The programme was launched in September 1999, with 30 students being taught by a very small team of academic staff, led by Malcolm Kirkup, Professor Peter Turnbull, Professor Stan Paliwoda and Professor Isabelle Szmigin.  The programme and the Marketing Department have grown substantially since that time.  The programme recruited close to 150 students in 2006/7 under Dr Helen Borland's leadership, and the Department has now grown to 20 staff.  Since 1999, over 1000 students have graduated with Birmingham's highly regarded MSc Marketing qualification.

The success of the MSc Marketing programme prompted the launch of a number of new specialist programmes in 2007/8.  Birmingham now also offers MSc's in International Marketing, Marketing Communications and Strategic Marketing and Consulting.  The latter two programmes are targeted at students with previous experience and existing qualifications in marketing.  Collectively, the four programmes attract close to 200 students a year, giving Birmingham Business School one of the largest and most successful Marketing Departments in the UK. 

Since 1999 the Business School has attracted many top Marketing academics - including Professor Doug West, Professor Leslie de Chernatony, Dr Svetla Marinova, Dr George Christodoulides, Dr Caroline Moraes, Dr Eric Shiu, Dr Rehan ul Haq, Dr Sheena Leek and Dr Louise Canning.  The programmes have also reached out to work more closely with industry.  Students on the two newest MSc programmes have this year been working on live company projects for organisations including Cadbury, Hobbs, Aston Villa, Reckitt Benkiser, Cogent Elliot, Wyatt International, Jaguar and Synovate. 

Malcolm Kirkup, one of the Programme Directors, commented: "We are delighted with our successful expansion but even more delighted to see so many of our graduates secure successful marketing careers.  Our aim is to continue to be a leader in postgraduate marketing education in the UK and to continually strive to improve the employability of our graduates."

To celebrate the 10th Birthday we are holding a photo and story competition!
The most evocative photos and memories from MSc Marketing alumni will be published in our new hard copy newsletter and the very best picture or memory will win a goodie bag of university merchandise!

Please send your stories and pictures to bbsalumni@contacts.bham.ac.uk and don't forget to let us know what you have been doing since then!

In addition, we would like to arrange a reunion on campus for all 10 years of the programme on 24th April 2010. The day will include refresher lectures from our Marketing academics, networking opportunities, a tour of campus and our new home University House and a chance to relive your student days with a club night at the Guild of Students.

Register your interest by emailing bbsalumni@contacts.bham.ac.uk