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Management and Marketing - MSc

Currently viewing course to start in 2025/26 Entry.

Want to study a Master’s in marketing management in Birmingham? Our MSc Management and Marketing degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI). Our MSc Management and Marketing course teaches you the fundamental skills and attributes you need to become a successful manager and marketer....

  • Level Postgraduate Taught
  • Study mode Full Time
  • Location City Centre
  • School Birmingham City Business School
  • Faculty Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences

This course is:

Open to International Students

Overview

Want to study a Master’s in marketing management in Birmingham? Our MSc Management and Marketing degree is accredited by the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).

Our MSc Management and Marketing course teaches you the fundamental skills and attributes you need to become a successful manager and marketer. You will learn how to negotiate the challenges and issues that international businesses face, as well as having the option to learn how to become adept at marketing.

You will experience working in internationally diverse, team-based projects, collaborating to deliver professional reports and presentations as part of module assessments. These assessments will reflect the professional practice of international management. Throughout the course, the course team will give you the support you need to realise your potential and we look forward to working with you to develop your knowledge, understanding and skills for the career of your choice.

Professional Placement option

For our MSc Management and Marketing degree, you will have the opportunity to take the Professional Placement version of the course, which is offered as an alternative to the standard version of the course.

This will allow you to complete a credit bearing, 20 week Professional Placement as an integral part of your Master’s Degree. The purpose of the Professional Placement is to improve your employability and transferable skills. The placement experience will allow you to evidence your professional skills, attitudes and behaviours at the point of entry to the postgraduate job market.

You will be responsible for finding and securing your own placement. The University, however, will draw on its extensive network of local, regional and national employers to support you in finding a suitable placement to complement your chosen area of study, with support from our Careers+ team as well as advice and guidance from your School.

Please note that placements will only be confirmed following a competitive, employer-led selection process, therefore the University will not be able to guarantee placements for students who have registered for the ‘with Professional Placement’ course.

For full details, please click here.

This course is open to International students.

What's covered in this course?

You will learn about the fundamental principles of business within a global context, principles that cover finance, operations, marketing and people management. This will enable you to develop key skills in leadership, managerial decision making and problem solving.

In the second stage of your course, you will begin to develop your chosen specialist expertise. You will establish the importance and impact of efficient marketing, developing the skills and insights of a successful marketing manager. Customers are at the heart of every business, and marketing places you at the centre of corporate strategy and its application. You’ll become knowledgeable in knowing how to make a company stand out from the competition, developing innovative brand and communications plans, while also developing skills in digital marketing in the final stage of the course.

The final core Major Project module is tailored to your career aspirations. The module provides three project options - a work-based study route enabling you to relate the project to a current employer, or a ‘consultancy project’ option where you find a client who has a marketing problem that you feel you can solve; or a traditional dissertation involving both the theory and practice of marketing.

Whatever route you choose, it will give you the opportunity to identify a topic and industry of your choice related to your specialist area of marketing, tailoring your degree to enhance your employability for your final chosen career destination. Previous projects have involved fashion branding, customer relationship management in the finance sector and customer loyalty within sports marketing.

Accredited By

This course is accredited by:

  • Chartered Management Institute

Why Choose Us?

  • You’ll be taught by highly qualified module tutors with significant professional practice experience in a range of management and marketing roles, including international marketing, marketing management, digital marketing and marketing consultancy.
  • You will develop fundamental skills in business management, while having the opportunity to gain enhanced and specialist expertise to help you enter the exciting and dynamic marketing profession.
  • On graduating you will receive an industry-recognised professional qualification from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI).
  • You will work alongside a diverse range of international students, creating an exciting atmosphere and a range of ideas.
  • You will have the opportunity to visit a leading service or manufacturing company, such as Jaguar Land Rover, helping you gain insight into the complexity of real-world global operations. Read about some of the trips our students have been on.
  • You will be supported with business English language diagnostics and tutor support to help improve you in the international language of business.
  • Following graduation, you will have the opportunity to apply for STEAMhouse Business Incubator membership.

Find out more

OPEN DAY

Join us for an on-campus Open Day where you'll be able to learn about this course in detail, chat to students, explore our campus and tour accommodation.

Next Event: 24 November 2024

Book now

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

We require one of the following:

Essential Requirements
Essential - Entry to Stage One

An honours degree of a British University or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2)

An equivalent graduate level qualification from an overseas university or equivalent institution (minimum 2:2)

A pre-masters programme approved by Birmingham City University

A pre-masters programme with a minimum of 55% average

Essential - Entry to Stage Two

A Postgraduate Certificate (Level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 60 credits) in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship) 

Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Certificate meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage. 

