About this course

We are top 3 in the UK for Marketing (Complete University Guide, 2020)

With our marketing analytics MSc you’ll learn industry-specific skills to make strategic marketing decisions using data and evidence. You’ll use a multi-channel approach to analyse and interpret data.

If you’re curious about how data informs everyday marketing techniques and want to learn how to become a marketing analyst, then this MSc in marketing analytics is the course for you. We incorporate new and relevant industry-specific topics which are only covered by a small number of marketing analytics courses in the UK, topics include social media data analysis and text mining.

MSc Marketing Analytics is aimed at those who have:

an undergraduate degree in marketing and a good understanding of quantitative studies or
marketing work experience looking to specialise within an analytics role

We’re the first university in the UK to offer a marketing analytics master's. We collaborate with leading practitioners from the industry who inform the curriculum using best-practice marketing techniques and the latest research.

You'll learn how to:

integrate and use marketing channels within different markets or sectors
interpret and manage large datasets to make evidence-based decisions
use online analytics to analyse how consumer choices are influenced by social media
incorporate different marketing frameworks and behaviour models to create an analytical tool
use industry-standard data analysis software
learn from traditional churn modelling models to offer customer incentives to enhance business profitability

We are a world-leading university which integrates current marketing research with practical expertise in the best of digital marketing and data analytics. Our reputation has attracted students from around the world and expert teaching staff who are also leading researchers within the industry.

We offer an international and inclusive learning experience which welcomes students from around the world. During your studies you’ll understand different perspectives from different cultures and countries which will teach you to be versatile in your approach to digital marketing analytics.

Course lead

The course leader is Dr Carmen-Monica Mihalache MS, PhD, FHEA. Monica has over 12 years of experience in digital and offline communications, with focus on visual and video communication. After graduating BSc Economics and Marketing Degree, Monica continued her studies in USA with a Master Degree in Marketing Research at Texas A&M University. She also worked as a Specialist Referent in Marketing for the Public National Romanian Television and is a member of CIRCOM Network of trainers in television.

Data Visualisations: the story behind numbers in marketing analytics

Experience a taster lecture delivered by programme leader Dr Carmen-Monica Mihalache.

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

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.

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Download 2021-22 programme specification

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Entry requirements

You'll need a 2:1 degree.

We're looking for students who have a marketing degree but you can also apply if you studied a degree with quantitative training, such as:

economics
engineering
statistics
management
computer sciences

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

We do not accept the following subjects:

Language Studies – degrees that focus on learning a language or how to translate, such as 'Business English', 'Applied English', or 'Translation', are not acceptable. However, this restriction does not apply to ‘English’ and ‘English literature’ degrees of the kind taught in the UK.
Art/Design/Vocational Studies – degrees that focus on learning a particular form of art, craft or vocation. These include degrees in art, graphic design, photography, television broadcasting, script writing, or performance/dance.

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: 6.5
writing: 6.5
speaking: 6.0
listening: 6.0

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Recognition of professional experience

If you don't have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work or voluntary experience in this sector we'll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.

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 12-month course, you'll complete all your taught modules in the first 9 months and in the final 3 months you'll work on your dissertation.

Compulsory modules provide a balanced grounding in the skills of marketing analytics. You'll then choose from optional modules that provide opportunities for specialism in areas including:

luxury marketing
project management
data protection law
forecasting

The first semester will build upon your knowledge of digital marketing analytics. You'll look at marketing in the 21st century, building customer insight, data analytics and text mining and social network analytics.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Modules

For entry in Academic Year 2021-22

You must study the following modules:

Designing and Managing Research Projects

This module aims to provide opportunities for students to develop an appreciation of marketing research in theory and practice. There are two broad objectives: (1) to enhance your knowledge of the research process and enable you to be aware of the problem...

Digital Marketing Strategy

This module focusses on strategic marketing decision making and reflects the marketing role in building and sustaining an organisation’s competitive advantage in a digital age. We examine the dynamic digital environment through a situation analysis employ...

Digital and Media Analytics

To introduce you to the key concepts of digital analytics in the marketing discipline and how analytics can build knowledge of online customer behaviour and campaign effectiveness that can be used effectively in the business environment within which marke...

