M.A. Strategic Marketing Management
DURATION
4 Semesters
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
Request application deadline
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2025
TUITION FEES
EUR 1,080 / per month *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* • Semestrial or monthly payments are also possible • Sign a study contract for this program by March 15 and get a 1,500 Euro fee discount
Introduction
The strategic role of marketing has become more crucial to the profitable operation and growth of businesses in recent years. In the Strategic Marketing Management Master you will learn how to develop marketing strategies from the findings of market research and the specifications of company management, and to plan, implement and control marketing campaigns in a targeted manner. The program has a high practical emphasis and includes a semester abroad at one of ISM's over 190 partner universities.
This full-time on-campus master program prepares you optimally for a career as Marketing Manager. In just 4 semesters you'll acquire the tools and strategies you need to succeed in any strategic marketing or corporate communication position or to operate in cross-functional teams.
The program covers multiple subject areas under the umbrella of marketing and offers a comprehensive insight into subjects like communications, sales, and digital marketing, public relations, consumer behavior and data-driven market research.
You can pursue this Master's degree in Berlin, Munich and Dortmund 100% in English. No specific GPA or numerus clausus (NC) is required for this degree program.
The real-life case studies, study excursions, and internships offer you extensive opportunities to gain hands-on, relevant work experience, practice problem-solving and prove your knowledge in various areas. This massively increases your employability after graduating the master's of strategic marketing. During your studies, you will benefit from intensive exchange with experts from the marketing communications world and conduct your own projects and marketing case studies.
The Master's in Strategic Marketing includes:
- practice-oriented courses,
- an integrated 12-week practical phase (internships),
- a semester abroad at a partner university and
- an extensive market research project to help you develop your marketing-related entrepreneurial and problem-solving skills.
Getting a double degree from two prestigious universities
While pursuing your Digital Marketing Master's at ISM you have the additional option to earn an international double degree from at ISM and a partner university. This means that in addition to your master's degree at ISM, you will receive a second, internationally recognized master's degree. In some cases, this is even possible during the integrated semester abroad, but depends on the partner university chosen. This way, you can get two master's degrees in two or two and a half years and make a decisive step for your future career. In addition, you will expand your personal network with international students and lecturers and strengthen your language and intercultural skills.
Fast track your studies in just 3 semesters with a Marketing degree
With the option "Fast Track" the semester abroad is omitted and you shorten your internship period. This allows you to complete your master's degree in only 3 semesters. Prerequisite: you bring 210 ECTS from your Bachelor (an alternative admission to Fast Track is possible via demonstrated work experience or by taking the ISM Pre-Master).
Apply early and enjoy study fee discounts
You can now apply for the fall 2025 studies and enjoy an 1,500 Euro fee discount (early bird). For more information, check the study page below. The ISM admission test is valid for 1 year and the admission process is free of charge!
- Last Call Discount: Enroll in this program by June 15 (for studies starting in fall) and get a 500 Euro fee discount.
- Early Bird Discount: Enroll in this program by March 15 and get a 1,500 Euro fee discount.
