MSc Strategic Digital Marketing

Course Overview

This dual professionally accredited (DMI and CIM) MSc Strategic Digital Marketing course will teach you the core principles and skills at use in marketing today. Given the constantly evolving marketing landscape, this course is designed for professional marketers looking to move into more senior roles. It provides complementary knowledge of the latest trends in marketing such as big data, user experience (UX), Martech, and AI alongside skills in brand building, leadership, and digital creativity.

Taking a modern, global, and practice-based approach, this master’s in strategic digital marketing is regularly updated to reflect the latest insights from leading industry experts and academics. Throughout the course, you’ll have the chance to analyse current areas of marketing practice by examining live client case studies taken from real-world practice. This provides the skill set you’ll need to respond to future changes in marketing technology and consumer experience, helping you future-proof your career through the ability to adapt your marketing knowledge to any environment.

Designed to open up a variety of career opportunities in marketing, the course will show you how to create structured, strategic marketing plans with digital tactics and tools for any organisation or business – a highly sought-after skill in today’s job market. The course integrates a variety of leading-edge digital tools and software, helping you evaluate the application of marketing strategies and tactics in context. That means you’ll graduate with a deeper understanding of how to successfully shape high-level marketing activities and manage creative global marketing plans.

Entry requirements

At Arden University applications are consider on a case by case basis. If you have significant work experience, have qualifications you have gained elsewhere, or a degree or qualification that isn’t a clear pathway to this degree – Arden team is more than happy to discuss your application.

Eligibility

To be eligible for AU MSc Strategic Digital Marketing, AU need to see that you have:

A UK bachelor’s degree at a minimum of second class (2.2) or equivalent
Individuals who have HND/HNC/Dip HE, with three to four years strong professional work experience with evidence of managerial/supervisory responsibilities are also encouraged to apply.

AU also consider applications from candidates who lack formal qualifications but possess at least five years of relevant managerial experience in any discipline.

Course fee

International Fee	Fee
Fee per year:	£10550

Uk Fee	Fee
Total fee:	£9500

Please note: Fees quoted relate to the intake that you enrol on (i.e. when you start your course), NOT your application date.

English proficiency

IELTS 6.5 (no less than 6.0 in any element); or TOEFL iBT 90; or equivalent
Alternatively, evidence you have previously studied in English, such as a letter to show that the Medium of Instruction was in English can be accepted.

AU also offer an internal English test for applicants who are unable to provide the above evidence of English proficiency.

Before you start studying

Whilst you can read your study materials on your smart phone or tablet, to make the most of your learning experience, you will need access to a laptop or computer (AU recommend one running the latest version of Windows), and a good stable internet connection.

Apply for the Course

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Course details and modules

During the course, you’ll explore the general marketing environment as a whole and then consider the impacts of digitisation on the contemporary marketing environment. You’ll develop the ability to critically analyse data and apply marketing theories from technical and creative perspectives, helping you become a highly capable and employable marketing professional.

The course will help you build practical skills in areas such as social media scheduling, Google ads, social media marketing, UX design, SEO, and AI, as well as the ability to develop advanced digital marketing strategies. You’ll also have the opportunity to gain an international marketing perspective while networking with students from around the world.

How do Arden University assess students?

AU assess students using diverse methods that go beyond traditional exams, especially in postgraduate certificate programs. Instead of exams, these programs employ practical, real-world assessments tailored to meet individual needs and help students develop transferable skills for their future careers. These assessments may include:

Essays: Developing critical thinking and analytical writing skills.
Consultancy Reports: Addressing real-world challenges with professional insights.
Recorded Presentations: Enhancing communication and presentation abilities.
Case Studies: Applying theoretical knowledge to practical scenarios.
E-Portfolios: Showcasing personal and academic achievements through organized digital collections.
Visual Research: Combining creativity and analytical skills to present research visually.

This approach ensures that students gain valuable, hands-on experience relevant to their career goals.

