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Master in Strategic Marketing & Communication

Gain a 360º strategic view of marketing & communication
duration10 months
languageEnglish
locationMadrid
intakeSeptember*
MODE OF STUDYFull-time
FORMATIn-person

TURN INSIGHT INTO STRATEGY: GAIN A 360º VIEW OF MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

The Master in Strategic & Marketing Communication is designed to help you navigate the changes and challenges of our advanced digital era.

The program kicks off with a Common Core Period where you’ll study alongside master’s students from our other Marketing, Communication & Sales programs, giving you the opportunity to network with like-minded thinkers and refine your career path.

Then, you’ll explore key areas including Strategic Foundations, Marketing Systems, Growth & Decision-Making, Leadership & Transformation. You’ll also learn how to leverage AI as your execution partner while you focus on high-level strategy, brand positioning and interpreting data for decision making that technology simply can’t replicate.

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WANT TO KNOW MORE?

PILLARS OF THE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

  • A group of young adults engaging in a collaborative discussion around a laptop in a brightly lit room.
  • A group of five professionals actively discussing around a table in a modern office environment at night.
  • Two people, a man and a woman, are smiling and looking at a laptop together outdoors at a table in an urban setting.
  • Two professionals brainstorming with sticky notes on a glass wall.
  • A woman with glasses clapping hands and smiling in a meeting or seminar room.

PROGRAM STRUCTURE

PROGRAM STRUCTURE OF THE MASTER IN STRATEGIC MARKETING & COMMUNICATION

Program Structure
10 Months
Pre-Program
    COMMON CORE PERIOD
    TERMS
    CAPSTONE PROJECT
      CAREER SPECIALIZATIONS
      Program Structure
      10 Months

      *Please note that our program content is continually updated to remain in sync with market demands. Therefore, we advise you that the content is subject to change and it can be dependent on student demand.

      University private degree

      This is a University Private Degree from IE University*. More Information on what earning a University Private Degree from IE University entails.

      *IE University is a university officially recognized by the Spanish education authorities, allowed to grant both University Official Degrees (bachelor’s, master’s and PhD degrees), which are specifically regulated and accredited by the Spanish Ministry of Education, and University Private Degrees (master’s) that are specifically designed by the university toward the professional application of their studies and the constant update of higher education, preserving the educational standards of excellence of IE University. Both types of degrees are equally backed by the rigor and prestige of IE University.

      COMPANIES THAT COLLABORATE WITH THE PROGRAM

      At IE University, we believe the best way to learn is through practical, hands-on methodologies. Thanks to our strong relationship with top industry professionals, you have the opportunity to experience the real world of work in the classroom through challenges, consulting projects and multimedia simulations, applying their knowledge as you go. Here are some of the partner companies collaborating with the program:

      CAPSTONE PROJECTS

      At IE University, we know there is no better way to learn than by doing. In this program, you will deep dive into a hands-on consulting project for a real company, applying the skills and knowledge acquired throughout the program to resolve a communication and marketing dilemma.

      • Mundo Blanco Icon

        Brand Strategy Challenge

        Students work on live briefs from real companies, solving strategic marketing challenges with direct input from brand teams and expert coaches. Throughout the term, they develop data-informed, strategic solutions grounded in real business contexts.

      • Hombre circulo Icon

        Agency Challenge

        Students step into the role of agency professionals, responding to real brand briefs under tight deadlines and imperfect information. Guided by industry experts and coaches, they deliver high-impact solutions that balance creativity, performance, and strategic clarity.

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        Final Strategic Capstone

        Students collaborate with leading brands across sectors such as tech, luxury, beauty, automotive and retail to solve complex, high-level marketing challenges with real business implications. This final capstone integrates strategy, innovation, and data-driven thinking to deliver executive-ready recommendations.

      BEYOND THE PROGRAM

      Your Marketing, Communication & Sales Student Journey

      • 1

        Gain Foundation & Specialized skills

      • 2

        ADD-ON AN INDUSTRY CERTIFICATION

      • 3

        TRAVEL TO AN INTERNATIONAL LEARNING EXPERIENCE

      • 4

        GRADUATE AND START YOUR CAREER

      • 5

        TAKE ON AN OPTIONAL CAREER TRACK

      MARKETING & COMMUNICATION OPTIONAL INDUSTRY CERTIFICATIONS

      • Google logo

        IE DIGITAL ANALYTICS CERTIFICATE: GA4

        Read more  >
      • Logo of IE University consisting of a stylized abbreviation 'ie' next to the full name 'IE UNIVERSITY' in blue color on a black background.

        GENERATIVE AI FOR BUSINESS PROFESSIONALS CERTIFICATE

        Read more  >
      • SUSTAINABILITY CERTIFICATE

        Read more  >
      • IE-SALESFORCE CERTIFICATE

        Read more  >

      CAREER SPECIALIZATIONS

      Optional Career Specializations

      Accelerate your career with specialized, industry-focused programs designed to transform master graduates into sought-after professionals.

