Entrance to our MSc in Marketing is strongly competitive. You can increase your chances of a successful application by exceeding the minimum programme requirements.

Academic requirements

You will need a UK first-class or 2:1 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent overseas qualification.

Supporting your application

  • Relevant work experience is not required but may increase your chances of acceptance.
  • Preference will be given to those with grades above the minimum requirements due to strong competition for places on this programme.
  • Preferences will be given to those who have studied business and management related subjects due to strong competition for places on this programme.

To help you build a strong application, please refer to our selection criteria.

Applications from current undergraduates

Final year undergraduate students are welcome to apply, so long as your studies will be completed prior to the MSc programme commencement date.

Overseas students

In addition to academic and professional requirements, international students will have to adhere to immigration guidelines.

Advice for overseas students

The minimum academic requirement is a UK 2:1 honours degree in a related subject or an equivalent international qualification.

Some examples of equivalent qualifications:

  • Canada: B+; 3.25+ (4 point scale); 7+ (9 point scale)
  • China: 85%+; Band A from the Priority list of Chinese universities
  • Germany: 2.2+ (reverse 5 point scale); Sehr Gut/Gut
  • India: 1st Class degree (60%+); 3.2 on a 4 point scale; 8.0 on a 10 point scale
  • Nigeria: 2:1
  • South Africa: 2:1/1st
  • USA: GPA 3.25+ (4 point scale)

If your home country is not listed above, consult the minimum grade point average (GPA) required by following the link below.

Entry requirements by country

Important points

  • The ranking of the university at which you studied is considered when we determine whether or not your degree is equivalent to a first or upper second-class honours degree in the UK.
  • If your degree is not of the required standard and you do not have highly relevant work or other experience, we will normally reject your application.
  • Meeting the degree requirement doesn’t ensure acceptance. A higher standard may be needed for your application to be competitive for admission or funding.
  • Other equivalent qualifications can be requested from the Admissions team.
  • A conditional offer can be made if you are waiting for a final degree result or a language test result.

Regardless of your nationality or country of residence, you must demonstrate a level of English language competency which will enable you to succeed in your studies.

English language tests we accept

We accept any of the following English language tests, at the specified grade or higher:

  • IELTS Academic: total 7.0 with at least 6.0 in each component. We do not accept IELTS One Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) before 21 January 2026: total 100 with at least 20 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • TOEFL iBT (including Home Edition) from 21 January 2026: total 5.0 with at least 4.0 in each component. We do not accept TOEFL MyBest Score to meet our English language requirements.
  • C1 Advanced (CAE) / C2 Proficiency (CPE): total 185 with at least 169 in each component.
  • Trinity ISE: ISE III with passes in all four components.
  • Oxford ELLT: total 8 with at least 6 in each component. We do not accept Oxford ELLT Skill Retake to meet our English language requirements.
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced: total 155 with at least 135 in each component.

How old your English language tests can be

Tests no more than two years old

The following English language tests must be no more than two years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality:

  • IELTS Academic
  • TOEFL-iBT (including Home Edition)
  • Trinity ISE
  • Oxford ELLT
  • Oxford Test of English Advanced

Tests no more than three and a half years old

All other English language tests must be no more than three and a half years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts, regardless of your nationality.

Degrees taught and assessed in English

We accept an undergraduate or postgraduate degree that has been taught and assessed in English in a majority English-speaking country, as defined by UK Visas and Immigration.

UKVI list of majority English speaking countries

We also accept a degree that has been taught and assessed in English from a university on our list of approved universities in non-majority English-speaking countries (non-MESC).

Approved universities in non-MESC

How old your degree can be

If you are not a national of a majority English-speaking country, then your degree must be no more than five years old on the 1st of the month in which your programme starts.

This time limit does not apply to your degree if you are a national of a majority English-speaking country.

Find out more about our English language requirements

Find out about other English language qualifications we accept, including professional qualifications.

English language requirements

Other important points to note

  • If you already have an English language certificate then you can include this with your application. However, if you have not yet taken a test, we will still process your application and you will be able to upload your results when you receive them.
  • A conditional offer may be given to you if you do not yet meet our minimum English requirement. But you must provide evidence that you have reached the minimum English requirement before we can provide you with an unconditional offer.
  • We advise you to start working towards your English language qualification as early as possible to ensure that you have achieved the required standard in time to start the programme. If you require a visa, you must have achieved your English qualification and have met any other conditions to qualify for an unconditional offer, which is a requirement for the CAS. The University will commence issuing CAS from June onwards.

Optional pre-sessional English courses

English Language Education offers summer pre-sessional English language programmes intended for students who plan to study at the University of Edinburgh.

Essentials of English for Academic Purposes (EEAP)

EEAP will help you develop your essential academic language skills. The course will foster your ability to study autonomously, and encourage you to adopt a critical approach in your studies.

EEAP will, therefore, provide a strong foundation in general academic and language skills.  This will enable you to progress with confidence on to your English for Specific Academic Purposes course, where you will have the opportunity to apply and further develop these skills in a more specialised context.

English for Business Masters (EBM)

EBM aims to develop and improve your confidence and academic language & literacy skills to a sufficient level to bridge the gap between your entry language level and that required to participate successfully in a range of Business School Masters Programmes. It further aims to raise your awareness of what you should expect on their programme and of what is expected of you by the Business School.

Pre-sessional English Language Programme 2026

Further information

For further advice and guidance, please contact Postgraduate Admissions.