Masters Degrees (Crisis Communication)

-Graduates from this programme may seek careers in emergency planning, disaster response, and crisis communication amongst other pathways.
-You will have the opportunity to undertake an optional study visit to Sri Lanka. Costs relating to this can be found in the Fees tab.
-You can apply for a two week optional placement, see the Features tab for more details

Introduction

The MSc Crisis and Disaster Management programme aims to develop a better understanding of approaches to crisis, risk and disaster and the impact that such events may have on businesses, communities and nations. In particular, the programme addresses the issues of interruption to business and the need for preparedness, response and recovery strategies to minimise both economic and human losses arising from crises and disasters of both natural and human origins.

There is an increasing global demand for businesses, communities and nations to increase their resilience to potential crises and disasters, particularly through using the principles of crisis and disaster management, disaster preparedness, response and recovery planning. The use of simulations and engagement with practitioners gives you the opportunity to develop practical knowledge and insight about the processes and procedures associated with crisis and disaster management.

You will learn to differentiate between the various phases of crisis and disaster management and be encouraged to critically reflect and appraise alternative approaches to managing crises and disasters. The programme also aims to develop your knowledge and skills in risks appraisal, operations management, and crisis communication. You will have the opportunity to learn how to identify and address conflict and vulnerability within organisations and disaster zones and how to address these effectively.

How You Study

The Crisis and Disaster Management MSc covers both topics from both a theoretical and professional perspective. The programme consists of modules in (1) business and management, (2) project and operations management, and (3) crisis and disaster management. Approaches to crisis and disaster management are taught through case studies from a broad range of sectors.

The taught element of the programme consists of seven core modules and one optional module.

The core modules are:
-Disaster management
-Crisis communication
-Humanitarian logistics
-Project planning and management
-Decision analysis for managers
-Finance and accounting
-Teams and leadership

The following is an illustrative list of options. Optional modules will run as far as at least 10 students select them. Timetabling arrangements may limit the availability of modules to some students. As the options reflect staff's research interests, they may alter over time due to staff availability.
-Global supply strategies
-Social entrepreneurship
-Trade and development
-Analysing fiction

Students can choose one of the following independent study elements:
-Dissertation
-Consultancy project
-Start-up venture

Each module typically consists of two or three weekly teaching hours over a teaching term of 12 weeks. You will normally study four modules per semester and therefore 8-12 hours per week.

Postgraduate level study involves a significant proportion of independent study exploring the material covered in lectures and seminars. As a general guide, for every hour in class students are expected to spend two - three hours in independent study.

If you are planning to study the degree on a part time basis, you will be studying two modules per term with 4-6 hours of contact time on a weekly basis.

How You Are Assessed

A variety of assessment methods are utilised during this course, including essays, examinations, oral presentations and simulation games. These assessments are designed to develop skills that will be useful for your career.

Essays involve written assignments where you structure and develop arguments based on research and critical analysis of alternative perspectives and courses of action.

Examinations test and develop your ability to think on your feet and provide logical and well-formed arguments under time pressure.
Oral presentations help you to demonstrate and develop communication and influencing skills that are highly valued in business and management roles.

Finally, simulation games provide you with the opportunity to see the results of decisions you make relating to allocating financial, human and other resources.

The University of Lincoln's policy on assessment feedback aims to ensure that academics will return in-course assessments to you promptly – usually within 15 working days after the submission date.

Modules

-Comparative Human Resource Management (Option)
-Crisis Communications
-Decision Analysis for Managers
-Disaster Management
-Finance and accounting
-Humanitarian Logistics
-Project Planning and Management
-Research Design and Methods
-Teams and Leadership

Special Features

The Lincoln International Business School has an experienced team of staff, which is made up of academically and professionally qualified lecturers with relevant industrial experience and finance experts with wide research interests.

The School hosts a series of visiting speakers each year. As part of the School, you will have the opportunity to learn from industry experts. Previous speakers have included representatives from organisations such as Deloitte, Santander, HSBC, Innocent, The Institute of Internal Auditors and Sir David Tweedie (ex-Chairman of the IASB).

You will also have the chance to build your skills and knowledge further with extra-curricular activities such as joining a society, volunteering or becoming a Student Ambassador.

Placements

Students can apply for a two week optional placement that takes place between the first and second semester or during the Summer. The placement is an opportunity to gain work experience from a UK-based employer and build a CV towards a career in your area of interest.

Placements will be sourced by the School and will be based within the local area of Lincoln. Students who undertake an optional two week placement will be required to cover their own travel costs.

Facilities

The Lincoln International Business School is based in the David Chiddick building alongside Lincoln Law School. The building provides students with teaching and learning space including lecture theatres, workshop rooms, an IT/language lab and a mooting chamber, along with places to meet and eat with friends and staff.

The building provides high quality spaces for teaching and group learning and is the perfect setting for successful Business School students to learn and develop.

Sage 50 and SPSS software is available within the Business School for student use.

Career and Personal Development

The programme aims to prepares students for careers in humanitarian organisations, emergency planning, risk management and insurance.

The University Careers and Employability Team offer qualified advisors who can work with you to provide tailored, individual support and careers advice during your time at the University. As a member of our alumni we also offer one-to-one support in the first year after completing your course, including access to events, vacancy information and website resources; with access to online vacancies and virtual and website resources for the following two years.

This service can include one-to-one coaching, CV advice and interview preparation to help you maximise your future opportunities.
The service works closely with local, national and international employers, acting as a gateway to the business world.

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The nine-credit Graduate Certificate in Strategic Global Communication is comprised of the first three courses of the MA in Intercultural and International Communication residency. The program responds to the call for strategic, intercultural and international, communication skills by non-government organizations (NGOs), public, private, and not for profit organizations.

