BA (Hons) Public Relations and Communication (Full Time)

PR at Solent is taught by staff with direct commercial experience in the industry, across the globe. The course teaches a range of skills – from media relations to international strategic communication strategies – taught within a corporate communications and PR context.

As the PR industry is highly competitive, the work experience provided throughout the course is essential. Two different two-week placements between Years 2 and 3 provide a platform to practise the skills learnt at Solent in the workplace. You will also work on numerous live client-based projects across all your years to produce a portfolio of work that clearly demonstrates your employability.

The course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the national body responsible for professional standards in PR across the UK. Strong relationships with local employers in the region keep the course up-to-date and in touch with industry developments. A higher than average graduate employment rate is the result and the course receives one of the highest student satisfaction ratings in the University.

Industrial focus

The combination of work placement and the course’s vocational focus prepares students for employment, demonstrating their potential to enter directly into this dynamic and growing sector. Employability skills and career development sessions take place in the second and third years to help guide students in their approach to the profession. Assessments include a wide range of PR, marketing communication and social media outputs that demonstrate their capacity to work in a modern professional manner.

Course content

Year 1

Five core units and one option unit:

• Introduction to PR
• Interpersonal Communication
• Communications in Organisations
• Visual and Digital Communications
• Marketing Fundamentals.
• Options:
• PR in the Community Project
• Communications in Action Project.

Year 2

Six core units and one option unit:

• Corporate Communication
• Management Communications
• Work Placement and Employability Skills
• Research and Evaluation in PR
• Digital PR – the Internet and Social Media
• PR and Communications in a Digital World.

Options:

• Marketing Communications
• Advertising: Creativity Analysis and Evaluation.

Year 3

Five core units and two option units:

• Dissertation
• Ethics, Issues and Crisis Management
• Work Placement and Career Development
• Persuasive Communications
• PR Strategy and Campaign Planning.

Options:

• Media Communication Project
• Managing the Creative Brief
• Internal Communications/In-house Simulation
• International and Global PR
• Language Pathway
• Curriculum Plus.

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Assessment

Practical projects, reports, essays, individual and group presentations, portfolio development, dissertation and examinations.

Projects/work experience

Recent work experience has included placements at the BBC, COI, Ketchum Pleon, Nelsons, Remarkable Group, Headstream, Lee Peck Group and a county council. Each year students undertake a number of collaborative live projects with local employers.

Key career skills

Creative thinking, problem solving, writing for multiple media platforms, communication skills, presentation, teamwork.

Graduate quote

Evija Germane

“The course gave me both theoretical knowledge about PR and many hands-on experiences that allowed me to apply my theoretical knowledge to real-life situations. During the three years we had many guest lecturers and many opportunities to meet people from industry, gain contacts and network with PR professionals.”

Student quote

Vicky Lekatompessy

“The academic system really appeals to me. Southampton Solent is a great university with a perfect mix of theory and practical studies. Every department sets clear objectives and designs the courses to prepare students for their particular industry. I’ve experienced a better university system and academic scheme at Southampton Solent, which allows me to develop the key skills necessary for my career.

“The best bit of my BA (Hons) Public Relations and Communication course is that it allows me to experience real projects. We work with a lot of large organisations such as Hampshire Fire Service, British Red Cross and EbookWorld. We look at the company’s present status and formulate public relations campaign plans, which demonstrate how they can improve their reputations and generate more public awareness. After graduation, I would like to work for a non-profit organisation, promoting their campaigns via event management, such as fundraising events, auctions and activities that raise awareness of what the organisation is doing.”
The International Foundation Year must be successfully completed before commencing undergraduate study (NQF Level 6 and above). In compliance with UKBA Tier 4 (General Student) policy, a Confirmation of Acceptance for Study (CAS) will initially be issued for the foundation course.

Key info from UNISTATS

You might notice the data is the same in multiple widgets below. That’s because if there isn’t enough data about each version of the course, the data is combined. For more info, visit the Unistats website.