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MSC CONSUMER INSIGHTS AND BRANDING STRATEGY
- Qualification
- Master Of Science Degree
- CAO/MU Apply code
- MH94D
- Award Type and NFQ level
- Taught Masters (9)
- Study Mode
- Full time
- Closing Date
- 30 June 2025
Overview
In a dynamic, rapidly changing business world, marketers need to understand how to build brands and maintain strong brands over time. Strong brands are central to a company’s success. Organisations in the consumer goods, luxury, services, business-to-business, non-profit and sports sectors all benefit from having strong brands. This programme targets the critical need for expertise in branding strategy.
In addition, most modern businesses place an emphasis on understanding consumer behaviour to drive their marketing and branding strategies. Effective branding strategies help to generate positive customer responses such as brand recognition, word of mouth, brand trust, and brand loyalty. Gaining consumer insights helps firms to plan, drive and evaluate their marketing strategies, to develop and maintain their brands, and to evaluate the effectiveness of branding activities. This programme is unique as it focuses on consumer insights to address these needs, and to inform branding strategies.
The practice of branding and brand management is always evolving. External forces, including the impact of new technologies, demographic changes, and a greater need for sustainability, corporate responsibility and authenticity, affect the world that brands inhabit. Successful brand strategists are able to navigate the ever-changing environment and utilise consumer insights to make better marketing decisions. Our approach to learning gives you the opportunity to develop knowledge and gain practical experience through project-led modules that also provide invaluable skills.
Course structure
Duration: 1 year full-time
This challenging and demanding programme is fast-paced, developing a high level of competence in consumer insights and branding strategy across the programme.
In our modules, you will have the opportunity to develop skills that are relevant to gaining consumer insights and developing branding strategy in industry today, and to benefit from insights from our research active faculty, and industry contacts. You will also get to experience our ‘Marketing Live’ module.
Our final semester permits you to work on placement with an industry partner, or design and implement branding activities for an organisation, or undertake an academic dissertation.
Modules are delivered over two semesters (September–January and February–May) with the Business Consulting Project/Placement/Dissertation conducted between May and August.
Disclaimer
The modules below are indicative of the content associated with this course of study.
The modules are subject to change as the curriculum is revised and reviewed annually.
Careers after Grad Degree
The MSc in Consumer Insights and Branding Strategy provides students with clear differentiation that aligns with industry needs.
The programme offers a path to advanced positions in marketing and branding, in roles including product or brand management, brand consulting, brand activation, social media marketing for brands, customer engagement, customer and marketing experience management, and consumer insights management.
Entry Requirements
Candidates should have a minimum 2.2 grade honours (level 8) degree in a business discipline and/or media, psychology or psychological studies.
Candidates with a minimum 2.2 grade honours (level 8) degree in any discipline who can demonstrate significant experience in business-to-consumer marketing or branding will also be considered.
In exceptional circumstances consideration will be given to candidates who do not hold a primary degree, but who do have at least 10 years relevant work experience at least 3 of which must be in a management position in business-to-consumer marketing or branding. This is done through the Maynooth
University Procedure for Non-Standard Entrants and Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning.
International applicants must have a recognised primary degree in business and/or media, psychology or psychological studies, which is considered equivalent to Irish university primary degree (Level 8) at 2.2. Candidates with a minimum 2.2 grade honours (level 8) degree in any discipline who can demonstrate significant experience in business-to-consumer marketing or branding will also be considered.
Minimum English language requirements: please visit Maynooth UniversityInternational Office websitefor information about English language tests accepted and required scores. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and non-EU applicants.
National University of Ireland Maynooth’s TOEFL code is 8850
How to apply
Online application only. To make an application please click here.
To apply for your chosen postgraduate study at Maynooth University, please ensure you have the following documents to make an application:
- Evidence of your primary degree
- Academic transcripts
- A copy of your passport
- A personal statement
- Your CV
Applicants for whom English is not their first language are required to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study. For information about English language tests accepted and required scores, please see here. The requirements specified are applicable for both EU and International applicants.