This course is designed for recent graduates with little or no public relations (PR) experience, who want to pursue a career in an exciting and expanding sector. It is also ideal if you are a public relations practitioner with one or two years of experience, looking to develop your strategic and analytical skills whilst gaining a broader understanding of the PR industry.
The course combines academic learning and professional practice with a hands-on approach. Key areas of study include
You learn the latest techniques to succeed in the fast changing world of communications, and gain the analytical, strategic, management and organisational skills to succeed at the highest levels in PR. You develop your ability to
During the course you put important PR campaigns under the spotlight and work on live briefs to develop your professional skills in real-life situations. You learn how to work with bloggers and journalists, to meet their needs and develop your organsiation's reputation, and bring new ideas into the public sphere. You also develop an understanding of how academic research helps us understand the practice and development of public relations across the world.
You gain practical skills in • content creation and curation • writing news releases • organising events • researching and creating strategic PR campaigns • dealing with the media • blogger relations • crisis management • creative use of online and social media • advocacy approaches to engage with hard-to-reach audiences.
We give you the skills you need to communicate with key audiences across different media channels including print, broadcast, social media and online. It is not about ‘spin’, but great writing and verbal skills, critical and creative thinking, and understanding how the media works. You are encouraged to think about an organisation's aims and objectives and how PR knowledge can be used to achieve or question them.
The course is delivered by a team that includes award winning PR industry specialists with national and international experience across TV, health, charity, public and private sectors.
Public Relations Consultants Association
This course also benefits from Partner University status with the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA). A limited number of Universities are endorsed by the PRCA for offering excellent courses which are intellectually rigorous and esteemed by employers.
Our students gain automatic free student membership of the PRCA and all the benefits that come with it, including • exclusive access to work placements • internships • graduate schemes and entry level jobs • free and unlimited online training • free access to the industry recognised PRCA Online Certificate.
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
When you enrol on a course recognised by the CIPR you are eligible for CIPR Student Membership. This gives you access to the members area of the CIPR website, where they have a dedicated student area which offers help and advice on getting into the PR industry.
Postgraduate certificate – core modules
Postgraduate certificate – optional modules
Postgraduate diploma – core modules
Postgraduate diploma – optional modules
MA modules
Organisations are increasingly recognising the value of PR and the importance of effective communication. As more media platforms are launched, and the communication mix becomes more complex, the demand for honest, ethical and skilled PR practitioners continues to grow.
The course gives you the knowledge and skills to work as a public relations officer or executive in • public and private sector organisations • PR agencies • charities • pressure groups • the voluntary sector.
It also prepares you for work • as a campaigns director • in public affairs or lobbying • as an account manager or director making the headlines for your creative campaigns.
Many of our students also move into marketing and social media roles.
The skills from the course are transferrable to a range of other professions as you gain competencies in writing, communicating, presenting ideas and working in a team.
Open to graduates holding degrees in any subject, this course assumes no prior knowledge of public relations (PR) and is suitable for UK, EU and international students wishing to progress their academic knowledge of PR. It is also suitable for those who do not have a degree but who possess relevant experience.
Combining a unique blend of academic and practical public relations skills, the course will enable you to develop a successful career in an incredibly dynamic sector. With a strong emphasis on application of knowledge to practice industry skills such as PR writing, media relations, digital communications and client management are underpinned by academic rigour focusing on PR strategy, campaign planning and PR specialisms.
You will have the opportunity to work with real clients, including individually creating a press pack for use by a client, in addition to working as part of an account team on a live PR project.
You will be able to network with professional PR practitioners and guest speakers, and have the option to undertake an internship to gain additional work experience. Completing the programme will enhance your career prospects, equipping you with the skills required by PR consultancies as well as private and public sector organisations.
Throughout your studies there is strong provision for employability and gaining graduate employment through our Careers and Employability Hub and a range of additional activites that include:
Employers require graduates who possess a range of skills and knowledge, including experience in the workplace. To ensure you develop into a work-ready graduate for the PR or communications industry, you will have the opportunity to work on two live projects: (i) you will work on Live Client Brief as part of an account team on a live PR project under the guidance of an academic tutor who is also an experienced PR manager; and (ii) within Media Relations, you will work with an external client to prepare a media pack containing original material for the media, including a press release, social media press release, Q&A, social media content and photography for distribution to target media, as well as devise a media relations strategy for your client. These live projects will enable you to develop practical PR skills to enhance your employability, as well as develop client management skills. You will be supported by an academic tutor who is also an experienced PR consultancy manager.
