Program Overview

Communications, PR and the Media MA

Overview

This MA will help you gain the right knowledge, skills and connections you need to forge a career in Public Relations (PR) and communications.

Graduates have gone on to work for major brands such as Dyson, Formula One and designer fashion labels as well as local government, charities and renowned PR agencies.

You’ll learn how to use the latest techniques in digital PR, social media, AI and other media to create effective PR campaigns.

Modules cover subjects including influencer-targeting, social media strategy, campaign planning, crisis communications, media relations, strategic communications and so much more. You will also gain skills in video and podcast recording, copywriting and editing using Adobe software.

Our lecturers are still practising PR professionals and we also bring in guest speakers at the top of their game to help you build your knowledge and connections over the 12-month course.

So, whether you’re looking to take your first steps on the career ladder or would like to enhance your existing skills, there is something for everyone on this course.

Course Options

• MA Full Time (1 years)
• MA Part Time (2 years)
• PgDip Full Time (1 years)
• PgDip Part Time (2 years)
• PgCert Full-time Short (6 months)
• PgCert Part Time (1 years)

Entry Requirements

• Typical Offers: You should hold at least a 2.2 Bachelors degree with honours.
• Professional or postgraduate qualification: We will consider a comparable professional or postgraduate qualification
• No bachelors degree: Applicants without a bachelors degree but with significant relevant industry experience.
• IELTS 6.5 (6.0 minimum all components): EU and international students need IELTS 6.5 overall with a minimum of 6.0 in each component
• International students: Please read the entry requirements for your country – and contact our admissions team if you have questions.

Course Modules

• Strategic Communications (MD7108)
• Content Creation (MD7109)
• Stunts, Campaigns and Crises (MD7110)
• Major Project (MD7112)
• Communicating Power and Influence (MD7113)

Fees and Costs

• Start date | Location | Course code | Fee (UK) | Fee (international)
  • Sep 2025 | Park, Cheltenham | — | £9,825 | £17,950
  • Sep 2026 | Park, Cheltenham | — | TBC | TBC

Careers

Whether it is working in social media or media relations, in-house or for a public relations agency, this course opens up a world of opportunities in the communications industry. The transferable skills you will learn on this course will enable you to work in so many different areas from copywriting and campaign planning, to brand strategy, influencer marketing and digital PR.

We will help you make connections with a wealth of diverse organisations from large-scale companies to public sector and charity organisations to gain experience in the industry. A number of students each year find placements during the MA which lead to longer term positions after the course.

Teaching Staff

• Academic course leader: Cat Hepple
• Academic Course Leader for Communications, PR and the Media

Facilities

Our facilities were described by the Broadcast Journalism Training Council as ‘among the very best in the country’. Our Media Centre includes professional-standard film, TV, music and news studios as well as editing suites, Mac equipment and production galleries.

Award-winning Course Associates

Anaïs Merlin, Associate Director and Head of Mobile and Telecoms at CCgroup, a B2B technology PR agency, will be supporting students this year as a course associate. In 2021, she was named on PR Week’s ’30 Under 30 list’ and awarded PR Week’s ‘Young Game Changer of the Year’ award.