Postgraduate taught 

Marketing MSc/PgDip/PgCert: Online distance learning

Student working on  a laptop

The University of Glasgow’s online marketing degree is designed for tomorrow’s world. You will study with international faculty at the Adam Smith Business School who are experienced and knowledgeable in both marketing fundamentals and the latest digital trends. Graduate with expertise in advertising, branding, digital marketing, marketing analytics and more. 

Online learning at the University of Glasgow allows you to experience the outstanding education we are known for without the need for relocation. 

  • Online
  • Duration: MSc in Marketing 30 months part‑time
  • PgDip: 24 months part‑time
  • PgCert: 12 months part‑time

Why this programme

Online MSc Marketing at the University of Glasgow

  • The Adam Smith Business School is accredited by AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS, making this online Marketing degree highly attractive to prospective employers.
  • The School is rated one of the top 100 business schools in Europe by the Financial Times in 2023.
  • The Online MSc Marketing at University of Glasgow has been accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) providing students with an opportunity to work towards a professional qualification in marketing alongside their studies. Please note the CIM accreditations apply at the Masters level only.
  • CIM is the leading professional body for marketers worldwide and exists to develop the marketing profession, maintain professional standards and improve the skills of marketing practitioners. University of Glasgow has joined forces with CIM to give students the opportunity to gain professional qualifications through the CIM Accredited Degree partnership.
  • CIM qualifications are highly sought after by employers. This ensures students are equipped with the best opportunities for a successful marketing career. The School’s teaching content has been developed alongside CIM’s learning outcomes to ensure that course content is aligned to industry requirements.
  • The University of Glasgow is also currently ranked 15th in the UK and world top 60 for International Strategic Marketing (Campus Masters) (QS Business Master's Rankings 2025: Marketing).

Top 15 in the UK for International Strategic Marketing QS 2024

  • Your postgraduate studies will begin with courses in marketing, advertising and brand management. These core courses take a modern approach to marketing, as fundamental concepts converge with digital tactics dominating this industry. Master topics in marketing research and pursue optional courses in digital marketing as well as retail, social media, services marketing and marketing ethics, consumption and technology. 
  • The course features contemporary research-led content, input from industry experts, and case studies, featuring everything from start-ups to well-known brands. Study of these subjects are crucial for success in today’s digital, customer-centric environment and ensures that you will graduate as a candidate with skills that are in high demand in the marketing field. 
  • Whatever sector or context you’re working in, you will significantly enhance your value as an employee. You will develop the analytical and critical skills you need to make informed marketing decisions for your organisation.
  • To apply, previous marketing experience is not essential. What is more important is your ambition and a willingness to embrace new marketing ideas and challenges.
  • Through interactive online study you’ll be able to share ideas and create long-lasting networks with your fellow marketeers. 
  • You'll learn from lecturers at the forefront of social sciences research, as 90% of research by our School of Social Sciences is assessed as world-leading and internationally excellent – Research Excellence Framework 2021.
  • Discover where recent graduates are now - read about their current roles and how the programme shaped their career evolution: Our alumni success stories

Adam Smith Business School is triple accredited

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Programme structure

After exploring core subjects such as marketing management, analytics and customer behaviour in year 1 and the beginning of year 2, you will select two optional 10 credit courses in the second year.

Before graduating you will need to complete a dissertation, where you will need to draw on the concepts, theories and research you have learnt throughout the programme.

The University of Glasgow specially adapts programmes to the online format. You will attend interactive lectures, seminars and individual tutorials. You will also build important connections with fellow students by taking part in project and team work.

To help support your learning experience, the 100% online programme offers a mix of engaging learning styles such as video, discussion boards, interactive quizzes, recorded and live seminars, journals and ebooks. Please note that interaction in online environments is not usually in real time, but this may be experienced occasionally.

Our expert staff will assess your progression through each course in a variety of ways. This may include essays, discussions, blogs, online presentations, interactive quizzes, assignments or group work. Details of these assignments are found in your induction.

Taken on a part-time basis, the duration of this marketing programme is 2.5 to 6 years depending on the credential obtained. 

To discover more about the programme watch our webinar or visit our articles section for for more information.

For more detailed information on our courses, click the links below. 

