Ten out of ten: Digital Marketing masters and internships adds up

Khuzema Raj is a MSc Digital Marketing Management student who took on two internships during his studies. Here, he explains how he makes it all add up. 

After completing my Bachelor's in Marketing, I worked as a junior digital marketer, which is where my interest in digital media really took hold. While working, I became passionate about doing my Master's abroad and started researching options. What drew me to this programme specifically was how closely the modules aligned with what I wanted to study, combining practical and theoretical learning rather than just one or the other.  

Strathclyde's strong ranking and the positive reviews I'd heard also gave me confidence in the choice. But the real deciding factor was the Data-Driven Digital Transformative Project (DDDTP) project. Instead of a traditional dissertation, we work hands-on in the digital marketing field on a live project, which felt like a much better fit for how I wanted to learn and far more aligned with where I want my career to go. 

'Outstanding' 

The programme has been outstanding, and I'd recommend it to anyone considering a career in digital marketing. Beyond the core teaching, standout modules for me have included Brand Management Strategy, Integrated Marketing Communications, eMarketing in Practice, Strategic Digital Marketing, and Marketing Research in the Digital Age, alongside modules like Supply Chain Digitalisation and Sustainability and Consumer Behaviour, which brought in a broader, more holistic perspective. Every class combined theory with guest lectures, case studies and practical activity, which made learning genuinely engaging rather than passive. 

The faculty's depth of knowledge and the real-world examples they brought into every session made a real difference. And of course, DDDTP has been the standout module overall, giving us hands-on experience with new digital marketing tools in a live, practical setting. Overall, I'd rate the experience a solid ten out of ten. 

The highlights for me have been the core modules where assignments went far beyond the traditional format and became genuine practical challenges. In Brand Management Strategy, we built a full brand strategy roadmap for a real brand, which was difficult but incredibly engaging. In Strategic Digital Marketing, we took a real business and built out a complete digital marketing strategy using everything we'd learned across the module. In eMarketing in Practice, we pitched our ideas and strategy directly to a real client, which was one of the standout experiences of the programme. And in Integrated Marketing Communications, we developed a full marketing campaign at a national level, which pushed us to think through real-world hurdles and challenges at a much bigger scale than anything we'd tackled before. Working alongside my classmates through all of these made the experience even more valuable. And ultimately, this progression from theory into practical, hands-on work is what directly opened the door to my internships, which have had a huge impact on my journey through the Master's. 

Critical thinking 

One of the most valuable parts of the programme has been the emphasis on critical thinking. Rather than relying on AI or ready-made answers, our lecturers pushed us to genuinely analyse, question and reason through problems ourselves, and that's shaped how I approach work far more than any single tool could. Beyond that, we had regular guest lectures with real networking opportunities, case studies delivered through videos and blogs that we'd discuss and unpack as a class, and interactive sessions, including games, built around the theory to make it stick. A few modules even had us out of the classroom creating content for live projects, which added a hands-on, creative dimension alongside the theoretical side. There was also a strong focus on revisiting and reinforcing what we'd learned, which really helped it stay with you long-term rather than being forgotten after the exam. Altogether, it built not just digital marketing skills but genuine critical thinking and soft skills that apply well beyond the classroom. 

Extracurricular 

Alongside my Master's, I've completed two internships back to back, both of which came through Strathclyde's Career Hub. They posted the opportunities, I applied, and I landed both roles, which really shows how much the university actively supports students in building real career experience alongside their studies. The first internship was with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, where I got to apply everything I'd been learning in real time. It was an incredible first professional experience in the UK as an international student, and what stood out to them when hiring me was the confidence and knowledge I'd built directly through my modules at Strathclyde. As soon as that internship ended, I moved into a role with Strathclyde Inspire doing content creation, which tied directly back to what I'd studied and gave me hands-on experience building a brand in a professional context. It also pushed me to keep developing my own personal brand, Rare_Kid0, alongside my studies, a great way to turn what I'm learning into something actionable and real. Beyond the internships, I've stayed active through the Strath Union, which runs a wide range of sports, social hubs and student activities, giving international students like me an easy way to stay social, active and connected outside of academic life. 

Making it work 

Honestly, balancing all this and making it work wasn't easy. Balancing classes, assignments, exams and internships all at once was genuinely tough. But over time I found my rhythm, prioritising my studies and exams first, then scheduling internship work around that whenever I had the time. There were definitely days when free time was hard to come by, but that's part of what a Master's teaches you: staying disciplined and continuously showing up, even when it's challenging. Throughout it all, my professors were incredibly supportive, which made a real difference in making the workload feel more manageable. It was difficult, but always manageable, and I think that balance is exactly what pushes you to grow. 

Careers support 

Careers support has been one of the most valuable resources throughout my time here. As an international student, I didn't know what UK employers actually expect from a CV - it's very different from what I was used to. Early on I attended a careers event where they walked us through building a CV, how to apply for roles, how to network, and shared success stories from previous graduates, which was genuinely motivating. From there, I used the careers platform to upload and repeatedly refine my CV, which made a huge difference once I understood what "good" actually looked like in this market! I also set up filters for the opportunities I was interested in, so I get regular, relevant job alerts. The support has been consistently responsive too. On a few occasions when a job listing had incorrect details, I flagged it directly and the team followed up quickly to get it corrected. That kind of fast, active support made the whole process feel much easier, and it's directly what led me to both of my internships, which has been one of the best things to happen to me as an international student here. 

Glasgow is home; Strathclyde is family 

Glasgow is my home now, and I'm endlessly grateful for the decision to fly here. When I landed at Edinburgh Airport, I lost my luggage, and a Scottish couple I'd only just met on the flight noticed and stayed with me for over three hours helping me track it down. They reported the issue with me and then drove me all the way to my accommodation in Glasgow. Coming from overseas and being met with that kind of kindness from complete strangers within hours of arriving was an incredible, reassuring welcome. Glasgow itself has been beautiful too, the culture, the environment, the people. I've explored plenty of the city's museums and events, and that same warmth has followed through everywhere, from that first night to every university event I've attended since, where people have consistently been welcoming, friendly and quick to help. As an international student, I honestly couldn't have asked for a better experience. Glasgow is my home, and the university feels like family. 

Go for it! 

If you're thinking about doing a programme here, take the opportunity, you won't regret it. Strathclyde will give you an experience full of challenges, but just as much fun and growth alongside it. The people here will make you feel at home, you won't feel like an outsider for long! 

As for the programme itself, it delivers exactly the knowledge and experience you're hoping to gain, and my own journey is proof of that. My only real advice is this: choose a programme you're genuinely interested in, and once you do, trust that decision fully. Whatever programme you choose at this university will give you more than you asked for. Go for it - and know that you're joining a community that will welcome you as one of its own. 

About Khuzema Raj

Khuzema Raj is an MSc Digital Marketing Management student at Strathclyde Business School, originally from India. Alongside his studies, he has completed internships with the Scottish Chambers of Commerce and Strathclyde Inspire, and runs his own content brand focused on helping international students navigate life in the UK.