Master's Programme in Marketing, 120 Credits

Entry Requirements

A Bachelor's degree (equivalent to a Swedish Kandidatexamen, 180 ECTS) from an internationally recognised university with a major in Business Administration. Special requirements: 90 ECTS (one and a half years of full-time study) in Business Administration (including at least 7.5 ECTS in Marketing) and 7.5 ECTS of basic level Statistics/Mathematics (Statistics is recommended). Proficiency in English equivalent to Swedish upper secondary course English B (IELTS (Academic) with a minimum overall score of 6.5 and no individual score below 5.5. TOEFL PBT (Paper-based Test) with a minimum score of 575 and a minimum TWE score of 4.5). TOEFL iBT (Internet-based Test) with a minimum score of 90 and a minimum score of 20 on the Writing Section). Where the language of instruction is Swedish, applicants must prove proficiency in Swedish to the level required for basic eligibility for higher studies. You will find detailed information about requirements under the heading of Eligibility in the menu to the right. If you are still working towards your undergraduate degree, you need to include with your application a document from your current University, outlining when you are expected to graduate as well as a course outline for the last semester.

Degree

Degree
Degree of Master of Science (60 credits). Main field of study Business Administration. Degree specialisation: Marketing.
Degree of Master of Science (120 credits). Main field of study Business Administration. Degree specialisation: Marketing

Description of the education for current education cycle

Description of the education within the second cycle
Education on advanced level should build further upon knowledge retained during basic level studies or the equivalent.
Advanced level education shall involve a deepening of knowledge, skills and abilities relative to first cycle education and, in addition to what applies to first cycle education
- further develop students' ability to independently integrate and use knowledge,
- develop students' ability to deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, and
- develop students' potential for professional activities that demand considerable independence or for research and development.
Higher Education Act 1 cpt 9 § (Högskolelagen 1 kap 9 §)

National goals for current degree

National goals for Master of Science Degree 60 credits
Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.
Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to independently identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits;
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing  present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of  groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work in other advanced contexts.
Ability to evaluate and approach
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within the main field of study to make judgments with regard to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal  need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

National goals for Master of Science Degree 120 credits
Knowledge and understanding
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the students should be able to
- show knowledge and understanding in their main field of study, including both an overview of the field and deeper knowledge of certain parts of the field and insight into current research and development, and
- demonstrate deeper methodological knowledge in their main field of study.
Skills and abilities
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the students should be able to
- demonstrate the ability to critically and systematically integrate knowledge and to analyze, assess and deal with complex phenomena, issues and situations, even with limited information,
- demonstrate the ability to critically, independently and creatively  identify and formulate questions to address and to plan and use appropriate methods to carry out advanced tasks within specified time limits and by so doing add to the knowledge development and to evaluate this work.
- demonstrate the ability to verbally and in writing present and discuss their conclusions and the knowledge and arguments behind them, in dialogue with different types of groups, and
- demonstrate the skills required to participate in research and development work or to work  independently in other advanced contexts.
Ability to evaluate and approach
For Master of Science Degree 120 credits, the student should be able to
- demonstrate the ability within main field of study to make judgments with regards to relevant scientific, social and ethical aspects, and demonstrate an awareness of ethical aspects of research and development,
- show insight into the possibilities and limitations of science, its role in society and the human responsibility for its use, and
- demonstrate the ability to identify the personal  need for further knowledge and to take responsibility for the personal competence development.

Higher Education Ordinance, Appendix 2 - System of Qualifications (Högskoleförordningen, Bilaga 2 – examensordningen)

Local goals for current degree

Local goals for the Master of Science degree 60 credits
The expected learning outcomes for the program is that the student after completion of the program should be able to;
- identify and resolve business and socio-economic problems in industry, government and other organizations both nationally and internationally.
- develop an ability to work in the marketing function within companies and organizations.
- plan, implement and present, in both written and oral form, larger types of investigations in a corporate or organizational context, using scientific methods.
The student should also
- demonstrate an ability to communicate in English within the area of specialization and
- demonstrate an ability on the basis of gender perspectives to problematize and analyze central theories and concepts within the program.

Local goals for the Master of Science degree 120 credits
The expected learning outcomes of the program is that, the student after completing the program,  should be able to;
- critically analyze consumer behavior,
- evaluate different survey methods that can be used to collect, process and analyze information from consumer research and competitive analysis,
- formulate strategies and competitive decisions based on integrated market research, management reports from corporate information systems and market theory,
- put statistical and analytical techniques into practical use  in the design and implementation of marketing strategies,
- integrate differing fields of knowledge for decision making in companies and organizations,
- develop leadership skills that facilitate organization-wide analysis and solution of management related problems,
- plan, implement and present, in both written and oral form, larger types of investigations in a corporate or organizational context, using scientific methods.

The student should also
- demonstrate an ability to communicate in English within the area of specialization and
- demonstrate ability on the basis of gender perspectives to problematize and analyze central theories and concepts within the program

Examination format

Forms of examination
Written exams, oral seminars, field trips and writing PM's examination are forms that can be used within the program.

