Jun 15 2011 11:00AM
Beginning in September, UCS is delighted to announce the introduction of a brand new course to the curriculum – MA Marketing|.
The course is open to students from a wide range of backgrounds, but who have a common interest in wanting to extend their marketing knowledge and improve their qualifications. The course will require a further year of study – or two years for part-time students. Offering students the chance to stand out from other graduates – the MA Marketing course will be tailored in such a way that it has real depth and gravitas to ensure it is a real asset to any budding marketers CV.
Marketing is a core business area, which impacts on all areas of working life; from consumers to businesses to industry practices to even governments. And with this in mind, UCS enlisted the help of the marketing and communication specialists – White Space|, based in Ipswich – to offer practical insights into the day-to-day realities of spearheading successful marketing strategies.
Shaun Bailey, Chief Executive of White Space and Chair of the Direct Marketing Association Agencies Council, was heavily involved in the Validation process as an external employer rep. He put forward an industry perspective towards the course structure and his professional opinion on what the course should strive to achieve; whilst continually ensuring relevance and accuracy to the current marketing industry.
Situated at the hub of Suffolk’s creative commerce, Shaun is ideally placed to offer first-hand analysis of the current industry trends – and as such the course is now a bespoke reflection of the marketing discipline, meaning that the students will have a wealth of transferable skills which they can take with them into the workplace.
In addition to this, many employers place a great value on the advanced knowledge and skills developed in a postgraduate course; so not only will relevant and practical marketing knowledge be gained but it demonstrates a determination to potential employees.
The course will also form part of the IDM (Institute of Direct Marketing) qualification due to the structuring and required elements for the course completion and has the additional bonus of the opportunity to gain qualifications from CIM (Chartered Institute of Marketing) – a prominent way of distinguishing the MA students from typical undergraduates.
Applicants to the course should be educated to BA undergraduate degree level, however in exceptional circumstances such as someone who has a wealth of industry experience there will be considerations made. The programme will run alongside the established MBA course and aims to develop analytical and strategic marketing skills using concepts founded in today’s business environment.
Professor David Weir, newly appointed Head of School at UCS, is delighted that Shaun has played such a valuable role and will continue to offer support and advice as the course progresses: “We are pleased to be able to provide such a course to our students. However it would be of no real benefit if we did not nurture direct links to the industry that it relates to, otherwise the students would receive a one-sided education without fully understanding the discipline to develop their careers.
Shaun’s contribution has been vital to our structuring and we look forward to working with him over the duration of the course to ensure it is always fresh and relevant.”
Shaun Bailey commented: “This course is an excellent opportunity for the UCS students. In the ever-changing marketing environment, we recognise the importance of understand the latest topics and techniques so that we can make sure our clients are at the forefront. And this is no different in a formal education capacity. Students must be aware of what is going on in the ‘real world’ so that when they are ready to step into the workplace, their knowledge is fresh and relatable – not just straight out of a text book.”