Luxury Brand Management (MA)

You'll need a 2:1 degree or equivalent international qualification from one of the following areas: art, design, humanities, management, marketing, performing arts, languages, psychology and sociology, statistics, economics, trade, advertising, media and communication, branding.

We do not accept the following subjects: geography, maths, engineering and science, computing science, , education, hospitality, music.
 

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Pre-masters

If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.

Recognition of professional experience

You can also apply if you have professional experience. You’ll need to demonstrate significant relevant work experience within the relevant subject field.

We may ask you to an interview.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

This luxury brand management master's includes 7 core modules and an optional module in your second semester. Your core modules will provide in-depth knowledge of specialist concepts and methods of luxury brand management. With your optional module of choice you can specialise in a subject that appeals to you. 

Throughout the course you’ll develop your academic skills in research, analysing data, and academic writing. Creativity and luxury brands as a theme are included through all modules. Through studying a brand management course, you’ll also investigate strategic management and marketing of luxury.
 

Semester 1 overview

In your first semester you’ll cover core modules, such as:

• Context of Luxury
• Principles of Luxury
• Professional Luxury Practises

Through these modules, you’ll build a strong understanding of key concepts and environmental factors that influence luxury marketing decisions.  
 

Semester 2 overview

For your second semester you’ll study the core modules Research Methods (Luxury Brand Management) and The Business of Luxury.

You’ll get to choose one of the following optional modules:

• Experimental Publishing
• Exploring the Visual Language of Display
• Visual Culture 

Within your second semester you’ll also put your research and analytical skills into practice through your final major project. 
 

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

During our brand management masters we'll encourage you to reflect on your progress and learn from this. You’ll receive formative assessment throughout the course to help you focus your studies. 

You'll learn through a combination of methods, including:

• lectures, seminars, and tutorials
• workshops and field trips
• independent study
• presentations
• group work
• interactive exercises

Assessment

We'll assess you through different methods including: 

• essays
• critical papers
• a consultancy project presentation and report
• reflective statements
• your final project write-up

Dissertation

You’ll need to complete an independent 10,000-word final project (dissertation).

Focusing on a contemporary luxury brand management issue, you will investigate this issue/area of research to prepare a final project, critically analysing and commenting on the ideas and viewpoints of others, together with those of your own.

Academic Support

We intentionally keep student numbers low on this course, which results in a close-knit group and means you’ll receive plenty of support from your peers and tutors. You’ll have a personal academic tutor, who is the first point of contact for advice about academic or other matters.

You’ll also have access to the wide range of University student services should you need them, including visa information, advice on money matters, and welfare or academic support.

Graduates from this programme will typically find employment in a variety of different careers associated with luxury marketing and brand management including: 

• account handlers
• marketing executives
• marketing managers
• consultants
• brand managers
• marketing communication experts 
• executive/management level roles within the luxury and marketing industry

Our graduates find employment opportunities within these roles either working for agencies or their clients and in some cases choose to operate as freelance consultants within their chosen careers. Many of our graduates also go on to start their own companies.

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £27,800.
• EU and international students pay £27,800.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

Deposit

If you're an international student on a full-time course, we'll ask you to pay £2,000 of your tuition fees in advance, as a deposit.

Your offer letter will tell you when this should be paid and provide full terms and conditions.

Find out about exemptions, refunds and how to pay your deposit on our tuition fees for overseas students page.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

• accommodation costs
• living costs
• budgeting advice
• fees, charges and expenses regulations

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship

Ten scholarships of £10,000 each are available to international students studying for an undergraduate degree or a postgraduate master’s degree in Arts and Humanities.

Find out more about the Southampton Arts and Humanities Deans Global Talent Scholarship, including eligibility, deadlines and how to apply.

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
2. Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. . 
3. Search for the course you want to apply for.
4. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
5. Pay the £50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
6. Submit your application.

For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.

Application deadlines

There are different application deadlines for this course. Applications are expected to close:

• UK applicants: Tuesday 9 September 2025, midday UK time
• International students: Tuesday 26 August 2025, midday UK time

We advise applying early as applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course. 

You’ll need to include information about: 

• your knowledge of the subject area
• why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
• how you intend to use your qualification

References are not required for this programme.

Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: [email protected]
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000