MA Public Relations

Indicative Overview

Overview

Please note: Courses starting in February include a break from August until the start of autumn term (late September).

PR is widely regarded as vital to the success of any enterprise organisation, from private businesses to multinational corporations, from public sector departments to governments. Advertising and marketing may improve your chances of selling your product or service to a consumer but public relations can enhance your overall reputation with everyone you deal with - not only consumers but also suppliers, support services, policy makers, workforce and the community in which you operate - any stakeholder who may be affected by your organisation or could have an impact on what you do.

Advertising is what you say about yourself but PR is what other people say about you; and what they say matters.

Key Facts

The MA in Public Relations is taught jointly by two departments within the University: Birmingham School of Media and Birmingham City Business School. This reflects the multidisciplinary nature of the public relations profession today and provides a study programme that meets the needs of the global PR industry. Whether your background and interest is in marketing or media, here is an ideal environment to gain a well-rounded understanding of PR and develop the wide range of skills needed to build a successful career in PR.

Both departments already have extensive experience in teaching the skills and knowledge that PR organisations worldwide are looking for. In addition to well-established undergraduate programmes offered by Birmingham School of Media and Birmingham City Business School, we also work closely with the leading professional body for PR in the UK, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, as well as teaching their qualifications - the CIPR Advanced Certificate and Advanced Diploma.

We also have the distinction of being based in Birmingham, England's second city and a major centre for PR activity in both the public and private sectors. We work closely with employers from public and private sector organisations who support us with visiting speakers, resources and case studies, enabling students to work on genuine and realistic PR campaigns as part of their assessed work.