This program will augment the credentials, skills, and knowledge of global communication professionals. Students will take a systems approach to leading community or organizational development, taking into consideration cultural, governance, and communication principles through the lens of globalization, multi and interculturalism.

Students will have the option of continuing to complete their degree by laddering into the MA in Intercultural and International Communication (on campus and blended) program or the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies program. Students interested in moving on to the MA in Professional Communication will be able to count PCOM 635 as advanced standing credit toward the degree.

Courses

The Graduate Certificate in Strategic Global Communication offers a unique blend of an applied organizational communication challenge with an intercultural communication scholarship, and consists of three courses:
-IICS515 Intercultural Theory and Practice
-PCOM635 Communication for Development and Social Change
-IICS551 Organizational Communication and Culture

You will begin with three weeks of pre-residency online study, followed by a two-week on-campus residency, and finally four weeks of online study post residency.

Who’s it for

This certificate has been designed for people who specialize in organizational development and communication with a global focus. This field is diverse and continues to grow as the workforce becomes more complex, international, and multi cultural.

Outcomes

-Develop skills in organizational communication in areas such as; crisis management, corporate image, identity and reputation, organizational culture and culture change, leadership theories, social relationships and networks, communication audits, power and control in organizational life, conflict in organizations, ethics and values, and corporate social responsibility.
-Learn to analyse organizational structures and management styles with a focus on culture.
-Gain tools for professional and personal development in a diverse society and workplace.
-Develop a rationale and framework for research projects.
-Discover how interdisciplinary research can be combined with cultural studies with communication, sociology, psychology, business, mass media, and developmental studies among other traditions.
-Gain an insight into the historical and contemporary nature of issues and theories that have influenced the field of development communication and explore the complex relationships between communication and socioeconomic development, and the role that communication plays in promoting (or impeding) social change and development.

Flexible Admission

Applicants who do not meet the Standard Admission requirements will be considered for Flexible Admission and assessed as follows:
-All applicants must show evidence of having sufficient knowledge, skills and abilities to complete a demanding academic course of study at a master's level and have significant professional communication experience.
-Applicants without an undergraduate degree, but more than three years (90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education, should have at least two years of relevant work experience, preferably in a leadership capacity.
-Applicants with two to three years (60-90 credits) of relevant post-secondary education should have at least five years of relevant international/intercultural work experience in a leadership capacity.
-Applicants with less than two years (60 credits) of relevant post-secondary education should have at least ten years of high-level, professional communication experience in a leadership capacity.

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In the English-language Master's specialization in Business Communication & Digital Media, you will focus on communication issues in the area of business communications. You will research how people communicate with one another using a variety of means, and how they process information through language, pictures, sound and computers. For example, you will acquire knowledge about pitfalls and misunderstandings when exchanging information, negotiating or managing conflicts in business settings, and the principles of marketing communications. The emphasis lies on the effects of digital communication on our society and culture. The program in Business Communication and Digital Media enables you to study the consequences/implications of media selection for effective communication transaction.

Internal communication

One of the most important issues within organizations is internal communication.
•How do teams communicate and make decisions?
•How do people deal with conflicts within their organization?
•How do managers use advanced business communication to motivate their employees?

These questions are all part of the internal business communication that you will deal with during your studies. You will focus on important aspects of interpersonal and group communication.

External communication

In this context, external communication is more than marketing and promoting the products on offer, it concerns the image of the organization.
•How do organizations manage a crisis situation?
•How do they communicate with media?
•How do organizations improve their image through communication?

These questions will be answered during this program. You will study various theories that explain how people make observations and form their opinions and you will learn about how organizations reach customers and convince them.

Digital Media

Over the past decade, the internet and new media have developed rapidly. The increasing importance of the internet and new media has a major impact on business communication. There are several issues that organizations are facing in this particular field of communication, such as announcing news by email, the most convenient way of communication with customers, the quality and user-friendliness of their website. Another part of this study is the social media aspect and how organizations deal with it.

Career Prospects Business Communication & Digital Media

After completing a Master's program with a specialization in Business Communication and Digital Media, you will be able to enter the education, research or business market. You will be able to analyze internal and external communications and to act as a consultant on these matters. You will also be able to give advice about communication tools within organizations. You can pursue an international career in various national or multinational organizations. After the Master's specialization, you can specialize further, as an academic researcher.

Graduates with a specialization in BDM may find positions such as:
•Web editor
•Marketing Officer
•Communications Officer
•New Media project manager
•Head of PR and Communications

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Whether it is managing social media, dealing with an issue, or building relationships with stakeholders, the role of the corporate communication professional is more complex than ever. This six-month Graduate Certificate will improve your management of internal and external corporate communication, solidify your understanding of stakeholder and public relations and enable you to develop a deeper understanding of social media strategy and governance.

The Graduate Certificate in Professional Communication Management consists of three courses:
-LEAD 580 Leadership, Community and Collaboration in a Complex Environment
-PCOM 633 Strategic Communication Management
-PCOM 520 Social Media Strategy and Governance

You will begin the program with LEAD 580 which consists of an online pre-residency component, a one-week on-campus residency and post-residency online work. The residency allows students to examine a leadership challenge through a live case and explore dimensions of personal and strategic leadership, the dynamics of personal and organizational change, and the communication professional’s role as a catalyst for change. PCOM 520 and PCOM 633 are delivered entirely online including dynamic activities and creative synchronous and asynchronous discussion forums

Who It’s For

This certificate has been designed for communication professionals directly responsible for organizational or corporate communication including managers who wish to strengthen their ability to manage communication strategically and leverage traditional, digital, and social media to strengthen relationships with stakeholders, customers, and other key groups.

Applicants who do not have the formal academic education to qualify for admission may be assessed on the basis of both their formal education and their informal learning, in accordance with the Flexible Admission Policy.

