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Universities United Kingdom University of Stirling Courses MSc Strategic Public Relations & Communication Management

MSc Strategic Public Relations & Communication Management
at University of Stirling

Stirling, United Kingdom

Tuition Fee £ 19,145
Country Rank-
Duration12 Months
Score IELTS: 6.5 TOEFL: 80

Program Overview

Our Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management course gives you the chance to develop a critical appreciation of the role of public relations in contemporary societies, as well as key analytical, management and communication skills you'll need for a successful career in communications and public relations. You’ll gain a solid understanding of the theory behind public relations and communications, and have many opportunities to apply this theory to everyday communications and public relations practice, experience and phenomena.

By the end of your studies, you’ll have the necessary skills to work at managerial level in public relations. You’ll be able to analyse environments, issues, organisational cultures and relationships – as well as set objectives, and design and implement public relations and communication strategies.

We’re continually updating this well-established course in line with new advances in theory and practice, including how communication campaigns may successfully integrate digital media. Field trips and guest lectures offer opportunities to discuss strategic communication issues with leading practitioners. These also give you networking opportunities and an understanding of current best practice.

This course was established in 1988 and was the first degree in public relations in the UK and one of the first in Europe. Several prominent public relations academics and practitioners have completed their education at Stirling.

Course Content
The course includes six modules, comprising three compulsory and three optional modules, and a dissertation. Modules include:
- public relations and public communications theories
- strategic public relations planning
- public affairs and advocacy
- media relations and production
- research methods and more
The taught elements of the course are carried out across two semesters, which run from September until December and from January until the end of May. Masters students are then expected to spend the summer carrying out a research project and submit a 12,000-word dissertation in August.

Modules
The module information below provides an example of the types of course module you may study. The details listed are for the current academic year (September 2021). Modules and start dates are regularly reviewed and may be subject to change in future years.

Year 1, Autumn semester

Compulsory module
- Public Relations and Public Communications Theories (PREPP62) 20 credits
Compulsory module
- Research Methods (MMAPP12) 20 credits
Option module

Select 20 credits from options list
- Human Information Behaviour (MMAPP17) 20 credits
- Media Relations and Production (PREPP63) 20 credits
Year 1, Spring semester

Compulsory module
- Strategic Public Relations Planning (PREPP61) 20 credits
Option module

Select 40 credits from options list
- Policy Analysis and Evaluation Research (ASRP007) 20 credits
- Advanced Social Media Marketing (CMCPP12) 20 credits
- Transitional Justice and Human Rights (HUMPR09) 20 credits
- Investigative Research (JOUPP03) 20 credits
Year 1, Summer semester

Dissertation

Select 60 credits from Dissertation list
- Dissertation (PREPP10) 60 credits
Entry Requirement
English language requirements

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.5 in reading and writing and 6.0 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C1 Advanced (CAE) 176 overall with a minimum of 176 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Cambridge C2 Proficiency (CPE) 180 overall with a minimum of 180 in reading and writing and 169 in speaking and listening
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with a minimum of 62 in reading and writing and 60 in speaking and listening
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- IBT TOEFL Special Home Edition Test 80 overall with a minimum of 19 in reading, 24 in writing, 21 in speaking and 19 in listening
- Trinity ISE II Pass overall with a minimum of Merit in speaking and listening and distinction in reading and writing, ISE III Pass overall and in all sub-skills, ISE IV Pass overall and in all sub-skills
- Aptis (4 skills) CEFR B2 overall and B2 in all sub-skills
- Duolingo 105 overall with a minimum of 105 in reading and writing and 95 in speaking and listening
- LanguageCert International ESOL B2 Communicator - High Pass with a minimum of 152/200 overall including 38 in reading and writing, and 33 in speaking and listening
Undergraduate

Direct Entry to 1st Year:

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 65% and above from the following state boards:
- CBSE
- ISC/ICSE
- Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
Students from other state boards will require Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75%.

Advanced Entry to 2nd Year:

Year 12 Grade – cumulative score of 75% and above from the following state boards:
- CBSE
- ISC/ICSE
- Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
Advanced entry is possible on a range of courses. Student applications will be considered on a case by case basis.

Please note that advanced entry options for students who have scored 35 in the International Baccalaureate or GCE A-Levels ABB in one sitting will also be considered on a case by case basis.

Postgraduate

Students who score 70% in English in Year 12 from the following exam boards won't be required to submit IELTS, if studied within 5 years of our course start date:
- CBSE
- ISC/ICSE
- Metro state boards (Delhi, Karnataka, Maharashtra, Tamil Nadu, West Bengal)
Students from other state boards will either need 80% in English if studied within 5 years of the course start date, or a UKVI SELT, IELTS Academic or PTE Academic, depending on the state board, taken within 2 years of our course start date.

Students who meet the above criteria, but Year 12 scores are between 6 and 10 years old, will also be required to submit an official letter from their university or college, stating that the medium of instruction (MOI) was in English, and confirming graduation is within 5 years of our course start date.
Fees & Scholarships
Overseas (non-EU) students

2022/23 - £19,145
2023/24 - £19,645

Course fees

Fees shown are for a full-time, one-year Masters course.
- If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
- If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

European Union and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Career Prospect
Our Masters in Strategic Communication and Public Relations is for those who want managerial careers in PR, organisational communication, corporate communications, strategic communication or related areas.

Our alumni are found around the globe in public, private and voluntary sectors. Many graduates work in PR consultancy roles, in-house communication departments in various organisations, NGO advocacy and communication, or have started their own businesses. Others stay in academia, going on to gain PhDs and then work as lecturers, teaching and researching in universities.

Our graduates typically occupy positions such as:
- Communications Officer/Manager
- Public Relations Officer/Manager
- Media Officer
- Social Media Officer/Manager
- Internal Communications Officer/Manager
- Corporate Affairs Officer/Manager
- Public Affairs Officer/Manager
Organisations our graduates work for include:
- Pfizer
- Nike
- UK Government
- Office Depot
- Police Scotland
- The National Museum of Wales
Others have stayed in academia, going on to gain PhDs and then work as lecturers, teaching and researching in universities.

Cost Of Studying At University of Stirling

Interest rates as low as 8.9% ^*

250K+

Students Assisted

800Cr+

Loan Amount Disbursed

5000+

Loans Sanctioned

Check Loan Eligibility

MSc Strategic Public Relations & Communication Management at University of Stirling