Grades

Grades
The program applies a three-point grading scale with the grades, Pass with distinction, Pass and Fail, unless otherwise stated in the syllabus for a particular course. Those who pass an exam cannot redo the exam aiming for a higher grade.

Transfer of Credits

Recognition of previous studies/Credit transfer
Recognition of courses
Students have the right to apply for recognition of previous courses or activities that can be accepted for credit transfer. For more information see Higher Education Ordinance as well as: http://www.umu.se/english/education/student-support/getting-a-degree-from-umea-university/transfer-of-credits

A negative decision on recognition of previous courses is possible to appeal to the Higher Education Appeals Board. A negative decision should also be motivated in writing.

General

General
Content and structure
Students in this program are guaranteed a seat on all required courses within the program. In the case of elective courses the student has a guaranteed seat in those offered by the business school and its partner institutions up to full time studies given that they meet the requirements, but students are not guaranteed to receive their first choice. For other elective courses the student must meet course prerequisites and compete with other students to get a study seat. The syllabus for each course describes the entry requirements.
Study periods
The program is for two years and consists of four semesters, each approximately 20 weeks. The program starts only in fall semester and as full-time studies. Each semester is divided into four parts, except those semesters when students write a thesis in which a 15 credits thesis is a covers half a semester and a 30 credits thesis covers one full semester.

Parallel and serial courses.
All courses are given serially.

Teaching and learning forms
With the exception of some elective courses all teaching throughout the program is given in English.

Programme Overview
The programme overview shows which courses are mandatory and which are optional/elective. Choices of elective / optional courses are made in consultation with the program coordinator. The courses are taken in the order indicated below. The order of the courses may be subjected to change. For information about how the individual courses are structured see respective course syllabus.

Overview masters degree 120 credits
Semester 1
Consumer Behavior, Advanced Market Analyses and Executive Decision Making
30 credits

Semester 2
Electives* 30 credits

Semester 3
Method 7,5 credits
Electives in Business Administration on advanced level 15 credits
Current trends in Business Administration 7,5 credits

Semester 4
Master Thesis 30 credits
»»»» Master´s Degree (120 credits)

Overwiew – master’s degree (60 credits)
Semester 1
Consumer Behavior, Advanced Market Analyses and Executive Decision Making
30 credits

Semester 2
Electives* 15 credits
Master Thesis 15 credits
»»»» Master´s Degree (60 credits, eligible for doctoral studies)

Semester 3 (for further studies towards master’s degree 120 credits)
Method 7,5 credits
Electives in Business Administration on advanced level 15 credits
Current trends in Business Administration 7,5 credits

Semester 4 (for further studies towards master’s degree 120 credits)
Electives* 15 credits
Master Thesis 15 credits
»»»» Master´s Degree (120 credits)

*Electives: You are guaranteed a seat at any of the courses in Business Administration. It is however also possible to take elective courses in any subject at undergraudate and advanced level at Umeå University provided that you are eligible and provided there are seats avaliable.

Elective courses
Elective courses given by USBE and its partner institutions
The student is guaranteed a place in a variety of elective courses equivalent full-time study, but he / she is not guaranteed their first choice of elective courses. The choice of elective course is done in consultation with the program coordinator in the middle of the fall semester. Guaranteed admission applies only if the student meets the admission requirements described in the syllabus for each course. The departments of economics, economic history, statistics and law also offer a number of full-time courses at the basic level with a guaranteed seat.
Recommended elective courses are presented on the following website:
http://www.usbe.umu.se/english/education/programs/programme/?currentView=UMUarticleView&contentId=123025&code=SAMAM&t=p
Elective courses outside of Umeå School of Business and its partner institutions
Elective courses in this category are applied for in open competition with other students. Elective courses from other universities / colleges may be included but may involve tuition fee if the student is not from within EU/EAA. The elective courses at Umeå University can be found at:
Courses offered in English http://www.umu.se/english/education/courses-and-programmes?languageId=1 .

Thesis
For Master of Science Degree 60 credits the student must have completed a thesis within the program worth at least 15 credits in Business Administration with a specialization in marketing.

For a two year (120 credits) Master of Science Degree the student must have completed thesis work worth 30 credits in Business Administration with in the specialization of marketing. The thesis work may also consist of two 15 credits theses.

Deferment of studies

Deferment of study entry
Deferment of study entry may be granted if special circumstances exist. Examples of specific reasons are social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil service, student union assignments or postponed leave according to law (1974:981) on work labor rights to time off for education. Application for deferment is to be submitted to Student Centrum.
A negative decision on deferment of enrollment may be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Approved leave from studies

Approved leave from studies
The student admitted to the program can apply for a study break. The application is submitted to the program coordinator. Study break with a guaranteed seat may be granted for the following reasons: social, medical or other special circumstances such as child care, military or civil-service or student union assignments. Other reasons will typically have a study break without guaranteed seat. Study break without a guaranteed place gives priority to the advertised sites for later part of the program.
Negative decision to resume studies after study breaks can be appealed to the Higher Education Appeals Board.

Discontinuation

Discontinuation
Students who interrupt their education shall notify their dropout to the Program Coordinator.

Other

Threshold Determination
Access to courses in the program is governed by the course syllabus.