2026-27 entry

Digital Marketing MSc

Management School, Faculty of Social Sciences

Prepare yourself for today’s fast-paced digital landscape with our MSc Digital Marketing. You’ll learn about digital marketing strategy and we’ll teach you about the latest tools and technologies in the industry, including generative AI and e-commerce, so that you graduate work-ready.
  • Start date
    September 2026
  • Duration
    1 year
  • Attendance
    Full-time

Explore this course:

    A group of students having a discussion

    Course description

    This course will equip you with the skills that you need for a career as a socially responsible digital marketing professional. You do not need to have studied marketing before to study this course.

    We’ll teach you the essential marketing theory that you’ll need and we’ll develop your strategic, analytical and practical digital skills too. With hands-on experience in social media management, influencer engagement, content strategy, performance analytics, ethical digital practice and using campaign planning platforms, you’ll graduate ready to enter the digital marketing profession.

    Guest lectures from industry professionals and workshops will give you access to the latest thinking and practice. You can also choose to undertake an industry-based project for your dissertation where you can apply real-world data and analysis alongside the theory from the course.

    Accreditation

    The Management School is Triple Crown accredited by AMBA, EQUIS and AACSB.

    We are currently seeking accreditation by the Chartered Institute for Marketing (CIM) for 2026-27 entry to this course.

    Modules

    A selection of modules is available each year - some examples are below. There may be changes before you start your course. As you progress through your course, we'll confirm additional details for the core and optional modules available to you.

    Core modules:

    • Marketing Management in the Digital Age

    Social Media, Influencer, and Campaign Management

    This module equips you with the strategic and analytical skills needed to manage effective social media, influencer, and digital marketing activities. You will explore how brands use different social media platforms to engage audiences, foster community, and achieve marketing objectives through compelling digital content. The module covers the planning, execution, and evaluation of social media initiatives, including influencer selection, collaboration, and impact measurement. Guest lectures from industry practitioners will enrich your learning experience, ensuring you gain up-to-date expertise. By the end of the module, you will be able to develop integrated strategies that combine social media, influencer engagement, and broader digital marketing initiatives in a professional context.

    15 credits
    Digital Consumer Journey and E-Commerce Strategy

    This module provides you with the knowledge and tools to understand and influence the digital customer journey, with a specific focus on e-commerce strategy. You will explore how businesses can engage digital customers effectively at every stage, from awareness to purchase and ongoing brand advocacy. Drawing on consumer psychology and behavioural insights, you will learn how to map digital journeys, analyse decision-making processes, and design responsive, customer-centric strategies. The module also delves into the development of e-commerce frameworks, performance measurement, and optimisation tactics using analytics tools. Practical elements include customer persona creation, journey mapping, and evaluating digital touchpoints to enhance user experience and conversion. By the end of the module, you will be equipped to design and manage effective e-commerce strategies aligned with the needs and behaviours of today's digital consumers.

    15 credits
    Strategic Marketing Communications

    Strategic Marketing communications covers a dynamic and wide-ranging group of topics that are intended to build and maintain brand equity. These include advertising, sales promotions, public relations, sponsorship, direct marketing, personal selling, and packaging, and involve broader considerations such as ethics and global issues. Current thinking suggests that all communications should be integrated across the organisation; this module critically evaluates the concept of integrated marketing communications and analyses various aspects of strategic marketing communications. Theories of communication are explored using real examples from current marketing campaigns, and a select group from different areas of marketing offer an expert's view of the communications process.

    15 credits
    Contemporary Marketing Practices

    Various marketing concepts and practices could be applied in different business contexts. This module will evaluate a range of issues relating to contemporary marketing practices and their relevance to business. In addition, the module will explore how marketing theories vary in different contexts and evaluate their impacts on the practices of marketing.

    15 credits
    AI and Creative Tools for Digital Marketers

    AI and Creative Tools for Digital Marketers is a hands-on, future-focused module that helps you build the digital tools and strategic know-how you need to succeed in today's fast-moving business world.

    You'll explore the technologies and platforms behind digital communication, marketing, and customer engagement—gaining practical experience with the same tools used by professionals. Along the way, you'll discover how creative thinking and data-driven decisions can drive innovation and impact real business outcomes.

    Through interactive sessions and practical exercises, you will learn to:

    Apply AI and Prompt Engineering: Understand the fundamentals of artificial intelligence and learn how to craft effective prompts to harness AI tools for content creation and creative problem-solving.

    Use Analytics: Analyse website performance and user behaviour, transforming raw data into actionable insights that inform digital marketing strategies.

    Design Digital Content: Create visually compelling and professional marketing materials, with a focus on brand consistency and audience engagement.

    Understand CRM:Explore the principles of customer relationship management (CRM) and gain hands-on experience to design targeted email campaigns, manage contact lists, and evaluate campaign performance.

    15 credits
    Principles of Data Analytics

    This course aims at preparing you for the field of data analytics in the context of the modern job market's demands with multiple analytics techniques. In the era of big data and AI,  you will learn the essential methodological steps of data analysis, from understanding data collection to extracting actionable insights. You will explore analytical techniques and tools necessary for identifying hidden information and making informed business decisions. Hands-on projects and real-world scenarios will equip you with the practical skills to address common challenges in data analytics, setting a strong foundation for further exploration in the field.

