Taught course

International Marketing

Institution
Heriot-Watt University · Edinburgh Business School
Qualifications
PGDipMSc

Entry requirements

A good Honours degree (first or second class) or its non-UK equivalent in a relevant subject from a recognised British or overseas university.

English language requirements

If your first language is not English, or your first degree was not taught in English, we'll need to see evidence of your English language ability.

The minimum English language requirement for entry to this programme is IELTS 6.5 (or equivalent) with no component lower than 6.0.

If you do not have IELTS 6.5, we offer a range of English language courses to help you meet the English language requirement for this programme prior to commencing your studies:

  • 20 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 14 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.0 with minimum of 5.0 in writing and no skill lower than 4.5)
  • 10 weeks English (for IELTS of 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.0)
  • 6 weeks English (for IELTS 5.5 with no skill lower than 5.5)

Months of entry

September

Course content

Overview

The MSc International Marketing programme provides you with detailed knowledge of contemporary marketing concepts and in-depth insight into the boundaries of how international marketing affects everyday life. The programme has been specifically designed to meet the current and emerging demands of the industry, by exploring the impact and added value marketing has for various kinds of stakeholders, to ensure you are highly sought after upon graduation.

During the master’s programme, you’ll develop knowledge to define and explain key marketing and international marketing terms and parameters and become aware of the range of marketing theories and models available for supporting and understanding a range of international marketing issues and problems. You’ll critically evaluate the role of marketing within both national and international contexts, including the exploration of how policies, programmes, strategies, and resources are selected and implemented. You’ll develop problem-solving skills for various marketing and international marketing scenarios and generate strategic options for resolving such problems.

Each course will equip you with highly employable expertise and skills across marketing. You’ll have the opportunity to choose two optional courses – from strategic innovation management, the legal context or marketing, entrepreneurship and creativity, managing diversity in business, social media marketing, heritage and cultural marketing, and contemporary business technology – to customise your learning and develop your specific marketing interests. Your international marketing dissertation will allow you to engage in an independent in-depth critical examination of a particular marketing topic, which is of interest to you.

You’ll benefit from the industry relevance of the programme, which will set you up for life after graduation. Upon completion, you’ll be able to use a significant range of professional skills, techniques, practices and materials to develop original, creative and practical responses to commercial and digital marketing problems and issues. You’ll gain the skills to deal with complex issues and make judgements in situations in the absence of complete or consistent data, as encountered in real-life international marketing environments. Beyond the subject-specific knowledge and skills, you’ll be given the opportunity to learn and practice transferrable skills such as presentation, communication, analytical, teamwork and ICT skills.

Our Expertise

Your learning will be informed by the expertise of our research-active academics whose work covers four key areas:

  • Employment, Work and the Professions
  • Logistics and Sustainability
  • Networks and Enterprise Excellence
  • Social and Economic Data Analysis

Your learning environment

The MSc International Marketing programme is taught through a combination of lectures, tutorials and group work allowing you to get to know and build relationships with your peers, the teaching staff and academics. You will be assessed by independent work and coursework and will receive support and feedback throughout the programme.

Outside of the classroom, you can join Heriot-Watt’s Marketing Society which holds regular social events, hosts speakers from industries, and provides networking opportunities and insights into marketing career opportunities by working closely with the support of the academic tutors.

Customise your learning

You’ll learn from the core six courses on the syllabus, with the choice of two optional courses to focus on the area of international marketing that interests you the most. This gives you the opportunity to customise your degree to match your specific interests or career pathway by selecting a specialist course option.

In semester three, you’ll explore in-depth your chosen area of international marketing through your dissertation. You will be required to demonstrate your mastery of the subject area by developing new insight from the analysis of valuable primary research.

You can choose whether to study the programme full-time, part-time, or by course. This flexibility allows you to fit your postgraduate studies around your lifestyle. You can begin the programme either in January or September, based on your availability, and the full-time course will last 12 months full-time or 24 months part-time. If you decide to study part-time, you register for two courses per semester and progress to the dissertation at the end of your second year.

You may have the opportunity to Go Global on our Inter-Campus Transfer. Opportunities for postgraduate study abroad are assessed on a case-by-case basis and if you are interested in studying at our Dubai campus or Malaysia campus for a semester or longer, you should contact the Go Global Team.

Industry

We work closely with the industry to ensure our course content is up-to-date and reflects the current and emerging needs of the industry and employers. You’ll gain the right blend of knowledge, practical skills, and soft skills to set you up for life after graduation.

Upon graduation, MSc International Marketing graduates have progressed to careers in marketing, brand management and communication in the UK and overseas. Graduates have gone on to work for a variety of companies, including AIG, Capri Sun, GAP, Russell and Bromley, and Lorenz Snack-World. The degree will provide you with the crucial blend of international marketing expertise and professional skills that employers so desperately seek. You’ll gain experience in online collaborative working, business communications, and synthesising diverse information sources, which is highly valued by employers worldwide.

Accreditation

The MSc is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) within the Graduate Gateway programmes. You’ll gain credit for prior learning upon completion of your degree or have the option to self-study for a CIM qualification during your programme of study. To gain your CIM certificate, you will need to register for one additional CIM training course and to gain your CIM diploma, you will need to register for two additional courses.

As an MSc International Marketing graduate, you’ll gain exemption from two CIM modules: the Certificate Level Marketing module and the CIM Diploma Level Strategic Marketing module. This exemption is provided at no extra charge and reduces the cost of pursuing this prestigious professional qualification by up to £400.  You’ll have the opportunity to attend CIM networking events which take place on campus, or locally in Edinburgh and Glasgow.

Fees and funding

UK students
£10,736 (full-time) £5,368 (part-time)
International students
£23,248 (full-time) £11,624 (part-time)

See University website

Qualification, course duration and attendance options

  • PGDip
    part time
    21 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    9 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
  • MSc
    part time
    24 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification
    full time
    12 months
    • Campus-based learningis available for this qualification

Course contact details

Name
Admissions Office
Email
studywithus@hw.ac.uk