As a Masters student of the Business School, you have the opportunity to participate in a number of free business visits that allow you to see behind the scenes of real companies and learn about how these businesses are structured and operate. The business visit programme varies each year, the following are indicative of the type of business visits that are available:
The Faculty of Business and Law hosts two Professional Development Weeks annually. Free and open to all students, this includes a festival of skills-development activities, practical support in developing your CV and employability skills, and the opportunity to network with actively recruiting graduate employers.
The dissertation unit is your chance to undertake a consultancy dissertation, which could be based on a current or potential employer and aligned to your career goals in a specific sector, organisation or industry.
A number of guest lectures take place each year with leading speakers from industry. The Business School shares extensive links with over 25 professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Communications Association (PRCA). We invite speakers from various organisations onto campus as guest lecturers to share their knowledge with current Masters students, including practitioners from leading PR consultancies, senior in-house experts, digital specialists, journalists from local media including the BBC, and alumni now working in the PR or communications field.
All Masters students at the Business School are encouraged to undertake an optional, short-term internship with a real business in order to develop relevant experience relating to their studies.
A dedicated Placement and Project Coordinator will guide you through this process, by sourcing and advertising suitable roles throughout the year, offering 1-2-1 application advice, and supporting you to make speculative applications to source your own Internships.
Internships can be part-time or full-time but must fit around your scheduled classes.
Passionate about PR and communications? Want to boost your employment prospects? Southampton Solent’s MA PR & Multimedia Communications programme is designed to help graduates build on traditional paradigms of public relations, exploring critically how the PR industry relates to advertising, marketing and journalism.
With an emphasis on the emergence of ‘peer-to-peer’ communications on digital platforms, this course can help improve the employability of both recent graduates and existing practitioners.
The ‘Professional Development’ unit gives students work-placement and freelance opportunities, enhancing their professional skillset. Students will also be able to pitch for paid work at Solent Creatives, who specialise in connecting students with businesses who need creative support. These projects can help students to strengthen their portfolio of professional work. For full details of each individual unit, please see the ‘course content’ tab.
Learners are encouraged to carry out additional work experience alongside their regular studies. The course team’s close links with industry have helped past students to negotiate placements at top local and national agencies.
The course concludes with a major project or dissertation. This is another opportunity for students to specialise their knowledge, conducting in-depth research into an area that complements their unique career ambitions.
As the roles of digital newsroom manager, multimedia advertiser, marketing professional, and corporate PR continue to converge, it is increasingly important that students gain first-hand experience of these functions. With opportunities for networking, live client briefs and portfolio development all built into the course, graduates leave Southampton Solent with a wealth of industry relevant experience to show potential employers.
This course is aimed at graduates in a PR or communications-related discipline. The course content is well-suited to graduates who wish to build upon their existing knowledge and explore new and emerging communications channels.
Year one
PR in a Multimedia World (30 credits)
This unit covers how the theory and practice of PR changes as communication moves across paid, owned, shared and earned media. Paradigm shifts from traditional PR approaches are considered in the context of actual PR campaigns currently running.
Multimedia Campaign Planning (30 credits)
Students get the opportunity to develop and implement a number of campaign activities across a wide variety of platforms, testing their ability to integrate paid, owned, shared and earned media in a PR campaign.
Media Measurement & Evaluation (15 credits)
This unit introduces students to the measurement techniques applied in advertising, marketing, promotion and PR sectors, including the evolution of RoE (return on engagement).
Research Methods (15 credits)
This unit raises the students’ research skills to master’s level and includes SPSS software and other methodologies that are relevant to their particular areas of interest. This is a shared unit.
Professional Practice (30 credits)
This unit positions the MA programme in terms of the student’s career aspiration, identifying skill sets and development needs in a personal practice programme. This forms the basis of a freelance/workplace project and informs the student’s choice of dissertation topic.
Major Project/Dissertation (60 credits)
The culmination of this MA programme. Theory and practice learned in the previous units inform a final research project.
We have a fully equipped IT centre with both PC and Mac computers. These feature industry-standard image manipulation, video and audio editing software. Access to camera equipment and professional recording devices for podcast and video creation is highly likely, and access to photographic equipment is always available.
