Top 9 Digital Marketing Courses in Singapore – 2023 Update with reviews

Singapore’s dynamic digital landscape demands skilled digital marketers, as businesses of all sizes realize the value of digital marketing courses. The Singapore government has also been a strong advocate for professional upskilling, through the introduction of SkillsFuture courses and subsidies to encourage workers to explore digital marketing skills.

How can you choose the best, most effective, and cost-efficient digital marketing programs and courses when there are so many options accessible to Singapore workers? Most importantly, which of these courses will prepare you and help you get a job in digital marketing? Which are the most comprehensive, industry-relevant programs to level up your digital marketing expertise? 

Our list of the Top Digital Marketing Courses in Singapore has been handpicked to equip you with cutting-edge strategies and a comprehensive understanding of today’s fast-paced digital marketing dynamics. Take advantage of the opportunity to elevate your skills and join the ranks of digital marketing professionals driving success for Singapore. 

In this post, we will discuss the best 15 digital marketing courses in Singapore, provide course information, and demonstrate how enrolling in these courses will improve your employability and skill sets.

What is digital marketing?

Digital marketing is an essential component of modern marketing strategies, which involves using various digital channels such as social media, email, search engines, and websites to promote a brand, product, or service. It accounts for 25% of total marketing spending, and this is expected to grow to 33% by 2024. Social media marketing is one specific example of digital marketing, with 4.2 billion users worldwide and a projected 4.7 billion by 2025. SEO involves optimizing a website to rank higher in search engine results pages (SERPs) for specific keywords. Email marketing is also an effective digital marketing strategy, with an average ROI of $42 for every dollar spent. B2B and B2C businesses also use paid advertising on digital channels, and social media advertising is highly effective in targeting specific demographics.

Digital marketing has become a fundamental aspect of modern marketing, and its importance continues to grow. That’s also the reason why Singapore is investing in upskilling of professionals in Digital marketing. 

Best Digital marketing courses in Singapore

Here are the best digital marketing courses in Singapore based on personal experience. I’ll break down the reviews with my personal rating, price, duration, funding availability, course description, pros/cons, and other course participant reviews.

Let’s dive in. 

Equinet Academy – Certified Digital Marketing Strategist

Rating: 4.5/5

Price: Course fees are from $2024.64 inclusive of 8% GST after up to 70% SkillsFuture subsidy and government funding.

Duration: 12 Days (96 hours). The average duration to completion is 1.5 to 3 months depending on the student’s availability. 

Course Description: Equinet Academy calls their program “Certified Digital Marketing Strategist” which is a 12-day (96-hour) program. It typically lasts between 1.5 and 3 months and covers 6 core digital marketing modules in the suggested order:

1. Digital Marketing Strategy
2. Strategy for Marketing Content 
3. Search Engine Optimization.
4. Social media marketing
5. Digital advertising 
6. Digital Marketing Analytics 

Contextualized for the marketing scene in Singapore and Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Philippines, Indonesia, and India), you will get a complete overview of multiple digital channels, including search, social, display advertising, and famous platforms like Google Analytics, Facebook, and Instagram. Most importantly, you will learn how to create and execute digital marketing strategies and action plans across owned, earned, and paid media to meet business goals in both B2B and B2C settings.

Pros: I’ll start with the best training institute in Singapore for digital marketing. Equinet Academy’s trainers are definitely the top industry experts. Trainers come from award-winning agencies and leaders from Grab, TikTok, Amazon, LinkedIn, and more. I’d like to emphasize the trainers are all current practitioners which means you get to learn the latest digital marketing best practices. The course also leans more on practical knowledge with hands-on learning. There are be theory of course but the majority of the learning is done through doing which is important when it comes to digital marketing. Another huge call-out is their support for job placements and 1:1 consultation on your digital marketing projects. Equinet Academy will be launching its career support center in 2023 to connect its graduates to job opportunities. Overall, it was a great learning experience.