Outcomes

-Demonstrate effective leadership and collaboration skills in complex business environments.
-Develop skills to create a strategic communication plan for your organization.
-Manage social media effectively and be able to incorporate all digital media into communication planning and delivery.
-Demonstrate the return on investment of public relations and communications.
-Create and support the framework of stakeholder relations.
-Manage crisis situations and protect the organization’s reputation when under threat.
-Build the skillset needed to work at the executive level effectively.

The program’s flexible schedule allows you to further your education while maintaining professional and personal responsibilities. The certificate can be applied in full toward the MA in Interdisciplinary Studies; and the MA in Professional Communication; and up to six credits into the MBA in Executive Management program as long as admission into those programs has been granted. Please speak to our enrolment advisors at 1.877.778.6227 for information.

Delivery Model

This program is delivered through our blended model which features a short introductory online period, a five-day on-campus residency and online course work. This flexible model enables students to benefit from an on-campus learning experience while maintaining personal and professional responsibilities.

Residency
The on-campus residency is an intensive period of collaborative study which enables students to become acquainted with RRU, their teachers and their cohort with the aim of preparing students for the rest of the program. The normal schedule for residencies is from 8:30 a.m. - 4:30 p.m. with homework, readings and team assignments completed outside of these hours, so it is recommended that students keep their evenings available for these activities.

Online Learning
The online portion of our Graduate Certificate programs takes place over the Internet. Several different information delivery methods are used, including textbooks, articles, case studies, interactive learning and 'chat' bulletin boards for corresponding with team members. Courses contain assignment due dates and team work, requiring students to plan carefully to meet course timelines.

The two online courses are taken consecutively and each course lasts for a period of 10 weeks. Each course requires a level of effort of approximately 20 hours per week. During the first online course, the amount of time required may be higher as students familiarize themselves with our online learning platform. LEAD 580, the residency course, continues online at the same time as the first online course (EXMN652). This is to complete the final assignment in LEAD580.

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Business and public organisations operate today in a context marked by constant technological evolution, rapid social changes and increasing political and economic instability. In such a dynamic and uncertain environment, communicating strategically becomes vital to the pursuit of an organisation’s mission and key goals, from the aim of promoting products and services to the need to respond to a crisis.

The MSc in Strategic Communication offers a cross-disciplinary education to current or aspiring communication professionals and leaders who wish to learn how to design, plan and implement effective and sound communication policies that promote the strategic goals of their organisation.

The programme combines a range of disciplines and perspectives to develop the conceptual and practical skills which are crucial for successful strategic communication. You will learn how to translate organisational goals into communication objectives, to analyse situations by identifying the relevant stakeholder groups, as well as regulatory constraints and ethical issues; to design spoken and written messages that are at the same time sound, persuasive and compliant; to exploit the potential offered by established communication technologies and new digital media to effectively engage targeted audiences.

Besides classroom modules, a dedicated seminar involving communication experts (‘Public relations and Investor Relations in practice’) will give you the unique opportunity to familiarize with the relevant professional contexts and to closely interact with specialists in the sectors. Through the final project, you will engage yourselves with an in-depth analysis of a case-study in strategic communication.

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Sophisticated politics involves communication, strategy and manipulation of the political agenda.

This programme engages you in the practical issues of political delivery. The areas of political communication, political leadership, strategy, crisis management, political branding, and public relations are all the leading vocational aspects of a developed academic understanding of politics and international relations. It is an area of growing importance that distinguishes our graduates as policy-relevant, engaged thinkers in the political arena.

- Extended programme

The extended programme allows students the opportunity to study their subject in greater detail, choosing a wider range of modules, and also provides the opportunity to spend one term at the Canterbury campus. The extended programme is ideal for students who require extra credits, or would like to have more time to pursue an internship.

Visit the website https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/59/political-strategy-and-communication

Brussels School of International Studies

The Brussels School of International Studies (BSIS) is a multidisciplinary postgraduate School of the University of Kent bringing together the disciplines of politics, international relations, law and economics to provide in-depth analysis of international problems such as conflict, security, development, migration and the political economy and legal basis of a changing world order.

We are a truly international School, our students are drawn from over 50 countries. The strong international composition of our staff and student body contributes significantly both to the academic as well as to the social experience at BSIS. The value-added of a location in Brussels is the opportunity to expose students of international issues to the working of major international organisations such as the EU and NATO and the many international and non-governmental organisations based in Brussels. Students have the added opportunity of undertaking an internship with one of these organisations.

Course structure

We are committed to offering flexible study options at the School and enable you to tailor your degree to meet your needs by offering start dates in September and January; full- and part-time study; split-site options, and allowing students to combine two fields of study leading to a degree that reflects both disciplines.

The MA in Political Strategy and Communication allows students to choose secondary areas of specialisation from the range of programmes offered at BSIS (http://www.kent.ac.uk/brussels/studying/index.html). Thus, a focused programme of study can be constructed by studying Political Strategy and Communication in the context of International Relations; International Conflict and Security; Human Rights Law, and other subject areas we cover.

This leads to the award of an MA degree in, for example, 'Political Strategy and Communication with Human Rights Law'.

Programme aims

The programme aims to:

- provide you with a research-active teaching environment which provides a good grounding in the study of social science in general, in political strategy, and in the communication of political positions in particular

- offer you a critical perspective of the interplay between international relations and European politics as they relate to the process of creating a strategy for dealing with political issues, and communicating effectively the issues and positions on the basis of that strategy, in order to influence outcomes at the European and national levels

- ensure that you acquire a solid understanding of methodologies for the study of social science in general, and in the application of those understandings to the study of political strategy in particular

- ensure that you acquire a solid understanding of major theoretical approaches to policymaking and policy analysis, the historical development of the contemporary European policy landscape, and the application of theoretical and historical knowledge to the analysis and understanding of contemporary issues and cases in the field, with particular emphasis on the manner in which policies, positions, perspectives, and attitudes are communicated

- ensure that you acquire the necessary skills for an advanced assessment of contemporary problems in European politics, society, and economy, and their solutions

- develop your general research skills and personal skills (transferable skills).

