Public Relations (CIPR-recognised) MA

About the course

The MA in Public Relations has been created especially for students and young professionals who want to gain the professional and analytical skills, knowledge and insight essential for a successful career.

Taught by experienced public relations professionals and academics, and with an exciting guest lecture programme, the MA in Public Relations will help students secure a comprehensive knowledge of public relations theory and practice, alongside an awareness of the global issues in this developing field. Students will also make valuable industry contacts and build their personal online presence - all essential for ambitious graduates who want to secure a coveted position in one of the 21st century’s most dynamic industries.

Successful public relations practitioners have excellent communication skills, media literacy, the ability to deal with people in senior positions, are well organised, and thrive under pressure. This course helps you develop your talents in these areas through assignments drawn from real-life public relations situations and through working in groups and individually.

As part of the course you can complete a month’s work placement in a public relations department or agency at the start of the spring term, allowing you to develop your skills and gain valuable industry contacts. Alternatively, you can complete a course in intercultural business communications, giving you the ability to operate effectively in today’s global business environment.

The course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations|, the UK’s leading public relations industry professional body and the university is partnered with the Public Relations Consultants Association|, giving students access to online training, industry knowledge and more. The University is also a member of EUPRERA| – the European Public Relations Research and Education Association.

Close all sections| Open all sections|

Key facts

UKPASS code: P21071

Duration: One year full-time, two years part-time

Location: Clephan Building

Start date: September 2014

Entry and admission criteria

You should have the equivalent of a UK bachelor’s degree (2:1 minimum) in a relevant subject and be able to demonstrate a commitment to a career in public relations. You must have excellent spoken and written English language skills as a high standard of English is expected in all assignments. We welcome applications from both recent graduates and those who are looking to change career.

All nonstandard applications will be carefully considered.

Applicants whose first language is not English should also have gained an IELTS score of 6.5 or equivalent.

Holders of the CIPR Diploma receive credit for their qualification and a pro-rata reduction in fees - please ask the admissions team for details.

Teaching and assessment

You will learn via lectures,workshops, tutorials and seminars,as well as group activities. The course is underpinned by aninnovative wiki environment that is a space for sharing and collaboration between students and tutors. You will also attend a week-long archival residency at one of a number of major, internationally-recognised, photographic archives.

There are regular visits to museums, libraries and archives that engage photographic history. Previous visits have include Nottingham Contemporary, important private collections organising for international exhibition loans and the Royal Photographic Collection at Windsor as it prepared for the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee.

Course modules

Underpinning all teaching is a strong theoretical core, which enables you to build a deeper critical understanding of public relations and its impact on society. The course aims not just to equip you with industry-specific public relations skills but also encourages you to think about the broader context in which public relations is practised, looking at areas such as globalisation, the impact of technological change and business ethics.

You will take modules in public relations theory, public relations practice, business planning, and public relations strategy before undertaking a dissertation in your third and final term, an independent research project on a topic of your choice. Students also undertake a work placement in the second term of their course, consolidating their skills and knowledge and increasing their employability.

• Public Relations Theoryand Structure
• Public Relations Strategy and Practice
• Business Essentials
• Corporate Communications
• Brand Public Relations
• Professional Work Experience
• Research Methods
• Public Relations Dissertation

Academic expertise

The MA is led by Liz Bridgen| MCIPR, a highly experienced PR practitioner with 17 years’ experience in public relations gained in both the UK and abroad and who worked with companies including Royal Mail, Visa and Bosch before embarking on an academic career.

The teaching team includes:

Ros Masterson had a successful career with IBM before setting up and managing the marketing department of an IT consultancy. She also ran her own consulting and copywriting business for more than 10 years. She is the co-author of Marketing: An Introduction: Second Edition (2010) Sage Publications.

The course also includes contributions from lecturers in other disciplines – such as journalism, new media and business – and there is an active guest lecturer programme, where senior public relations practitioners impart their specialist knowledge.

