Overview
The way we do business is changing, particularly how and why we carry out transactions. Decision times are increasingly based upon user-friendliness via mobile and social media, and improving these channels is reliant upon data and analytics. The Business Intelligence and Digital Marketing MSc is a new multi-disciplinary course which explores developments in technology for businesses such as social media, business intelligence, and mobile and cloud services.
There is a worldwide shortage of qualified managers with the skills needed for new jobs being created in this area, particularly in the emerging economies. Companies that are actively seeking candidates include tech sector businesses, but also banking, insurance, retail and education. In fact, it’s expected that virtually all business sectors will need to address big data and will need skilled people to manage development.
Developing sound knowledge and understanding of digital business practices, you will learn the importance of data, information, and mass communication technologies to business.
You will be encouraged to reflect on the relevance of these new concepts to business and apply your newly developed skills in advanced research or via professional practice in collaboration with an industry partner.
Watch our video below to learn how the course will be taught, meet our academics and hear about the facilities available on our campus.
Course content
The Business Intelligence and Digital Marketing MSc consists of compulsory modules which provide you with a strong basis of current knowledge in the principal subjects. Optional modules allow you to explore areas such as CSR, diversity in the workplace, marketing strategy, and global outsourcing.
Compulsory
- Business Intelligence
Exploring the most significant technologies associated with business intelligence, big data and data analytics, with a particular emphasis on applications in the corporate sector. Developing knowledge and professional competency in the analysis, interpretation and management of corporate knowledge resources, and gaining proficiency in relevant tools.
- Mobile, Social Media and Cloud Services
Learning how new social media technologies are integrated with cloud-based services and mobile platforms in support of business functions.
- Professional Consultancy in BI and SM
Develop consultancy and advisory skills, practical skills and technical competencies with new media while working collaboratively to undertake an authentic task. Students also will be given the opportunity to practise and evaluate realistic decision-making in a simulated business environment.
- Digital Marketing
The aim of this module is to deliver knowledge of the key aspects and tools needed to perform a successful digital marketing strategy to meet their marketing goal and to develop an understanding of the major concerns facing marketers in the fast growing era of digital marketing. The module forms part of a coherent programme of study, and contributes by addressing fundamental aspects of digital marketing to the commercial sector from a business and management perspective.
- Understanding Business and Management Research
Quantitative and qualitative methods in management research. Understanding research reports and utilising this information to improve quality of work and decision-making in complex management problems.
- Entrepreneurship
Studying the nature of entrepreneurship and its importance in society. Analysis and understanding of the psychological and behavioural characteristics of the entrepreneur. Overview of the major theories in the field (psychological theory and cognitive theory) as well as the main approaches to entrepreneurship.
- Knowledge, Social Networks and Innovation
Investigating the global knowledge-based economy and wider socio-economic factors affecting knowledge transfer. The use of social engagement in business development.
- Dissertation (Business Intelligence and Digital Marketing MSc)
Allows you to demonstrate and evidence their expertise through a piece of independent research, including identification of the research enquiry, data collection and analysis and presentation of results. Under the supervision of an academic member of staff, students develop as an independent learner and brings together their knowledge and skills gained during the programme for the analysis of a specific AI Strategy related problem.
Optional
- Global Outsourcing
Examining the implications, scope and influence of the outsourcing decision upon business strategy and operations. Analysing vendor assessment procedures, vendor management, project transition and governance. Evaluating effective procurement strategies for successful outsourcing. Understanding the associated legal aspects.
- International Business Ethics and Corporate Governance
This module focuses on business ethics, sustainability and corporate governance in internationally operating organisations. These areas are addressed from the perspective of the dual ‘business’ models of the shareholder and the stakeholder approaches. The broader societal impacts of business activities are discussed by using concepts from moral philosophy, CSR, sustainability and corporate governance.
- Global Diversity Management
Training and development activities for diverse workforces with different socio-economic backgrounds, interests, beliefs, value systems.
- Consumer Behaviour
Develop a critical understanding of how external and internal factors (psychological, social, cultural and economic factors) inform and influence marketing decisions and consumer behaviour in personal buying situations.
This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.