Southampton Solent is proud to offer students a range of high-end media facilities. Students also have the opportunity to access an extensive media loans service, where they can borrow high-end video production and photography equipment.
Suitable roles for graduates include:
Graduates will be in a good position to pursue further professional qualifications. Chartered Institute of Public Relations diplomas are available in areas of expertise such as crisis management and internal communication. Membership of the CIPR encourages continued professional development (CPD).
MPhil/PhD options are open to those wishing to pursue academic research and teaching.
Live client briefs are used for the ‘Multimedia Campaign’ unit. The ‘Professional Practice’ unit requires every student to undertake a work placement or freelance project. Students who are in work while taking the course have the opportunity to adapt the topic of their assignments to suit the needs of their employers. Adaptable units include:
There is a strong relationship between the course and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, as evidenced by the participation of the CIPR Presidents in our eBook in a day events. These events have been organised by the MA students for the past two years.
Students benefit from a range of guest speakers and practical events including a crisis simulation, an ‘eCampaign’ in a day, and participation in industry events.
Work placements and freelance projects are a core part of the curriculum, helping to ensure that students graduate with a range of relevant workplace experience.
Students are encouraged to source their own client (through Solent Creatives) or to find a work placement that is appropriate to their career ambitions. The course team will be available to provide support and guidance as necessary.
The placements and projects vary in length, depending on client needs. The minimum required is a two week placement, but on average the client projects last much longer.
This course offers a hands-on practical approach to this exciting discipline, underpinned by a strong academic foundation.You will gain a solid grounding in the theory and practice of Public Relations and Digital Communications, preparing you for a career in this constantly changing and evolving industry.
A key element of the course will focus on content creation – an emerging area within Public Relations and Digital Communication. You will benefit from a multimedia approach, learning how to use different techniques – including social media, video and content management – to optimise the effectiveness of communicating in a digital age.
As well as exploring the history of PR and how its relationship with journalism has developed and evolved over the years, you will examine the ethical issues surrounding PR and the ways PR can contribute to the management and protection of an organisation or individual’s reputation.
You will learn from lecturers with strong, relevant professional backgrounds and have the chance to undertake placements in the industry.
This programme offers you the opportunity to focus on digital communications strategies as well as more traditional public relations practice.
This 12 month postgraduate course aims to produce highly-skilled graduates who are able to operate professionally in today’s PR and digital communication-related industries.
You will develop cutting-edge knowledge and understanding of the role and influence of PR and digital communication within contemporary society, and the demands on and opportunities for PR and digital communication professionals.
This course will involve developing a professional level of practical skills and understanding in the devising and implementation of PR campaign strategies To develop systematic and advanced research techniques for the evaluation and analysis of critical texts and aspects of current research and scholarship at the forefront of the field of Public Relations and digital communications.
In the first trimester, you will study Public Relations & Journalism and Content Creation modules, which will provide a solid basis on which to develop your skills.
The modules you will study in the second trimester are Understanding PR Campaigns, which looks at case studies and strategies, and Professional PR Practice, which incorporates an industry work placement.
In the third trimester, you will work on a Major Project or a Dissertation.
Public Relations is one of the fastest growing professions in the UK, employing 62,000 people in 2015.
The importance of the digital economy, and the opportunities and challenges it presents, has been noted by a Lords Select Committee. Its report, entitled Make or Break: The UK’s Digital Future, emphasises the urgent need, at HE level, for industry input, so that graduates are learning job-relevant digital skills. This illustrates the employability value of a postgraduate programme in Public Relations and Digital Communications.
The programme would prepare graduates for work within PR and Digital Communication related industries and feeds into this skills gap in the PR and communications industries. However, it will also provide key transferable skills that are increasingly sought after in today’s job market.
Graduates may go on to secure jobs in the PR and digital communication sectors and also undertake roles in content creation – for example, copywriting, SEO and analytics
Students will be encouraged to take advantage of work placement opportunities which will also be available as part of the programme and there will also be a focus on working with industry partners. We have links with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) as well as a number of organisations (NHS, BBC, ITV, Salford Red Devils, Sale Sharks Rugby Union Club, Manchester United and Manchester City Football Clubs, plus independent PR and Comms agencies), which could be developed further to incorporate more PR, social media and digital communications roles.
