Public Relations MA/MSc

Program Overview

Public Relations MA/MSc

Overview

The Public Relations MA/MSc is a postgraduate degree that aims to develop practitioners with advanced practical skills to transform bold ideas into impactful campaigns and a deep understanding of PR as a strategic and creative discipline.

Course Structure

The course consists of four compulsory modules, one 'pathway core' module determined by your choice of MA/MSc pathway, and one module chosen from a range of options. You will also undertake either a dissertation or a real-world final professional project.

Core Modules

• Corporate Reputation and Crisis Communication: This module provides a theoretical and practical grounding in the principles and practicalities of managing communications in the corporate world.
• Creative Campaign Development: This module develops your creativity and campaign planning skills, providing an opportunity for you to produce and present an integrated public relations campaign in response to a choice of challenging communications briefs.
• Final Professional Public Relations Project: You will conduct independent research to produce an in-depth research project as the basis of a public relations campaign (12,000 words), plus critical analysis (3,000 words).
• Media, Content and Engagement: The contemporary media relations environment revolves around a core understanding of the roles of, and opportunities provided by, paid, owned, earned and social media.
• Public Relations Dissertation: The Public Relations Dissertation is recognized by graduates as one of the most rewarding and empowering experiences of the entire programme.

MA Pathway

• Creative Brand Communications: This module highlights the role of brands in contemporary society, their use by organisations, and crucially, how brands are communicated to target audiences.

MSc Pathway

• Data and Digital Research Methods: This module places an emphasis on different methods for researching AI, big data, datafication, social media and other practices and applications.

Option Modules

• Advertising Planning: Audience and Insight: This module focuses on strategic planning and research skills and the tools required to inform effective advertising.
• Artificial Intelligence and Society: We are surrounded by artificial intelligence (AI) applications, whether we are aware of this or not.
• Fashion and Luxury Communications: Fashion lives and thrives through stories.
• Influencers: Persuasion and Propaganda: Persuasion, propaganda and influence are contested terms at the heart of public relations activity at all levels.
• Podcast Production: In this module, you will learn about the different facets of podcast making, exploring genres and the production techniques required for specific formats.

Course Accreditation

• Programme Recognition: Both the MA and MSc are industry-recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a leading professional body for PR practitioners that promotes excellence within the public relations industry.
• Programme Memberships: Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) – through this membership, our students can access invaluable training, networking and professional development opportunities.

Entry Requirements

• A minimum of a lower second class honours degree (2:2). Professional qualifications or substantial appropriate work experience may be acceptable.
• If your first language is not English, you should have an IELTS 6.5 overall with at least 5.5 in all components.
• Applicants are required to submit one academic reference.

Fees and Funding

• UK tuition fee: £10,900 (Price per academic year)
• International tuition fee: £18,000 (Price per academic year)
• Alumni discount: This course is eligible for an alumni discount.
• Funding: There is a range of funding available that may help you fund your studies, including Student Finance England (SFE).
• Scholarships: The University is dedicated to supporting ambitious and outstanding students and we offer a variety of scholarships to eligible postgraduate students.

Teaching and Assessment

• Teaching methods: Teaching methods across all our postgraduate courses focus on active student learning through lectures, seminars, workshops, problem-based and blended learning, and where appropriate practical application.
• Assessment: Our postgraduate courses include a variety of assessments, which typically fall into two broad categories: practical and coursework.

Research Groups

• Communication and Media Research Institute (CAMRI): Our research achieves real-world impact and we are proud to claim a rich and diverse profile of high-quality research and knowledge exchange in a wide range of disciplines.

Supporting You

• Study support: Workshops, 1-2-1 support and online resources to help improve your academic and research skills.
• Personal tutors: Support you in fulfilling your academic and personal potential.
• Student advice team: Provide specialist advice on a range of issues including funding, benefits and visas.
• Extra-curricular activities: Volunteering opportunities, sports and fitness activities, student events and more.

Course Location

• Teaching for the MA/MSc. Public Relations is mainly at our central London Cavendish campus with some teaching at the Marylebone and Harrow campuses.