Research areas

Our research interests span a broad spectrum of the discipline, with particular strengths in the fields of conflict analysis and resolution, political theory and European politics. The strength of the School’s research culture is reflected in the numerous books and articles published and in the existence of its three core research groups: Conflict, Security and Human Rights; Comparative Politics; and Political and Social Thought. We also host four University-recognised research centres: the Conflict Analysis Research Centre (CARC), the Global Europe Centre (GEC), the Centre for Critical Thought (CCT), and the Centre for Federal Studies (CFS).

All members of staff can supervise theses leading to research degrees. We encourage potential research students to refer to our postgraduate research handbook (pdf) for detailed information (http://www.kent.ac.uk/politics/postgraduates/research-programmes/pgrhandbook.pdf).

In 2011, the University successfully applied for ESRC recognition as a provider of doctoral training in political science and international studies (and other areas of the social sciences) as part of a consortium. As a result, we are now part of the South East ESRC Doctoral Training Centre, making us one of the key training outlets in our subject in the UK.

Careers

The School of Politics and International Relations has a dedicated Employability, Placements and Internships Officer who works with students to develop work-based placements in a range of organisations. Centrally, the Careers and Employability Service can help you plan for your future by providing one-to-one advice at any stage of your postgraduate studies.

Many students at our Brussels centre who undertake internships are offered contracts in Brussels immediately after graduation. Others have joined their home country’s diplomatic service, entered international organisations, or have chosen to undertake a ‘stage’ at the European Commission, or another EU institution.

Our graduates have gone on to careers in academia, local and national government and public relations.

Kent has an excellent record for postgraduate employment: over 94% of our postgraduate students who graduated in 2013 found a job or further study opportunity within six months.

Find out how to apply here - https://www.kent.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/apply/

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Why take this course?

Risk Managers and those responsible for the continuity of business during periods of crisis can be found in all organisations across the globe. This can be a fast-paced, adrenaline-pumping and incredibly exciting role for those who like to take on challenges to ensure their organisations can withstand all sorts of environmental, technological and unpredictable situations. Resilience is key for organisations in today’s turbulent times and risk managers are fundamental to achieving this.

This course will help you to acquire the knowledge, skills and tools to become a proficient and capable risk manager. The increase in British and International Standards in Risk and Crisis Management, Organisational Resilience and Continuity highlight the importance of this area which has grown into more than just a specialist subject in the education of managers, risk specialists and others.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Attend lectures including those from guest speakers from industry who provide insight into real-life scenarios and a practical take on managing risk.
Develop your skills to make a difference to your organisation through honing your analytical, decision-making and communication skills to manage risk more effectively.

Recognition of Prior Learning (APL) (RPL)

If you have undertaken courses in risk and crisis elsewhere, either professional or academic, you may be eligible for RPL. This is particularly relevant for applicants from the armed forces and emergency services.

Also, if you have attended appropriate professional development short courses at the Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College (EPC) you may be eligible for RPL on the programme. To check eligibility, please refer to http://www.port.ac.uk/epc. RPL requires evidence of good practice in the topics of study and of applying this appropriately at your workplace. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, a personal tutor will aid you in submission of your evidence after enrolment on the course.

What opportunities might it lead to?

Good risk managers are valued for their strategic thinking and planning expertise – they are essential for minimising costs and damage to organisations and for protecting reputations. Our graduates can be found in roles such as independent risk consultants, risk officers, healthcare risk managers, crisis team managers for petrochemical companies, risk managers within the military, auditors and security managers. The career opportunities in all sorts of different organisations around the world are endless.

The Institute of Risk Management (IRM) offers exemptions on its IRM International Diploma which provides an entry route to full IRM membership and all the benefits and valuable networking opportunities this provides.

Module Details

Modules are delivered in two blocks of three days which run from Tuesdays to Thursdays allowing Monday and Friday to be available for further research or for time in the office. The flexibility this provides is one of the benefits of this course.

Here are the units you will study:

Strategic Risk and Risk Behaviour: This explores the theoretical frameworks and interdisciplinary nature of risk and effective risk management in organisations. The importance of human factors and people skills in risk perception and management are also considered, examining the roles of the individuals, teams and leaders in the context of developing and implementing risk management policies and strategies.

Organisational and Environmental Risk: This unit will investigate theories of environmental and organisational risk management and the approaches that an organisation may employ to achieve these successfully. The role of environmental and organisational risk management within the context of legislation will also be explored.

Crisis Management and Governance: This unit studies the development of effective, transparent continuity and crisis planning. The challenges facing organisations in ensuring robust governance, continuity and crisis management plans, highlighting the differences between this and generic risk management will be explored. Training and exercise preparedness will also be reviewed, enabling students to design appropriate scenarios for their organisations.

Project and Research Methods: This focuses on project risk management processes, systems and technology. Central to the module is a consideration of the key challenges in the application of project risk identification and response frameworks. This will be linked to the research dissertation as a project to be managed, preparing students for the research element of the programme.

Dissertation: This unit comprises the final part of the course. You will undertake a 15,000-word management research project (dissertation) that combines a review of previous research undertaken in your chosen topic, with your own data collection and analysis. The research dissertation provides a unique opportunity for you to demonstrate the subject knowledge you have acquired, as well as your analytical abilities and problem-solving skills that are highly regarded by potential employers. During this phase, your research will be supervised by an experienced academic with expertise in your chosen topic area.

Programme Assessment

Classes are challenging but informal and friendly, and you are encouraged to participate in discussion and debate. Our aim is to enhance your risk management skills by analysing complex problems, exploring the uncertainties involved, evaluating possible solutions and planning risk management implementation.