Graduates can undertake a postgraduate degree by research at MPhil (two years full-time) or PhD level (three years full-time). This could occur in any field of communications, journalism and media. At Salford the Communication, Cultural & Media Studies Research Centre and the International Media Research Centre contain a range of internationally leading academics able to supervise research degrees in their broad field.
For more details, visit:
http://www.smmp.salford.ac.uk/international-media-centre
http://www.smmp.salford.ac.uk/page/communication-cultural-and-media-studies
Our Master's degree is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the UK's professional body in PR. This helps you demonstrate that you have industry-standard skills, improving your career prospects.
Based in London, home to world-leading PR agencies including Edelman, Ogilvy and Weber Shandwick, you will benefit from the experience of PR practitioners acting as guest and visiting lecturers. Our academics have close links with industry at home and abroad.
You will learn how to help organisations communicate, build stronger relationships and engage with increasingly demanding stakeholders.
This public relations degree has been developed in partnership with the PR industry to provide you with key courses relevant to PR practice. You will have the opportunity to pick from a range of optional courses which will provide you with specific sector knowledge.
You will gain the practical and theoretical skills, required for this increasingly influential management discipline. The ethical dimensions of the role and practice of PR provide an important framework to this programme.
We will provide you with insights into recent developments and challenges for the profession. These include the impact of the Internet and the growth of social media; the decline of traditional media; growing issues of corporate social responsibility influencing organisational reputation; and the increasing influence of other social science disciplines on PR theory and practice.
Our marketing programmes are ranked top five in student satisfaction and second overall in London by the Complete University Guide 2017.
Greenwich is one of the top two most globally diverse universities in the UK, US, Australia and New Zealand, by Hotcourses Diversity Index.
This degree aims to:
Year 1
Students are required to study the following compulsory courses.
Students are required to choose 30 credits from this list of options.
You will be assessed through written assignments, group and individual presentations and a dissertation. You will get the opportunity to explore communications across different forms of media, including writing blogs and communicating through other forms of media such as Twitter.
This programme is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Successful graduates are eligible for the CIPR Advanced Certificate in Public Relations.
Graduates from this degree have gained positions within PR consultancies, the public sector, NGOs and charities, and companies serving a range of sectors including consumer, technology, financial, political and corporate PR.
You can reach out to top employers through our dedicated Business School Employability Office (BSEO). Our team focuses on developing your employment skills through CV support, interview skills workshops and guidance through mentors to progress in the industry. This includes the opportunity to network with employers and recruiters at career fairs. The BSEO team was shortlisted for the Times Higher Education Leadership and Management Awards, which shows its dedication to actively support your career development.
We encourage you to join student societies such as the PR Fraternity Society, which organises events and networking opportunities. They invite a range of high-profile speakers such as Nicky Campbell, BBC presenter, to offer career advice and talk about communications in various industries.
Visit our website for more information on fees, scholarships, postgraduate loans and other funding options to study Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations at Swansea University - 'Welsh University of the Year 2017' (Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2017).
The MA in Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) is designed for students who want to focus their energy on the dynamic world of social media, develop their creative practice and professional writing skills or are looking to work in an entrepreneurial environment.
The MA in Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) offers syllabus-based practice in professional, contemporary media skills, taught by industry professionals with academic backgrounds. The Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) programme includes modules in Professional Writing/Journalism, Visual Communications and Media Design, Video and Documentary Making and Public Relations (PR), Branding and Promotion. Other modules in communication, theory, film and history are also available.
The Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) programme allows graduates to add valuable and desirable professional media skills for careers in business, journalism, public and media relations, broadcasting, advertising and marketing and industry professionals to acquire new media skills and qualifications that will enhance their continuing professional development.
The full-time MA in Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) course is split across the year with three modules offered in each academic semester (a total of six modules in part one) and then a dissertation or professional media practice project over the summer (part two).
The part two component allows students in the Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) programme to either write a 16,000 word dissertation or undertake the professional media project which incorporates the practical elements of the course and a short unpaid work placement.
To research and develop stories in an online, multi-media environment.
To present the principles, theories and techniques surrounding video making.
To develop practical skills and conceptual knowledge of digital publishing, visual communication and media design.
To provide a critical overview of the role of public relations (PR) and promotional practice.
To develop writing skills in a wide range of genres.