Cons: Courses are intense and rich in information. If you don’t take learning seriously and you’re just looking to pass the time, then Equinet Academy isn’t the right course for you. If you’re a complete computer novice (for example, you’ve never used Microsoft word, google sheets, etc) or you don’t have how to charge your computer, then this course isn’t for you either. Basic computer literacy is needed. Additionally, not all trainers are engaging. Some trainers are very dry and boring. It could be due to the content and topic, but it’s a struggle to go through certain sections of the course which are analytics and data-heavy. The biggest poor feedback for Equinet Academy would be their admin support. To be fair, there have been significant improvements in 2023, but the first course I took in 2021 left me with a bad impression of the admins. For example, when I had difficulties logging in to their learning portal, the admins were extremely unfriendly to provide help. They were unapproachable. I’ve noticed staff changes since and service likely has improved. 

Course participant reviews:

Here’s a nice video testimonial from one of the graduates.

Udemy for Business – National Library Singapore

Rating: 4.3/5

Price: Free by National Library Singapore

Duration: On-demand, 76 hours minimum depending on how many courses you choose to take.

Course Description: There are over 1,985 courses related to digital marketing on Udemy for Business you can learn from. It covers both wide and in-depth coverage of Social media marketing, Digital advertising, Analytics, YouTube marketing, SEO, WordPress, Email marketing, content marketing, ChatGPT for marketing, copywriting, conversion rate optimization, and more. 

Pros: You can learn anything and dive deep into digital marketing in your own time, in the comfort of your home. Courses are on-demand and it is free, sponsored by the Singapore government. If you are a self-motivated individual who thrives in self-learning, then this is the option for you. 

Cons: If you prefer to have a guided learning experience, then this is not for you. The completion rate of self-paced online courses is notoriously low because audiences struggle to be motivated (or disciplined) enough to keep learning consistently. Additionally, you’ll need to do the hands-on yourself and if you’re stuck, there isn’t anybody to guide you. You’ll need to figure it out on your own or use the Udemy chat community. You’ll need to be extremely resourceful and self-motivated to learn or this wouldn’t work for you. Do note that you also do not have 1:1 coaching or job placement support when you choose to learn from Udemy for business. 

NUS Business School Emeritus Digital Marketing Course

Rating: 4/5

Price: $2,393 inclusive of 8% GST and no subsidy available except with your own personal skillsfuture. 

Duration: 3 months, online 4 – 5 hours per week. 

Course Description: 

After completing the program, you will be able to tackle particular challenges related to digital marketing more effectively, learn how the internet and social media affect how people behave as consumers and what they expect, find ways to improve how customers interact with your business by creating a map of their experience. Additionally, you will learn how to use paid ads on social media and search engines to get more people to see, interact with, and buy from your business. Gain the exposure to digital marketing methods and tools to create plans and track progress.

Program modules: 

• Transformation in Marketing
• Reaching customers: Digital marketing channels
• Engaging customers: Social media
• Targeting customers: Planning for paid advertising on digital platforms
• Targeting customers: Advertising on digital platforms
• Measuring success: Digital marketing metrics and ROI
• Planning and executing a digital marketing strategy
• Technology and the future of digital marketing

Pros:

The digital marketing program offered by NUS Business School and was impressive. The course covered various aspects of digital marketing, including the use of social media and search engines to drive business growth. I found the case studies provided to be particularly interesting and relevant to the current market. The biggest bonus are the industry experts who have actual experience in growing their businesses from 0 to 1M with digital marketing. Do note that the trainers are not the industry experts. Industry experts are more like guests. The trainers aren’t that great which I will get into in the next section. Additionally, the National university of Singapore (NUS) is a strong brand to have on your certificate.

Cons:

I was disappointed by the trainer’s lack of practical real-world knowledge. While the course covered a range of topics related to digital marketing, I found that the trainer struggled to provide more hands-on work. Digital marketing should be learned by practicing. This lack of practical experience made it difficult for me to fully grasp the material and left me feeling unprepared to apply the techniques I learned in a real-world setting. I believe that the program would benefit from a trainer with more practical experience in the field of digital marketing. Their documentation and slides look pretty, but that isn’t the point in learning digital marketing. 

Course participant reviews:

Ling Seow Chang, Director, General Filter Pte Ltd Both Professors have presented the material with very high quality presentations slides and content, in a very systematic and organised way, with enough content and good references.

SMU Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing

Rating: 4/5

Price: S$3,110.40 (after 70% SSG Subsidy)

Duration: 18 days (90 hours)

Course description: This program is designed to equip participants with the tools necessary to gain control of their omni-channel digital presence. Participants will learn how to create, distribute, and promote products for their marketing campaigns in an efficient manner.

