Public Relations - MA

Program Overview

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MA Public Relations

Overview

Public Relations shapes our world. Organisations use PR to get noticed, to change opinions, and pass on vital information that helps us to make decisions about health, education and welfare. PR is a fast-growing discipline, employing 83,000 people in a £13bn industry offering a wide range of job opportunities.

Our MA teaches you how to construct an effective PR campaign, combining theory with the practical skills needed to communicate persuasively on behalf of businesses, charities, public bodies, community groups and activists.

What's covered in this course?

The MA Public Relations course teaches you how to construct effective PR and social media campaigns, combining theory with the practical skills needed to communicate persuasively on behalf of businesses, brands, charities, public bodies and communities.

It is about reputation, influence, engagement and content creation.

The course brings together theory and practice, combining real intellectual challenge with a sharp focus on real-world events and firmly grounded in extensive industry links. We look at techniques for raising awareness, listening to stakeholders and influencing ethical policies.

We explore the ever-changing media landscape while critically examining PR’s impact on society. The course is recognised by the leading professional body for PR in the UK, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

The teaching team works closely with employers from public and private sector organisations, B2B and B2C, lifestyle and health, who support us with visiting speakers, case studies and mentoring, enabling you to engage with emerging PR challenges.

On completing this course, you will have the skills and understandings employers require for the role of entry-level account executive.

Why Choose Us?

• Emphasis on employability.
• Wide range of career paths.
• Excellent industry links.
• Stimulating choice of modules.

Similar Courses

• Media Production - MA
• Data Journalism - MA / PgCert

Entry Requirements

Essential requirements

Applicants are normally expected to have a minimum of a 2:2 honours degree, or equivalent, in any subject. We will also consider applicants with significant experience in PR, journalism or in a similar type of communication role who are able to demonstrate outstanding ability and potential.

Applying with international qualifications

Please see our international pages for further details of the entry requirements for our courses and information relevant to applicants from your country.

English language requirements

IELTS 6.0 overall with no less than 5.5 in each band, or equivalent. See details of accepted qualifications.

Meeting our entry requirements

If you do not meet our academic or English language requirement, or have been out of education for some time, you may wish to consider joining Birmingham City University International College (BCUIC). BCUIC is part of the global Navitas Group, an internationally recognised education provider, and the partnership allows students to access the University’s facilities and services and move seamlessly through to postgraduate study at Birmingham City University.

If you have a qualification that is not listed, please contact us.

Fees & How to Apply

UK students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA

Starting: Sep 2025

• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 1 year
• Fees: £9,190 in 2025/26
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below*)
• Fees: £10,110 in 2025/26

International students

Annual and modular tuition fees shown are applicable to the first year of study. The University reserves the right to increase fees for subsequent years of study in line with increases in inflation (capped at 5%) or to reflect changes in Government funding policies or changes agreed by Parliament. View fees for continuing students.

Award: MA

Starting: Sep 2025

• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 1 year
• Fees: £18,600 in 2025/26
• Mode: Full Time
• Duration: 18 months (including Professional Placement - see below*)
• Fees: £20,460 in 2025/26

Included in your course fees

• Access to computer equipment
• Printing
• Field trips
• Access to Microsoft Office 365
• Key software
• Key subscriptions

Not included in your course fees

• Excess printing (optional)
• Personal stationery and study materials (optional)
• Placement expenses (optional)
• Field trips (optional)
• Personal equipment (optional)
• Memberships (optional)
• Accommodation and living costs (optional)

Application deadlines

We advise you to apply early to allow sufficient time for you to prepare to start your studies in September. Please apply by Friday 18 July to allow time to arrange accommodation, student finance and visas where required.

Late applications will be accepted where places are still available, but please note that Welcome Week begins on Monday 15 September 2025, and teaching begins on Monday 22 September 2025. International students are invited to arrive from Monday 8 September 2025.

To find out more, see our application timeline.

Personal statement

You’ll need to submit a personal statement as part of your application for this course. This will need to highlight your passion for postgraduate study – and your chosen course – as well as your personal skills and experience, academic success, and any other factors that will support your application for further study.

If you are applying for a stand alone module, please include the title of the module you want to study in your Personal Statement.

Not sure what to include? We’re here to help – take a look at our top tips for writing personal statements and download our free postgraduate personal statement guide for further advice and examples from real students.

Aziz Foundation Scholarships

We have partnered with the Aziz Foundation to offer three fully-funded scholarships for British Muslims to study a Master’s in Data Journalism, Media Production or Public Relations.

See if you're eligible

Postgraduate funding

Graduate Scholarship

If you are a BCU graduate enrolling onto an eligible Master’s programme for the first time, you could receive a 20% fee reduction via our Graduate Scholarship.

Find out if you’re eligible for a Graduate Scholarship.

Master’s loans

Government-backed loans of up to £12,471 are available to UK, Irish and eligible EU nationals studying postgraduate Master’s courses in any subject area.

Find out more about Master’s loans.

Other funding opportunities

Other funding options include scholarships, loans and bursaries offered by external organisations. These vary from year to year.

Postgraduate funding

View fees for continuing students

Course in Depth

Modules

• PR Theory and Context 20 credits
• Collaborative Practice 20 credits
• Storytelling Techniques 20 credits
• Reputation, Influence, and Crisis Management 20 credits
• Research in Practice 20 credits
• Strategic Communication: Planning and Delivery 20 credits
• Major Project 60 credits

Employability

Employment Opportunities

There are many opportunities for PR students at Birmingham to build strong links with the professional community in the region and worldwide.

PR programmes taught at this university are supported by an active panel of employers who meet regularly to provide case studies, live projects and placement opportunities. You will have several opportunities for direct contact with employers, not least through our annual PR Students Conference in which students from all our PR programmes present papers to delegates of peers and professionals.

We work closely with practitioners, including the CIPR, to match skills with industry expectations, PR demands flexibility, imagination, focus and creativity and we explore many ways to build personal profile and contribute to industry debate.

As a result of studying PR at this university, you will not only build up the knowledge and skills needed for employment in the public or private sectors, but also a level of professional experience of live project and campaign work plus a network of contacts that will dramatically enhance your employability prospects.

Facilities & Staff

Our Facilities

When you join Birmingham City University, the first thing you will notice is the high standard of our campuses.

With an investment of over £400 million across our buildings and facilities, we are committed to giving you the very best learning environment to help shape your experience.

State-of-the-art facilities

You will learn in our state-of-the-art facilities - including the £62m fully-digital Media Centre - located on the City Centre Campus. You will enjoy access to extensive studio and workshop space including four TV studios, six radio studios and broadcast-standard edit suites, as well as cutting-edge equipment and software.

Facilities include the largest TV floor of any university in the UK, a ‘green screen’ and a BOLT JR+ high-speed camera robot.

Our staff

Philip Young

Senior Lecturer

A Senior Lecturer for Public Relations at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, Philip has significant experience as an award-winning journalist and owner of a successful PR company.

More about Philip