Modules on the MA in in Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) typically include:
• Visual Communication and Media Design
• Video and Documentary Making
• Public Relations (PR), Branding and Promotion
• Reporting Terrorism
• Global Media
• Risk Reporting
• The Business and Politics of Digital Media
• Development Communications
• Online Journalism
• The Digital Edge
Career expectations are excellent for Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) graduates. Media Companies, non-profit organisations, global business, government and the public sector value the fact that our Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations (PR) Graduates have developed a range of critical and theoretical abilities and a creative and innovative approach to media practice. Our Graduates go on to work in business, marketing and Public Relations (PR), journalism, broadcasting, web-design, advertising, publicity, arts and cultural bodies.
This new CIPR qualification will allow you to gain an advanced understanding of professional practice, including PR strategy and planning, content management, media and engagement, measurement and evaluation, and PR leadership. All underpinned by reference to ethics and the code of conduct.
You’ll also put your learning into practice, evaluating a wide range of PR concepts and techniques and applying them practically to your own work and sector. The course is for experienced PR professionals who are ready to progress towards a senior management position, or individuals who have previously studied the CIPR Advanced Certificate in Public Relations.
On campus teaching comprises a variety of approaches including lectures, workshops, case study and group work. The course is split into three units and you will submit one assignment for each.
Teaching is normally delivered in one or two day blocks six times a year.
Students on the course are eligible for student membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and, on graduation, can upgrade their membership to full or associate status depending on professional experience.
Further information is available on the CIPR website at http://www.cipr.co.uk/content/ qualifications/public-affairs-diploma.
The CIPR Professional PR Diploma syllabus is based on professional practice underpinned by core PR principles, models and concepts.
The syllabus incorporates three separate units.
The CIPR Professional Public Relations Diploma is recognised as the benchmark for professional practice in PR by employers in the private and public sectors. It helps participants to develop or diversify their careers by fostering a strategic approach to managing PR, as well as extending knowledge of areas such as internal communications, corporate culture and research. QMU graduates have gone on to progress their careers in a number of ways – graduates occupy a wide range of senior positions.
This course is designed to produce the future leaders of the Public Relations Industry. You will not only learn the practical skills required to embark on a career in PR but also the research and analysis skills that will help you get ahead. You will create campaigns, pitch to clients, stage a press conference and create videos and blogs, as well as write research reports, essays and a dissertation. You will also explore issues affecting the industry, such as professional ethics and the impact of digital media.
The course has close links to the London-based PR industry, and is one of a select few chosen by the UK’s professional PR bodies, the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA) and the Chartered Institute of PR (CIPR) for their University partnership initiatives. These connections with leading PR practitioners help you gain the practical knowledge and understanding you need to work in PR.
The course combines practice skills with analytical tools and is highly participative. You will take part in workshops, debates, seminars, presentations and group exercises including making pitches and presenting creative campaign ideas.
There are no formal examinations on this course. You are assessed on course work including essays, presentations, blogs, group work and your participation in class exercises.
The following modules are indicative of what you will study on this course.
Core modules
Optional modules
The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).
Our graduates come from all over the world. Many return to their home countries to pursue their careers, while others work all in Asia, Europe, Australasia, the US and the Middle East. Many of our alumni work in major international PR agencies including H + K Strategies and Edelman, while others work in-house at organisations as diverse as Lego and the United Nations.
It is not unusual for our students to have started careers in PR even before they have formally graduated. We work closely with the PR industry, offering our students a range of study visits to agencies and in-house departments in addition to a wide variety of guest speakers. We offer details of PR industry graduate schemes, and assist our students in applying. We maintain the relevance of the course curriculum through regular consultation with people working within the PR industry.
This course takes an in-depth look at public relations as an integral part of successful business practice, providing you with an understanding of the strategic roles and functions of PR. You will learn the practice of public relations as a management function and you will acquire the strategic theoretical knowledge, tools and techniques needed to improve your decision-making and effectiveness.
You may have completed the CIPR and you could currently be working as senior publicist, a public relations officer or a communications manager. This course will ensure your expertise remains current.
You will be taught at one of the most respected centres for education and research in the field of public relations in Europe, and you will benefit from our full range of specialist resources and our Library with 24/7 access. Our regional, national and international links with industry will help you to develop professional relationships with potential employers.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
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.