     This course is designed to deepen your understanding of the critical importance of rigorous methodology in data analysis and to equip you with a robust toolkit of data analytics techniques. Emphasizing the fundamental principles of statistical analysis, the course offers hands-on experience in applying these techniques effectively. You  will benefit from collaborative learning opportunities and insights drawn from the latest theoretical and applied research in the field. This interactive approach not only enhances understanding but also fosters an environment of peer learning and continuous engagement with cutting-edge data analytics practices.

    15 credits
    Marketing in Society

    This unit deals with the social context of marketing. It draws on a variety of issues engaging contemporary marketing practice and examines the implication of the the adoption of the marketing concept as one of the dominant business aproaches, as well as its widening use as a tool for framing and solving societal issues.

    15 credits
    Marketing Research

    You will gain an understanding on how to conduct research in marketing management and will evaluate the process and practices of marketing research through the use of different research designs and methods. You will also  examine various types of analytical methods and develop different research skills through the this module.

    15 credits
    Project Dissertation

    This unit requires the student to research a topic appropriate to the field of management. The topic chosen by the student must receive approval from a supervisor. A dissertation written by the student should be delivered to the School at the conclusion of the study. The study, and the resulting dissertation, may take the form of an academic research or of a managerial problem-solving exercise. In either case, it requires the student to apply critical analysis and to set the issues within the context of appropriate management literature.

    45 credits

    The content of our courses is reviewed annually to make sure it's up-to-date and relevant. Individual modules are occasionally updated or withdrawn. This is in response to discoveries through our world-leading research; funding changes; professional accreditation requirements; student or employer feedback; outcomes of reviews; and variations in staff or student numbers. In the event of any change we will inform students and take reasonable steps to minimise disruption.

    Open days

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    Book your place on our next postgraduate online open day

    You can also register your interest to find out more about studying here and future events.

    Duration

    1 year full-time

    Teaching

    • Lectures
    • Seminars
    • Tutorials
    • Computer-based laboratories

    Assessment

    • Reports
    • Portfolios
    • Group and individual presentations
    • Case studies
    • Dissertation

    Your career

    This course will prepare you for a career in the fast-paced and evolving world of digital marketing. You’ll graduate with advanced knowledge of digital marketing and applied practical skills that you can take into the workplace. We’ll also teach you how to approach digital marketing in a socially responsible way, giving you a competitive edge for your career.

    Our careers and employability teams are here to support you with any career related questions. You'll have access to career appointments, a wide range of workshops, and up-to-date resources to help you achieve your full potential.

    The MSc Digital Marketing prepares students to thrive in one of the fastest-evolving professions. With hands-on training in social media management, content strategy, influencer engagement and the use of generative AI, graduates will be work-ready from day one. Their ability to balance cutting-edge digital skills with responsible marketing practice makes them highly attractive to employers who want both impact and integrity in their marketing teams.

    Sanjay Parekh

    Entrepreneur and Business Leader

    School

    Management School

    We are a leading management school with Triple Crown accreditation (AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS). These awards have been achieved through the outstanding quality of our programmes, research output, support for students and alumni, and links with industry. We have a world-class reputation for high quality teaching, ground-breaking research and cutting-edge thinking.

    You’ll be part of a dynamic and engaging management school that puts you and your future at the heart of everything it does. We balance a rigorous academic foundation with practical skills to ensure you are ready for the world of work.

    We want you to develop skills so you can apply course content in a company setting. Our close links with organisations keep us in tune with the changing demands of the workplace. We know what employers are looking for.

    You'll learn from experts - many are former industry professionals and they work closely with businesses. Because our academics are world-leading researchers, your education will draw on the most current management theories.

    We want you to engage with the academic content, be conscientious and take an independent approach to study. We want you to be informed, innovative and proactive and do everything we can to support and enhance your career, steering you in the right direction with all the knowledge and skills you require.

    You'll benefit from tailored on-site and online professional careers support, dedicated skills sessions and events with experts from world-leading organisations and professional bodies. These activities will help guide your personal and professional development to help you secure your dream placement, internship or graduate role.

    Entry requirements

    Minimum 2:1 undergraduate honours degree in any subject.

    We also consider a wide range of international qualifications:

    Entry requirements for international students

    We assess each application on the basis of the applicant’s preparation and achievement as a whole. We may accept applicants whose qualifications don’t meet the published entry criteria but have other experience relevant to the course.

    If required degree subjects and modules are listed, these are indicative only. Sometimes we may accept subjects or modules that aren’t listed, and sometimes we may not accept subjects or modules that are listed, depending on the content studied.

    English language requirements

    IELTS 6.5 (with 6 in each component) or University equivalent

    Other requirements

    We will not ask you to provide references or referee details as part of your application.

    We do not require a supporting statement for this programme.

    If you have any questions about entry requirements, please contact the school.

    Fees and funding

    Alumni discount

    Save up to £2,500 on your course fees

    Are you a Sheffield graduate? You could save up to £2,500 on your postgraduate taught course fees, subject to eligibility.

    Apply

    You can apply now using our Postgraduate Online Application Form. It's a quick and easy process.

    Apply now

    Contact

    Start a conversation with us â€“ you can get in touch by email, telephone or online chat.

    Contacts for prospective students

    Any supervisors and research areas listed are indicative and may change before the start of the course.

    Our student protection plan

    Recognition of professional qualifications: from 1 January 2021, in order to have any UK professional qualifications recognised for work in an EU country across a number of regulated and other professions you need to apply to the host country for recognition. Read and the .