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MA Marketing (Professional Practice)

Boost your career with a CIM-accredited postgraduate qualification. Use your new knowledge and skills to make a positive difference to your organisation. Qualify for more senior marketing positions.

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Students sitting at individual desks in a classroom
Course codeCID1369
Duration2 years
Fee(s)View fees
LocationOn campus

Course summary

This course is a practical and professionally-focused degree. It's perfect for those ready to advance in marketing or pivot into the field from another discipline.

You’ll explore the latest thinking in:

  • Strategic marketing management
  • Consumer research
  • E-marketing
  • Social media
  • Digital analytics.

The course draws on the latest industry research to equip you with the skills and insight needed for today’s fast-moving marketing landscape.

This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM). This is the leading global professional body for marketers. Through our CIM Accredited Degree partnership, you’ll have the opportunity to gain additional industry-recognised qualifications. This will give you a competitive edge in the job market.

What you’ll experience:

  • Modules shaped by current industry trends and marketing research.
  • Practical experience through live client briefs at the Sunderland Marketing Hub.
  • Opportunities to enter competitions such as the Greggs Marketing Challenge.
  • Guest lectures from marketing leaders. Past speakers include the Head of Sales and Marketing at Divine Chocolate and the CEO of Sunderland AFC.
  • Industry engagement through real-life case studies, company visits, and collaborative projects.

When you graduate you'll be well-prepared for senior roles in marketing agencies, in-house teams, or as a consultant. Employers value the practical experience and industry alignment of our MA Marketing graduates. We have alumni now working at Microsoft, IBM, Procter & Gamble, HSBC, Sage, Barclays, Accenture, and Adidas.

Why Sunderland for Business and Management

Professional Practice route

Taking the MA Marketing (Professional Practice) route allows you to extend your course to 24 months with a 12-month paid work placement, supported by our dedicated placements team. This is a two-year course designed for those who want to gain hands-on experience, apply knowledge in a real-world setting, and enhance professional development.

You can find a placement independently (with approval) or apply for one of the opportunities sourced by the University. While securing a placement is competitive, full support is provided throughout the application and interview process. If you're unable to secure a placement, you'll transfer to the standard MA Marketing route and complete a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) in Management Studies as an additional qualification, all within the two-year timeframe and at no extra cost.

Students have secured placements with organisations such as Nissan, Fujitsu, Caterpillar, Network Rail, White Lodging Services, and a variety of small and medium-sized enterprises across the public, private, and non-profit sectors.

Accreditations and approvals

The Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) logo in black(opens in new tab)
Ehinomen Rose Umane

After finishing my degree, I secured a job at Meta. This was my dream career and I'd discussed with my course advisor about my desire to work with any of the top five technology companies in the world.

Ehinomen Rose Umane

Read Ehinomen Rose Umane's story

What you'll study

Module credits for this course should total 240. If optional modules are available alongside core modules on your course, you should choose an amount that totals 240 credits.

Many of our courses include a range of modules you can choose from. Some options may only be available if you’ve already studied specific modules. If you’re not sure what you need before picking a module, your course leader can help.

How you'll learn

Teaching methods include lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, class discussions, and case study exercises. You'll have a Peer Learning Support Group (PLSG) where you'll be able to work with other students and support each other.

Assessment methods include:

  • Written assignments
  • Presentations
  • Portfolios of evidence
  • Time-constrained assignments.

Compared to an undergraduate course, you'll find that this master's degree requires a higher level of independent reading and research.

Professional Practice route

For the Professional Practice route, you'll undertake a 40-week work placement, during which time you'll work on a placement project, as well as a reflective statement and the personal portfolio. Following the placement, a period of time is incorporated to enable you to formulate and edit the project work.

Entry requirements

Apply now

UK students

International students

Current students

Current undergraduate students of the University of Sunderland, please use this apply link.

Disclaimer

We want to make sure you have clear and accurate information about our courses. Our website always shows the latest updates. If you’ve applied and you're offered a place, we’ll contact you in writing if anything important changes.

For more information, view our programme specifications. These include course content, learning outcomes, and the skills you'll gain.