Our academics have substantial professional experience in public relations. The late Alan Rawel, who was Head of Education at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), described us as 'one of the leading university PR departments in Europe'. The bestselling textbook 'Exploring Public Relations' is edited by Professor Ralph Tench and Liz Yeomans (our previous and present subject group leaders) with chapters written by members of our subject group. It is now in its second edition and has been adopted as a standard text by many universities all over the world as well as by the CIPR Diploma.
Successful Alumni Simon Collister is Head of Non-Profit and Public Sector at the specialist social media agency, We Are Social. He is a member of the CIPR Advisory Panel on New Media and non-executive director with the Open Rights Group. He was previously Head of Digital at global PR agencies, Weber Shandwick and Edelman.
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.
The CIPR Diploma is a qualification recognised across the PR profession. It has helped many of our graduates advance their PR careers by enabling them to adopt a more strategic and structured approach to PR. Leeds Beckett and other universities recognise the CIPR Diploma for advanced standing/exemptions on their masters programmes.
The MSc Strategic Communication and Public Relations offers an unparalleled balance in UK postgraduate courses of teaching in internal and external communication, as well as strategic communication, for both private and public sectors. Students learn from an academic team which includes internationally published researchers and practitioners with years of professional experience. QMU is an accredited teaching centre of the UK’s professional body, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) and a partner institution of the UK’s Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA).
Is this the right course for me?
It is if you:
■ want to start a career in communication and public relations (PR). You’ll do an industry placement (optional) and we’ll support you in developing knowledge and skills, and producing a portfolio, and provide you with opportunities to meet, work alongside and network with current practitioners;
■ already work in a communication or PR role and want professional development. You can tailor your studies to your own development needs and study part-time, or
■ want to progress to a research career in communication or PR. Members of QMU’s teaching team author key texts and regularly present at conferences all over the world.
Teaching is delivered face-to-face at our modern campus in Scotland’s capital city of Edinburgh. You are also supported by QMU’s online virtual learning environment. As well as lectures, seminars and workshops, you will also work with live clients, respond to communication briefs, undertake analysis and research, blog, reflect, create materials and content, engage in digital media, work in groups, make presentations and develop proposals.
Our carefully designed delivery pattern provides continuous and frequent face-to-face teaching for full time students. Part-time students benefit from a delivery pattern which requires attendance at short intensive blocks and which you can fit alongside other commitments. On many modules you will learn alongside communication and PR practitioners and students. This helps you start your professional network and develop a deep understanding of the relevance of theory to practice. Our shared community of learners approach also provides access to a busy programme of activities and events offered across our PR programmes. On your 20 day placement (optional module) you’ll gain invaluable professional experience and develop your learning in a work setting.
Modules include: Communication and Digital Skills for Working in PR */ Media and Campaigning/ Critical Reflections on Public Relations/Understanding Research/ Strategic Communication Planning/ Communications Impact on Policy Making/ Strategic Internal Communication in a Digitized World/ Master’s Communication Placement */ Project Students who already work in communication and PR can select from a list of modules, including business focused ones, instead of those marked * above. If you select to do the Master’s Communication Placement module, you can undertake this with your employer. You can also focus your Project on a topic which is relevant to your professional role. If you already have CIPR Diploma, CIPR Internal Communications Diploma or CIPR Public Affairs Diploma you are awarded credits and exempted from selected modules.
Students who have already been awarded a Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) Diploma receive 45 credits towards the MSc Strategic Communication and Public Relations, exempting them from specified parts of the course. Students who have already been awarded the CIPR Internal Communication Diploma/ CIPR Public Affairs Diploma receive 30 credits exempting them from specified parts of the course.
As a CIPR accredited course, the MSc Strategic Communication and Public Relations is benchmarked against CIPR career progression requirements. This means there is a clear articulation between the course and developing your career. For students who are already associate or full CIPR members, the MSc counts towards the Institute’s Continuing Professional Development (CPD) programme.
A new approach to public relations
The Master of Professional Public Relations is a new degree that will give you an in-depth understanding of global PR theory and practice.
The Master of Professional Public Relations is an all-new degree that takes a global approach to public relations.
This new degree has been designed from the ground up to reflect the very latest research and practice. For example the PR analytics course will equip you with cutting-edge strategies and techniques for public relations measurement and evaluation. You will graduate confident in your knowledge of all the key trends necessary for future career success.
