Public Relations MA
Postgraduate Certificate / Master's Degree
The total service fee for this program:
€ 499
Pre payment for this program:
€ 99
Due to the impossibility of foreign currency payments for users residing in Iran, if you are applying for study admission in this program, before pressing the ‘Apply NOW‘ button, contact the support through the Call button below and after To get your suitable solution, proceed to upload the required documents.
This program has OFFER event
Discount event for this program
Mie exceptional discounts
The amount of discount for this event
100 €
The total service fee for this program after discount:
€ 399
ABOUT
Study a course professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Prepare yourself to move seamlessly into a job with a PR agency or in-house communications department.
Overview
This course is a Masters with a focus on practical and academic skills in Public Relations. It involves a mix of journalism, marketing, social networking and communication theory, giving you a competitive edge in this fast-moving industry. As part of the course, you will develop a major PR project and undertake related research and contextual studies.
Why us?
- The course is led by a member of staff who has won numerous PR industry awards
- Sunderland hosts the Centre for Research in Media and Cultural Studies (CRMCS)
- Accredited by the CIPR the industry’s leading body and a single discipline PR course teaching a wide range of PR specialisms including: campaign creation, crisis management, social media management and Internal communications
- Excellent industry links with guest speakers and annual employability event giving students an opportunity to network with a range of PR practitioners working in agencies, public bodies, charities and the corporate sector to gain vital placements, work experience, internships and jobs
- You can choose to produce a six month PR campaign as your final practical project, as an alternative to a dissertation to help ensure you with a tangible example of your work demonstrating your full range of skills, to present to a potential employer
Course structure
Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.
Part-time students can expect around six hours of contact time a week.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, critiques, workshops and practical demonstrations. These are supported by a range of guest speakers from diverse academic and industry backgrounds. You will also have high levels of contact with tutors who give regular feedback and support. Assessment methods include essays, projects, presentations, and a major project/dissertation.
Core modules
- Public Relations: Theory and Practice (30 credits)
Gain an understanding of the nature and function of public relations in a variety of organisational settings and contexts. Develop the practical skills needed to construct and deliver a public relations campaign, including an ability to manage external relations. Learn how to manage media databases so you can target your messages efficiently and appropriately.
- Marketing Communications, Content and Engagement (30 credits)
Look at the impact of PR practice on a range of social media platforms and channels from both theoretical and practical perspectives. Develop practical skills needed to produce a variety of content for different platforms and engage constructively and professionally in social media discourse. Gain a better understanding of a wide range of marcomms media that often work alongside public relations.
- Public Relations and Society: Ethics, Critical Perspectives and Research (30 credits)
Critically explore the role of public relations in society and the legal and ethical frameworks that influence PR practice. Consider public relations in terms of propaganda and persuasion, trust and social purpose, globalisation and interculturalism, as well as equality, diversity and inclusion, and critically assess the impact of crafted, mediated messages on the public sphere. Conduct primary research on a topic of your choice related to public relations.
- Public Relations: Theory and Practice 2 (30 credits)
Develop an advanced understanding of sophisticated public relations techniques in a variety of organisational settings and contexts, including non-commercial roles. Engage critically with theoretical concepts, international models and political communications. Learn the practical and intellectual skills needed to construct and deliver a public relations campaign at advanced level.
Optional modules (choose one)
- Dissertation (60 credits)
Build on the knowledge and abilities you acquired in the core modules. Conduct an extended piece of research into an area of public relations, indicating critical engagement with the chosen topic and related theoretical issues.
- OR Practical Project (60 credits)
Create a sophisticated public relations campaign to meet objectives negotiated and agreed with tutors and a real client. Demonstrate your ability to initiate ideas and undertake the necessary research to meet an agreed brief, using a range of techniques that reflect, complement and enhance organisational objectives.
Entry requirements
We usually require applicants to hold a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a related discipline.
We will consider applicants with professional and vocational experience.
We may ask you to undertake a short course that covers essential skills and knowledge, before you join the main Masters course.
If English is not your first language, you should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of at least 7.0.
After 6 April 2015 you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website. If you took your IELTS exam before 6 April 2015 this does not apply, and your qualification is still valid regardless of which test centre you used.
Career ready
Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. On completing this course you will be equipped for roles throughout the PR and communications industries.
Career opportunities
Recent Sunderland graduates have set up their own agencies as well as in the PR departments of organisations such as the NHS, local authorities, leading sports clubs, fashion brands, business start-ups, social enterprise organisations and charities.
During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability.
A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.
If English is not your first language you should have at least one of the following qualifications (or equivalent) as a minimum.
International English Language Testing System (IELTS)
You need an overall score of 6.0, with at least 5.5 or higher in each component: reading, writing, listening and speaking. An alternative approved Secure English Language Test (SELT) will also be accepted if the applicant’s element scores are equivalent to those required for IELTS. After 6 April 2015, you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website.
Pearson Test of English Academic
You need an overall score of 59 with no less than 59 in each skill.
Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE)
You need grade C or above.
Cambridge Certification in Advanced English (CAE)
You need grade C or above.
Deadlines
26 January 2022 – UCAS deadline
Applications for all UCAS Undergraduate courses, except those with a 15 October deadline, should arrive at UCAS by 6pm on 26 January 2022. This is the ‘equal consideration’ deadline, which means course providers must consider all applications received by this time equally.
25 February 2022 – UCAS Extra opens
If you’ve used all five choices, and you’re not holding any offers, you can add another choice using Extra.
19 May 2022 – University decision deadline
If you applied by 26 January and you’re still awaiting a decision from one of your choices, we have until today to decide whether we’re making you an offer. Any choices that are still outstanding after this will be made unsuccessful.
9 June 2022 – Deadline to reply to offers
If you receive all your university decisions by 19 May, you must reply to any offers by today (except if you are using Extra to find a place), otherwise they’ll be declined.
30 June 2022 – Final day to make an application to five universities
You can still apply with up to five choices until 6pm today. After this, your application will automatically be entered into Clearing.
4 July 2022 – Final day to apply for a course in Extra
This is the last day to add an Extra option to your 2022 application. If you don’t hold any offers after this, you will be able to add an additional choice using Clearing.
FREE VISA SERVICE
One of our very suitable solutions for applicants is to provide free visa services to study in this field from a pleasant country. If you need to receive free visa services, let us know your request
Expenses (GBP)
13750
Application Fee
0
Program expenses
University & General Expenses
accommodation
The university offers three different student residential buildings, all of which are within walking distance from the university campuses. All students that are residing in these buildings can take advantage of the free transport that the university offers. What is more, all the dorms are equipped with facilities like fridge, Shower, toilet facilities, Wi-Fi, bed Wardrobe, Washbasin and mirror, as well as car parking and bicycle storage.
The first student residence of the university is called Scotia Quay that costs up to £95.50 per week. Each room is suitable for up to 5 students. the second one is named Panns Bank costs about £77.79 a week and is also suitable for families of four. Lastly, Clanny House also costs around £77.79 per week and is suitable for couples as well as single students.
After Graduation
All the students have the opportunity to seek help from The Careers and Employability Service, a team dedicated to helping students find proper and suitable employment either during or after their education.
Students are encouraged to take on part-time vocational roles in order to gain perspective on the reality of the labor market and also earn extra cash. As a matter of fact, the university helps and guides them during this process. It helps students find part-time jobs that do not impact their studies or temporary jobs that can be done during vacations and breaks. Students also have the chance to take part in paid or unpaid internships and job placements that are related to their field of study.
The Careers and Employability Service also helps students with finding employment after graduation. They help students with the resumes, CVs, job applications and job interviews.