Program Overview

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Communication Management and Public Relations - BSc (Hons)

Overview

The Communication Management and Public Relations degree provides an understanding of the Communication industries in general, and the Public Relations industry in particular. The course helps to develop knowledge and skills in areas such as interpersonal, group and organisational communication, as well as studying public relations in different situations, for example political and media contexts.

About this course

The Communication Management and Public Relations degree will give you the opportunity to study both Internal Communication which will focus on our relationships with others in for example personal and work contexts, and External Communication which will focus on the theory and practice of Public Relations, including media and political contexts. New and emergent digital technologies relevant to these fields are explored throughout the curriculum. A key aim of the course is to give you a deeper understanding of different theory & ideas and how these relate to the professional and working environment. An optional placement year where students work in a supervised, industry-based setting is also offered. There are also formalised options to study abroad as part of the degree in year 2 (usually 1 semester), and to spend a year (between 2nd and final year) studying specialised electives at a US university as an alternative to placement.

Associate awards

• Diploma in Professional Practice DPP
• Diploma in Professional Practice International DPPI
• Diploma in International Academic Studies DIAS

Attendance

Attendance is full-time. This will normally mean you are expected to attend timetabled classes which equate to approximately 10 hours per week in total. However, it must be stressed that this can vary with individual modules. You will also be expected to engage in group and team work in some of your modules and so may need to have further meetings outside of class time.

Start dates

• September 2026

Teaching, Learning and Assessment

Modules on the programme feature a strong link between learning, teaching and employment. A broad range of methods are used including, but not limited to, face to face teaching, peer review, reflective on your own practice and skills, integration of theory and practice, 'real-life' strategy and evaluation projects, research projects/reports & placement. Content of modules and their assessment activities (including traditional essays, presentations, practical projects and groupwork) focus you, as the student, on key theories and ideas. The broad range of skills that are taught and assessed are transferable across the subject areas and most importantly into the professional context and future employment. In the classroom you will be encouraged to present and debate ideas, helping you to be socially and intellectually equipped for both your present and future in the work and professional context as well as the wider community. You will also have the opportunity to learn from industry and professional bodies like the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and key employers and public relations practitioner in Northern Ireland and further afield, through guest lectures and other events.

Modules

Year one

• Social Psychology of Communication
• Interpersonal Communication: Skills and Strategies
• Principles of Marketing
• Language, Media and Society
• Principles of Public Relations
• Professional Communication for Employability

Year two

• Research Methods
• Professional Copywriting
• Political Communication
• Advanced Interpersonal Communication (optional)
• Communication in Groups & Teams (optional)
• Student exchange programme (optional)
• Digital Communication (optional)

Year three

• Work Placement (optional)
• International Academic Studies (optional)

Year four

• Organisational Communication
• Professional Public Relations
• Political Lobbying
• Research Practice
• Rethinking Communication (optional)
• Communication & Social Justice (optional)
• Reading the Brand (optional)

Standard entry conditions

We recognise a range of qualifications for admission to our courses. In addition to the specific entry conditions for this course you must also meet the University’s General Entrance Requirements.

A level

BBC*

• Applicants can satisfy the requirement for the C A-Level grade by substituting a combination of alternative qualifications recognised by the University.

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma / OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

Award profile of DMM

We will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (i.e. Diploma or Extended Certificate / Introductory Diploma / Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable level 3 qualifications.

Irish Leaving Certificate

112 UCAS tariff points to include a minimum of five subjects (four of which must be at higher level) to include English at H6 if studied at Higher level or O4 if studied at Ordinary Level.

Scottish Highers

Grades BBCCC

Scottish Advanced Highers

Grades CCD

International Baccalaureate

Overall profile is minimum 25 points (including 12 at higher level)

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 63% (120 credit Access Course) (NI Access Course)

Overall profile of 15 credits at Distinction and 30 credits at Merit (60 credit Access Course) (GB Access Course)

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language (or equivalent). Level 2 Certificate in Essential Skills Communication will be accepted as equivalent to GCSE English.

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants

The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 6.0 with no band score less than 5.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes.

Ulster recognises a number of other English language tests and comparable IELTS equivalent scores.

Careers & opportunities

The Communication Management and Public Relations degree has been designed to help prepare you for a career in a variety of contexts, e.g. integrated communications, public relations, public affairs, management and consultancy. Its broad and varied modules are appropriate for careers in the public, private and voluntary sectors, both local and international.

Work placement / study abroad

Successful completion of the optional placement year will give you the additional qualification of the Diploma in Professional Practice. We have a dedicated placement coordinator who is also an Academic member of staff. They will ensure you are kept up to date and informed about all relevant opportunities that are available to potential placement students. We also work closely with our Employability and Careers service to offer additional support in CV writing, developing a digital profile and interview skills. Whilst most students opt to stay in Northern Ireland, in previous years students have gained placement in London, Sydney, Barcelona and Dublin, and in organisations such as L'Oreal, Disney, Gymshark and Warner Bros.

If you undertake a formalised option to study abroad for a year (between 2nd and final year) successful completion will lead to the Diploma in International Area Studies. CMPR students have successfully completed the Study USA programme (SUSA) in the last number of years, in NY State, Pennsylvania and Minnesota.

Fees and funding

2026/27 Fees

Undergraduate fees are subject to annual review, 2026/27 fees will be announced in due course.

See our tuition fees page for the current fees for 2025/26 entry.

Scholarships, awards and prizes

The School of Communication and Media award prizes at the end of each year at a special ceremony. Many of these are awarded to CMPR students and are sponsored by a number of key industry employers in Northern Ireland.

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees.

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses.

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees.