MA Advertising and Branding at Birmingham City University

Programme overview

Learn how to cut through noise, create meaningful content and activate innovative campaigns with right-first-time solutions. MA Advertising and Branding is a progressive, future-facing course that combines advertising agency methods, content production skills and digital marketing strategies for your progression in creative communications and media, across all digital channels and platforms.

Faculty: Faculty of Business, Law and Social Sciences | Department: Marketing, Media and Journalism, Art and Design | Duration: 1 year full-time; 18 months (including Professional Placement) full-time; 2 years part-time | Study mode: full-time/part-time (optional professional placement) | Intake: September 2027 | Location: Birmingham, England, United Kingdom

What you will study

The course reflects the wider industry collective; job markets you want to identify with, and your own aspirations: from sustainable futures to creative innovation, online safety, ethical practice, content production, strategic decision-making, and greater, more representative inclusivity for all in burgeoning creative industries. These considerations are immediate and essential in media creation and communication. How, for example, do we weigh positives in generative AI, like augmented creativity against negatives like bias? Modules include Discovery and Design, Research Through Practice, Strategy and Activation, Professional Project, Industry Project, Independent Creative Entrepreneur, Work Placement, Professional Placement.

Career pathways

The Advertising and Branding course directly answers the industry call for “T-skilled” workers in the creative media industry, (Skillset. Strategic Skills Assessment for the Creative Media Industry London.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any discipline and be able to demonstrate an aptitude for project management, creative asset development or strategy and analysis. We also welcome applications from individuals who may not satisfy the normal entry requirements, but have equivalent qualifications and/or experience. For example, you may have qualifications in marketing; business studies; English/linguistics;economics/statistics; multimedia/digital content creation; art and design; media and communications; journalism/PR; or psychology. Relevant work experience could include freelance filmmaking/production; working as a runner/production coordinator; or producing/directing. Applications should include a detailed personal statement. You should write between 600-900 words explaining why you want to study MA Advertising and Branding and what you hope to achieve through the course. You might consider your interests in advertising, branding, creativity, communication, culture, technology or emerging media, and how these have influenced your decision to apply.

Intake: September 2027

Duration: 1 year full-time; 18 months (including Professional Placement) full-time; 2 years part-time

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