Digital Marketing Courses in the UK

Digital marketing if simply put, is a way to achieve the marketing objectives of an organisation through the application of digital technology and media. Advertising, brand promotion, and online marketing are delivered through mediums such as search engines, websites, social media, mobile apps and emails.

UK universities attract several students from across the globe every year, as it offers high-quality education in several fields with diverse cultural perspectives. Here’s why studying digital marketing in the UK is a great idea:

• You are taught by experts who are research-oriented to ensure that the course reflects the latest development in this field

• You gain an understanding of the technologies which focus on digital campaign concepts and techniques

• You are prompted to assess new developments in digital marketing and marketing principles.

• You also create content on social media platforms with a critical mindset

• You develop essential skills through real marketing projects and virtual business techniques in real-time

• You can look to do your internships in some of the best advertising organisations in the world

Digital marketing techniques are fundamental, crucial, and consequential for any business these days, making it one of the popular fields in the job industry. Here’s what you can pursue after studying this course:

1. Search Engine Marketing (SEM)
   The work of a Search Engine Marketing professional (SEM) is to use search tools like Google, Bing and Yahoo to track, record and analyse web traffic, based on pay-per-click (PPC) initiatives and manage campaigns from the point of expense, budget and reconciling discrepancies.

2. Search Engine Optimisation (SEO)
   The SEO professional is responsible for improving the company or client’s websites to increase web traffic. They focus on keyword research, limiting the repetition of content and building links.

3. Web designing and development
   Web designers are responsible for designing the visual components of websites. They communicate with clients to understand the message that needs to be conveyed on the website. Once they receive the project brief, they create a layout that incorporates design elements and content to showcase the company's products in an appealing way that resonates with the audience.

4. Content creation and management
   In our daily lives, we encounter content in various forms, but in the digital age, it's up to content creators or managers to present this content through online platforms. These forms of content include graphics, blogs, pictures, videos, and eBooks, which are created by a content creator for a brand to attract both new and old customers and encourage them to purchase a specific product.

5. CRM manager
   The role of the Customer Relationship Manager (CRM) is to ensure that a positive and mutually beneficial relationship is maintained between the company and its customers. They are responsible to create a new customer base as well as maintain the old customers, this would directly help an organisation to ensure customer satisfaction.

6. E-Commerce professional
   An E-Commerce professional primarily focuses on attracting customers and driving sales through SEO campaigns and engaging content. As an E-Commerce manager, your responsibilities will include overseeing the website that facilitates the trading, buying, and selling of products. You'll also be responsible for devising and implementing strategies for the company's online shops and platforms.

7. Digital agency account manager
   As a digital account manager, you will be mainly responsible to develop and manage digital marketing strategies for clients to achieve their digital marketing goals. You will also be responsible for developing, planning and managing potential and existing clients with their digital strategies.

8. Digital marketing professional
   Digital marketing professionals are responsible for planning marketing strategies for an organisation to promote a company’s brands and products. They play a key role in the company’s long-term online marketing policies and run the day-to-day management of projects to ensure that are completed in time with maximum utilisation.

9. Analytics manager
   Analytics managers are responsible for creating effective strategies to collect data, analyse information, conduct research, and implement analytics solutions for their products or services.

10. E-mail marketing professional
    An email marketing professional is responsible for creating and executing email marketing campaigns to promote a company's products or services, build brand awareness, and engage with customers or prospects. Their work also involves creating email marketing strategies and handling email lists and data for campaigns.

11. Social media executive and manager
    A social media manager handles a brand’s presence on social media. They are in charge of planning, creating, and publishing content that’s true to that brand identity. They’ll also analyse and report on its performance and keep up with their community through comments and DMs.

Here are the top universities in the UK for digital marketing courses :

1. University of Bath

The University of Bath offers Marketing MSc, especially for graduates with business and administration background and help you in developing skills that are sought by employers. They provide real-world scenarios with industry links to horn your skills in marketing.

2. University of Portsmouth

The University of Portsmouth offers mainly degree programs based on practical studies where you can learn advanced usage of tools such as Adobe Suite, HubSpot and Google Analytics right from the start to prepare your portfolio. The program will you get hands-on experience in your particular field and train you for a real-world scenario.