Admissions
Curriculum
1st Semester:
Market Research
- Consumer Behaviour (2 ECTS)
- Advanced Market Research (2 ECTS)
- Applied Statistics (2 ECTS)
Strategic Marketing
- Marketing Strategies & Planning (2 ECTS)
- Brand Management (2 ECTS)
- Trademark & Unfair Competition Law (2 ECTS)
Classic Communications
- Above-the-Line-Communication (2 ECTS)
- Media Planning (2 ECTS)
- Integrated Communication (2 ECTS)
Leadership Skills
- Corporate Governance & Business Ethics (2 ECTS)
- Negotiation, Communication & Executive Presentations (2 ECTS)
- Cross Cultural Leadership (2 ECTS)
Work placement (12 ECTS)
2nd Semester:
Relationship Marketing
- Services Marketing & Service Quality (2 ECTS)
- Internal Marketing & Behavioral Branding (2 ECTS)
- Customer Relationship Marketing (2 ECTS)
Digital Marketing
- Online Marketing, Online Advertising & Social Media (2 ECTS)
- E-Marketing & E-Commerce (2 ECTS)
- Mobile Marketing (2 ECTS)
Sales Marketing & Communications
- Price Management (2 ECTS)
- Direct Marketing (2 ECTS)
- Sales Promotion (2 ECTS)
Public & Publicity Communications
- Event Marketing & Sponsoring (2 ECTS)
- Product Placement & Branded Entertainment (2 ECTS)
- Public Relations (2 ECTS)
Market Research/Consulting Project (6 ECTS)
3rd Semester:
Master's Thesis (30 ECTS)
Rankings
The ISM is Top-Ranked and Unlimitedly State-Approved
The ISM University is state-accreddited unlimitedly and all study programs bear the seal of quality of the Accreditation Council and the FIBAA. The quality of the education is confirmed by HR managers, ISM students and alumni and the presence in numerous rankings where ISM consistently occupies top positions since many years, such as the CHE University Ranking, Universum, Trendence and U-Multirank, especially in areas such as:
- Internationality,
- Support at the beginning of the studies
- Graduation in due course
- Professional experience and contact to professional practice,
- Student mobility,
- International academic staff,
- Foreign language taught bachelor and master programs, etc.
Program Outcome
Achieve international double qualification
An international double degree can be obtained in marketing. In addition to your Master's degree at ISM, you will also receive a second, internationally recognized Master's degree. Depending on the partner universities, this is even possible within the framework of the integrated semester abroad, whereby you can obtain two Master's degrees in just two or two and a half years. Furthermore, the double degree strengthens your linguistic and intercultural skills and expands your personal and professional network with international students and lecturers.
With renowned international partner universities, the ISM offers you a high-quality range of courses with specific focus on International Marketing Management, Global Marketing Management or Management.
In the M.A. Strategic Marketing Management program, you can choose from the following double degrees:
- Bond University (German-Australian Double Degree, PDF)
- University of the Sunshine Coast (German-Australian Double Degree, PDF)
- Boston University (German-U.S. Double Degree, PDF)
- Lancaster University (German-U.K. Double Degree, PDF)
- Edinburgh Napier University (German-U.K. Double Degree, PDF)
- INSEEC (German-French Double Degree, PDF)
- Pôle Universitaire Léonard de Vinci (German-French Double Degree, PDF)
- Universitat Ramon Llull (German-Spanish Double Degree, PDF)
The dual degree is not available with the Fast Track option.
Program Tuition Fee
Accreditations
Student Testimonials
Why study at International School of Management (ISM)
Your Advantages at ISM
- High-quality education: first-class teaching, top-ranked and unlimited state accreditation (FIBAA).
- High employability after graduation: over 80% of our students find a job before graduating.
- Close to practice: the majority of our lecturers come from the corporate world and can connect theory with business practice and teach you real-life business scenarios.
- Personal teaching atmosphere: study in small learning groups.
- Strong internationality: students of 84 nationalities. Ratio of 30% international students.
- A Network of more than 190 partner universities to choose from for your semester abroad.
- You can study Strategic Marketing in: Dortmund, Munich and Berlin.
Program delivery
Learn Country-Specific Marketing Instruments
Internationality is an important keyword in the Marketing Management postgraduate program. The Master in Strategic Marketing Management
- is studied 100% in English,
- includes an integrated semester abroad at one of our 190+ partner universities, and
- provides the opportunity to complete a second international degree(Double Degree) at a partner university.
You will deepen your subject-specific knowledge and get to know the intercultural peculiarities of the chosen cultural area. At the same time, you will perfect your language skills.
Qualification as Marketing Expert
In the first two semesters, you will study at ISM. You will learn to analyze dynamic framework conditions and to determine promising market positions through qualitative and quantitative market research.
The third semester takes you abroad to one of our partner universities.
Your studies will be completed with a practice-oriented Master's thesis in the fourth semester.
The International Office will support you in your selection and application.