Programme Outline

The programme aims to teach students about the principles and practice of public relations by examining the structure of the PR sector and the way it works. The programme will cover the history and development of public relations in different parts of the world. It will explore career opportunities in PR and the skills that are important in this profession. It will examine basic PR strategies and the use of research to inform PR campaigns and to measure their impact and effectiveness. 

Case studies will be used to illustrate successful and ineffective PR campaigns and teach students how to construct their own PR campaigns and to determine the most appropriate techniques to use in respect of specific promotional challenges. The course will also cover corporate advertising and public relations and will examine how commercial businesses use PR techniques to promote themselves to their customers and employees.    

The course has been produced and is taught by lecturers and support tutors who combine specialist knowledge of theory and research method with experience of the advertising sector and its working practices. Graduates from this programme will be equipped to pursue academic study at research degree level.

Course Structure and Assessment

The course is studied full-time over one year and comprises five core modules, two optional modules and a dissertation. Successful completion of all elements is necessary to gain the master’s degree. Completion of all core and optional modules only is sufficient to obtain a Postgraduate Diploma in Media and Public Relations. Modules are assessed via essays, group assignments, and oral presentations.  

MA: 180 credits; 12 months. Postgraduate Diploma: 120 credits; 9 months.

Semester One Modules (October to January) 

Fuller details of postgraduate modules

• Public Relations: Principles and Practice - 20 credits
• Public Relations: Strategy, Planning and Implementation - 20 credits
• Research Methods and Management 1 - 20 credits MS7004

 Semester Two Modules (January to May) 

• Corporate Advertising and Public Relations - 20 credits
• Research Methods and Management 2 - 20 credits MS7005
• Option 1 [10 credits]
• Option 2 [10 credits]
• Dissertation (February to August) [60 credits]

Students are also required to complete a dissertation on a topic of their choice in the area of media and advertising. This exercise provides students with the opportunity to examine in depth a topic of particular relevance to their interests and to practice skills in project management, data analysis and research presentation.

Options

• The International Context of Mass Communication - MS7006

• Film as Mass Communication - MS7010
• Global Cinema - MS7011
• News Management, Communication and Social Problems - MS7027
• Technology, Culture and Power: Global Perspectives - MS7028
• Advertising and Cultural Consumption - MS7030
• The Digital Economy - MS7033
• International Political Communication - MS7034

Entry Requirements 

The MA Media and Public Relations is open to applicants with a first or second class honours degree or equivalent professional qualification. We are also able to give special consideration to applicants who have significant work experience in a relevant field. Please visit our entry requirements and how to apply page for more details.

Applicants for whom English is not their first language are also required to have at least 6.5 at IELTS or equivalent before commencing the degree programme.  

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