Duration and mode of study

One year full-time. This course is also available by distance learning study.

This course has reached its quota and is now closed to international applicants for entry in 2012. Candidates from the UK and EU may still apply.

Start Dates

October each year.

Entry requirements

At least a good second-class honours degree in any discipline, though a Social Science degree would be particularly relevant, from an institution recognised by the University. Applicants who do not have a first degree, but who can demonstrate other relevant qualifications and/or experience may also be considered.

Fees

2012/2013

Home/EU: £4,795
International: £12,270

Course aims

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 communications and will examine how commercial businesses use PR techniques to promote themselves to their customers and employees.

Course modules

Core:

• Public Relations: Principles and Practice
• Public Relations: Strategy, Planning and Implementation
• Corporate Advertising and Public Relations
• Research Methods and Management I
• Research Methods and Management II
• Dissertation

Option modules (one from the following):

• Global Affairs, Communication and Power
• News Management, Communication and Social Problems
• Critical Approaches to Consumer Culture
• Technology, Culture and Power: Global Perspectives
• Film as Mass Communication
• The Digital Economy
• International Political Communication
• Global Cinema
• Media and Religion
• Media and Conflict
• Researching Social Media
• Law, Media and Communication
• Media, Communication and Politics in the European Context
• Media as Technology
• Digital Journalism

Teaching and assessment methods

Teaching is by a combination of lectures, seminars and tutorials. Assessment is by means of essays, research methods assignments and a dissertation of 15,000-18,000 words.

Contact

Department of Media and Communication
University Road
Leicester LE1 7RH
Tel: 0116 252 3863
Fax: 0116 252 5276
mediacom@le.ac.uk
www.le.ac.uk/mediacom