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University of Leicester

MA Media and Public Relations

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At A Glance

Course Title

MA Media and Public Relations

Course Type

Full Degree

Course Level

Postgraduate

Study Method

Distance Learning

Start Date

April / October

Course Duration

24 months

Awarded & Delivered By

University of Leicester
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Course Description

The MA Media and Public Relations 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

Course Content

This module will provide you with an insight into some of the current and salient themes of research trends in Media and Communication Studies. The module also includes activities and assessments, which will help you to develop essential study skills and introduce you to the analysis of media texts and forms.
This module will introduce you to the field of public relations, exploring its origins, history and definitions. The module provides a theoretical framework for analysing public relations and seeks to contextualise public relations as an academic discipline; this in turn will help you to better understand the structures of public relations in practice, and public relations as a social or cultural phenomenon. The module explores critical approaches to public relations management and organisation, and assesses how public relations function in media contexts, while examining its wider impact on democracy.
This module explores the theory and practice of strategic communications management within organisational settings and campaigns management more generally. You’ll be looking at specialist areas of public relations practice such as public affairs, corporate social responsibility and crisis communication. The module will allow you to gain knowledge of how applied research methods are used in the evaluation of organisational reputation and relationships, as well as in assisting the development and design of campaign strategies. This knowledge will be applied in assignments that will allow you to conduct strategic analysis of real-world campaigns, and use public relations scholarship to critically reflect on the social and cultural impacts of the professionalisation of communications management.
This module introduces you to the basic principles of research theory, design and ethics as well as to a range of individual quantitative and qualitative research methods commonly used in media and communications research. In addition to each week’s presentations and key readings the module’s e-tivities provide opportunities to reflect on particular methodological issues, and to try out some of the research methods involved through small-scale exercises.
Your dissertation provides you with the opportunity to undertake a major piece of independent research on a topic that interests you and research it in depth. You will be supported to help you identify a specific research ‘problem’ or question that you want to explore, which will help you select an appropriate methodology or methodologies in order to undertake this. You will be supported in organising and executing your research and also in writing up your findings and conclusions in a clear and effective manner.

Study Method

The MA in International Relations and World Order is studied 100% online through the University of Leicester distance learning platform. Therefore it is essential that you have reliable, regular access to the internet (preferably with a broadband connection) in order to participate.
As a distance learning student, you will have access to the University Library’s electronic service, the Leicester Digital Library, which includes a large number of e-journals and e-books. You will be guided through your modules by a well-trained and experienced tutor who will be available online throughout your studies. You will have access to the library’s special service for distance learning students, access to the internet and database services, as well as the virtual learning support environment, Blackboard.
Students learn by working through produced materials and reading, supplemented by e-tivities for individual students to complete, and through open and structured discussion forums, moderated by module tutors. Assessment is by means of essays, critical reviews, case study reports, research methods assignments, online presentations, and a dissertation.

Course Fees

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Entry Requirements

A first or second class honours degree in a relevant subject, or equivalent professional qualification.
IELTS 6.5 or equivalent. If your first language is not English, you may need to provide evidence of your English language ability.
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