Core modules

Digital Marketing Environment
Building and Managing Digital Brands
Contemporary Marketing Communications Planning
Big Data, Analytics and Martech
Managing Customer & User Experience
Social Media Marketing
Digital Transformation Project (Capstone Project, 60 credits)

Career prospects

Studying your master’s in strategic digital marketing degree with Arden University is all about preparing yourself for a successful future career. As well as mastering a number of advanced skills, you’ll graduate with a stand-out CV that sets you apart in today’s competitive job market. So, whether you want to progress to more senior positions in your current organisation, or you want to begin a new career in marketing after working in a different discipline, this course will provide you with the knowledge and competencies you need to succeed.

What can I do after Arden University?

This strategic digital marketing course will help you develop the right skills and knowledge to accelerate your career to a senior marketing role.AU academics work to ensure that the modules you study on the course cover real marketing scenarios and are career focused. This means that when you graduate, you’ll have the skills required to enter a variety of professional marketing roles. Knowledge of digital marketing and marketing theory is applicable to a range of business sectors, from technology and FMCG to healthcare and the non-profit/charity sector. Some future roles that you might want to consider after graduation include:

Marketing Director
Digital Marketing Manager
Senior Marketing Executive/Analyst
Head of Sales and Marketing
Email Marketing Specialist
Social Media Planner/Manager
Brand/Product Manager
UX Designer
Video Content Developer
Business Owner/Entrepreneur

What will MSc Strategic Digital Marketing do for me?

You’ll gain a wide range of leadership, technical, and creative skills and the knowledge to develop successful innovative marketing strategies. And, because AU focus on the practical application of your studies to the real world, you’ll find that these marketing skills are transferable across a wide range of roles. Whilst studying, you will:

Develop analytical and planning skills in a digital marketing context.
Develop skills in designing and implementing marketing strategies in the digital business environment.
Explore the challenges presented by “big data” sets in a marketing context.
Evaluate, interrogate, and analyse marketing-focused data sets relating to consumer user experience and behaviour, brands, and communications.
Evaluate the potential and effectiveness of relevant proprietary software and digital marketing tools.
Gain practical skills in areas such as website analytics, SEO, email marketing, social media marketing, digital advertising, website creation, copywriting, and graphic design.
Develop a variety of transferable skills suited to an extensive range of marketing positions.

Full time, blended learning

How does it work?

When you choose AU blended learning study mode, you’ll have eight hours of timetabled classes spread over two days at AU centrally located Berlin campus. This is combined with around 25 hours of independent study, which takes place through ilearn, Arden university campus in the cloud. ilearn contains all the resources you need to study successfully. As a blended learning student you’ll also have access to AU Library Portal, an extensive digital library with thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and a range of academic and industry databases that you can use to research and gain in-depth information on your area of study. At Arden, all of your course materials are provided free of charge, removing the need for you to buy expensive textbooks to study your degree successfully.

Full time study in Berlin is the best option for students who prefer the structure of regular face to face classes with their tutor and fellow classmates, and is particularly suited to students who are attracted by the opportunity to move to Germany to study, where you can take advantage of the employment opportunities available for overseas students.

Part time, online learning

How does it work?

Studying this course online gives you the ultimate in convenience. You can enrol with Arden from anywhere in the world and study your degree from the comfort of home, without the requirement to attend classes in a physical location.

AU online students study their degree through ilearn, Arden’s university campus in the cloud. ilearn provides everything you need to study at University. It offers an integrated virtual learning experience, including your virtual classroom, lecture theatre, and access to AU Library Portal. The portal includes an extensive digital library including thousands of journal titles, eBooks, and academic and industry databases which you can use to research your assignments and projects. All of these materials are provided to you free of charge, and contain all the research information you’ll need to complete your degree with us.

ilearn is also integrated with Zoom, making it easier to chat with your course tutor during your scheduled seminar sessions. You can even integrate AU study materials into your Kindle, making it possible to study wherever you have you Kindle handy.

Studying online doesn’t mean studying alone. As well as receiving regular feedback and guidance from your course tutor, you’ll be studying with likeminded students who you can meet with through AU Unitu community, and you’ll have access to community message boards to discuss your course and the topics being raised within it. AU’ve even set up community boards embedded into each of the course modules so you can have discussions with your tutor and classmates on the topics you’re currently learning.