All assessment is via coursework, the majority of which will be in the form of written assignments. You will also complete a self-directed research dissertation supported by supervisors.

Student Destinations

This course is an ideal route into a wide range of risk management roles. Organisations face risk every day and so demand the strategic decision making skills of qualified risk managers. Considering the global reach of organisations today, the reliance on technology, increased risk of conflict and extreme weather, there is no shortage of career opportunities in this field. From managing crises in a healthcare environment, to petrochemical, environmental, business and everything in between, this course will give you the opportunity to consider real life examples and the opportunity to put your newly acquired skills into practice.

Alternatively, you may wish to pursue opportunities for research in the related areas of risk, programme and business management.

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Your programme of study

Communication is one of the most vital parts to our work and lives and ability to succeed in life beyond basic communication levels. This programme allows you to understand and explore just how much we communicate effectively and with each other and how we interact with the wider world in doing so. Communication is vital to success on an individual and organisational level and this programme gives you a multidisciplinary approach to the area.  You can discover and fine tune your skills in negotiation, create rapport, provide leadership and interpret various issues to interaction which prevent growth, movement or improvements within an organisation and your business relationships. This is an essential language which you can apply to just about any known business and organisation area. Professional communication can be the difference between the failure or success of projects, organisations and people management, plus how your organisation is seen by the rest of the world.  Specific business areas we look at are in healthcare, law and the energy industry in Aberdeen so that we can utilise our networks but these skills are applicable to any business discipline or institution.

You acquire skills in organisational negotiation, leadership, rapport management and interaction with a range of professional institutions and business organisations. You study a variety of intercultural communications and professional contexts to uncover the true meaning of data in language analysis for example.  The breadth of opportunities for a professional with communications expertise is immense and it can be anything from the more obvious communications, marketing and change management positions to HR, teaching, PR and crisis management. 

Courses listed for the programme

Semester 1

Interpersonal Management, Negotiation and Persuasion

Marketing Management

Communication Theory and Analysis

Semester 2

Intercultural Communication

Institutional Discourse

Optional

Business Model Innovation

The Leadership Challenge

Marketing Communications

Semester 3

Dissertation in Professional Communications

Find out more detail by visiting the programme web page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/degree-programmes/252/professional-communication/

Why study at Aberdeen?

•  You gain an innovative approach in understanding and analysing dynamic interactions at Aberdeen
• The programme is delivered with expertise from Linguistics
• You get a series of guest speakers and internship possibilities throughout the UK

Where you study

• University of Aberdeen
• Full Time or Part Time
• 12 Months or 24 Months
• September start

Find out about fees:

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/tuition-fees-and-living-costs-287.php

*Please be advised that some programmes have different tuition fees from those listed above and that some programmes also have additional costs.

Scholarships

View all funding options on our funding database via the programme page

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-taught/finance-funding-1599.php

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/funding/

Living in Aberdeen

Find out more about:

• Your Accommodation
• Campus Facilities
• Aberdeen City
• Student Support
• Clubs and Societies

Find out more about living in Aberdeen:

https://abdn.ac.uk/study/student-life

Living costs

https://www.abdn.ac.uk/study/international/finance.php

 

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Aims

The MA Public Relations and Corporate Communications covers the fundamental academic principles and theories relevant to the field as well as the contemporary environmental drivers and professional practices that shape the profession in the 21st Century.

The course will focus on the design and planning of organisational change campaigns, corporate social responsibility (CSR) programmes and rhetorical and non-rhetorical responses and tactics to tackle issues and crises. Students will be equipped with the tools and skills needed to address different stakeholders and to approach any challenge from a strategic perspective.

This Master’s programme is taught by teaching staff and visiting lecturers with extensive professional experience and expertise. This guarantees students will have the opportunity to learn up to date techniques that are relevant to the current workplace, whether their prospective or current posts involve practicing at a local, national or an international level.

Our course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), which means that our module content has been assessed to provide relevant skills and knowledge development towards a career in public relations or communications. Our students also currently receive free membership to the CIPR which gives them access to their online portal offering networking, career and placement advice and opportunities.

Entry requirements

A good honours degree in a relevant discipline (Media and Communication Studies, Public Relations, Marketing, Business Studies, Journalism)
A good understanding of how the media industry operates
A good standard of written and spoken English
International students should have a score of 6.0 in the IELTS test (in the written part) or equivalent in other accepted tests (e.g. Toefl, Cambridge Advanced Exam (CAE) or Cambridge Proficiency Exam (CPE)
Students must achieve a minimum of 5.5 in each component of the IELTS or similar tests.
The university will provide support to those with a score of 6.5 or below through pre-sessional courses or summer courses.

You are also encouraged to apply if you:

Have significant professional experience in any area of the media regardless of your educational qualifications.
Have a 2:2 in a relevant subject where you can provide examples of work in the media which shows your ability in the subject.

Fees and finance

2015/6 Home/EU International
Full time £5,750 £11,960
Part time £2,875

These fees are applicable for new entrants in 2015/6. Fees are for the academic year only, any subsequent years may be subject to an annual increase, usually in line with inflation.

The University also offers a postgraduate loyalty discount: If you have completed an undergraduate degree at the University of Wolverhampton, you may be eligible for a 20% discount on the first year of a taught postgraduate programme.

Employability

There are two distinct areas of public relations in which to work - in-house for an organisation, or at an agency where you will be handling a range of clients.

