Advertising and CreativityFógraíocht agus ┐Cruthaitheacht

The MSc in Advertising and Creativity is a full-time programme with flexible pathways, designed to deliver the best practice-focused and research informed experience for our students. Graduates of the course will have the skills, knowledge and attributes required for innovation, creativity, and practical problem solving. 

The MSc in Advertising and Creativity is aimed at business and non-business graduates aspiring to a career in the advertising, communications and related creative industries.

Why Study Advertising and Creativity?

• Learn the Tools of the Trade- Students gain a deep understanding of emerging technologies, strategy, creativity, and leadership.
  
  
• Be in High Demand - Advertising and Creativity Graduates are highly skilled, work-ready and in high demand in the creative industries.
  
  
• Enjoy Diverse Work Opportunities - Advertising and Creativity graduates can take their skills to any location or industry, with graduates working for leading creative companies in Ireland and internationally.
  
  
• Be Close to Industry - In addition to work placement, students participate in corporate visits, hear from industry speakers and are involved in real life company projects- leaving our graduates work ready.
  
  
• Increase your Learning and Performance Capabilities - it is proven that smaller class sizes result in more individual attention, increased participation and better communication between student and lecturer.
  
  
• Enjoy City Life - a mere two minute walk from St. Stephens Green, the Luas and all main bus routes, TU Dublin Aungier Street is truly in the heart of Dublin city.

Minimum second class honours bachelor degree (2.2 or higher) in any discipline or equivalent third level qualification. Candidates are asked to submit a personal statement in video format which the programme coordinator will assess. Videos should be no longer than 5 minutes (max) and can be submitted as supplemental information on the application portal. For your video statement, tell us your story and why you want to join our MSc in Advertising and Creativity programme. Be as creative as you dare! You will be notified of the outcome of your application within two weeks.

** If you do not yet have your final degree results this will not hinder your application as we are happy to issue conditional offer letters in such circumstances.

If English is not your first language you will need to provide evidence of your English language proficiency as detailed on our website. Applicants for this programme should have a minimum IELTS (Academic Version) English Proficiency of 6.5 overall (or equivalent) with nothing less than 6 in each component.

Note: Due to the considerable competition for our postgraduate courses satisfying the minimum entry requirement is not a guarantee of a place. Depending on the course of study applications will be assessed based on your academic grades and may also take into account your work/life experience. Applicants may also be required to attend for interview.

There is a demand for graduates of this course as they are equipped to work in creative, connected, collaborative advertising and communications practice and related industries. Some of the opportunities available are roles in client leadership, copy and content writing, art direction, strategic planning, and media planning.

• Account Manager
• Strategic Planner 
• Marketing Executive  
• Account Director 
• Creative Technologist  
• Client Leadership Manager 
• Art Director 
• Designer 
• Social Media Manager 
• Junior Planner 
• Media Planner  
• Communications Executive  
• Digital Producer
• Business Manager 
• Project Manager 
• Copy and Content writer 
• Copywriter 
• Project Lead

My Qualification: What Next?

For more details about the career opportunities available after this course, please refer to our career-focussed guide: “My Qualification: What Next?”

Overview

Participants on this programme are empowered to determine their own learning pathway, with flexibility to choose their electives modules and capstone project. This enables our learners to experience their education through diverse and innovative modes of engagement and take charge of their own learning journey. Our participants also share modules with the MSc Digital and Content Marketing students, facilitating community building, networking and collaboration opportunities. 

This course is delivered over three semesters. Semesters One and Two are taught but with a strong emphasis on self-directed learning and in particular require engagement with both the seminal and current Marketing Communications and Advertising literature. Semester Three is a combination of self-directed research, authentic assessment, and portfolio preparation. The underlying philosophy is to provide a diverse and challenging range of learning experiences in which students explore an appropriate body of knowledge. Delivery methods involve lectures from a unique mix of both academic staff and key industry practitioners. 

Semester One
Semester One runs over 12 weeks. Students take four core modules: Creative Thinking, Communications Strategy Development and Effectiveness, Critical Consumption Studies, and Professional Development. In addition, students select one core pathway (Business Research Methods or Portfolio Pathway) and may take two elective modules from the following: User Experience Design, Copy and Content, Digital Analytics, Sustainability Leadership, or Behavioural Economics.

Semester Two
In Semester Two (9 weeks), students take three core modules: Current Issues in Advertising and Marketing Communications, Marketing Technology (MarTech), and Media Planning. They then choose three elective modules from: Design Thinking and Remote Collaboration, Art Direction, Copywriting, Production, and Client Leadership. The semester concludes with a two-week internship.

Semester Three
Semester Three begins with the SHOWCASE project (5 ECTS), where students work on a live company brief and present their work to an industry audience.

The semester concludes with the Capstone Project (20 ECTS). Students may choose one of three pathways: a traditional Dissertation, a Creative Portfolio, or a Consultancy Project. This final element allows learners to specialise in their chosen area of practice and produce a substantial body of work to support their career aspirations.

Participants will take 7 modules in semester one, 6 modules in semester two, and undertake a self-directed capstone project in semester three. There are normally circa 20 to 25 contact hours per week in semester one, and circa 15 contact hours per week in semester two. The work-placement aspect of this course takes place for 2 weeks in semester two. Given the intensive nature of a one-year taught Masters' programme, and the fact that subjects are new, students are advised to keep a clear working week, and to minimize other commitments in order to participate in the course.

Applications for this course are now open.

• September 2026 Intake: Apply Now – EU & Non EU Applicants (Autumn 2026)

For further information on the application process, please visit How To Apply.

The Advertising Masters formed the foundation of my work today as a Marketing Director.

Honestly I wouldn’t be in the position I am in today if I hadn’t completed the MSc in Advertising. For me it was the pivot point. For the first time in my life I had found something that I loved to do and naturally just focussed on it. Not only did the course give me the core fundamentals of brand building, it also gave me a network of incredibly talented peers. Peers who drove me on then and still to this day inspire me to do better. The course also gave me a way of working which I have used to great effect all throughout my career both agency and client side. Finally the end of year pitch project is the single best learning experience of my life. I still draw from my learnings of that experience a full 15 years after it finished. For that project alone I would recommend anybody interested in a career in Advertising or Marketing to do this course. It will change your life.