MSc in Marketing Practice
Dublin, Ireland
DURATION
11 Months
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 23,170 *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-EU | EUR 16150 for EU
Key Summary
Introduction
Structured to simulate the dynamic work environment, the MSc in Marketing Practice is a comprehensive intensive masters programme offering students the unique opportunity to gain practical experience working with real clients on real projects, while also obtaining a masters from Ireland’s top graduate business school.
Students work as “marketing advisors” in the Marketing Development Practice (MDP), a marketing and business training agency based within UCD Smurfit School, providing business marketing solutions to a wide range of companies, from start-ups and non-profit organisations to large multinational companies.
Operating on the premise of “action-based learning”, students put the theory they learn during lectures into action, working with guidance from experienced industry professionals and managers. Projects include conducting market research, creating marketing and digital strategies, as well as implementing marketing plans and events. The combination of learning marketing theory and then applying it to real work with clients, is unique, setting both the course and its students apart.
Students receive one-to-one guidance and support from managers, enabling them to develop confidence both personally and professionally. The programme develops students’ essential marketing skill-base in areas such as research, creative problem-solving, strategic planning, critical thinking, teamwork, client management and effective communications. Students are linked to a strong global alumni community providing them with the opportunity to network and seek mentorship, equipping them with tools to build their own career path once leaving the programme.
The programme is suited to graduates from all disciplines, both business and non-business, who are interested in pursuing a career in business and marketing and who want to kick start their career with real work experience. The course transforms students into competent marketing professionals, through the development of both professional and personal skills, which can be taken into any industry.
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Admissions
Scholarships and Funding
UCD Smurfit Scholarships offer a life-changing opportunity to prospective students. By offering merit-based scholarships, we recruit the highest quality students from across the world; while our financial needs-based scholarships put an MBA or Masters within reach for several ambitious students each year. Smurfit Scholarships are in high demand and there is significant competition each year.
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Curriculum
The 11-month, full-time course covers a broad range of disciplines and skill sets, whilst the personal and professional development of each student is achieved through a defined series of actions and events.
Autumn Trimester
- Strategic Marketing Management
- Customer and Market Insights
Spring Trimester
- Brand Management
- Digital Marketing
Summer Trimester
- Launching New Products
- Professional Development: Business Building
Full Year Modules
- Professional Development
- Applied Marketing Project
Please be advised that the above reflects the 2024/2025 curriculum structure and is subject to change each year. Note that module descriptors are updated in advance of each academic term.
Global Leadership Programme (GLP)
Our optional Global Leadership Programme (GLP) offers you a unique opportunity to engage in a diverse range of co-curricular professional development activities alongside the modules you take on the Master's program. Participation in the GLP can give you an advantage over similarly qualified job candidates and increase your readiness for success in the workplace.
Sustainable Development Goals
As part of the curriculum, students are engaged with issues related to sustainability in all of its many facets, including responsible leadership, responsible consumption and production, climate action, and inclusive business practices. As educators, we believe in the value of exposing our students to a variety of perspectives on the role of business in society and equipping them with the knowledge and skills they need to tackle even the most intractable problems. Our programs seek to develop informed and imaginative leaders who are mindful of responsible and sustainable business objectives and practices and embed a number of the UN sustainable development goals (SDGs) in the curriculum.
Program Outcome
What will I learn?
The teaching approach and objectives of this course are based around Action Learning – students learn by doing throughout the duration of the course and at the service of actual organisations.
- Learning to manage – students consolidate their prior knowledge of management theory by adopting and applying actual commercial skills.
- Genuine practical experience is gained as students act as “Marketing Advisors”, involving a professional assignment to be delivered to a client.
- An understanding of the marketing challenges faced by a variety of different organisations, from start-ups and non-profits through to multinational organisations.
How will I benefit?
- Students gain a globally recognised master's degree from Ireland’s leading graduate business school.
- Real work experience is gained with clients from a range of industries throughout the year.
- Insight into various industries and roles enables students to find what they are passionate about and interested in.
- With limited course numbers, students receive consistent ongoing feedback and guidance.
- Students develop both professional and personal skills.
- Graduates from the MSc in Marketing Practice are sought after by top marketing-led companies.
- Graduates benefit from a strong MDP alumni community which creates networking and mentorship opportunities.
Program Tuition Fee
Career Opportunities
For graduates leaving the programme, brand management has been a popular career path. However, many graduates have gone into other careers, such as market research, business development and consultancy.
88% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in December 2023.
Potential careers for our graduates include:
- Marketing and Events Management
- Brand Management
- Business Development
- Account Management
- Customer Intelligence
- Digital Marketing
Accreditations
Student Testimonials
Program Admission Requirements
Demonstrate your commitment and readiness to succeed in business school by taking the GMAT exam – the most widely used exam for admissions that measures your critical thinking and reasoning skills.
Download the GMAT mini quiz to get a flavour of the questions you’ll find in the exam.