Marketing Practice

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!

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 €450 gross per week (€470 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:

Year 1 (90 Credits)

Required MK5145: Applied Marketing Project

Required MK5122: Inbound Marketing Strategy

Required MK5150: Website Strategy & Management

Required MK5149: Marketing Practice for Sustainable Value

Required MK586: Marketing Placement

Required MK5152: Research Insights for Marketing Decision Making

Required MK5144: Digital Metrics & Analytics

Required MK5151: Digital Sales & Marketing Alignment

Normally a high H2.2 degree (NFQ Level 8 or equivalent) with a significant 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.

How to apply

We encourage all applicants to apply as early as possible.



Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)

For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specified closing date. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.



Online Application

Applications to most postgraduate programmes at University of Galway are made online via www.universityofgalway.ie/apply (see "Application Weblink").

1 year full-time.

Next start date: September 2024.



Review/Closing Dates (for Taught Programmes)

For most programmes, University of Galway does not set specific closing dates for receipt of applications. Applications will be accepted on a rolling basis and course quotas will be reviewed continuously throughout the application cycle with the exception of applications for some programmes which are reviewed after the specifed closing date*. Candidates who do not have their final degree marks available may be made a conditional (provisional) offer.

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.