Hi All,

I am from India working with Deloitte in Market research role. I have experience of 7 years in Research.
I am planning to pursue master's course in Marketing. My dilemma is whether i should go for Master's in Marketing or MBA? I am very clear that I want to work in marketing line preferably in the capacity of a Market consultant or brand marketing.
I have an MBA offers from Lancaster University, UK and Trinity Business School. However my confusion is whether I need MBA or Msc Marketing for my desired roles in future. Please suggest. If the vote goes to Msc - Marketing, then I would be grateful if somebody can suggest excellent schools to get into roles i mentioned above.

Hi, since you are decided that you want to make a career in branding, you could look at specific brand management & marketing masters offered by Essex, Brunel, Kingston & Lancaster. The advantage of MBA is peer learning as the class consists of professionals from different industry & domains.

Hi Mamit,

thanks for your reply.

Yesterday I got 2 more offers.

So now I am down with these choices: Lancaster MBA, EmLyon MBA, Trinity MBA, UCD Master in Marketing Practice and ESCP Master in Marketing & Creativity (yet to apply).

I am looking to work in the country where I will pursue my Master's for at least 2 years before returning to India. So, I think EmLyon doesnt sound like a safe choice since I have no knowledge of French. Let me know if anyone disagree.
Which one is better between the two MBA's: Lancaster MBA or Trinity MBA?
Which one is better out of two Master's: UCD Marketing practise or ESCP Marketing & Creativity?

In the end, which degree might be most useful keeping in mind my career goals; MBA from 2 B-Schools mentioned above or Master's?

P.S.: Duncan and Razors Edge your response would be highly appreciated...

I think the UCD programme is the obvious choice for your career goal. You don't need the MBA to do marketing, so MBAs hired into marketing organisations will typically be in managerial roles. With the UCD programme, you';; be very well adapted to the culture and business realities of Ireland by the process, so you'll be learning both soft skills and the academic content in a setting that is totally focussed on marketing. It's a very old and well-respected course.

Thanks for your post Duncan.
You mentioned mba is good for managerial position in marketing...I am looking for brand marketing roles but at senior level...after having exp of 8 years n since m already handling a team of market researchers .so I do expect a managerial role...Do you think UCD can get me a good supervosory job in Ireland? Or shall I reconsider going for MBA from Lancaster or trinity business school?

Thanks for your post Duncan.
You mentioned mba is good for managerial position in marketing...I am looking for brand marketing roles but at senior level...after having exp of 8 years n since m already handling a team of market researchers .so I do expect a managerial role...Do you think UCD can get me a good supervosory job in Ireland? Or shall I reconsider going for MBA from Lancaster or trinity business school?

You don't have a background in marketing, so to move into a *senior* brand management role you would need a much more extensive MBA, like LBS, IESE or HEC. I think you need a bit more research to see what roles are really credible for someone changing industry, country and role. You might need to makr that transition over several roles, or invest in a more transformative MBA.

I agree with Duncan. If you are just looking at a senor level managerial position then MBA makes sense but if your priority is branding then go for a specific masters program in the same.

Thanks Mamit and Duncan. My priority is to get into marketing role but ofcourse after having experience of 8 years I would not like to start from the scratch level. So can I expect a middle management position after graduating from UCD. Additionally which one is better for marketing UCD OR ESCP

It seems unlikely that you will get a middle management position without prior experience in branding. Do you have a lot of supervisory or business development experience? Perhaps the better route here is to go into a market research role for a marketing or branding consultancy like Monitor, Interbrand or Landor?

Thanks for the post Duncan. Your posts have always been of a great value.

I have supervisory experience of around 3 years.I am Responsible for driving strategic priorities and operations of Ernst & Young. India offices, including strategically managing, internal & external brand, and talent through sustained programs

Additionally my profile is to Develop, implement and manage large scale strategic programs for the firm which builds pride within the employees and culture of the firm.

Prior to working with EY I was with Deloitte in a similar kind of role. However there I was mainly an individual player rather than a supervisor.
Furthermore, I don't have any business development experience. Yes you are right market research role would be a perfect choice for me and this is exactly what I am looking for If not middle or senior level management. Do you think marketing practice programme at UCD can land me such kind of roles with organizations you mentioned? Additionally, I would be very grateful if you can share any insight about the placement of this course for an International student. Is the course highly recognized in Ireland's job market? How would you rate MBA from Lancaster for similar roles you mentioned.

Duncan is there any way I can email you my CV so that maybe you can give me more detailed insight and direction. I mean only if it works with you else your posts are anyway of great help too.

Thanks

Sure. Take a look at my profile page to see how to hire me. The marketing practice course is very well respected, but I don't see how you can make three big leaps: role, industry and country, in one step. Even with an MBA, you are better off breaking the transition across multiple roles.