Pros: The Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing offered by the Singapore Management University (SMU) is an excellent course for anyone looking to improve their skills in digital marketing. The program is well-structured and covers all the essential topics in digital marketing, including social media marketing, search engine optimization, content marketing, and analytics. The trainers are knowledgeable and experienced, and the course materials are informative and easy to understand. The program offers practical hands-on experience, which is invaluable for anyone looking to apply the concepts they learn in real-world scenarios. Overall, I found this program to be an excellent investment in my career and would highly recommend it to anyone looking to enhance their digital marketing skills.

Cons: 

While the Professional Certificate in Digital Marketing offered by the SMU Academy covers a wide range of digital marketing topics, I found that the program lacked depth in some areas. For instance, the course on social media marketing felt too basic and did not delve into more advanced topics such as influencer marketing or paid advertising. Additionally, some of the case studies used in the course were outdated, and it would have been more beneficial to use more current and relevant examples. Lastly, I found that the program did not offer enough personalized feedback on assignments and projects, which would have been helpful in understanding where I needed to improve. Overall, while the program was useful in enhancing my digital marketing skills, there is room for improvement in certain areas.

Course participant review: 

None

SIM Global Education – Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing

Rating: 3/5

Price: S$10,000 – $12,000

Duration: 6-8 months

Course Description: The Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing e-learning program offered by SIM GE is an excellent course designed to equip students with the skills and knowledge necessary to develop and execute digital marketing strategies effectively. This course covers a comprehensive range of topics, including social media marketing, search engine optimization, email marketing, and analytics. The program is delivered entirely online, making it accessible to students from anywhere in the world, and is perfect for anyone looking to enhance their skills and advance their career in digital marketing.

Pros: The course covers all the essential topics in digital marketing and offers practical hands-on experience, which is invaluable for anyone looking to apply the concepts they learn in real-world scenarios

Cons: 

While the Graduate Certificate in Digital Marketing e-learning program offered by SIM GE covers a comprehensive range of topics in digital marketing, I found the course to be relatively expensive compared to other similar courses in the market. Additionally, some of the course materials were outdated, and it would have been more beneficial to use more current and relevant examples. Finally, while the online format of the course is convenient, it can be challenging to get personalized feedback from the trainers, which can be a disadvantage for students who need more one-on-one guidance. Overall, the course is useful in enhancing digital marketing skills, but there is room for improvement in certain areas.

Course Participant Reviews:

None 

Clickacademy Asia – Digital Marketing Bootcamp

Rating: 3/5

Price: $577

Duration: Quick 2 day course

Course Description: The Digital Marketing Bootcamp by ClickAcademy Asia is a quick program designed to provide individuals with an overview of digital marketing. It covers elements of digital marketing and the tools for digital marketing strategy.  

Pros: Great course if you’re looking to get a quick overview and see if digital marketing is a career you’d enjoy without huge time commitment. Trainer is professional and experienced. The trainer also trains for the NUS business course stated at the start of the article. This course could be seen as an introduction to digital marketing. 

Cons: This is by no means an in-depth course. You will not be able to become a digital marketing strategies or expert after 2 days of training with clickacademy. Additionally, a number of examples used within the course are outdated. Also, do not believe in their advertisement and false promises in their ads. They claim that you can master digital marketing in 2 days within their advertisements. That is far from the truth. This is at best a good overview of digital marketing only. You will not get hired and cannot transition in a digital marketing career with this bootcamp alone. 

Course Participant Reviews: 

None

Vertical Institute – Digital Marketing Bootcamp

Rating: 3.0 / 5

Price: $627 (with 70% IBF funding)

Duration: 21 hours

Course Description: Vertical Institute’s Digital Marketing course will cover everything you need to know about digital marketing: social media, Search Engine Optimization (SEO), Search Engine Marketing (SEM), Google Analytics, content marketing, email marketing, and more. The participants will acquire hands-on experience by executing their own digital marketing campaign with expert guidance.

Pros: It’s beginner friendly and provides a wide overview of digital marketing. Pleasant and patient trainers who are also practitioners. If you’re interested in online classes instead, Vertical institute also offers virtual learning. Job placement support is also available which is a huge plus for those aiming to switch career. 