3. Durham University

The Durham University digital marketing course utilises a research module to equip students with the necessary skills to overcome future job challenges. Through the exploration of innovative digital technologies such as Virtual Reality, Augmented Reality, Artificial Intelligence, the Internet of Things, etc., the course aims to examine their potential impact on client interactions and brand promotion.

4. University of Southampton

At the University of Southampton , you can develop your skills in digital marketing by combining research and expert knowledge. The course would cover topics like digital communication techniques, web analytics and behaviour, advertising and PR, and product design and management.

5. University of Leeds

At the University of Leeds , you can gain experience in marketing management and communications with a key focus on advertising and branding. You can do real-life research in marketing strategy, communications and consumer behaviours.

6. University of Westminster

Digital marketing courses at the University of Westminster offer a practical introduction and application of digital marketing that includes marketing analytics, marketing analysis, campaign planning and digital innovation.

7. University of Manchester

The University of Manchester offers competitive Digital Marketing courses to international students. Manchester has connections with government bodies to global businesses, from local health services to registered charities that would help students to network along with their studies.

8. Lancaster University

At Lancaster University , you will get the perfect blend of theory and practical-based studies along with industry experts and connections with top employers and influencers. The program here offers well-paced critical and strategic skills to gain important aspects in a digital marketing career along with the flexibility of selecting elective modules that would give you a head start in the industry.

9. University of Derby

Digital Marketing Management at the University of Derby equips you with knowledge, skills and vision which will give you the confidence to apply to top organisations.

10. Loughborough University

At Loughborough University the course is intended to provide all the students with a comprehensive understanding of digital technologies with equal concentration on the principles of contemporary marketing policies and practices. Their teaching comes with learning through social media analysis, info management, data processing, gaming, search engines, etc.

The eligibility criteria vary with the course and university you choose but here are a few common requirements by institutions in the UK:

• High school or bachelor’s degree

• English language proficiency test scores such as IELTS

• Statement of Purpose (SOP)

• Letter of Recommendation (LOR)

• Financial proofs

• Certificates and awards (if any)

• Work experience certificate (if any)

Many universities in the UK invite international students all-round the year. You must check the available intakes of the university before applying. One thing you need to make sure of is to be an early applicant as the universities get many applications every year and only a few are selected. Here’s the step-by-step guide for the admission process:

• Shortlist the university to which you would like to apply for

• Go to university websites and check their entry requirements and documents

• Consult an admission counsellor for any further requirements

• Fill out the application form and pay the required initial fees

• Prepare all the documents and submit them with the application

• Check your emails regularly unless you get a conditional offer

• Once you get selected accept the offer and pay the required fees

• After this you will get an acceptance letter, go to the nearest UK Embassy and apply for your student visa

Pursuing a master's degree in digital marketing from a UK university can open up a plethora of job opportunities in the field. With the growing importance of digital marketing in today's business world, the demand for skilled digital marketing professionals is on the rise. Upon completion of the program, graduates can go in for a variety of roles such as Digital Marketing Manager, Social Media Manager, Content Marketer, SEO Specialist, PPC Manager, and more.

*According to PayScale data 2023

Some of the top industries that recruit digital marketing professionals to include advertising agencies, e-commerce, media and entertainment, technology, and healthcare. The UK job market is highly competitive, but a master's degree in digital marketing from a reputed UK university can significantly boost one's employability and career prospects.

The cost of studying a digital marketing course can go beyond 30 lakhs INR a year for you. So, it is natural for you to look for financial aid to study in the UK. Below are some listed scholarships that you can try for:

Other than these you can also apply for many other scholarships for studying in the UK.

Though many countries offer you various Digital Marketing courses, but the UK offers you that perfect balance of quality education with international exposure and this makes the UK one of the best destinations for studying Digital Marketing. If you have more queries regarding Digital Marketing courses in the UK, get in touch with our international education experts at IDP and they will be more than happy to help you. We wish you all the luck in your future endeavours.