Essential - Entry to Stage Three

A Postgraduate Diploma (Level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 120 credits) in a business subject aligned with the chosen pathway (international business, finance, marketing or entrepreneurship) 

Candidates will be required to submit an extended application to evidence how their Postgraduate Diploma meets the programme learning outcomes at the equivalent stage. 

Candidates will be required to have passed a research methods module (Level 7 or equivalent, minimum value of 20 credits) and will be required to submit an original Dissertation Proposal that has been passed by the Programme Team prior to admission approval.

Other qualifications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Additional information for EU/International students
Essential

Applications from international applicants with equivalent qualifications are welcome. Please see your country page for further details on the equivalent qualifications we accept.

In additional to the academic entry requirements listed above, international and EU students will also require the qualifications detailed in this table.

English language requirements 2020/21
IELTS

6.0 overall with 5.5 minimum in all bands

If you do not meet the required IELTS score, you may be eligible for one of our pre-sessional English courses. Please note that you must have a Secure English Language Test (SELT) to study on the pre-sessional English course. More information.

Other accepted qualifications Visit our English language page

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

Please select your student status to view fees and apply
  • UK Student
  • International Student

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £10,820 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £11,900 in 2025/26

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MSc

Starting: Sep 2025

  • Mode
  • Duration
  • Fees
  • Full Time
  • 1 year
  • £18,600 in 2025/26
  • Full Time
  • 18 Months (Professional Placement)
  • £20,460 in 2025/26

Access to computer equipment 

You will require use of a laptop, and most students do prefer to have their own. However, you can borrow a laptop from the university or use one of our shared computer rooms. 

Printing 

You will receive £5 print credit in each year of your course, available after enrolment. 

Field trips 

All essential field trips and associated travel costs will be included in your course fees. 

Access to Microsoft Office 365 

Every student at the University can download a free copy of Microsoft Office 365 to use whilst at university and for 18 months after graduation. 

Key software 

You will be able to download SPSS and Nvivo to your home computer to support with your studies and research. 

Key subscriptions 

Subscriptions to key journals and websites are available through our library. 

Excess printing (optional) 

Once you have spent your £5 credit, additional printing on campus costs from 5p per sheet. 

Personal stationery and study materials (optional) 

Based on the past experience of our students, you might find it helpful to set aside about £30 for each year of your studies for your personal stationery and study materials. 

Placement expenses (optional) 

If you choose to undertake a placement, you'll need to budget for accommodation and any travel costs you may incur whilst living or working away from home. 

Field trips (optional) 

This course includes the option of additional trips that may enhance your experience, at extra cost. Trips are heavily subsidised, however you would be expected to cover your own entertainment costs etc.  

Accommodation and living costs (optional)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in our accommodation pages.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Course in Depth

Modules

In order to complete this course a student must successfully complete all the following CORE modules (totalling 160 credits):

Professional Placement Year

In order to qualify for the award of MSc Management and Marketing with Professional Placement, a student must successfully complete Level 7 modules listed above, totalling 180 credits, as well as the following Level 6 module.

Download course specification

Download now

Course Structure

Emphasis will be placed on the group as a resource for learning. There will be group discussion of practical management situations and problems, making use of case studies, problem situations and scenarios and, where relevant, the participants' own experiences.  

Assessment on the programme is designed to be an integral part of your learning process, enhancing and demonstrating your knowledge and practice. Formative feedback will be provided to you through a combination of self-reflection, peer group and tutor feedback. Summative assessments will provide a measure of the extent to you have achieved the learning outcomes of the modules.

Assessment within the modules will take various forms, including coursework assignments, reports, controlled assessment, examinations and the dissertation or project. You may be required to defend the dissertation or project through a viva, drawing on the skills developed in the programme.

Student stories

Lili Huang

I enjoyed my studies very much. During the five-week pre-sessional English course, I got along well with my classmates, who came from all over the world. The most exciting things were the travelling arrangements made for us – it was a good way to make friends and get familiar with the country and its culture.

Chartered Management Institute
CMI / CIM

All of our Management pathways have professional accreditation from CMI, as well as ensuring the courses are relevant and cutting edge, it means also means you will receive a CMI QCF Level 7 Certificate in addition to the Masters degree upon graduating.