You will have around ten hours per week devoted to lectures, workshops and seminars and in addition will have frequent individual tutorials with module tutors.

Work is assessed by essays, exams, projects, portfolios and presentations carried out both individually and in groups. You will make frequent use of real-life case studies and examples from across the world to give you an insight into the practice of public relations. There is also a lively guest lecture programme and we have hosted speakers from leading public relations consultancies, the British Army, the National Health Service, national charities and local and national government.

Our close links with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations and the Public Relations Consultants Association gives you access to both local and national events, including the popular annual CIPR Speed Networking event in Leicester, where students can meet the region’s top employers. De Montfort University is also a member of EUPRERA – the European Public Relations Research and Education Association, which allows you to explore the exciting research which is taking place across Europe and beyond.

Industry links and professional accreditation

The MA in Public Relations is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations|, the UK’s leading public relations industry professional body and the university is partnered with the Public Relations Consultants Association|, giving students access to online training, industry knowledge and more. The University is also a member of EUPRERA| – the European Public Relations Research and Education Association.

All the teaching team have had successful careers in corporate communications, public relations and public affairs as well as being published academics, meaning that students benefit from a detailed and valuable insight into public relations theory and practice. This ensures that you will learn real world skills that are in touch with the commercial sector, the latest technologies and current thinking. The course team's links with local, national and international employers ensures that not only is there an exciting guest lecturer programme but that students are able to undertake placements with leading employers in the public relations industry.

De Montfort University is highly rated by employers and offers excellent links with industry, the creative and cultural world, and the professions. In addition, the University's dynamic suite of media channels, such as its 'DEMON' newspaper and Demon FM radio station provide opportunities for students to build their media knowledge.

Graduate careers

With exciting career prospects and high earning potential, employers are increasingly expecting applicants to have professional qualifications in public relations.

Upon completing this course, you will be able to differentiate yourself and should progress more quickly to senior roles.

Public relations is a truly global career, and skills learnt on this course are transferable to many communications-related disciplines. This means that graduates can often work in different countries as part of their career and in a variety of disciplines – including internal communications, event management, lobbying, sponsorship and fundraising.

Fees and funding

Fees and funding options for 2013/14 entry are still under review and are subject to change.

Full-time UK/EU Postgraduate courses fees £4,790 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* £5,000 International
Postgraduate courses fees £11,700 Part-time Postgraduate courses fees (per year) £2400 Students Equivalent or Lower Qualification Status* (per year)
£2500 Continuation UK/EU Fee** £150 Continuation International Fee** £5000

For more information please take a look at our Funding|| section.

* ELQ Student definition - If you are a Home or EU status student and you already have a qualification at or above the level of the programme you wish to study from any country you will be considered as an Equivalent or Lower Qualification (ELQ) student. In 2008 the UK Government decided to stop funding universities for student in this situation and therefore the following fees will apply £5,000. Students from outside the EU are not affected by the policy.

** A fee that is charged on a periodic basis where Postgraduate or Research students need to extend their registration to complete the course.

Scholarships

Are you a DMU Alumni? Receive up to £2000 off your Tuition Fees*

As part of the University’s on-going commitment to enhance the personal and career development of graduates, we are pleased to announce that from this September the University will be introducing The Faculty of Technology Alumni Scholarship| which will allow graduates to receive up to £2000 off tuition fees* for Postgraduate study.

Facilities

The MA in Public Relations is taught in both the Clephan Building and the new Hugh Aston Building. There are computing classrooms and an additional suite of computer workstations for students’ own use outside of taught classes.

In addition, the Clephan Building includes the Student Advice Centre and the Academic Guidance Centre, both providing support designed to enable students to excel.

The University’s well-equipped Kimberlin Library contains an extensive range of general and specialist public relations and media texts with stock constantly updated to reflect the latest scholarship and publication.