Public relations practitioners are responsible for the following list of activities:

Internal Communications
Media Relations
Public Affairs/Lobbying
Community Relations and Corporate Social Responsibility
Investor Relations or Financial Public Relations
Issues and crisis management
Business to Business relations
Events management

Proficiency in each of these and other new activities such as moderation (of digital communication channels) equip you for potential career opportunities within the public relations industry. As well as these opportunities public relations graduates may go on to assist human resources departments, activist organisations or public sector institutions with social change/social marketing campaigns

Outcomes

At the end of this course you will be able to:

Critically analyse on-going debates relevant to the field of public relations and the media industry in general.
Produce specific situational analyses and assessments of the political, economic, social and technical factors surrounding an organisation or sector.
Draw upon academic models and frameworks for planning, implementing and delivering effective communication and managerial tactics.
Interact with culturally diverse stakeholders or constituents to negotiate positive outcomes in challenging situations for all the parties involved, following ethical and professional principles.
Apply technical knowledge of ICTs to the process of planning and managing organisational outcomes, as well as well as to the production of media content for new media/digital platforms.
Carry out academic research demonstrating sufficient knowledge of the subject and originality.

Why Wolverhampton?

You will study PR from a range of different perspectives, considering the impact of PR on society and the media. You will also learn the techniques and practices of public relations that contribute to the evolution of PR as a management discipline.

Our teaching staff comes from a wide range of academic and professional backgrounds. They have had considerable experience of working in PR and other media sectors of the industry. Close contact with the industry enables staff to invite guest speakers and visiting lectures who are involved in various aspects of the industry in the UK and abroad.

The course has been designed bearing in mind the needs of:

Practitioners
Professional bodies
Academics
Students new to the field

Our course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), which means that our module content has been assessed to provide relevant skills and knowledge development towards a career in public relations or communications. Our students also currently receive free membership to the CIPR which gives them access to their online portal offering networking, career and placement advice and opportunities.

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Corporate communication is an increasingly important strategic issue for organisations and expertise in this area offers excellent opportunities for career progression. You will learn about the latest communication trends, keeping you up to date with changing industry standards and practices.
As a communications manager or leader wanting to maximise your professional performance and career opportunities in this dynamic sector, you will develop specialist knowledge and hone your strategic skills to improve the performance of your organisation.

Delivered part-time, usually on six Friday and Saturday blocks over one year, you will have minimal disruption to your professional schedule and can combine work with study.

- Research Excellence Framework 2014: twice as many of our staff - 220 - were entered into the research assessment for 2014 compared to the number entered in 2008.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/corporatecomms_msc

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

Your modules focus on the challenges practitioners face in their professional work and career development, ensuring you will be able to apply your learning to your work straight away. On completion, you will be able to apply critical analysis and research skills in either a business, public or non-profit sector environment.

- Communications Officer
- Communications Manager
- Head of Communications
- Strategic Brand Planner

Careers advice:
The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

Leeds Business School has been at the forefront of development in public relations education, both nationally and internationally, since 1990. Your course is delivered by lecturers within our Public Relations & Communications Subject Group which includes 15 academic staff teaching across 10 undergraduate, postgraduate and professional courses.

If you have already gained the CIPR Diploma you will be exempt from the core modules Stakeholder and Employee Communications, Corporate Social Responsibility & Communication, and Issues & Crisis Public Relations, and will follow a fast track route to a masters degree.

Academic staff within the group have contributed chapters to the best-selling textbook 'Exploring Public Relations' edited by Professor Ralph Tench and Liz Yeomans.

As a communications professional with a track record including time as the Communications Manager at Rolls-Royce, this course was a natural choice for Annalie Brown: "The course was right for me and it helped that I was exempt from some modules due to having the CIPR Diploma already."

At Leeds Business School we're dedicated to supporting your professional development - that's why we offer a guest lecture programme. Past speakers include the CEO of the London Stock Exchange, Shadow Chief Secretary to the Treasury, past Chair and President of the Academy of Marketing, Chief Executive of the British Bankers Association, the Chief Economist of Yorkshire Bank and the Editor of Cosmopolitan. To see our full programme and to register for a lecture click here (http://www.leedsmet.ac.uk/guestspeakers).

Core Modules

Corporate Social Responsibility & Communication
Explore the concept of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR), including the issues of maximising profit and the need for sustainable development, environmental integrity and ethical business practices.

Digital Communication Management
Gain an understanding of the changing landscape in digital communication and develop the tools for managing personal and corporate reputation.

Issues & Crisis Public Relations
Study the theories and practicalities of crisis management within the public and private sectors across the world. You'll learn to identify issues and how to prepare for and manage crises

Marketing Communications Strategy
Gain an understanding of the way in which marketing communications strategy melds with branding principles.

Specialist Public Relations
Investigate specialist areas of strategic PR and corporate communications including public affairs, social marketing and arts marketing.

Stakeholder Relations & Employee Communications
Analyse internal communication as a means of stakeholder management and investigate the power of different organisational environments, cultures and leadership styles that influence corporate communications.

Dissertation
You will carry out an in-depth research project in a subject that is appropriate to the course and of particular interest to you.

Facilities

- Library
Our libraries are two of the only university libraries in the UK open 24/7 every day of the year. However you like to study, the libraries have got you covered with group study, silent study, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- The Rose Bowl
The Rose Bowl has impressive teaching spaces, auditoriums, conference facilities and an outstanding local reputation as a business hub. The Rose Bowl puts our students at the centre of a dynamic business community.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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Why take this course?

Understanding about hazards, vulnerability and the risk of disaster, underpinned by a practical awareness of the planning and logistics of an emergency, are at the core of this degree. Our internationally-recognised academics, with cross-disciplinary expertise from our School of Earth and Environmental Sciences and our Business School, will ensure you gain the ability to contribute successfully in the face of a crisis.

What will I experience?

On this course you can:

Be taught by experts with strong research proposals, who have extensive industrial and consultancy experience with government agencies, businesses and NGOs.
Gain experience of using disaster risk reduction techniques, plus a range of other skills such as mapping using GIS, GPS and remote sensing technologies
Opt to do a work placement with an emergency planning, crisis management or disaster response organisation

What opportunities might it lead to?

We will give you the knowledge and practical skills to ensure an interesting and rewarding career in the emergency planning, crisis management or disaster response sectors, both in the UK and overseas.

