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Digital Media and Marketing
Master of Science
Course Details
Course Code | GA_BDMGC_V09 |
---|---|
Level | 9 |
Duration | 1 or 2 years |
Credits | 90 |
Method of Delivery | Online or On-campus |
Campus Locations | Mayo |
Mode of Delivery | Full Time, Part Time |
Course Overview
This Masters programme is available for students to study full-time over 1 year or part-time over 2 years.
Classical marketing theory and professional practice are challenged continuously by revolutionary digital and marketing technologies in contemporary organisational environments.
The aim of this structured Master of Science in Digital Media and Marketing is to develop participants’ expertise and scholarship within the rapidly evolving professional discipline of strategic digital media and marketing.
The applied curriculum in this Masters programme, integrates at its core, the technological instruments which have changed the professional practice of the marketing discipline fundamentally.
Lecturer-student engagement on this programme will lead to the development of an interactive community of learners and researchers, with contributions to content, generated not only by the lecturing team, but by students.
The fast-paced field of digital media and MarTech as applied to the profession of marketing, requires this kind of participant interaction, enabling participants to gain maximum benefit from new knowledge generation in this discipline.
See our brochure for more.
International students can check out the FAQs about this programme here (PDF, 450KB).
Course Details
Year 1
Semester | Module Details | Credits | Mandatory / Elective |
---|---|---|---|
1 |
Search Engine AnalyticsParticipants will immerse themselves in analytical research and practice, creating a measurement plan for their business using web analytic tools, marketing technology (MarTech) landscape, email marketing, insight into Google Ads, keywords and search engine optimisation. There will be practical elements to all these specialist practices using cutting edge technology tools to ensure that they can be incorporated into their area of workplace/industry. Learning Outcomes 1. Research, plan and configure an appropriate web analytictool. 2. Strategically plan, developand document a measurement plan for a business usinga web analytictool. 3. Critically evaluate, interpret and research cutting edgetrends in search engine optimisation (SEO). 4. Research and interrogateonline technology tools using adwords, keywords and search engine optimisation. 5. Applypractical techniques of inquiry acquired totheir workplace/industry. |
05 | Mandatory |
1 |
Digital TransformationThe Digital Transformation module offers a comprehensive exploration of the key concepts, strategies, and practices involved in leveraging digital technologies to drive organisational change and innovation. Students will critically analyse case studies, areas of project management, leadership, and change management to develop a nuanced understanding of the challenges and opportunities associated with digital transformation initiatives. Learning Outcomes 1. Examine digital transformation strategies with critical lens to assess their effectiveness and suitability within organisational settings. |
10 | Elective |
2 |
Visualisation for Strategic Decision MakingWithin this module, learners develop the expertise, knowledge, understanding and tactics to critically review and analyse data gathered online and offline using technology tools at the forefront of the digital media technology field, to assist strategic decision-making and define and implement a social media/digital media strategic plan. Learning Outcomes 1. Research and gather data to create an effect visual to tell a story with identified target audience 2. Critically review, analyse and interpret data to create visualisations for better decision-making 3. Evaluate, compare and contrast different visualisationtools. 4. Apply data visualisations to help make better decision-making strategiesin conjunction with a defined marketing strategy |
05 | Mandatory |
2 |
Omnichannel Content Creation and CommunicationOmnichannel Marketing Communications provides an in-depth exploration of the strategies, tools, and best practices for creating cohesive and integrated communication across various channels. Students will delve into the evolving landscape of marketing communication, emphasising the importance of seamless customer experiences in an omnichannel environment. The module combines theoretical frameworks with practical applications to equip students with the skills needed to develop and implement effective omnichannel marketing communication strategies. Learning Outcomes 1. Develop integrated communication strategies for seamless customer experiences. |
10 | Elective |
Year |
Digital Content and Marketing TechnologyThis module explores the implementation of a database driven online presence and researches and explores marketing technologies and techniques at the forefront of managing an online presence. Design Thinking, User Experience Design (UXD) and applied techniques for audience engagement and creating content to maximise online potential for digital presence will be examined and critically evaluated. Client applications, web services, hosting issues and content management systems will be researched and interrogated. Contextual projects will be a core aspect of embedding the specialist skills developed in this module. Learning Outcomes 1. Articulate the core concepts of User Experience Design and Design Thinking. 2. Explain the components of a database driven application. 3. Critically evaluate hosting options and the marketing technologies required to implement an innovative digital solution. 4. Build and host an online presenceusing a leading contemporary content management system. 5. Design and showcase a customer engagement solution in conjunction with a defined marketing strategy. |