Year 1

In year 1 take 3 x 20 credit core courses.

PgCert, PgDip and MSc:

Year 2

In year 2 take 2 x 20 credit core courses and 2 x 10 credit optional courses.

PgDip and MSc:

Optional courses (select two of the below):

Year 3

MSc: 1 x 60 credit dissertation in year 3.

This program helped me to deepen my knowledge in consumer studies and I managed to find a dream job in market research.” – Natela Tcaava, Online MSc Marketing student

Programme outcomes

  • Apply relevant theories and methodologies from across the marketing discipline to support your decisions.
  • Identify international market opportunities, preparing you for a career in a range of enterprises.
  • Evaluate marketing against other management functions such as finance and HR.
  • Combine marketing expertise with other management functions both inside and outside of a business.
  • Undertake international marketing in a dynamic, networked, international and culturally diverse economy.
  • Recognise and explain current theory and methodology of marketing to drive marketing decisions in organisations.
  • Apply marketing theory and methodology in an international and domestic context.
  • Identify market opportunities and identify threats within a range of business contexts.
  • Construct advanced marketing research activity.
  • Apply analytical skills in marketing and other business environments.
  • Deliver oral and written communication and design and deliver pitches.

Programme alteration or discontinuation
The University of Glasgow endeavours to run all programmes as advertised. In exceptional circumstances, however, the University may withdraw or alter a programme. For more information, please see: Student contract.

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Career prospects

Careers in this area are highly rewarding, both financially and creatively. In 2023, the marketing industry's hiring landscape is pivoting towards skills-based recruitment, as highlighted by LinkedIn's insights. The top 10 essential abilities sought by employers include expertise in social media strategy, proficient management and communication, leadership, and project management, vital digital marketing skills applicable across domains, adept communication for resonating strategies especially in remote setups, the ability to coordinate strategies and marketing efforts cohesively, strong leadership translating organizational activities into compelling narratives, adept project management for juggling diverse tasks, skilled advertising proficiency in identifying, selling to, and demonstrating value to customers, and ultimately, customer service excellence as marketing's core lies in understanding and serving customer needs.

Holding an online Marketing degree from Glasgow opens many doors. It unlocks careers such as roles in marketing management and brand development — but it also offers the flexibility to specialise in particular areas or transition into a related field.

By exploring marketing theory through real world application, our accredited online master’s degree in marketing will enhance your career opportunities across multiple sectors, in both traditional and digital contexts.  Current students work as marketing specialists and managers in fields such as business development, hospitality, sales, retail, project management, communications and education.

By being able to apply to apply what I’ve learned, exceed, and surpass work expectations and goals, I was promoted several times and received new benefits.” – Petar Vidovic, Online MSc Marketing student

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Fees & funding

MSc

UK / EU / International:

  • £15,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgDip

UK / EU / International:

  • £10,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits

PgCert

UK / EU / International:

  • £5,000 (total cost)

You can pay in instalments of £1,667 per 20 credits.

Fee information is subject to change and is for guidance only.

Additional fees

  • Fee for re-assessment of a dissertation (PGT programme): £370
  • Submission of thesis after deadline lapsed: £350
  • Registration/exam only fee: £170

Funding opportunities

UK Study Online Scholarship

The UK Study Online scholarship is open to UK, EU and international students taking online undergraduate and postgraduate courses. 

Please see UK Study Online for more details.

Alumni Discount

In response to the current unprecedented economic climate, the University is offering a 20% discount on all Postgraduate Research and full Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni, commencing study in Academic session 2025/26. This includes University of Glasgow graduates and those who have completed a Study Abroad programme, International Summer School programme or the Erasmus Programme at the University of Glasgow. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes. This discount can be awarded alongside most University scholarships.

Postgraduate Loans for Welsh Students

If you are a Welsh student looking to study a postgraduate programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a Welsh University.

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

For more information visit Student Finance Wales

Postgraduate Student Loan (NI)

If you are a Northern Irish student looking to study a taught Masters programme* in Glasgow then you can apply for a student loan in exactly the same way as you would for a University in Northern Ireland.

Northern Irish students are able to apply for non-means-tested tuition fee loans of up to £5,500, to help with the costs of funding.

For more information visit www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/types-of-finance/postgraduate .

* does not apply to Erasmus Mundus programmes

The scholarships above are specific to this programme. For more funding opportunities search the scholarships database

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Entry requirements

2.2 Hons (or non-UK equivalent) in any subject.

We welcome candidates with non-academic qualifications and backgrounds, on the basis of highly relevant work experience or demonstrated interest. Candidates with more than three years’ work experience will be considered. For more information on this, please contact us.

When submitting your application, please include:

  • Your Curriculum Vitae
  • A supporting statement

Are you interested in confirming your eligibility and reserving your place on our online programme?
If you meet the above entry criteria and have studied in the UK, Canada, USA, Saudi Arabia or the UAE then we may be able to provide an offer in principle. Submit your degree certificate (or equivalent), including your final overall grade and a copy of your CV to our team here for a check. A member of our team will provide feedback or an offer in principle within 48 hours.*

What is an offer in principle? An offer in principle is an initial offer, letting you know that based on the information you’ve supplied, we think you’re eligible and would love to support you in submitting an application. It is not a formal offer of admission to this university. A formal offer may have conditions attached.

*Terms and conditions apply which will be specified in any offer in principle you receive.

English language requirements

For applicants whose first language is not English, the University sets a minimum English Language proficiency level.

International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic and Academic Online (not General Training)

  • 6.5 with no subtests under 6.0
  • IELTS One Skill Retake Accepted
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Common equivalent English language qualifications for entry to this programme

TOEFL (ibt, mybest or athome)

  • 90 overall with Reading 20; Listening 19; Speaking 19; Writing 21
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements, this includes TOEFL mybest.

Pearsons PTE Academic

  • 59 with minimum 59 in all subtests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Cambridge Proficiency in English (CPE) and Cambridge Advanced English (CAE) 

  • 176 overall, no subtest less than 169
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Oxford English Test

  • 7 overall with no subtest less than 6
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

LanguageCert Academic SELT

  • 70 overall with no subtest less than 60
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Password Skills Plus

  • 6.5 overall with no subtest less than 6.0
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

Trinity College Tests

  • Integrated Skills in English II & III & IV: ISEII Distinction with Distinction in all sub-tests
  • Tests must have been taken within 2 years 5 months of start date. Applicants must meet the overall and subtest requirements using a single test.

University of Glasgow Pre-sessional courses

  • Tests are accepted for 2 years following date of successful completion.

Alternatives to English Language qualification

  • Degree from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have studied for a minimum of 2 years at Undergraduate level, or 9 months at Master's level, and must have completed their degree in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.
  • Undergraduate 2+2 degrees from majority-English speaking country (as defined by the UKVI including Canada if taught in English)
    • students must have completed their final two years study in that majority-English speaking country within the last 6 years.

For international students, the Home Office has confirmed that the University can choose to use these tests to make its own assessment of English language ability for visa applications to degree level programmes. The University is also able to accept UKVI approved Secure English Language Tests (SELT) but we do not require a specific UKVI SELT for degree level programmes. We therefore still accept any of the English tests listed for admission to this programme.

Pre-sessional courses

The University of Glasgow accepts evidence of the required language level from the English for Academic Study Unit Pre-sessional courses. We would strongly encourage you to consider the pre-sessional courses at the University of Glasgow's English for Academic Study (EAS) Unit. Our Pre-sessional courses are the best way to bring your English up to entry level for University study. Our courses give you:

  • direct entry to your University programme for successful students (no need to take IELTS)
  • essential academic skills to help you study effectively at University
  • flexible entry dates so you can join the right course for your level.

For more detail on our pre-sessional courses please see:

We can also consider the pre-sessional courses accredited by the below BALEAP approved institutions to meet the language requirements for admission to our postgraduate taught degrees:

  • Heriot Watt
  • Kingston Upon Thames
  • Middlesex University
  • Manchester University
  • Reading University
  • Edinburgh University
  • ST Andrews University
  • UCL
  • Durham.

 

For further information about English language requirements, please contact the Recruitment and International Office using our enquiry form

Computer requirements for studying online

Broadband internet connection

  • 3 mbps or higher

Internet Browsers

Our online learning platform Moodle is compatible with any standards compliant web browser. This includes:

Desktop:

  • Chrome
  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Edge
  • Internet Explorer

Mobile:

  • MobileSafari
  • Google Chrome

For the best experience and optimum security, we recommend that you keep your browser up to date. 

Javascript needs to be enabled within your browser

Please note: legacy browsers with known compatibility issues with Moodle 3.3 are:

  • Internet Explorer 10 and below
  • Safari 7 and below

Computer specifications

  • Processor: 2GHz
  • Operating system (minimum):
    • Microsoft Windows Vista service pack 1
    • Windows 7
    • Mac OS X v10.4.11+
  • Memory: 3GB of RAM or more
  • Hard disk: 300GB
  • Sound card and microphone
  • Speakers or headphones
  • Monitor and video card with 1024x768 display or higher

Mobile device specifications

  • iOS: latest (Apple Safari & Google Chrome)
  • Android: 4.4+ with latest Google Chrome

Other software

  • Adobe Acrobat Reader
  • Media player e.g. Windows Media Player or VLC
  • Word processing software (that outputs to the following file types for marking online: .doc, .docx, .html, .txt, .rft, .pdf, .ppt, .pptx, .pps, .hwp)
  • Anti-virus software

Advised hardware / software

  • Microsoft Office 2010
  • Headset (ideally with a USB connector)
  • Webcam
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How to apply

To apply for a postgraduate taught degree you must apply online. We cannot accept applications any other way.

Please check you meet the Entry requirements for this programme before you begin your application.

Documents

As part of your online application, you also need to submit the following supporting documents:

  • A copy (or copies) of your official degree certificate(s) (if you have already completed your degree)
  • A copy (or copies) of your official academic transcript(s), showing full details of subjects studied and grades/marks obtained
  • Official English translations of the certificate(s) and transcript(s)
  • One reference letter on headed paper
  • An English language certificate/evidence of your English language ability may be required
  • Any additional documents required for this programme (see Entry requirements for this programme)
  • A copy of the photo page of your passport (non-EU students only)

You have 42 days to submit your application once you begin the process.

You may save and return to your application as many times as you wish to update information, complete sections or upload supporting documents such as your final transcript or your language test.

For more information about submitting documents or other topics related to applying to a postgraduate taught programme, check Frequently Asked Questions

Guidance notes for using the online application

These notes are intended to help you complete the online application form accurately; they are also available within the help section of the online application form. 

If you experience any difficulties accessing the online application, you should visit the Application Troubleshooting/FAQs page.

Please ensure all documents are correctly named and are uploaded before you submit your application to prevent any delays with your file.

All documentation must be attached to your online application, but please remember your student recruitment coordinator is here to support you by reviewing it before you upload it, so feel free to send them over to your student recruitment coordinator before you submit your application. 

  • Name and Date of birth: must appear exactly as they do on your passport. Please take time to check the spelling and lay-out.
  • Contact Details: Correspondence address. All contact relevant to your application will be sent to this address including the offer letter(s). If your address changes, please contact us as soon as possible. 
  • Choice of course: Please select carefully the course you want to study. As your application will be sent to the admissions committee for each course you select it is important to consider at this stage why you are interested in the course and that it is reflected in your application.
  • Proposed date of entry: Please state your preferred start date including the month and the year. Online taught masters degrees begin in January, April and September. 
  • Education and Qualifications: Please complete this section as fully as possible indicating any relevant Higher Education qualifications starting with the most recent. Complete the name of the Institution (s) as it appears on the degree certificate or transcript. It is important to upload official copies of your transcripts and certificates for your full academic history, from Undergraduate onwards. For example, if you have a bachelors and a masters degree, you must send documents from both degrees. 
  • English Language Proficiency: Please state the date of any English language test taken (or to be taken) and the award date (or expected award date if known).
  • Employment and Experience: Please complete this section as fully as possible with all employments relevant to your course. Additional details may be attached in your personal statement/proposal where appropriate.

Reference: Please provide one reference. This should typically be an academic reference but in cases where this is not possible then a reference from a current employer may be accepted instead. Certain programmes, such as the MBA programme, may also accept an employer reference. If you already have a copy of a reference on letter headed paper then please upload this to your application. If you do not already have a reference to upload then please enter your referee’s name and contact details on the online application and we will contact your referee directly.