Program Overview

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Master of Arts in Public Relations and Digital Communications

Overview

The MA in Public Relations and Digital Communications is accredited by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII). The programme is delivered on a full-time and part-time basis by academics and industry experts in the fields of public relations, communications, business and journalism.

Why Study Public Relations and Digital Communications at Griffith College?

• The MA in Public Relations and Digital Communications is recognised by the National Union of Journalists (NUJ) and the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII).
• The curriculum is structured to increase the employability of students and promote professional development in the communications sector.
• The course is conducted on both a full and part-time basis over a 1-2 year period.
• Learners will acquire the skills to conceive, produce and edit their own media and public relations content on all platforms including web, social, radio, print and mobile video.

Course Highlights

• One of seven courses accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII)
• NUJ (National Union of Journalists) Press Pass for the duration of your study
• Build your own professional portfolio
• Study full-time, part-time or through blended learning
• Produce real-life public relations strategies
• Connect with industry leaders

Testimonials

I really enjoyed my time here, the college can be challenging, but the lecturers here were really flexible. Stuff changed in my life, and they allowed me to defer. It was a really enjoyable experience, and I enjoyed every bit of it.

Steven Sharp, MA in Journalism and Public Relations

Intake Dates

• Dublin - Part-Time - September 2025
• Dublin - Full-Time - September 2025

Related Courses

• MA in Journalism & Digital Communications
• Master of Arts in Digital Communications: Podcasting and Video
• Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism and Digital Communications

Course Details

The MA in Public Relations and Digital Communications is designed to be delivered on a full-time basis over one calendar year and on a part-time basis over 2 years. Learners in the MA programme complete 11 taught modules plus a dissertation.

Core Modules

Communications and Audience Theories

This module aims to provide learners with a critical understanding of the major theoretical paradigms of audience and communicative practice.

Corporate Communications

This module aims to facilitate a critical and practical understanding of the corporate environment and corporate communications theory and strategy.

Dissertation

This module enables learners to identify and fully exploit available and emerging research resources in the conduct of their dissertation investigation to support and direct their research methodology or techniques.

Mobile Video Production

This module aims to develop learners’ overall creative and technical production abilities by equipping them with the practical skills to approach the production of factual visual programming on mobile devices for multiplatform distribution.

Multi-platform Writing and Editing

This module aims to enable learners to attain the practical skills required to identify, plan, research, write and edit publishable news reports, feature articles and commercial content for identified audiences on multiple platforms and for different formats.

Podcasting and Radio Production

This module aims to instil in learner’s the knowledge of how to create broadcast quality radio and podcast content including news and current affairs coverage.

Political Communications and Public Affairs

This module aims to facilitate learners in being able to take a role in the process of running or co-ordinating communication aspects of a political campaign, or working with an elected representative, in a public government agency, an NGO or a Not-for-Profit organisation.

Public Relations Theory and Practice

This module aims to facilitate a theoretical and practical understanding of public relations within the dynamic communications environment.

Research: Methods and Skills

This module aims to deepen learners’ research skills about their module-related assignments and prepares them for conducting major research projects.

Social/Digital Content Creation

This module enables learners to be able to play a lead role in production teams which produce and repurpose content for new and different online audiences, and to learn the key technical skills which allow them to plan, construct and develop their own and others’, online media artefacts.

Elective Modules

International Political Economy

The module aims to enable learners to work as journalists and/or researchers covering issues that deal with the relationship between politics and economics, both at a national and international level.

Media Product Design and Professional Development

This module aims for learners to gain the necessary skills required to initiate, research and produce a design product such as a new online/offline magazine, from concept to completion.

Photojournalism

This module aims to provide learners with a solid foundation in the practical, aesthetic, and ethical aspects of photojournalism and documentary photography.

Sports Journalism

This module aims to give students the necessary tools to become a sports journalist, including sports writing, broadcast experience, interview skills and a taste of practical, in-the-field work, and submitting pieces to tight deadlines.

The Business of Media

This Module aims to provide learners with an overview of the contemporary media business environment and the most significant trends that have emerged in the media sector over the last three decades.

Video Storytelling

This module aims to equip learners with foundation skills in video in the key areas of research, concept and story development; visual storytelling technique (image and sound), approach, and visual sequencing; and editing (technical skill and basic craft).

Course Contact

Barry Finnegan

Journalism & Media Communications Programme Director

Journalism & Media Communications Senior Lecturer

Timetables

Full-Time / Part-Time & Blended Delivery

The programme runs full-time for over one year with two semesters and an August dissertation submission. It is also run part-time over four semesters in two years with eight of the modules delivered through ‘blended learning’ where learners view lectures and related reading online at their convenience.

How to Apply

Entry Requirements

A primary degree (2.2) in any discipline and interview

Griffith College is now accepting the online Duolingo English Test (DET) as valid proof of English proficiency.

Applicants can Apply Online Directly

Fees

Tuition Fees

Irish/EU citizens, living in Ireland

• Study Mode: Full-Time - Dublin: EUR 8,150.00
• Study Mode: Part-Time - Dublin: EUR 8,150.00

An Academic Administration Fee of EUR 250.00 is payable each September at the start of term. For students starting in the January/February term, EUR 125.00 is payable in February, and then EUR 250.00 will be payable each September from then onwards.

Irish/EU citizens, living abroad

• Study Mode: Full-Time - Dublin: EUR 9,000.00

International

• Study Mode: Full-Time - Dublin: EUR 9,000.00

Non-EU living in Ireland or abroad: Please refer to our Non-EU Tuition Fees section.

Progression

Academic Progression

On completion of the Level 9 MA in Public Relations and Digital Communications, students may progress onto a range of Level 10 Doctoral programmes on the National Qualifications Framework.

Career Progression

Through the MA in Public Relations and Digital Communications, you will have gained valuable professional experience, built a strong portfolio and covered a diverse range of media. Graduates of this programme are regularly employed as PR practitioners and media content creators in public relations firms and in the press and communications departments of companies and NGOs. Graduates also work as journalists, news researchers and broadcast production managers across web, radio, TV, video and print media. A sample of recent graduates’ job titles include:

• PR Account Executive
• Broadcast Journalist
• Content and Community Manager
• Communications Consultant
• Digital Engagement Officer
• Junior PR Consultant
• Marketing Manager
• News Research Assistant