Course Summary
Inspired by the creativity, innovation and the relentless pace of change within retailing, our faculty have worked closely with industry leaders to create the unique MSc in Marketing and Retail Innovation. The programme addresses vital industry needs, blending essential marketing expertise with customer-focused retail innovation, where relentless change demands agile creative responses.
College Link
Career Sectors
This course prepares you for working in the Career Sectors below. Follow the links to get a fuller understanding of the sectors you are preparing for.
Entry Requirements
You may be eligible for Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL), as UCD recognises formal, informal, and/or experiential learning. RPL may be awarded to gain Admission and/or credit exemptions on a programme. Please visit the UCD Registry RPL web page for further information at: https://www.ucd.ie/registry/prospectivestudents/admissions/rpl/ Any exceptions are also listed on this webpage.
Application Details
Online Application.
Who Should Apply?
Full Time option suitable for:
Domestic(EEA) applicants: Yes
International (Non EU) applicants: Yes
B658: Master of Science Marketing & Retail Innovation Full-Time
Commencing September 2026
Graduate Taught (UCD Michael Smurfit Graduate Business School)
Fees
Fees Full-Time EU:
15,760 (academic year 2024/2025)
Full-Time Non-EU:
22,600 (academic year 2024/2025)
The Student
Career Interests
This course is typically suited for people with the following Career Interests. If these interests do not describe you, this course may prepare you for work you may not find satisfying.
Enterprising
Enterprising people like situations that involve using resources for personal or corporate economic gain. Such people may have an opportunistic frame of mind, and are drawn to commerce, trade and making deals. Some pursue sales and marketing occupations. Many will eventually end up owning their own business, or in management roles in larger organisations. They tend to be very goal-oriented and work best when focused on a target. Some have an entrepreneurial inclination.
Creative
Creative people are drawn to careers and activities that enable them to take responsibility for the design, layout or sensory impact of something (visual, auditory etc). They may be atrracted to the traditional artistic pursuits such as painting, sculpture, singing, or music. Or they may show more interest in design activities, such as architecture, animation, or craft areas, such as pottery and ceramics.
Creative people use their personal understanding of people and the world they live in to guide their work. Creative people like to work in unstructured workplaces, enjoy taking risks and prefer a minimum of routine.
Career Progression
With an MSc in Marketing and Retail Innovation, graduates are equipped to work in a variety of industries such as software development and tech services, healthcare, food, entertainment, fashion and clothing, travel, consulting and financial services, among others. 75% of our graduates from this programme were employed after 6 months across a range of industry sectors. Source: Latest Graduate Outcomes Survey, published in September 2025.
Potential careers for our graduates include:
Retail operations
E-commerce specialist
Brand management
Customer experience management
Strategic planning
Product / Marketing analyst
Previous graduates have been employed by a range of companies including Ebay, Brown Thomas, Arnotts, Dunhumby, Ryanair, Salesforce, Arrow Technologies, Danone, QuinnBet, Applegreen, Accenture, theStartUp.com, Fidelity Investments, Tech Ads Media