The 2008-9 University of Birmingham outstanding student award for its MSc Marketing Communications programme, sponsored by Wyatt International, has been won by Emma Kearsley.

Emma receiving her award

The award, presented at the University's Business School, has been made annually to recognise the highest-achieving student on the programme since 2007.

The presentation was made by Brian Barrett, CEO marketing and communications agency Wyatt International, which has provided guest speakers, led lectures and supplied student projects to the course.

Emma Kearsley, originally from Nottingham and now working at Cogent Marketing said. "As part of the course we undertook a number of highly practical modules, putting us in the shoes of real marketers.

"The course also required us to complete a work placement with a marketing communications agency in our third term, which I am pleased to say has now resulted in a full-time position."

Malcolm Kirkup, director of full-time MBA programmes, added, "Emma performed to a consistently high level across both theoretical and practical modules. Her work impressed not only lecturers and course staff but also our business partners - for example the ideas presented in a social media project for Cadbury have now been put in place by the manufacturer.

"The MSc programme continues to grow in strength and popularity and, as Emma proves, produces high-calibre graduates fully equipped for life in blue chip companies."

The single year postgraduate course incorporates a variety of modules including strategic marketing, branding, PR, advertising and consultancy skills.