You’ll be provided with CMI membership for the duration of the course, benefitting from full access to ManagementDirect, CMI’s market-leading online support tool for managers and leaders. You’ll also be eligible for the CMI’s mentoring scheme and have the opportunity to attend events, helping you network and create industry links.

We also have accreditation from CIM, with two Marketing pathway modules mapped to the CIM Level 6 Diploma in Professional Marketing, achieving the maximum number of exemptions from the CIM Diploma. On completion of this course, you’ll have the opportunity to attend a four-day block module course which will prepare you to sit the two further exams required to achieve the Diploma in addition to your Masters degree.

*Additional costs for CIM accreditation to cover tuition, assessment and membership are not included in the course fee.

Employability

Enhancing employability skills

You’ll have the opportunity to:

  • Take part in a funded company visit to a leading company, such as Jaguar Land Rover, one of the most successful and lucrative businesses in the world.
  • Choose to deliver a work-based study project or consultancy project in the final stage of the course using a current employer or a client you find yourself.
  • Seek support and engage with events and activities provided by Birmingham City University’s careers service.
  • Take part in Birmingham City University’s Graduate Plus scheme.
  • Receive employment advice and support via your Personal Tutor.

Our graduates have obtained employment in management positions, or have set up their own successful businesses. Former students are employed in managerial positions across the globe, including land management (Kenya), manufacturing (China), HR (Germany), finance (Canada), insurance (France) and teaching (India, UK and Sri Lanka). You’ll learn new perspectives on a changing business world, enabling you to provide employers with relevant and cutting-edge information. The research skills you develop doing your Major Project will also look good on your CV. 

A postgraduate qualification can really help you stand out from the crowd in today’s competitive job market. By becoming a specialist in your field, you’ll have the chance to advance thinking in that subject and lead, rather than follow, the latest developments.

International

Welcome to Birmingham City University, home to students from over 70 countries all around the world!

Our Business programmes are practice based and many have an international focus, which means your course will be entirely relevant to today’s business world. Almost all of our courses, both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, are open to international students.

We also have links with universities across the world, including Europe, the USA, China, India and Malaysia.

International Services

Our international pages contain a wealth of information for international students who are considering applying to study here, including:

The University is conveniently placed, with Birmingham International Airport nearby and first-rate transport connections to London and the rest of the UK.

Facilities & Staff

Curzon facilities eatery
Curzon facilities staircase
Curzon facilities student hub

Our Facilities

We are constantly investing in our estate and have spent £400 million on new learning facilities.

The Curzon Building

This course is based at our City Centre Campus – and specifically The Curzon Building, alongside other Social Sciences, Law and Business students.

The £63m building offers students a unique social learning space, including a dedicated student hub incorporating student support services, in the heart of Birmingham’s Eastside development.

The Business floors house an extensive number of IT facilities, breakout areas, and specialised rooms. The Marketing Link Agency is designed to replicate a modern marketing firm, allowing students to get real-life experience of working in the marketing sector. There is also the City Trading Room, which features state of the art stock market tracking equipment, keeping you up to date with all the financial comings and goings of the London Stock Exchange and Wall Street.

The Curzon building is also conveniently close to Birmingham’s business and financial centre, allowing for strong links between your studies and the real world.

The Curzon Building also features:

  • An impressive library with access to over 65 million full text items and stunning views of Eastside City Park
  • Your Students’ Union which is located in a beautifully restored 19th century pub, The Eagle and Ball
  • A modern 300-seat food court with space to study and socialise
  • Accessible IT facilities with full Office365 for all students for free
  • Shared facilities with the wider campus including the Parkside Building and Millennium Point

Our staff

Dr Hakeem Ajonbadi

Senior Lecturer

Dr Hakeem Ajonbadi studied and lectured in Nigeria, Belgium, the United Arab Emirates and the United Kingdom. His work experiences are deeply rooted in academics. Still, he has also consulted for many private and public sectors on Human Resource Management, Entrepreneurship Development, Business analytics, and Tax matters.

More about Hakeem

Dr Md Ashikul Khan

Program Director MSc Management Suite (January Cohort)

Prior to joining Birmingham City University (BCU) Ashik worked as a research assistant for Engineering Analysis Simulation and Tribology (EAST) research group (2017-2018) at ARU and as a technician in proactive control, quality, and evaluation protocol design for manufacturing SMEs and HEIs collaboration towards a common PhD path for the European...

More about Ashikul