The Crisis and Disaster Management course is endorsed by the Emergency Planning College (EPC) of the UK Cabinet Office. If you have attended appropriate professional development short courses at the Cabinet Office Emergency Planning College (EPC) you may be eligible for exemption from attendance of up to two thirds of our degree programme. Accreditation of Prior Learning requires evidence of good practice in the topics of study and of applying this appropriately at your workplace. If you wish to take advantage of this offer, after enrolment on the course a personal tutor will aid you in submission of your evidence.

Here are some routes our graduates have pursued:

Contingency planning
Humanitarian aid organisations
Community resilience
Flood management
Military-civilian emergency liaison
(Re)insurance and risk management

Module Details

The course is a mixture of taught units and a research project, covering:

hazard, vulnerability and risk assessments; disaster risk reduction; emergency planning; crisis management; logistics and financial planning; business continuity; community resilience; humanitarian emergency response, and disaster management techniques, such as Geographical Information Systems (GIS).

The course consist of the following core units:

Disasters: Hazard, Vulnerability and Risk
Emergency Management and Planning
Disaster Management Techniques and Study Visits
Crisis Management and Governance (option)
Humanitarian Emergency Response and Recovery (option)
Research Project 


Programme Assessment

You will be part of a large postgraduate community in a vibrant and friendly department. The course units are delivered as a series of three-day teaching blocks, at three to four-week intervals from October to May, with all assessment by coursework assignments. Formal classes, such as lectures and seminars, enable you to gain the relevant knowledge, which is developed further through activity-based practicals, simulation exercises and study visits. The in-class teaching is supplemented by extensive use of web-based and library learning resources.

Assessment is varied, aimed at developing skills relevant to a range of working environments. Here’s how we assess your work:

3000-word illustrated reports
Poster and oral presentations
Literature reviews and research proposals
An individual Research Project

Student Destinations

The vocational nature of the course will give you transferable skills such as project planning, literature and data reviewing, field mapping, report writing, meeting deadlines, team work, presentation, communication and emergency simulation exercises. It also has strong research and analytical components, providing training for those who are interested in pursuing further research at PhD level.

You will have the opportunity to complete voluntary work placements with organisations (businesses, government departments, NGOs) in the emergency planning and disaster management sector, in the UK and overseas. Jobs are largely within the following sectors: emergency planning, crisis communication, epidemiology, risk management, insurance and re-insurance, utility companies, emergency logistics, civil defence and disaster relief.

The Crisis & Disaster Management MSc course is endorsed by the Emergency Planning College of the UK Government Cabinet Office.

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The Master in International Communication (MIC) is an ambitious double degree programme for those who aspire to an international career as a communication practitioner in senior managerial or consultancy positions, responsible for the external and internal communication of an organisation.

Four universities across Europe, all specialising in communication and public relations in international professional contexts, have joined forces to create this unique joint programme offering you the full benefit of their collective expertise and international networks. This consortium consists of:

• The Netherlands: Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen
• The United Kingdom: Leeds Beckett University
• Italy: IULM University, Milan
• Lithuania: Vilnius University

The MIC offers you the opportunity to study at two universities and graduate with two Master’s degrees and the Geert Hofstede Consortium certificate. The programme starts each September and consists of three semesters (90 European credits). During the first semester you will study at one of the consortium universities, and for your second semester you will study at one of the other consortium universities. During the third semester, you will write your dissertation under the supervision of these two universities.

Career Focused

How is the career perspective built into the MIC programme? Throughout your study, you will analyse and solve real corporate communication problems provided by companies and governmental and non-governmental organisations. While acquiring the necessary expertise, you will at the same time acquire the knowledge and skills you need to be able to work within an international, complex and ever-changing business context. In doing so, you will not only be achieving an academic milestone, you will also be building your business network and complementing your résumé with work experiences.

MIC Curriculum Overview

Semester 1: Core Programme (30 European credits)
The first semester introduces you to the full breadth of the profession. What are the roles and responsibilities of the communication professional in an organisation from a strategic perspective? Which main functional areas are there? How does culture influence communication? What is the relationship between the organisation and its international and intercultural environment? You will complete this semester at one of the consortium universities of your choice.

Semester 2: Specialisations (30 European credits)
During the second semester you will complete a number of specialisations from another consortium universities of your choice. The specialisations are, by definition, in tune with what is happening in the professional field and can change according. The specialisations include:

Hanze University of Applied Sciences, Groningen, The Netherlands
• Intercultural Management
• International marketing communication
• International public affairs & corporate communication

IULM International University of Languages and Media, Milan, Italy
• Development and communication
• Public affairs and advocacy
• Social responsibility and communication

Leeds Beckett University, Leeds, The United Kingdom
• Public relations skills
• Communication audits
• Digital communication management

Vilnius University, Vilnius, Lithuania
• International crisis communication management
• Innovative methods in corporate communication
• Media and sustainable development

Semester 3: The Graduation Project (30 European credits)
The graduation Project consists of a master’s dissertation and a personal development portfolio. You must demonstrate mastery of those competences required to obtain the title Master in International Communication. You will choose a professional role and analytically solve a problem for an outside client or stakeholders (working in-house or as a consultant). The result of this project will be based on applied research and the use of an appropriate methodology. Every problem requires a solution from an international or intercultural perspective. The dissertation is completed under the supervision of two universities.

MIC graduate profile

As a graduate of the Master in International Communication you will be an interculturally competent communication professional able to work in a global context. You will be able to anticipate changes and develop, implement and manage sustainable and innovative solutions to communication issues. As a graduate, you will have the skills and knowledge needed to work at managerial or consultancy level.

