Media and Public Relations (Taught)

This is for you if... you want the flexibility of studying by distance learning whilst gaining a critical understanding of the practices and outcomes of public relations within the context of rapidly changing media environments.

This postgraduate degree will provide you with the advanced skills and knowledge you need to enhance your professional development. The MA in Media and Public Relations will provide you with a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of public relations (PR) by examining the structure of the PR sector and offering insights into the way in which the industry works.

The course covers the history and development of public relations in different parts of the world and provides a theoretical framework for investigating this rapidly changing profession. You will evaluate classic and emerging PR strategies and the use of research to inform PR campaigns and to measure their effectiveness, as well as their wider social impacts. You will look in depth at successful and effective PR campaigns and at the structural relationships between PR and the media. You will consider how commercial businesses and non-governmental organisations use PR techniques to advance their objectives. This course will equip you with the skills to critically analyse PR campaigns and understand the functions of publicity and the management of crisis communications scenarios. You will gain the skills to conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of PR campaigns and how to plan and implement an effective PR campaign.

One of the great strengths of this course is that you will be taught by lecturers and support tutors who combine specialist knowledge of theory and research methods with experience of the public relations sector and its working practices. The University of Leicester is a partner of the UK Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) which means you will enjoy many benefits including:

• free membership of the PRCA

• unlimited free access to PRCA online training courses

• access to a range of networking events, work placements and graduate schemes