What was the driving force behind the decision to add three specializations to the MSc Marketing, and in particular the Sustainability and Social Impact specialization?
“With the introduction of our three new specializations, we give students the opportunity to specialize and differentiate themselves in the job market. There is a growing demand for specialized skills in the marketing industry, especially given the changing landscape of business environments and the increasing emphasis on sustainability. The specialization in Sustainability and Social Impact not only meets this demand but also reflects the core values of VU Amsterdam in its quest to become the most sustainable university in the Netherlands. Topics such as social impact, brand activism, and sustainable practices are already being addressed extensively within the School of Business and Economics. Thus, creating a dedicated specialization was a logical step, offering students a focused path to explore their interests in these areas.”
What distinguishes the Sustainability and Social Impact programme from other degrees?
“Unlike other Marketing programmes in the Netherlands, our MSc Marketing with a specialization in Sustainability and Social Impact stands out as the pioneer in offering education specifically tailored to sustainability marketing. This unique focus addresses the growing demand for professionals who can navigate the intersection of marketing and sustainability, providing students with a competitive edge in the job market.”
What are some of the topics that students in the Sustainability and Social Impact specialization will study?
“The specialization aims to equip students with the skills necessary to drive change through marketing interventions. Topics covered include food marketing, physical and mental health, climate change, and inclusive marketing. Through courses like Sustainability Marketing and Behavior Change Management, students gain insight into leveraging marketing strategies for social and environmental impact.”
What are the career prospects after following this Master’s programme?
“Graduates of the MSc Marketing programme with a specialization in Sustainability and Social Impact are poised for diverse career opportunities. They can pursue roles such as Sustainability Marketing Manager, CSR Coordinators or Managers, Brand Managers with a focus on sustainability, Product Managers, Innovation Leads, or Consultants specializing in integrating sustainable practices into business strategies. With nearly every company now incorporating sustainability goals into their operations, the demand for marketing professionals versed in sustainability is on the rise.”
Are there collaborations with external organizations or companies for practical experience?
“Absolutely, practical experience is a cornerstone of our programme. Each course features a real-life business case where students work directly with companies to address specific business challenges. For example, in the Sustainability and Social Impact specialization, students have collaborated with renowned brands like Hellmann’s Mayonnaise from Unilever. They developed campaigns aimed at promoting behavior change to reduce food waste, presenting their strategies directly to the global management teams at Unilever's headquarters in Rotterdam. This hands-on experience allows our students to move beyond theoretical concepts and solve real-world business challenges related to sustainable marketing.”
Learn more
Read more about the Msc Marketing on the VU website. Do you want to know more about the future prospects for MSc Marketing graduates? Then read the stories of our alumni Lethícia Bellão, Samir Elarabi and Noud Sterk.