MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications
The MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications has been developed in partnership with the public relations industry in Ireland and with the advice and expertise of academics and practitioners across Europe and in the United States. The course is accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Ireland (PRII), which is part of the Global Alliance of PR associations, representing 280,000 practitioners and academics in 126 countries. The MScPR programme is revised annually, with PRII input, to reflect the changing landscape of communications and the emerging use of the latest digital technologies.
The programme provides students with public relations theory and practice alongside an understanding of recent developments and challenges for the profession. These include the impact of social media; the decline of traditional media; growing issues of corporate social responsibility influencing organisational reputation; and the increasing influence of other social science disciplines on Public Relations theory and practice.
The programme is normally delivered over 54 weeks from mid-September in four parts:
- two twelve-week teaching semesters consisting of,
- three modules delivered from mid-September to mid-December and
- three modules delivered from late January to late April.
- the completion of a capstone supervised research dissertation, focusing on current topics of importance to the public relations, media and communications sectors, for submission by 30th June.
- participate in a three-month formal supervised work placement in a leading public relations agency or within a significant in-house communications department. This is coordinated by the university and takes place over July, August and September.
The MSc in Public Relations & Strategic Communications makes use of blended learning techniques, where some classes are taught in a traditional classroom setting while other classes are online or may be accessed remotely using market standard videoconferencing technology
The skills of strategic communications are used within organisations of all types: in public service, charities, voluntary organisations, entertainment, sports, education and business – across all sectors, including technology, food, healthcare, leisure and utilities.
Graduates from the MSc in Public Relations & Strategic Communications will pursue careers both within in-house communications departments and public relations agencies.
Requirements
For admission to the MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications programme, successful applicants will have:
• A degree at the level of an Irish or UK Honours undergraduate degree (H2.2 or above) or equivalent. Entry to this programme is very competitive and places are limited. Applicants will normally have a strong honours primary degree in a related discipline.
• Appropriate combinations of professional qualifications and experience may be accepted as equivalent to an honours degree, in accordance with the relevant regulations of the university. This may apply to applicants who have worked in advertising, journalism, marketing, media, public relations, or in a communications role / function for several years.
• Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) applicants are required to submit a cover letter along with their application under the Transcripts section of the portal, affirming their intent to apply for RPL. For more information on RPL see here.
• International candidates who are non-native speakers of English must satisfy the University of their competency in the English language.
As part of the application process applicants may be called for interview.
Due to the specialist nature of this programme, additional criteria may be used to assess suitability to undertake this programme. For further information, please contact the Programme Chair using the contact details above.