Master of Marketing vs MBA: Which is Right for You?
Choosing a Postgraduate Degree That Aligns with Your Goals
In today's competitive job market, having a master’s degree from a reputable institution can be a key differentiator between you and your peers. Two options that are popular among the postgraduate crowd are Master of Marketing and Master of Business Administration (MBA).
While both degrees are highly respected and can open doors to numerous career opportunities, they are not programmes competing in the same space. Rather, they cover separate fields of expertise and cater to different professional goals.
A Master of Marketing focuses on developing specialised marketing skills, ideal for those who want to pursue a specific area of marketing such as digital media or analytics.
On the other hand, an MBA offers a broad-based business education, suitable for individuals aiming for senior leadership roles across various industries.
We will explore the main differences between these 2 programmes to help you decide which degree aligns best with your career aspirations.
Master of Marketing vs MBA: What’s the Difference?
Master of Marketing
A Master of Marketing is designed to provide in-depth knowledge of and practical skills in marketing. Students will be taught a combination of soft and hard skills such as critical thinking, organisational leadership, SEO and SEM, analytics, and social media engagement. As a result, graduates are empowered to create, communicate, and deliver value to audiences in a fast-evolving marketing landscape.
To support this focus, a Master of Marketing curriculum usually covers subject areas such as consumer behaviour, digital marketing strategies, brand management, marketing analytics, and integrated marketing communications.
Specialised marketing professionals are in high demand across various industries. According to the Malaysian Employers Federation (MEF), digital marketing is among the most sought-after jobs post Covid-19. Additionally, a report by Forbes revealed that data-driven marketing leaders are over 6 times more likely to achieve a competitive advantage in increasing profitability (45% vs 7%), proving the need for analytics-savvy marketing talent.
Master of Business Administration
An MBA offers a comprehensive education in business management, equipping students with a diverse set of skills, such as problem-solving, business research, and financial analysis, to take on senior leadership and C-suite roles.
While marketing may be one of the subjects offered in MBA programmes, an MBA curriculum covers broader business-related subject areas, like financial management, operations management, organisational behaviour, and strategic management.
An MBA has long been highly regarded by employers, as highlighted in a 2023 survey by the Graduate Management Admission Council (GMAC). It reported that MBAs continue to be the most in-demand degree type across different industries, demonstrating the programme’s versatile nature. Furthermore, MBA graduates make 30% more annually than bachelor’s degree holders in Malaysia on average, according to World Salaries.
Master of Marketing vs MBA: Which Should I Choose?
Student Profiles
Master of Marketing
- Ideal for those with a background in marketing or a related field
- Suited for recent undergraduates and professionals with a few years of experience in marketing (around 3 to 5 years), as well as more senior marketing professionals
- Caters to individuals who want to pursue a specific area of marketing and/or become a subject-matter specialist in the marketing field
Master of Business Administration
- Suited for mid- to senior-level professionals with notable experience in a business setting
- Appeals to individuals who may already hold a management role and want to progress to senior leadership or the C-suite
- Ideal for those seeking a broad-based education that hones a diverse set of business skills
Above all, the choice you make should align with your academic goals and career aspirations. Consider what it is you want to learn that supports the career path or role you want.
If you are passionate about marketing with a flair for creativity and want to enter a marketing-related niche, a Master of Marketing is the right fit. Conversely, if you are looking for a comprehensive business education that primes you for top leadership roles across different industries, an MBA is more suitable.
Master of Marketing vs MBA: What Will You Study?
Master of Marketing
A Master of Marketing focuses on cultivating advanced marketing skills, which spans brand management, analytics, digital marketing, marketing strategies, and understanding consumer behaviour.
Upon graduating, students should be well-versed in cutting-edge marketing strategies and tactics, have proficiency in analytical and strategic thinking, and be able to harness data-driven marketing to deliver results.
All these skills are pivotal for success in marketing roles such as Marketing Manager, Brand Manager, Digital Marketing Specialist, and Marketing Director.
The aforementioned areas of study and corresponding learning outcomes can be seen in Sunway University Online’s Master of Marketing, which features in-demand subjects like Consumer Behaviour, Marketing Strategy and Technologies, Global Marketing, and Social and Digital Media Analytics.
Master of Business Administration
An MBA aims to cultivate business leaders across industries, which is why its curriculum is designed to deliver a broad business education. Conventionally, an MBA programme covers a wide range of disciplines, including finance, human resources, economics, and people and project management.
The diverse syllabus will lead to learning outcomes such as leadership skills to navigate an evolving business landscape, strategic thinking abilities, and an extensive understanding of business operations.
Subsequently, graduates will be well-placed for high-ranking roles such as CEO, COO, Investment Director, and Operations Director.
Sunway University Online’s Master of Business Administration features a comprehensive and up-to-date curriculum, with subjects such as Economics and Quantitative Analysis, Finance and Accounting for Business Decisions, People and Organisations, and Foresight Leadership and Management.
Master of Marketing vs MBA: Salary and Careers
As with most degrees and career roles, salary ranges vary according to location, industry, organisation size, and professional experience.
Nonetheless, master’s degree holders are generally well-positioned to command a higher pay compared to bachelor’s degree graduates. On average, Malaysian master’s graduates earn over 40% more than their bachelor’s degree counterparts per annum, according to the Average Salary Survey website.
For instance, with a Master of Marketing, you can secure a Marketing Manager role, which pays RM228,000 per annum in the fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) sector, as stated in the Michael Page Salary Guide 2024.
As for MBA graduates, you can land plush C-Suite roles such as CEO, which comes with an average annual salary of RM720,000, according to the same guide.
Here are 7 of the top-paying careers for Master of Marketing and MBA graduates, respectively.
Data is derived from the Michael Page Salary Guide 2024 and Robert Walters Team Salary Benchmark Tool.
Achieve Career Excellence with Sunway University Online
Sunway University Online offers both the Master of Marketing and MBA programmes, allowing students to choose the path that best aligns with their career aspirations.
Keen to take your career in marketing or business to the next level with Sunway University Online’s Master of Marketing or MBA? Click on your preferred programme below to schedule a call with our expert Education Counsellors and get a free, no-obligation eligibility check today.
