MA Marketing (part-time)

Student profile

Susan Lloyd

I currently work in media and communications and many of the senior jobs in this field are 'Director of marketing and communications' positions. Whilst I have had some experience in marketing I am not a marketing specialist, so thought that embarking on this course would give me a good grounding in the subject.

I run my own company, Churchill Square Communications, and am sure that completing the MA will enable me to take on more contracts or jobs in marketing, giving my clients a wider breadth of services and also broadening my CV. I am very much looking forward to putting the theoretical knowledge I am learning into practice.

I've been very impressed with Portsmouth Business School. The library and buildings are excellent and the lecturers great. I also live locally and love the city - Portsmouth has a huge amount to offer.

Annie Duong (MA Marketing full time)

I have experienced a very high teaching standard at the University of Portsmouth while undertaking the MA Marketing. This programme trains students to identify problems, analyse situations and formulate appropriate strategies to deliver the best value for customers and yield higher-than-average stakeholder returns.

The Business School also provides practical application with participation of industry peers. We had classes with professional individuals working in PR, and major retailers such as New Look etc. Not only does it enhance your learning experience, but it provides insight into the broader industry environment, locally and internationally.

The campus facilities, staff/faculty contributions and participative class discussions all made the experience an invaluable learning process. I believe the knowledge I gained here will enable me to get a good career once I graduate.

Marco Mattucci (MA Marketing full time)

I decided to go for the MA Marketing programme at the University of Portsmouth because I was so impressed by the overall package on offer. The course seemed interesting and competitive, with a lot of subjects that interested me. The reputation of the University was also good and the city seemed nice and well positioned, offering different forms of entertainments for students. Portsmouth is also in a good location, near to airports, close to the beach and sunny for the UK!

Right now, I still think I’ve made the right decision, with no regrets whatsoever. The course itself, especially certain subjects, have allowed me to experience and understand some of the actual issues in the world of business. More importantly, the teaching approach was really interactive, allowing students to discuss and share their thoughts about the different topics covered during the lesson, on a daily basis.

I’ve also met really good lecturers along the way, who are strongly supportive and always keen to help and clarify anytime you need them.

I honestly think that studying abroad is not just about attending classes, preparing your essays, taking and passing your exams, it is definitely something more. It is more about challenging yourself, facing a reality or daily routine that can be completely different compared to the life you are accustomed to in your own country.

Tatyana Nikolova (MA Marketing full time)

During my last year of a Master's degree in my home country, I had the opportunity to complete my dissertation abroad. I chose the University of Portsmouth because I wanted to be in an English–speaking country at a modern University in a good location. I was so impressed with the to-class facilities at the Business School, I decided to continue my studies and undertake the MA Marketing programme.  

The Marketing course provided indispensable business theories alongside existing contemporary marketing concepts and principles. The programme was flexible and I always felt in touch with changes in the dynamic marketing environment. The possibility to meet famous guest speakers and to be taught by highly-skilled staff , who were dedicated and passionate, were major highlights for me. In addition, I loved being surrounded by open–minded and intelligent classmates, who have broadened my horizons and enhanced my personality.

I feel I have benefited in two different ways from my studies at the Portsmouth Business School.  From a professional aspect, I am aware now of the importance of critical thinking when considering key marketing issues and I feel prepared and confident enough to jump into a real business environment. And from a personal aspect, I had the opportunity to be involved in various social activities as an executive committee member of the University’s Bulgarian society. This enabled me to promote my culture and help new fellow students to integrate. 

Simka Stefanova (MA Marketing full time)

I chose Marketing for my postgraduate studies because of the broad choice of future career options the discipline offers. Marketing is a vast subject, but this course lets you develop an understanding of different aspects and then choose the direction you feel best suits your interests and abilities.

The lecturers come from varied backgrounds – many have been in industry before moving into academia, which means they have a wealth of experience to bring to the classroom.

Studying has to be an on-going process on this course – reading books and journal articles, keeping on-track with news and industry publications, researching academic sources, preparing for tutorials and discussions, and yes – even watching TV to see the latest commercials.

Coping with technology, the electronic library and academic databases, as well as the meticulous referencing was somewhat challenging at first, but the support offered by the library was really helpful. There is a special Academic Skills unit designed for international students. It teaches the secrets of academic English, referencing, coursework structure and research etc. It is truly helpful and great fun too.

With bright people of all ages and nationalities around,  Portsmouth makes for a great student experience.