Integrated Marketing Communication Design

During the course of the module, you explore the scope of marketing communications within the dynamic contextualized communication coexistence of digital and classical channels. More specifically, the module introduces key terms and concepts, current theo...

Marketing Analytics & Visualizations

The module will cover some of the most important marketing analytic techniques that you will face as a data analyst, exploring ways to create dynamic synthetic visuals that communicate your analysis to various audiences.

You must also choose from the following modules:

Advanced Analytics

Having learnt the basic techniques and principles of business analytics in semester 1 modules, this module will introduce you to a number of advanced applications of business analytics in practice. These include data management using database engines, GLM...

Customer Insight

This module aims to provide you with an understanding of the different frameworks that can be applied to gain in-depth knowledge of customers. We will also be addressing how that knowledge can contribute to the development of effective and relevant market...

Dissertation for Marketing

The dissertation stage of your Master's programme involves an extended, independent investigation of a topic of your own choosing and the preparation of a 15,000 word dissertation describing your work. Essentially, the dissertation is a test of your abili...

Marketing Practice Based Dissertation

The Marketing Practice Based Dissertation provides an opportunity to undertake a sustained piece of individually developed project applied to a real-life marketing situation or problem which involves an extended, independent investigation. This module foc...

Python for Business and Marketing

This module aims to teach students the fundamentals of writing structured computer programs, applicable using any high level programming language. However, students will be shown the special features of Python that makes this language especially useful fo...

Services Marketing

The services sector remains an integral component of a thriving local, national and global economy. This area of study is critical since services are inherently unique and possess characteristics not seen in other areas of marketing and business. Indeed, ...

Learning and assessment

Learning

You’ll learn through a range of teaching methods, including:

lectures
group work
computer lab sessions
real-world case studies and data

For example in the Credit Scoring and Data Mining module you’ll use real credit scoring data and software.

You will prepare a dissertation in a domain of interest in Marketing Analytics. We also invite industry speakers from the marketing analytics field to talk to students about current sector issues. Previous speakers have come from companies such as Alitex, LV=, and Firebrand Training.

You’ll have the opportunity to use the main industry-standard tools for managing, analysing and presenting big data, including statistical programming software. By the time they have graduated, many students are ready to take the exam to become a certified Base Programmer.

Assessment

We'll use a variety of ways to assess that the main learning outcomes of the course are being met.

These include:

group or individual coursework
writing posts or blogs
group presentations
group or individual coursework

Dissertation

You'll need to use the methods, techniques and skills you learn in the taught part of the programme to write a 15,000-word dissertation. Researching and writing your dissertation will require around 600 hours.

Academic Support

There's plenty of support on offer should you need it. Your personal academic tutor will help you with academic issues or signpost you to other types of support. The relatively small intake on this course means you’ll get plenty of individual attention from module leaders, who will also keep you informed of relevant special events or career opportunities.

Careers

There is a growing demand for big data analysts who can provide specialist support for marketing decision-makers. Former graduates have gone onto work for BMW in China, Starbucks in Taiwan and Yoyo Wallet, a mobile payment system company based in London.

You’ll be prepared for roles such as:

marketing analyst
market research analyst
digital insight analyst
decision support consultant
data scientist
data analyst
data specialist
customer relationship management (CRM) analyst
credit risk analyst

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 £12,608.
EU and international students pay £24,060.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

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:

Funding your postgraduate studies

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

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.

You may also be asked to provide:

a degree transcript
a degree certificate
a reference
an English language qualification
a personal statement
a CV/resume
an art portfolio
a sample of music composition/performance
a sample of written work
additional questions
evidence of professional qualifications
a fee questionnaire
a fees supporting document

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 usually make one of 4 decisions:

Offer you a place on this course
Offer you a place on a different course which we think suits you better
Tell you that we'll consider your application a second time in the next stage
Tell you that your application has been unsuccessful

If we decide to consider your application a second time in the next stage, this will only happen once.

If we offer you a place, you'll need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we'll offer your place to another applicant.