Strategies for success in the digital age.
The purpose of this programme is to enable both practising and aspiring professionals in the business, marketing, communication and information technology sectors to better understand the changing nature of the digital era and how to leverage digital media technologies and platforms to achieve competitive advantage.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
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In contrast to traditional methods of communication, digital technologies and platforms facilitate greater consumer interactivity and empowerment. In a highly competitive and connected global marketplace, the unique properties of digital technologies can therefore present both opportunities and challenges for firms. Increasingly, marketing and communication professionals are expected to embrace digital channels to encourage customer and partner engagement. Equally, professionals in technical roles are now required to apply their digital skills and expertise more strategically to drive business value.
Recognising the vital role of digital tools for effective organisational and business communication, and the growing importance of open, collaborative working practices, this course combines expertise from both technical and communication disciplines to provide an enriching and multidisciplinary learning environment.
Specifically, this course will provide you with the opportunity to:
Part-time students normally complete between one and two modules per semester. Modules are normally delivered in intensive block sessions, from 1.00pm until 9.00pm. This allows proessionals to fit study around their working hours, and new graduates to study whilst looking to secure employment.
The maximum number of intensive block teaching days per module is 4 (although not on consecutive days), plus approximately 2 days x 3 hours seminar attendance. You will also be expected to engage in group and team work in some of your modules and so will need to have further meetings outside of class time. In addition, you are also expected to dedicate adequate time for independent study. Full-time students normally complete between two and three modules per semester.
Learning and teaching will take place through a series of lectures; seminars (both face to face and online); industry guest speakers; group work and case-integrated learning.
Assessment Methods:100% coursework which includes: class presentations; group work; critical analysis, strategy development, and campaign development reports.
The University employs over 1,000 suitably qualified and experienced academic staff - 59% have PhDs in their subject field and many have professional body recognition.
Courses are taught by staff who are Professors (25%), Readers, Senior Lecturers (20%) or Lecturers (55%).
We require most academic staff to be qualified to teach in higher education: 82% hold either Postgraduate Certificates in Higher Education Practice or higher. Most academic staff (81%) are accredited fellows of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) by Advanced HE - the university sector professional body for teaching and learning. Many academic and technical staff hold other professional body designations related to their subject or scholarly practice.
The profiles of many academic staff can be found on the University’s departmental websites and give a detailed insight into the range of staffing and expertise. The precise staffing for a course will depend on the department(s) involved and the availability and management of staff. This is subject to change annually and is confirmed in the timetable issued at the start of the course.
Occasionally, teaching may be supplemented by suitably qualified part-time staff (usually qualified researchers) and specialist guest lecturers. In these cases, all staff are inducted, mostly through our staff development programme ‘First Steps to Teaching’. In some cases, usually for provision in one of our out-centres, Recognised University Teachers are involved, supported by the University in suitable professional development for teaching.
Figures correct for academic year 2021-2022.
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The Belfast campus is situated in the artistic and cultural centre of the city, the Cathedral Quarter.
Here is a guide to the subjects studied on this course.
Courses are continually reviewed to take advantage of new teaching approaches and developments in research, industry and the professions. Please be aware that modules may change for your year of entry. The exact modules available and their order may vary depending on course updates, staff availability, timetabling and student demand. Please contact the course team for the most up to date module list.
In this section
Year: 1
Status: C
This module covers all aspects of digital campaign planning and management. It will provide students with the opportunity to apply theory to practice by developing an effective digital marketing campaign and associated content in response to a live brief. It enables students to develop a working knowledge of digital marketing technologies and critically evaluate their appropriateness achieving organisational goals. Students will have the opportunity to demonstrate how the platforms and message chosen support the fulfilment of pre-defined communication objectives with a specified target audience.
Year: 1
Status: C
This module establishes an effective multidisciplinary foundation for evaluating effective digital marketing communication approaches and technologies to support strategic business goals centred around understanding the digital consumer. Students will critique the online presence of organisations in a variety of contexts and will understand the interrelationship between communication, design and technology in maintaining an effective online customer experience.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module offers a theoretical and practical insight into the dynamic area of online digital communication and explores some of the key questions and issues facing academics and practitioners. Students undertaking the module will acquire the necessary knowledge and skills to support the implementation of digital communication objectives in support of business goals including customer acquisition, loyalty and community building. Students will be able to critically evaluate the characteristics of individual online digital media, and select appropriate tools from the range available to execute digital communication in support of organisational objectives.
Year: 2
Status: C
This module aims to provide information that will enable students to make appropriate and considered research decisions. It is designed to develop students' understanding of the nature of research, key research traditions, the research process and the range of methods available to the researcher, including qualitative and quantitative approaches. It also aims to help students acquire a critical understanding of the issues and methods in the generation and analysis of data and in the communication and evaluation of research findings.
Year: 2
Status: C
Organisations harnessing digital marketing communication can make use of data analytic techniques to identify and translate their digital data into useful, actionable insights for organisational benefit. This module provides postgraduate students with a clear understanding of data analytics techniques as well as the digital marketing communication context of use.
Year: 3
Status: C
The Communication dissertation aims to enable students to design and carry out an independent piece of research. It is intended that this will strengthen their ability to interpret and apply research data to a work environment. The research will focus in depth on one area of communication.
We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.
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This course is suited to you, if you are a recent graduate or are already in employment or have relevant work experience and wish to enhance your existing skills.
You will normally have gained a Second Class Honours degree, or above, in Communication, Media, Business, Marketing, Information & Communication Technology or a cognate area.
If you do not meet the academic criteria outlined above, but have substantial and significant experiential learning, a portfolio of written evidence may be considered as an alternative entrance route, and you should contact the Course Director for further information.
English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.
Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.
English Language requirements for non-international applicants
Applicants are required to provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English (GCSE grade C) or equivalent.
In this section
This course enables both practicing and aspiring professionals in the business, marketing, communication and information technology sectors to better understand how to leverage digital technologies and services to achieve competitive advantage.
Key aspects of the course that will help to equip you for a career, or support your continued professional development in the marketing communication or information technology sectors include:
Our postgraduate fees are subject to annual increase and are currently under review.
See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2023/24 entry.
It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.
Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.
There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.
Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.
See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs.
We know that choosing to study at university is a big decision, and you may not always be able to find the information you need online.
Please contact Ulster University with any queries or questions you might have about:
For any queries regarding getting help with your application, please select Admissions in the drop down below.
For queries related to course content, including modules and placements, please select Course specific information.
We look forward to hearing from you.
"I really enjoyed the course and found the modules really informative, useful and manageable. The support from the course team throughout was invaluable. Upon completion of the course, I gained a new role as a Communications Executive Officer within my company. It involves me applying the digital skills and expertise learned to encourage customer and partner engagement. I would highly recommend this course to anyone wanting to further their digital knowledge and career." - Helen Brownlee
