MA Public Relations (Full Time)

Level

MA Public Relations (Full Time)

Southampton Solent University
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Description

Whether you have some knowledge of PR that you would like to build on, or you are relatively new to PR, this MA will help you to open doors to the industry. An undergraduate degree and/or experience in advertising, marketing, public relations and the wider communication industry, including broadcasting, journalism and publishing, are all suitable entry points for the course.

The course focuses on corporate PR from both the client and consultant’s perspective. You will study all the traditional aspects of corporate public relations and corporate communications, but will also consider the growth and importance of social media for both internal and external communication.

You will have the o…

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Whether you have some knowledge of PR that you would like to build on, or you are relatively new to PR, this MA will help you to open doors to the industry. An undergraduate degree and/or experience in advertising, marketing, public relations and the wider communication industry, including broadcasting, journalism and publishing, are all suitable entry points for the course.

The course focuses on corporate PR from both the client and consultant’s perspective. You will study all the traditional aspects of corporate public relations and corporate communications, but will also consider the growth and importance of social media for both internal and external communication.

You will have the opportunity to work directly with clients on live briefs and gain valuable work experience through the Professional Practice unit, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to succeed in this competitive, rapidly expanding sector.

This MA is taught by friendly, supportive tutors with extensive direct practitioner and commercial expertise across the globe. You will benefit from the expertise of our regular programme of guest lecturers from the media, publishing and creative industries.

We also have our own e-learning facilities, social networking sites and blogs to enrich your learning experience, and the majority of course material is available electronically.

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Industrial focus

The Professional Practice unit will require you to seek one month of work experience in order to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. If you are currently employed, assignments in otherunits can be relevant to your existing workplace.

Course content

Corporate Public Relations: This unit blends theory with practice through the use of case studies, with a focus on key contemporary and emerging issues in public relations. You will expand your knowledge and experience of PR and external communications, and stakeholder relations strategy. You will explore the key aspects of PR within a strategic business and organisational framework, and consider the range of PR specialisations in the private, public and not-for-profit sectors.The ethical imperative in the professional conduct of public relations is stressed throughout and you will also consider how PR practice operates and is monitored in the global marketplace.

Corporate Communications: You will explore the key aspects of corporate communications within a strategic business and organisational framework. This unit covers the range of corporate communications specialisations in different sectors, including internal communications, corporate cultures, corporate identity and employee engagement, knowledge management and management information. You will also consider the role of communication in teamwork, leadership, change management, negotiation and conflict resolution.

Cultural Influences on Writing and the Media: This unit offers a broad introduction to late twentieth-century cultural theory framed by the notion of ‘post’ thinking, incorporating postmodernism, postfeminism, postcolonialism, posthumanism and poststructuralism. Drawing on these theories, you will examine the triangular relationship between societal discourses (relating to gender, sexuality and ethnicity, for example), cultural production and audience. The focus will be on analysing a wide range of fictional, non-fictional and promotional cultural texts, emphasising their complex, fluid and ambiguous nature.

Professional Practice: This unit has been designed to enable you to plan your long-term career. You will explore and critically analyse the media, publishing and creative industries in the UK and around the world. You will also research the opportunities in your chosen industry and produce reflective and relevant professional development plans. You will be required to secure a work placement, freelance assignments or relevant work-related experience for one month in order to strengthen your knowledge of the industry and refine your skills. The unit is complemented by a programme of guest lectures by representativesfrom the media, publishing and creative industries.

Major Project: You will design, execute and present a demanding piece of work that deploys a systematic and in-depth understanding of the skills and debates relevant to your discipline of study. The project can take a number of different forms, depending on your discipline, and you will negotiate its structure and template with your supervisor. Your project should synthesise approaches and methodologies in the field and demonstrate initiative and autonomy in its execution.

Assessment

This course is taught and assessed using a variety of methods that mirror industry practice. In addition to lectures and seminars, you will take part in workshops, work on live commercial briefs and presentations, and use the Faculty’s industry-standard media production facilities. Where possible, your assessments will be based on real briefs and you will pitch directly to organisations and to PR agencies.

Key career skills

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

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Projects/work experience

The Professional Practice unit will require you to complete one month of work experience in order to apply your theoretical knowledge to the workplace. The teaching team's professional links have resulted in placements with a variety of organisations including the COI, local government, BBC Drama, private companies Volvo and Arqiva, and charities Comic Relief and Naomi House. Students have also worked
at agencies such as Freud Communications, Ketchum Pleon,
and Burson Marsteller, and in political communication internships at Open2Europe and a UK MP’s constituency office.

Why Solent is special

  • Complete live briefs for real clients. Recent commissions include work for the Isle of Wight Tourist Board, Paramount Pictures and Hampshire Fire and Rescue.
  • You will fill your electronic portfolio with examples of your PR work – blogs, social media campaigns, advertising and web critiques, press releases and PR campaign materials – ensuring that you graduate with a body of work that showcases your talents to prospective employers.
  • You will network with local advertising, public relations and marketing executives at our annual ‘Meet the Professionals’ event, in collaboration with the Wessex branch of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR). Here you can learn what career opportunities are available and receive invaluable advice on job applications. Our ‘Meet the Alumni’ evening will give you a glimpse into the career paths of our past students.
  • You will be encouraged to join Solent Creatives, a newly formed agency in the University which aims to match your talents with local business needs. This will provide you with the chance to enhance your CV with freelance assignments.
  • You will have the opportunity to participate in study trips to London to visit high-profile advertising and PR agencies, as well as various exhibitions.

Course length

September intake: 12 months full-time

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