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Marketing Practice (MSc)
MSc (Marketing Practice)
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Course Overview
The MSc Marketing Practice is a unique action-based learning programme, which has successfully helped newly qualified graduates kick start their career in Marketing for over forty years.
This award-winning programme involves a 37-week paid professional Marketing work placement, six taught modules, an applied project, along with on-site visits to companies recognised as world leaders in the practice of Marketing. In the work placement, students can seek to focus on a specific area of marketing such as digital marketing, brand management, marketing analytics and inside sales, or can seek a general marketing role in a company.
This is made possible by the broad range of companies who apply to take students from this programme every year, from tech start-ups to multi-nationals, across every conceivable sector, located all around the country. The Marketing Discipline at University of Galway collaborates with Irish-based companies to define challenging job specifications for students on the programme.
Time spent on the University of Galway campus includes an initial three-week ‘Marketing Immersion’ along with three subsequent workshops. Taught modules are designed to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills they need to excel in a Marketing role in an organisation today. The modules are delivered through blended learning, both on campus and online. Ongoing assignments ensure continuous learning and are designed to help students apply critical thinking, innovation and creativity in bringing value to their host companies.
To learn more about this amazing programme, click the link below to hear from our current students and graduates!
Scholarships
J.E. Cairnes School of Business and Economics is committed to attracting high calibre students from around the world. We are offering Merit Scholarships across all of our Taught Master's programmes. To be eligible candidates must have achieved a H1 (or international equivalent) in their primary degree and scholarships are offered on a competitive basis. All candidates who meet these criteria and have accepted a place on the programme are automatically considered for a scholarship. Scholarships are awarded up to 50% of the programme tuition fees. Click here to learn more.
Applications and Selections
Applications are made online via the University of Galway Postgraduate Applications System.
As part of your application you must provide a two-page Curriculum Vitae. It is strongly recommended that you follow the Personal Statement and CV Guidelines available here: MSc (Marketing Practice) Personal Statement & CV Guidelines
Who Teaches this Course
Requirements and Assessment
Students avail of 100% continuous assessment as part of the MSc Marketing Practice.
A range of assessment methods are integrated and applied throughout the programme. These include report writing, group projects, presentations, and multiple workshops throughout the academic year. Students also work on an Applied Marketing Project from the beginning of their placement.
Key Facts
Entry Requirements
MSc (Marketing Practice) Personal Statement & CV Guidelines
Normally a high H2.2 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) with a specialisation in Marketing. A requirement of accepting an offer of a place on this programme is that graduates are willing to be placed in a host company anywhere in the country. The programme is only available to EU students due to visa requirements.
Additional Requirements
Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)
Duration
1 year, full-time
Next start date
September 2024
A Level Grades ()
Average intake
30
QQI/FET FETAC Entry Routes
Closing Date
Extended from original closing date: now accepting applications on rolling basis.
NFQ level
Mode of study
ECTS weighting
90
Award
MSc
CAO
Course code
MSC-MKP
Course Outline
The programme runs from September to July. Graduates complete a three week immersion programme prior to starting a 37-week paid work placement with their host company. Students on this programme are paid €550 gross per week (€570 in Dublin) by their host company for the duration of their placement with their company.
During their placement typical tasks undertaken by the students include:
- Digital marketing management and implementation;
- Market research;
- Event management, particularly trade show planning and participation;
- Development of promotional material and advertising campaigns;
- Online marketing, including website maintenance, search engine optimisation and social media management;
- Database management and direct mail campaigns;
- Strategic marketing planning, including market segmentation.
Ultimately, the precise nature of marketing activities undertaken will be determined by the nature of the host organisation and the industry context.
During placement students return to campus to complete taught modules:
[an error occurred while processing this directive]Why Choose This Course?
Career Opportunities
Graduates are highly sought after given the strong reputation of this programme. Graduates build successful marketing careers regionally, nationally and globally in organisations across all sectors imaginable. Recruiting graduates of the programme are Google, Hubspot, SAP, IBM, Salesforce, Oracle, LinkedIn, Facebook, Yahoo, L’Oreal, Glanbia, Tesco, IKEA, AIB, Glaxo Smith Kline, Wayfair, Pathfinder, Smyths Toys and Bord Bia. Many less-well-known but equally dynamic and progressive organisations of all sizes also recruit graduates! Many start in graduate positions and quickly progress within these organisations.
