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- Lancaster University
- Psychology of Advertising MSc
Course options
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Qualification
MSc - Master of Science
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Location
Lancaster University
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Study mode
Full time
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Start date
03-OCT-25
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Duration
1 year
Course summary
Overview
Advertising is everywhere. Always transient, sometimes trivial, yet it can be incredibly powerful in changing our perceptions, our beliefs and our behaviour. Through this programme, you will develop an advanced understanding of how advertising affects the human mind, giving you unique and valuable insight into the industry.
This unique course provides an interface between theory and practice, understanding and skills, by giving you a thorough grounding in the psychology underpinning persuasion, in the context of how it is applied – and how it might be applied more radically – in the communications industry.
The course combines small-group ‘knowledge-exchange’ with innovative student-led teaching, built around our outstanding expertise in cognitive, developmental, social and neuropsychological aspects of advertising. You will benefit from perspectives and contributions from academic researchers, seasoned advertising practitioners, and original commercially-oriented research.
Studying a combination of skills and theory-based modules, you will develop a high-level of technical understanding of the discipline. You will have the opportunity to practise and develop analytical and interpretation skills alongside modules that will enhance your ability to conduct and present psychology research.
Your knowledge and understanding of the psychology of advertising and advertising theory will also develop as you engage with specialist modules focused on these topics. Studying the relationship between advertising and the human mind, and applying your learning to advertising strategy, positioning, brand, and marketing communications will prepare you for the competitive world of advertising and marketing. The advanced skills and knowledge you develop through these modules will be invaluable as you progress into a career or further research.
During the year, you will also complete a dissertation project, supported by an academic supervisor. This will be an opportunity for you to demonstrate everything that you have learnt and put theory into practice. You will develop your data-handling skills as well as your ability to accurately and appropriately present your research.
In addition, your dissertation can be completed in parallel or sequentially with an industry placement. This would give you the opportunity to gain hands-on experience, while applying your skills and knowledge to address a real-world, industry-focused challenge. This practical, relevant experience of working for an external organisation (and the networking opportunities this brings) is hugely beneficial when applying for jobs at the end of the course.
This course is designed for graduates who come from a wide range of disciplines and plan to pursue a career in advertising or communications, or who wish to refresh their skills or shift focus to a more planning-based trajectory. It is also suitable for those who wish to undertake further research into the psychology of advertising and related fields at PhD level.
Modules
Tuition fees
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- East Timor
- Ecuador
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- England
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Ethiopia
- Fiji
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Gambia
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Grenada
- Guatemala
- Guinea
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- Guyana
- Haiti
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- Iceland
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- Kosovo
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- Luxembourg
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- Moldova
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- Nauru
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- Palestinian Authority
- Panama
- Papua New Guinea
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- Peru
- Philippines
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- Romania
- Russia
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- Saudi Arabia
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- Serbia
- Seychelles
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- Spain
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- St. Lucia
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- Suriname
- Swaziland
- Sweden
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- Tunisia
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- Turkmenistan
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£ 30,310per year
Tuition fees shown are for indicative purposes and may vary. Please check with the institution for most up to date details.
University information

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University League Table
10th
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Campus address
Lancaster University, Bailrigg, Lancaster, Lancashire, LA1 4YW, England
Subject rankings
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Subject ranking
7th out of 87 3
19th out of 118
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Entry standards
/ Max 204145 71%18th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10089.0 89%8th
6 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.04 76%49th
41 -
Entry standards
/ Max 213156 73%29th
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Graduate prospects
/ Max 10073.0 73%20th
8 -
Student satisfaction
/ Max 43.07 77%53rd
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