Cons: Be warned that this course over-promises on their ads and landing pages. Similar to Clickacademy Singapore, It’s just not possible for an individual to become an expert in 21 hours and complete a capstone project at the same time. That is the perception one might get when looking into their landing page or copy. Another borderline lie is that their instructors are from Amazon, TikTok, Google, etc. That is not true, at least not for this specific course. They did provide a caveat that reads “Instructors and Students” from all these big tech companies. Read between the lines carefully. You will not be learning from Facebook, TikTok, Google directly if that was what drew you to the course. It’s a good overview and introduction class at best but it will still not provide enough hands-on practical experience for you to truly transit into a digital marketing career. Even with their job placement program, you will not be able to find a job without diving deeper and practicing more digital marketing techniques. 

Course participant reviews:
Interview with Vertical Institute’s founder and DMP Wong.

Smartcademy – Intro to Digital Marketing

Rating: 3.0 / 5

Price:  S$2,320 w/ 8% GST

Duration: 24 hours

Course Description: A general introduction course about digital marketing which provides an overview of the following topics: 

• Fundamentals and the Digital landscape
• Social Media: Organic and paid
• Search Engine Optimization & Content marketing
• Paid Search (SEM)
• Analytics & Measurement
• CRM & Retention tools
• App and mobile growth

Pros: A great overview of digital marketing. A concise course for learners who mainly wants to learn more theory and understanding, rather than hands-on learning. Great that they offer industry placement support and 1:1 consultation. 

Cons: You can’t become a digital marketer just by completing this course. It’s too basic and doesn’t provide enough practical experience. At least Smartcademy manages this expectation as it’s an “Intro to digital marketing”. Be careful of over-promises from training institutes. 

Course participant’s reviews: 

National University of Singapore – Digital Innovation & Design

Rating: 3/5

Price: S$13,996 inclusive of 8% GST after ISS funding

Duration: 16 Days (128 hours)

Course Description: Basically, adding on design thinking and innovation on top of digital marketing. This courses provides digital marketing, social engagement knowledge, social media marketing, customer experience design, web analytics, and social media analytics. 

Pros: If you’re after a branded name on your certificate, then this will be your top choice. This course caters more towards managers and leaders of big corporate organizations as it dives more into thinking big instead of learning executable day to day digital marketing activities. If that sounds like you, then you can consider NUS. 

Cons: Firstly the price is shockingly high even after with ISS subsidy. Yes, it is a longer course but the value does not justify the price in my opinion. Moreover, what you’ll learn is mostly theory and case studies, with lesser hands-on (for example, setting up your campaigns, designing your ad copy, adjusting biddings for ad experiments etc). It is fluffy and much better suited for leaders who are not executing but need a high-level framework to think. Trainers are also not practitioners. When I mean practitioners, i am referring to trainers who actually put millions of dollars behind marketing every year to grow businesses. NUS does not have that. They are academics and professors with lesser field experience than the other trainers in other training institutes. They use real world examples, but they themselves have not managed their own campaigns.

Course participant reviews:

Lim Yi Wei – “The many references to real world – links and examples that I can relate to, gets me thinking more about digital user experience design (UXD) in the products, services or encounters.”

Why are digital marketing courses important? 

Digital marketing courses are essential for marketers to stay competitive and create effective digital marketing campaigns. The ever-changing digital landscape and the competitive nature of the industry make ongoing training necessary. For example, 54% of employees will require significant reskilling by 2022 due to technological advancements, according to a World Economic Forum study. Additionally, a Content Marketing Institute study found that 72% of B2B marketers rated creating engaging content as a top priority, highlighting the importance of having the necessary skills to produce high-quality content. Digital marketing courses also offer benefits such as better job prospects and higher salaries, with digital marketing professionals earning on average $7,000 more per year than non-digital marketers, according to a report by Burning Glass Technologies. Finally, specialized skills in areas like SEO, digital advertising, social media marketing, and email marketing can enable marketers to create more effective digital marketing campaigns.

Is Digital Marketing in demand in Singapore? 