10 | Mandatory |
Year |
Marketing Strategy Theory and ApplicationThis is a strategic marketing module integrating the traditional marketing media with digital and social technologies at the forefront of this field. Learners will critically review, discuss and reflect on the strategic marketing process employing techniques for strategic analysis; competitive forces assessment; target market selection; focusing data driven marketing objectives and engaging in marketing implementation and the evaluation of specialist digital marketing techniques. The integration of digital and social media in marketing strategy development and implementation is integral to this module and participants will develop a strategic marketing plan for an organisation, following comprehensive research and analysis of organisational marketing needs; prioritising objectives in conjunction with a systematic review of web communication strategy effectiveness and optimisation. Learning Outcomes 1. Critically assess the nature of the marketing environment and the corresponding governmental, competitive and technological forces triggering change. 3. Draw inferences, formulate independent evaluationsand make recommendations based on data analysis and research of a particular specialist market segment. 4. Appraise the potential of a specific segment and recommend appropriate product, pricing, service, delivery and engagement strategies to meet customer requirements. 5. Position and brand product and services appropriately, selecting and engaging the appropriate front-line media, relative to customer perceptions and contemporary competitive pressures. 6. Formulate and deliver on an appropriate strategic plan for competitive advantage in a a particular specialist field, employing a variety of cutting edge and traditional effectivecommunicative media and marketing technologies. 7. Produce a reflective report interrogating and justifying if necessary, strategic marketing choices referencingethical and legal considerations. |
10 | Mandatory |
Year |
Research Methods and Critical AnalysisThis module aims to provide students with the theoretical foundations for their postgraduate research. Theoretical concepts; research paradigms and critical readings relevant to the field of academic or professional applied research will be explored. Epistemological and ontological considerations will be discussed in relation to research design and learners will reflect on the challenges of carrying out empirical research in their particular workplace or specialist field of application. Students will reflect on ethical, societal, egalitarian and practical problems of data collection, including sampling, gaining access to the field, designing a research instrument and the principles of qualitative and quantitative analysis. The module may also include introductory guest speakers or workshops on technologies for data analysis.This module is designed to develop theoretical knowledge of research paradigms and to explore methodological possibilities in addition to developing skills in critically engaging with academic literature and relevant, peer-reviewed journals and technical reports. It aims to increase proficiency in using critical evaluation skills within the context of a professional research project or practice-based innovation or applied research project. The module outcomes comprise a thorough ethical review of a research proposal in addition to presentation of a research proposal. Learning Outcomes 1. Articulate the alignment oftheir ownphilosophical positions with their researchmethodological choices and project design decisions. 2. Critically reviewtheir own personal positioning in the research context, and how this might shapethe knowledge they are producing, employing a process of guided reflexivity. 3. Evaluate theontological, epistemological and methodological choices and assumptions made, in reviews of otherpapers in their field of study. 4. Exhibit advanced knowledge of technical and professional advances in the field by creating a robust and practically applicable research design, in addition to communicatinghow theresearch project is situated, within wider global academic, emancipatory, environmental and professional discourses. 5. Communicate effectively within a formal research proposal, the philosophical assumptions that shape the research design; rationale and purpose, referencingacademic, professional and other relevant literature within the field or discipline studied. 6. Confidently leverage research skills and knowledge gained, to draft and present an applied research project proposal, having regard to ethical considerations and the potential individual, organisational, regulatoryand societal implications of the dissemination of findings. |
10 | Mandatory |
Year |