The MPPR Global Public Relations Management course includes a unique international study tour, taking you into the heart of one of the world’s largest PR agencies and their operations and client relationships globally. We are partnering with a large international public relations firm to deliver this experience. You will be required to undertake an international study tour as part of this programme, with costs covered by student fees. The 2017 trip will visit Melbourne, Singapore and London in accordance with course 219.720 Global Public Relations Management and subsequent project.
Your learning will comprehensively cover both the most recent public relations theory and provide practice-relevant instruction. A professionally-oriented qualification, the MPPR focuses on giving you a global, contemporary view of the field of PR and high-level skills you can either take back into a current PR-related senior role, or use them to take on a new role in the field.
Specific focus for your study will include areas like digital communications, global communications, PR analytics and reputation and risk management.
You can investigate more fully your specific area of interest in a research project of your choice in your final semester.
As well as more traditional classroom-based learning, you’ll take part in executive education-style intensive workshops. Online sessions, learning and forum debates with others on the course will also add to your real world insight into your peers’ issues and experiences (and solutions).
If you have experience in the field of public relations and are ready to be inspired about the potential for this field in New Zealand (and for your current employer), this qualification is for you.
Massey Business School is ranked in the top 2% of business schools globally.
Massey University’s business and management studies rank in the top 250 (by QS (Quacquarelli Symonds) rankings). We are also ranked in the top 150 universities worldwide for business administration programmes by the ShanghaiRanking's Global Ranking of Academic Subjects.
The Master of Professional Public Relations utilises Massey’s world-leading expertise across a broad range of specialisations, including international business, ethics and humanities-related topics and statistics, all of which play an integral part in the PR spectrum. You will be learning from experts from within these fields.
We have the longest-running communication programme in New Zealand, the largest numbers of students in any university communication programme and the most options for communication-related study. Massey University’s graduates have a long-standing reputation for excellence in both theory and practice.
Postgraduate study is hard work but hugely rewarding and empowering. The Master of Professional Public Relations will push you to produce your best creative, strategic and theoretical ideas. The workload replicates the high-pressure environment of senior workplace roles. Our experts are there to guide but if you have come from undergraduate study, you will find that postgraduate study demands more in-depth and independent study.
Postgraduate study is not just ‘more of the same’ undergraduate study. It takes you to a new level in knowledge and expertise especially in planning and undertaking research.
Gain the expertise to operate within a global economy and develop your writing and presentation skills to engage with audiences across the world on this accredited course.
The use of the internet, mobile technology and social media has had a huge impact on our lives and the way we communicate ? information is quite literally available at our fingertips and word of mouth is spreading faster than ever before. This trend is leading to a greater demand for communications professionals who can plan strategic PR campaigns and implement social media and viral campaigns in order to drive businesses forward in the digital age.
You will be paired with an experienced mentor from industry, who will offer valuable advice on your future career and the latest developments in the field. You will also take on a live public relations consultancy project for a client.
You will have the option to undertake a work placement module in your second semester.
Research Excellence Framework 2014
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.
Your employability will be enhanced by a three-step system - a work placement, real-life project and through guidance from your mentor. A study abroad option enables you to undertake part of your studies at a partner university in Europe and these opportunities will help you build a strong CV for a career in PR and corporate communication.
This course forms part of our Leeds Business School which has been at the forefront of public relations education, both nationally and internationally, since 1990. We are a centre for excellence for public relations and communications teaching in the UK and Europe and our academics have substantial professional experience in the subject. The late Alan Rawel, who was Head of Education at the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), described us as 'one of the leading university PR departments in Europe'.
The bestselling textbook 'Exploring Public Relations' is edited by our very own Prof Ralph Tench and Liz Yeomans, with chapters written by members of our subject group. It is now in its second edition and has been adopted as a standard text by many universities all over the world as well as by the CIPR professional courses.
Our strong relationships with employers and professionals give you the opportunity to do a placement with PR consultancies and in-house PR departments. A study abroad option enables you to undertake part of your studies at a partner university in Europe. These opportunities will help you build a strong CV for a career in PR and corporate communication.
With guidance from your mentor and backed by the experiences gleaned from your work placement and consultancy project, your career prospects will be significantly strengthened. A study abroad option will enable you to undertake part of your studies at a partner university in Europe. These opportunities will help you build a strong CV for a career in PR and strategic communication.