This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.
Please note that all modules are subject to change.
Read more about the structure of postgraduate degrees at Brunel
Careers and your future
Our Business Intelligence and Digital Marketing MSc is ideal for practitioners seeking a more commercially relevant and tech industry-oriented master’s qualification rather than an MBA. We prepare you for a career in business and management with the intention that successful graduates will progress to leadership and decision-making roles or develop successful consultancy and advisory businesses of their own.
Our programmes are built with input from business professionals with the specific aim of helping you enter the workplace fully equipped and confident of your abilities. As a masters graduate you’ll be equipped to enter a number job roles, including: Business analyst; Information manager; IT consultant; Marketing executive; Project manager; Social media manager
Some of the well-known names who value Brunel Business School graduates include Accenture, Amazon, Barclays, British Airways, Capgemini, HSBC, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oréal, McCann, Microsoft, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Xerox.
UK entry requirements
- A 2.2 (or above) UK Honours degree or an equivalent internationally recognised qualification in or a related or non-related subject. Work experience is not required.
EU and International entry requirements
English language requirements
- IELTS: 6.5 (min 6 in all areas)
- Pearson: 59 (59 in all subscores)
- BrunELT: 63% (min 58% in all areas)
- TOEFL: 90 (min 20 in all)
You can find out more about the qualifications we accept on our English Language Requirements page.
Should you wish to take a pre-sessional English course to improve your English prior to starting your degree course, you must sit the test at an approved SELT provider for the same reason. We offer our own BrunELT English test and have pre-sessional English language courses for students who do not meet requirements or who wish to improve their English. You can find out more information on English courses and test options through our Brunel Language Centre.
Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants. This information is for guidance only and each application is assessed on a case-by-case basis. Entry requirements are subject to review, and may change.
Fees and funding
2025/26 entry
UK
£14,435 full-time
£1,385 placement year
International
£28,350 full-time
£1,385 placement year
More information on any additional course-related costs.
Fees quoted are per year and are subject to an annual increase.
See our fees and funding page for full details of postgraduate scholarships available to Brunel applicants.
Scholarships and bursaries
Teaching and learning
At Brunel Business School (BBS), you will experience a rich and engaging on-campus learning environment. Our modules are delivered through engaging lectures, and in most modules, through seminars that allow for interactions in smaller groups. Additionally, you will have access to a wide range of resources on Brightspace, our online learning platform, including PowerPoint slides, video recordings, and peer-reviewed academic publications that align with the module learning objectives. Moreover, BBS students benefit from a range of support and opportunities from our dedicated staff and faculty, such as:
- Extra-curricular activities designed to enhance your skills and expand your network, such as social events, guest speakers and industry visits/field trips (please note these may vary within programmes)
- A dedicated Student Experience Team to provide pastoral care
- A dedicated ASK Academic Skills support team to help you understand and address coursework requirements
- Personalised tutoring and wellbeing advice to support your academic and personal development
- Employability guidance and career planning from our in-house director.
Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
We have computers available across campus for your use and laptop loan schemes to support you through your studies. You can find out more here.
The course is structured so that full-time students take four 15-credit modules per term, plus a 60-credit dissertation module in term 3. Each 15-credit module demands 150 hours of study comprised of 22 hours of tutor-arranged contact time and a minimum of 128 hours of non-contact student-managed time.
Academics who teach on this exciting programme are part of the Operations and Information Systems Management Research Group (OISM) which is a research centre that supports a number of Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) funded networks and projects. This group is housed in the Brunel Business School in collaboration with the excellent-rated (RAE score 5) School of Information Systems, Computing and Mathematics. ISEing is the first multi-disciplinary research group to receive government funding in the areas of Information Systems Evaluation, Enterprise Integration and eGovernment.
Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.
Assessment and feedback
Each module has its own form of assessment held at the end of the term in which the module runs, and can include essays, projects and group assignments.
The dissertation is an extended research-oriented task conducted individually, and offers the opportunity for students to undertake in-depth investigation into a topic of their choosing. You may choose to develop a project in collaboration with an industrial partner, which can be focused on business solutions of practical relevance, rather than theoretical research.