Variety of Host Companies
The Marketing Discipline at University of Galway collaborates with Irish based companies to define job specifications for students on the programme. Companies of all sizes apply to become host companies on this programme, from tech start-ups to multinationals across every imaginable sector.
Mentoring
The module coordinator and Programme Director provide ongoing mentoring and support to graduates throughout their placement. In-company visits are carried out to review and facilitate graduates’ progress and performance.
Marketing Skills Training
As well as the three week induction programme, graduates return to campus for workshops. The taught modules are Marketing Practice for Sustainable Value, Website Strategy and Management, Marketing Placement, Inbound Marketing Strategy, Research Insights for Marketing Decision Makers, Digital Metrics and Analytics and Digital Sales & Marketing Alignment.
Graduates also complete an Applied Marketing Project on behalf of their host company.
Paid Professional Placement
Students on this programme are paid €550 gross (€570) per week by their host company for the duration of their placement with their company.
Who’s Suited to This Course
Learning Outcomes
Transferable Skills Employers Value
Work Placement
Study Abroad
Related Student Organisations
Course Fees
Fees: EU
€11,140 p.a. (including levy) 2024/25
Fees: Tuition
€11,000 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Student levy
€140 p.a. 2024/25
Fees: Non EU
€
Paid Professional Placement:
Please note, students on this programme are paid €550 gross per week by their host company for the duration of their placement with their company.
Find out More
Programme Director:
Ms Sinead Duane
E: marketingpractice@universityofgalway.ie
Programme Administrator:
Mr Ronan Joyce
E: marketingpractice@universityofgalway.ie
Quick Links
What Our Graduates Say
Eoghan McGregor | Account Manager, Google
I know I wouldn't be where I am today without the programme. I hit the ground running when I finished and I haven’t looked back since! I would recommend it to anyone who really wants to drive their career in the right direction. This should be the stepping stone and foundation for anyone who wants to pursue an exciting career in marketing.
Emma Roche | Marketing and Brand Executive at Irish Pride Fine Foods
I am absolutely LOVING my work placement as the experience that I’m gaining is incredible. It will be a massive selling point for me in any interview after my placement, as it is allowing me to apply my learnings in a real work environment. I have a huge amount of responsibility and have designed and implemented a number of different campaigns for new product launches and co-promotions e.g. The Irish Pride Bunsters & Calor BBQ Summer Promotion. I also enjoyed the workshops organised in Galway. They are always extremely interesting and beneficial to both myself and the company. One of my favourite aspects of the programme was the assignments we undertook. These are all designed to further enable us to add value to our organisations.
Darragh Broderick | Inbound Marketing Specialist at Brightwork
I chose the MSc (Marketing Practice) to fulfil my ambition of becoming an accomplished marketing professional. This course promised practical learning far superior to that of a classroom and it has absolutely delivered. I have developed relevant and differentiating marketing skills and acquired experiences which I am confident will serve me throughout my career.
Jane Cullen | Marketing Executive at MediaHQ
The MSc (Marketing Practice) in NUI Galway contained all of the necessary elements to develop myself as a marketing professional. My favourite part of the programme was the placement. Throughout the year, I created and managed several projects for my host company. This experience allowed me to put theory into practice and coupled with lecturer feedback, provided the richest and most rewarding learning opportunities of the course. I would recommend it to anyone who really wants to drive their career in the right direction.
Jennifer O' Leary | ESB Innovation Marketing Assistant
I was absolutely thrilled when I was accepted onto the MSc (Marketing Practice) programme. I can honestly say it has been one of the most rewarding and challenging years of my life. This masters is exactly what I wanted when finishing my undergrad – hands on experience, challenging and to learn as much as possible. I really enjoyed doing each assignment because you learn so much which each one. There is also a fantastic support system in NUIG. One of my highlights of the year was that I got the opportunity to interview many marketing professionals during my research and project manage events of over 100 people. Your assignments come to life in this masters, and there is no better feeling watching your work being implemented in the work place!! I feel this course has given me the best start on my marketing career and I am so thankful I was accepted!