Yes, digital marketing is in high demand in Singapore, and this can be supported by the following data and statistics:

• Increased Digital Ad Spending: Singapore’s digital ad spending is expected to reach $536 million by the end of 2021, showing a significant increase from $491 million in 2020, according to eMarketer. This shows the growing importance of digital marketing in Singapore.
• Rising E-Commerce Industry: Singapore’s e-commerce industry has been on the rise, and this has led to an increased demand for digital marketing services. According to a report by Google, Temasek, and Bain & Company, the e-commerce market in Southeast Asia is expected to reach $172 billion by 2025, with Singapore accounting for a significant portion of this.
• High Internet and Mobile Penetration: Singapore has one of the highest internet penetration rates in the world, with over 84% of the population using the internet. Additionally, the country has a high mobile penetration rate of 148%, indicating that more people are accessing the internet through their mobile devices. This presents an opportunity for businesses to reach a wider audience through digital marketing channels.
• Demand for Skilled Digital Marketers: There is a high demand for skilled digital marketers in Singapore. According to a report by Hays, digital marketing roles were among the top ten most in-demand jobs in Singapore in 2020. Additionally, a survey by LinkedIn found that digital marketing was one of the top 10 skills in demand in Singapore in 2021.

Overall, the above data and statistics suggest that digital marketing is in high demand in Singapore and is expected to continue growing in importance in the coming years.

How long are digital marketing courses in Singapore? 

The duration of digital marketing courses in Singapore may vary depending on the level of the course and the institution offering it.

Short courses or workshops on specific digital marketing skills, such as social media marketing or search engine optimization (SEO), may range from a few hours to a few days. These courses are often designed to provide participants with practical skills that they can apply immediately to their jobs or businesses.

Certificate or diploma courses in digital marketing may take several weeks to a few months to complete, depending on the intensity of the program and the mode of delivery. These courses may cover a broader range of digital marketing topics, including email marketing, content marketing, and digital analytics.

Degree programs in digital marketing, such as Bachelor’s or Master’s degrees, may take several years to complete, and they often include a broader curriculum that covers various marketing and business concepts.

Therefore, the duration of a digital marketing course in Singapore depends on the type of course and the level of qualification you are seeking to achieve.

Which digital marketing skills are most in demand?

According to the Digital Marketing Hiring Trends report by Hays, some of the digital marketing skills in high demand in Singapore are:

These skills and job titles were identified as in-demand by Hays’ “Digital Marketing Hiring Trends” report for Singapore, and the supporting statistics provide insight into why these skills are highly valued by employers.

How to choose the right digital marketing course in Singapore?

Factors to consider when choosing a digital marketing course. 

When choosing a digital marketing course in Singapore, there are several factors to consider to ensure that the course meets your needs and expectations.

• Course Content: The course content should be comprehensive, covering a range of digital marketing topics, such as SEO, PPC advertising, social media marketing, and content marketing, among others.
• Accreditation: The course should be accredited by a recognized institution or organization to ensure that the course is of high quality.
• Delivery Method: Consider the delivery method of the course, whether it is online or offline, and if it is convenient for you to attend.
• Duration and Schedule: Consider the course duration and schedule, ensuring that it fits your schedule and allows you enough time to complete the course.
• Course Fees: Course fees vary depending on the institution and the course’s duration, so consider your budget and ensure that the fees are reasonable and transparent.
• Instructor Experience: Consider the instructor’s experience and qualifications, ensuring that they have practical experience in digital marketing and can provide valuable insights.
• Course Reviews and Ratings: Read reviews and ratings of the course from previous students to get a sense of their experiences and whether the course meets expectations.
• Job placement, career centers, and job search support: If you’re intending to switch careers to digital marketing, you’ll need to find a training institute that offers a job placement center. These institutes typically partner with SMEs and agencies to provide graduates with job opportunities. 

Overall, when choosing a digital marketing course in Singapore, consider course content, accreditation, delivery method, duration and schedule, course fees, instructor experience, and course reviews and ratings to ensure that you select the right course for your needs.

Conclusion

In Singapore, digital marketing has evolved into a crucial part of any effective business strategy. Keeping up with the most recent trends and methods in digital marketing is essential given the rapid pace of digital transformation. This is where taking a course in digital marketing can be very helpful. You can gain a competitive edge in today’s digital world by investing in a digital marketing course. Enrolling in one of the top 9 programs mentioned in this blog post will give you the knowledge and abilities for digital marketing to succeed in your career or business.