Career Prospects

Based on the MIC Alumni Evaluation conducted in 2015, 91.6% of the MIC graduates have found a job within a year after graduating. Graduates have found jobs as Communications manager, Communications consultant, Director of communication and external relations, Image and communications manager, Marketing & communications executive, Content and media manager, Social media research officer, Senior international relations officer, Events officer and Project manager. Companies where our graduates have found positions include Google, Edelman PR, Ogilvy Group, Walt Disney, Hewlett Packard, IBM, ABN-Amro bank and governmental institutions.

Admission requirements

• Previous study in one of the following fields: communication, humanities, social sciences, business, management. Extensive work experience may also be considered.
• English language requirements: IELTS: 6.5, no subscores below 5.5 or TOEFL: 90 (internet). IELTS or TOEFL must not be older than two years.

The MIC is a fully accredited programme.

For more information about admission and application visit: http://www.hanzegroningen.eu/mic or http://www.masterinternationalcommunication.eu

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The programme will introduce students to the study of PR as an academic discipline, approaching PR from a range of critical and theoretical perspectives. It will allow students to explore the principles and forms of public relations practice within the context of rapidly changing media environments. It will examine classic and emerging PR strategies and the use of research to inform PR campaigns and to measure their effectiveness as well as their wider social impacts. The course also places public relations within a wider strategic communications management context and examines how commercial organisations and NGOs campaigning for social change use PR techniques to advance their objectives and how crisis communication tools are applied to address challenges in organisational environments.

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About the program

The Master of Communication program allows students to further their careers in Communication by equipping them with an appropriate mix of theory and practice suited to industry. It provides an ideal balance of theoretical knowledge, practical skills, problem solving abilities, interpersonal skills and a high level of written communication.

Advance your career

A Master of Communication at Bond, allows graduates to complement their dynamic and flexible skills with a deep understanding of theory and practice. By building upon previously acquired knowledge with problem-solving skills and a high level of written communication, graduates can differentiate themselves in the industry.

Structure and subjects

View the Master of Communication - Program Structure and Sequencing

The Master of Communication comprises 12 subjects, as follows:

Core subjects (2)

• Research Methods in Humanities and Social Sciences (HUMR71-100)
• Epistemology and Theory of Knowledge (HUMR71-110)

Foundation subjects (6)

• Relational Communication (COMN71-104)
• Strategic Organisational Communication & Leadership (COMN71-105)
• Public Relations Masterclass (PUBR71-102)
• Social Media: Risks and Opportunities (COMN71-102)
• Human Communication Theory (COMN71-103)
• Advertising Masterclass: Brand Experience and Advanced Strategic Planning (ADVT71-102)

Dissertation/Elective option subejcts (4)

Students must choose one (1) of the following suites of subjects as their dissertation/portfolio:

• Major Dissertation/Portfolio A (20 credit points) (HUMR72-701)
• Major Dissertation/Portfolio B (20 credit points) (HUMR72-702)

Or

• Minor Dissertation/Portfolio A (HUMR71-705)
• Minor Dissertation/Portfolio B (HUMR71-706)
• Plus two (2) elective subjects from the Faculty of Society & Design list of available postgraduate subjects.(COMN71-710 Communication Internship and Portfolio and further Minor Dissertation/Portfolio subjects are available as elective subject options).

Teaching methodology

Bond University’s teaching methodology involves a combination of lectures, tutorials, seminars, examinations, projects, presentations, assignments, computer labs and industry projects.

Available research topics for dissertation / portfolio

The Faculty of Society & Design has highly skilled academic staff who can provide supervision to students in the following research areas:

• Advertising and Brand Experience in a Multi-Channel Environment
• Advertising Creativity: Concepts and Applications
• Advertising Ethics and Corporate Social Responsibility
• Building Teamwork in the Virtual Workplace
• Convergence and Digital Industries
• Crisis Communication Strategies in a Digital World
• Effects of Different Leadership Styles on Organisational Culture
• Engaging Employees – Strong Advocates or Harsh Critics?
• Establishing Authentic Corporate Social Responsibility in a Sceptical Environment
• Global Factors Contributing to Organisational Change
• Impact of Social Media on Future Public Relations Practice
• Interactivity and Consumer Engagement on Social Media Platforms
• Interpersonal Communication
• Journalism in the 21st Century
• Journalism Reinvented
• Mobile and Pervasive Communications
• Opportunities and Challenges of Mobile and Real-Time Marketing
• Paparazzi – The New Face of Journalism?
• Role of Media Relations in a Social Media Future
• Serious Games and Gamification
• Significance of the Media in Bridging the Cultural Divide
• Social Media and User-Generated Content
• The Growing Significance of Citizen Journalism
• The Internationalisation of Advertising
• The New Journalism
• The Obama Effect – New Election Campaigning Strategies
• The Proliferation of Social Networking Sites
• Virtual Environments for Learning and Work

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The master's degree is focused on training strategic communication professionals for companies, organizations and institutions. The content offers a solid background in the field of communication management, as well as a basis for academic research. The optional subjects allow an incursion in the field of communication of tourism and heritage or political communication. It is based on the Masterdec Experience which identifies and distinguishes it based on three concepts: strategy, internationalization and personalization.

Student Profile

The master's degree is designed for students with previous training in the field of Advertising and Public Relationships, Journalist, Social Communication, Social Sciences and Economics, Tourism, Anthropology, Political Sciences, ADE, Social Psychology and similar fields. It is also aimed at students with technical degrees who want to improve their professional profile in the Strategic Communication field.

Career Opportunities

University Master's degree in Strategic Communication in the Risk Society enables the exercise of professional profiles relacionants with strategic communication in a broad sense:
-Director / Head / Head of Communication in companies institutions and organizations
-Responsible for Press Media and public relations
-Head of Crisis Communication
-Senior account Managers communication agencie, public relations or corporative image
-Communications and corporative consultant
-Corporate communications analysts, political and institutional
-Researchers in universities or in terms of communication

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