      A young woman is working on her laptop while smiling at a modern workspace.

      International Experiences

      Broaden your perspective on international business markets and Marketing, Communication & Sales career trends as part of several optional international experiences: our Global Immersion Week or our Social Impact Week. Previous editions have taken our students to London and Ghana, as well as other destinations such as Amsterdam and South Africa.

      International experiences such as the Global Immersion Week and Social Impact Week are optional opportunities with limited capacity. Selection criteria may include academic standing, such as a student’s GPA.

      Students are responsible for their own travel and housing costs.

      • Marcom London Inernational Experience
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        Global Immersion Week

        The MARCOM Global Immersion Week (GIW) allows students to network with companies, explore new cultures and gain new career insights. Our goal is to offer you a one-week international experience and show you firsthand the main career outcomes that you can find today within other relevant international business markets.  Previous years’ agendas have included in-company visits to Google, Ipsos, Amazon, Diageo and the Financial Times, among others.

      • Marcom Ghana Inernational Experience
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        Social Impact Week

        Our goal is to nurture the next generation of purpose-driven business professionals who possess a deep sense of responsibility to the planet and society. Our Social Impact Week is a one-week trip in which you will visit local companies within the fields of marketing, communication & sales. There, you will develop a project for a client that is focused on social impact, entrepreneurship and the MARCOM sector. It is the perfect opportunity to network, gain global knowledge and have a positive impact on society.

      MARCOM SPEAKER SERIES

      Once a month, students will have the chance to hear from top speakers from different companies in the Marketing, Communication & Sales (MARCOM) industry. In the past, speakers have represented companies such as Kantar, McKinsey, Interbrand and Fjord, to name a few.

      DISCOVER THE TRENDS SHAPING THE FUTURE OF MARKETING, COMMUNICATION & SALES

       

      FLexibility in your Career Path

      Choosing the right program for you can be difficult. We’re here to guide you in your Marketing, Communication & Sales career journey from the start with the support of our Recruiting & Admissions team, who will closely review your background, skills and future goals to ensure you choose the right program. All our full-time programs begin with a 2-month Common Core Period, designed to give you the key foundations to succeed in this career path.

      However, if after starting the program and completing this Common Core Period you are interested in changing to another Marketing, Communication & Sales program, you may switch programs after having a meeting with the Academic Program Direction team to validate this change and understand how it may affect your future career. Please be aware that program changes are dependent on availability.

      FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

      • The study program takes place over 10 months. The program is structured as follows:

        • A Pre-Program period covering the software necessary for the program
        • A Common Core Period (Sept–Oct) shared with other Master’s in Marketing, Communication & Sales
        • Term 1 (Nov–Dec), Term 2 (Jan–Mar), Term 3 (Apr–Jul)
        • A Final Project carried out in groups to practice tackling real-world challenges based on real companies and organizations
        • An optional Career Specialization after completing the program

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/programs/masters/master-in-strategic-marketing-communication/study-plan/ 

      • Yes. The Final Project puts teams to the test to solve a challenge from a real company; previous partners have included brands such as McDonald’s, Heineken, Diageo and LEGO. The project will involve in-depth analysis and the extraction of strategic insights.

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/programs/masters/master-in-strategic-marketing-communication/study-plan/  

      • You can join the Global Immersion Week to learn more about the latest trends in the tech world or the Social Impact Week to gain valuable experiences working alongside local companies. Recent destinations include London, Amsterdam, Ghana and South Africa (destinations may vary by year).

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/programs/masters/master-in-strategic-marketing-communication/study-plan/#intenationalexperience 

      • Once you finish your master’s degree, you can choose to extend your studies with an optional term focused on key sectors linked to the full-time master's programs within the Marketing, Communication & Sales Pathway or the Master in Talent Development & Human Resources. This Career Specialization, running from September to December, offers a professionally oriented curriculum featuring hands-on consulting projects, company visits, project-based learning experiences and expanded networking opportunities to support your job search process. You can apply before enrolling in IE University or at any point during your studies. Any relevant deadlines will be communicated by the academic team.

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/programs/masters/master-in-strategic-marketing-communication/study-plan/ 

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/programs/masters/career-tracks/ 

      • The Stage is the platform experience that unites IE Business School’s Marketing, Branding & Sales master’s programs: you start with a Common Core with courses covering shared fundamentals, then specialize, with access to Speaker Series, international field trips, optional certifications, and 150+ student clubs to extend your network.

        Throughout the Common Core Period, students from these programs take core courses in marketing and branding together before advancing into their chosen master’s program.

        Source: https://www.ie.edu/business-school/the-stage/ 

      • This program focuses on strategy and brand leadership, areas where human insight remains essential. You’ll learn to design integrated communication strategies, manage multi-channel brand ecosystems and interpret consumer data for high-level decision-making. Rather than just producing content manually, you’ll train to supervise and guide AI-generated outputs, ensuring they align with long-term brand positioning and business goals.