E-consultancy Launches the UK's first MSc in Digital Marketing Communications
Internet research group E-consultancy has teamed up with Manchester Metropolitan University Business School to launch the first ever MSc in Digital Marketing Communications. The Masters will provide industry professionals and graduates with the chance to gain a formal, internationally-recognised qualification, and goes some way towards addressing the concerns within the internet sector about a skills shortage.
Applications are now being accepted from students, with the
maiden course starting in June. There are 25 places available. A
further course will begin in January 2008. The course is split into
three parts (Certificate / Diploma / Masters).
Students can pick and mix which areas they would like to study;
topics covered include all the core internet marketing disciplines:
email, search (SEO / PPC), affiliate, online copywriting, online
PR, mobile, usability and user experience, and web project
management as well as core topics that explore strategy, planning
and management in the digital space. Crucially the course has been
designed to be very practical with assessments largely based upon
work related projects.
"We're thrilled to be driving this initiative forward alongside
Manchester Metropolitan, as there is great concern in the industry
about a skills shortage," says E-consultancy Director of Training
Craig Hanna.
"In the past year there has been a huge amount of demand for our
internet training courses, and this initiative is another step
forwards in terms of E-consultancy helping educate marketers in
best practice," he adds.
Why has there been a skills shortage? Here are some of the key
reasons:
• Heads In The Sand. Many traditional marketers have historically
avoided the internet like the plague, much less learned the skills
required to operate effectively online. This is now causing
problems for businesses and for the marketers themselves.
• The Dotcom Crash. This forced out a lot of junior staffers who
might today be mid- or senior-level. As such, there is a big gap
for people with this level of expertise.
• Lack of In-Company Training. Many businesses have been reluctant
to embrace the online channel with both arms, and as such, many
employers haven't adequately equipped their personnel with the key
online skills.
• Lack of Training Options. Since E-consultancy launched its
training division it has helped thousands of internet professionals
to hone their knowledge of best practice. We'd like to think this
is because we know our subject very well, but it is also because
there has been a lack of alternatives in the marketplace.
• Massive Industry Growth. E-commerce is growing at an astonishing
rate, which is squeezing the existing pool of resources. There is a
lot of demand for good people, and nothing like enough supply. This
is causing significant salary inflation, which in turn is making
the industry attractive to young graduates. Our MSc has been
designed to prepare these graduates for a successful career in the
internet industry.