Is it really worth doing a Digital Marketing Masters? The MSc in Digital Marketing?

A Masters (MSc) in Digital Marketing marks out a tiny fraction of the world’s marketing practitioners.

The program is a challenging and rewarding experience that can help people in corporate and consulting roles elevate their value to their organisations and clients while returning significant personal benefits.

Studying for a Masters in Marketing / Digital Marketing may be expensive and intense, but there are many benefits.

In this new post, we explore some of the frequently asked questions around committing to studying for a MSc in Digital Marketing.

Studying for a masters level digital marketing qualification is an exciting prospect and there are a number of reasons students choose to study.

The following are some of the most common reasons for pursuing a MSc in Digital Marketing:

• Making yourself more employable
• Meeting the evolving requirements of a current role
• Opening up access to more senior roles
• Developing a specialist interest and deeper understanding
• Entering a particular profession or sector
• Progressing to further qualifications (such as a PhD).

A MSc in Digital Marketing can also help mid-career professionals work for themselves, support the attainment of Chartered Marketer status and provide a new peer group of useful industry contacts and connections.

However, Masters level study, as you may know having arrived at this post with some knowledge, is intense and often comes with a significant price tag because of the depth of material.

Any reputable provider will run an application process and you’ll definitely need relevant work experience at a reasonable level in order to understand and apply the learning.

Masters qualifications in the UK are generally highly regarded by employers and this translates well around the world too.

Postgraduates were also more likely to be in high-skilled employment (professional or managerial roles). (Source – GOV.UK – Graduate labour market statistics: 2020)

For some roles in some sectors, potentially senior, strategic team-management roles in large corporates, a Masters in a marketing discipline is essential, while for many others it is highly beneficial.

As the world goes digital, having an MSc in Digital Marketing could give you a crucial competitive edge in a very crowded job market. It supports the modern thinking of the T-shaped Marketer and helps employers distinguish between candidates.

If you’re already working in your preferred industry, an MSc in Digital Marketing could lead to rapid career progression, especially if you take charge of specific digital transformation projects and succeed. Adding value to your organisation with a live project as part of the study might mean your employer supports your study financially.

You will only benefit fully from a MSc in Digital Marketing if it’s complemented by relevant work experience. And that’s the reason most application processes insist on this and the ability to identify a project for the assessment part of the qualification.

Obtaining any type of Masters qualification can be expensive, at times time-consuming and when approaching key deadlines, emotionally draining. Therefore you need to be clear on your reasons for studying carefully. Depending on the learning provider, a digital marketing master course may cost anything between £8K and £20K.

In comparison to first undergraduate degrees and follow on PhD and MBA options, Masters qualifications offer real value.

Postgraduates earn 10% per annum or more compared to undergraduate counterparts. (Source – GOV.UK – Graduate labour market statistics: 2020)

Some applicants may incorrectly assume that a MSc in Digital Marketing will automatically mean they earn more.

Yes, having a qualification shows you’ve attained more knowledge, learned new processes and considered their application, but it requires you to make the most of your studies in the real world.

You may want to consider the following points to ensure MSc in Digital Marketing study meets your expectations, and return on investments as quickly as possible:

• Show real-world and daily passion for your subject, role, industry
• Consider whether MSc in Digital Marketing study will boost your credentials in your existing role and industry
• Have a career plan and understand that an MSc offers the best way of achieving your career goals
• Apply for roles where there is an appreciation of an MSc and what it represents
• Identify people who have already travelled your path.

Your goals need to be crystal clear, especially if you find yourself self funding your study.

You’ll usually need a 2:1 at Bachelors (undergraduate) level, or an equivalent qualification, to be accepted onto a MSc in Digital Marketing course of study.

However, applicants with a 2:2, a third, or no undergraduate degree at all may be considered provided they have appropriate in-role professional experience.

If English isn’t your first language, you’ll also need to prove proficiency with a recognised language test so you can make best use of the materials and not struggle, such as:

• International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
• Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)
• Pearson Test of English Academic (PTE Academic)
• Cambridge English Language Assessment.

Most providers will have listed contacts and a specific application process.

Masters level study must fit around your lifestyle, so identifying the mode of study that’s right for you is essential.

You’ll certainly need to decide between full-time or part-time study. This depends on whether you are yet to start your working career or are already in a role.

Full-time study is the most common and suits continuing students. You’ll work intensively for the duration of the programme, achieving your qualification inside twelve months, subject to completion of assessments.

Part-time study supports students with family commitments and/or in full-time employment. You may need to find 8-10 hours a week and you’ll complete the course in 24-30 months.

At the time of writing, most providers are offering predominantly online only programmes but blended learning (part online, part face-to-face) and block learning (intense periods often weekends) may return in time.

If you’ve got this far, these are the questions you need to ask yourself before thinking of applying for an MSc in Digital Marketing:

• Am I fully aware of the level of commitment required to undertake Masters study?
• Am I excited by the opportunity to complete another, even longer dissertation or research project?
• Can I afford Masters study, in terms of tuition fees and living costs?
• Am I willing to accrue more graduate debt, or alternatively make potentially lengthy applications for funding?
• Am I willing to live on a budget in order to cover living expenses, while my friends are in full-time employment?
• Will a MSc in Digital Marketing postgraduate qualification improve my career prospects?
• Is an MSc in Digital Marketing qualification rated highly by employers within my ideal industry?
• Will a MSc in Digital Marketing qualification equip me with the specific skills needed for my ideal career?
• Will my studies allow me to qualify as a professional?
• Am I genuinely passionate about the qualification and subject?
• Am I certain that the courses that I’m looking at are right for me?

If you’d like to learn more about the MMC Learning MSc in Digital Marketing (run in conjunction with Manchester Metropolitan University and taught by luminaries including Dr Dave Chaffey), find out more here.