DissertationThis dissertation module provides the mechanism for learners to carry out an in-depth, independent investigation, analysis and presentation of a research topic; organisational or workplace innovation dilemma of their choosing, related to the relevant academic discipline and/or academic field. This dissertation module also provides the framework for an alternative to the theoretical dissertation. The learner may choose to conduct an Applied industry study, albeit the report write up will follow the same formal academic format as the dissertation format. Within this module, learners will conceptualise, design, conduct, analyse and formally write up, then visually / orally present a substantial research project to postgraduate research standard. The objective of this module is to provide a structured pathway to support students through a process of applied investigation and/or scholarly research and develop their capability to conduct independent, critically evaluated research. It is expected that learners will engage with research projects which are relevant and applicable to their professional field. Learning Outcomes 1. Demonstrate a detailed knowledge and understanding of a research topic / practice-based innovation question within the field of specialism. 2. Structure research work to a timeline, collaborating effectively under guidance in a peer relationship with their dissertation supervisor. 3. Demonstrate an ability to applya complex and specialised range of research design, data collection, data analysis techniques and investigative skills (such as fieldwork, interviews, questionnaires andquantitative techniques), relevant to aprofessional research focus. 4. Formally present an in-depth critical review of professional and academic literature related to the research topic. 5. Defend decisions related to theoretical and practical research design and implementation choices, justifying these with reference to ethical,and regulatory considerations and, where applicable, potential or perceived bias and/oremancipatory, organisational, environmental and/or societal impact. 6. Formally present an independent, critically written research dissertation to the appropriate scholarly standard. 7. Formally present and defend research findings, drawing conclusions and delivering recommendations relevant to the relevant professional field, having due regard to potential individual, societal and/ or organisational impacts of the research / innovation project outcomes. |
50 | Elective |
Year |
Digital Media and Marketing ProjectStudents will undertake an approved project or minor dissertation that is relevant to Digital Media and Marketing. An academic supervisor will oversee the project and research methods employed. The academic supervisor may liaise with a supervisor from an external organisation, where appropriate. The project will compliment content and assessment from taught modules on the MSc. in Digital Media and Marketing. Learning Outcomes 1. Plan and schedule major elements of a project to a defined timeline. |
30 | Elective |
Recommended Study Hours per week
Examination and Assessment
On-Campus Attendance Requirement
Download a prospectus
Entry Requirements
Candidates must hold a level 8 Bachelor (Honours) degree with a minimum grade classification of H2.2 or equivalent in Marketing, IT/Computing, Business or cognate area.
Candidates who do not meet this entry criterion will be considered for entry to the programme under a formalised process of recognition of prior learning (RPL).
Selection
Applications are ranked in order of merit.
English Language Requirements will be as determined by ATU and as published in the Access, Transfer and Progression code.
The current requirements are as follows:
Non- EU applicants who are not English speakers must have a minimum score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each band) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) – Academic
EU applicants who are not English speakers are recommended to have a minimum score of 6.5 (with a minimum of 6.0 in each band) in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic or equivalent
Recognition of Prior Learning may be used to gain access to this programme in accordance with ATU’s Recognition of Prior Learning policy. For more information on the RPL policy, please visit https://www.myexperience.ie/about/how-rpl-works/
Fees
Total Fees EU: €7200
Total Fees Non-EU: €14000
Subject to approval by ATU Governing Body (February 2025).
Further information on feesCareers
Currently 68,000 Irish jobs are directly linked to those employing digital skills and tools with approximately one in seven Irish people (13.5% of the adult population) making a supplementary income on the internet.
The digital economy represents 6% (12.3bn) of GDP and it is expected to grow to 7.9% (21.4bn) by 2020. (Department of communications, Climate Action & Environment, 2016).
Programme chair Dr Janine McGinn says the demand for this course, in particular MarTech (marketing technology) skills, is well documented in reports such as the recently published Digital Health Index which finds that a mere 5% of small businesses possess web sales abilities despite 59% of customers saying online purchases are important to them.
Also, 75% of SMEs struggle to use software and apply digital skills to improve business productivity, analyse customer data, and promote an online presence.
Further Information
Who Should Apply?
This award is suitable to those seeking career progression in the areas of digital marketing, media content creation and digital entrepreneurship.
Contact Information
Sharon Boyle
Enterprise & Technology