Michaela Browne | Marketing Executive - Burke Insurances Ltd
I was placed in Burke Insurances, an insurance brokerage in Galway. My placement was a little different to others in that I worked for Burke Insurances Monday to Wednesday and on Thursday and Friday I worked for a group of 18 brokerages based all across Ireland part of the Source Broker Network. At first, this sounded a little daunting to me, that I would be essentially working for two different companies; however, looking back now I couldn’t imagine my placement any other way. I have learned so many new skills, I have developed old skills, I have practiced marketing and I have learned a lot about myself. Upon completion of this programme, I feel confident that I have developed the right skills I need in order to go out into the working world. I feel that I can bring what I learned from my placement into any company which I move to next. Read Michaela’s blog about the programme at: https://jecairnes.wordpress.com/2017/05/07/msc-marketing-practice-michaelas-blog/
Laura O'Dea | Marketing Executive - Kinara Skin Care
I feel extremely privileged to have been afforded the opportunity to study the MSc (Marketing Practice) programme at NUI Galway. What I loved about the programme was the opportunities within it, such as the work placement, the opportunity to work in a new environment and to expand your business profile". I loved every minute of my work placement and gained so many new skills on a daily basis. The teaching and leadership at every stage of the course was exceptional.
Ryan Ludden | Business Development Manager at App Design
I chose the MSc (Marketing Practice) as I wanted to physically apply the learnings from my Bachelor of Commerce (Global) Degree to my working career and the course provided the perfect platform to do just that! I got the exciting opportunity to work within a tech start up environment where I helped to bring the Marketing and Sales knowledge I had learned to the forefront of the business, helping it to turn what was only a concept at the start of my placement into a viable product and business today. The level of satisfaction in being able to achieve such a feat is incredibly rewarding and has provided me with skills that can be applied within any company I work for in the future. The MSc (Marketing Practice) provided me with the perfect stage to showcase what I could bring to the table for a company and the students within the course allowed for an incredibly collaborative environment that helped one another succeed and learn from each other to further develop our marketing skills.
Mónica Tuset Riotorto | Sales Development Specialist at Matheworks
Having a second language opens up many incredible employment opportunities, particularly in the areas of Sales & Marketing as many companies look to move into new markets. In this respect, I believe that this programme is ideal for international students, as it will allow them to capitalise on such opportunities and secure fantastic sales & marketing positions. The MSc (Marketing Practice) really helped me get to where I am today!
Niamh Hunt | Marketing Assistant at Neuravi
The MSc (Marketing Practice) has been the best way to jump-start my career in Marketing! The practical, hands-on learning aspect of the course helped develop many marketing skills which will differentiate us throughout our career. Completing the 37 week placement was an exciting, learning and challenging experience which provided many opportunities. Throughout my year, I managed, coordinated and attended numerous events abroad for my host company. This year allowed me to put all my learning from my undergrad into practice and develop many vital marketing skills. The group of lecturers, leaders and contributors to this course have a wealth of knowledge to share with the class. I would highly recommend this fun, practical, interactive masters programme to anyone pursuing a career in Marketing!
Amy French | Marketing & Communications Executive, ESB International
NUI Galway’s MSc (Marketing Practice) really appealed to me because of the structure of the course. What I loved most about it was the work placement element. As part of my role as Marketing & Communications Executive with ESB International I worked on several projects, creating value for my host company, but also applying the skills and knowledge I learned in college to real working situations. I learned skills during my time with ESB International that I would never have learned in the classroom. The online lectures, assignments and workshops provided by NUI Galway were second to none, working with industry professionals on interesting and relevant topics that could be applied to the host company. The course is ever evolving and designed to be relevant to all situations at all times. I would highly recommend the MSc Marketing Practice to anyone looking to progress in their career in marketing.
Jessica Daly | Digital Marketing Executive at TitanHQ
The MSc (Marketing Practice) is an invaluable course for anyone who wants to begin a career in Marketing. As the duration of the masters takes place in our host companies, it is excellent way to gain practical experience. I was fortunate to learn from extremely skilled colleagues in areas such as Search Engine Marketing, something I would have never been able to do in a classroom. The Masters was an exciting, rewarding and challenging hands on experience which built on my marketing skills as well as broadening and diversifying my knowledge and skillset. The benefits of the MSc Marketing Practice are endless, and have prepared me to move further towards an exciting marketing career.
Michelle Murray | Buyer/Planner at Medtronic
The MSc (Marketing Practice) provides a mix of practical learning and theory. I was placed with one of my favourite health food brands and am lucky to say that I am currently working in my dream job! I have developed skills such as content marketing, social media, event organisation, market research and email marketing and the experience and skills gained will definitely stand to me for the future. For anyone considering this Masters, I couldn't recommend it enough as the mix of lectures, workshops and work placement is an excellent foundation to set your career on the right path!
AACSB - Global Accreditation
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