MSc. Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management. School of Arts and Humanities.

MSc

Strategic Public

Relations and

Communication

Management

School of Arts and Humanities

MSc in Strategic

Public Relations and

Communication

Management

Why Strategic Public Relations and

Communication Management?

established in this area in Europe so our knowledge of the subject is second to none.

The course has a strong emphasis on the theoretical side so you will gain a solid understanding of the theory behind public relations. And, with a healthy practical element to complement the theory, you will also have plenty of opportunities to put these theories into practice. Excellent links with industry mean we have regular guest speakers, and we also provide the opportunity to conduct real-life client-type work.

As well as equipping students with the necessary practical and analytical skills for a professional career in the PR industry, the programme also boasts a strong academic record, with a number of graduates now employed in academic positions.

For further information on the campus

visit: http://stir.ac.uk/9w

Creative

Connections

Iain Kennedy is a church

minister who saw the MSc

in Strategic Public Relations

and Communication

Management programme

as a way to equip himself

with skills to strategically

and creatively connect with

people as he seeks to build

new churches:

The course had a broad

mix. On the one hand, it has

been very practical, giving

us skills in crisis management

press conferences, blogging

and writing press releases. On

the other hand, it has been

very academic, giving us the

opportunity to think critically

about PR.

Applied Research and

Employment Opportunities

A large number of our graduates have carved out successful careers in the public relations industry in organisations throughout the world. Recent success stories include former students who have gone on to work for organisations such as Nike, the UK Government and Police Scotland. One of our alumni, Deborah Findlay, who is now an Account Manager at Ridgemount PR in London, was named one of PR Week’s ‘Top 29 Under 29’ for 2012. While many of our graduates work for big-name PR consultancies or in-house, others go on to start their own businesses.

Many of the modules are very practical and involve campaign planning and the production of campaign materials, such as press releases, feature articles and blog posts. Some of the practical work is carried out for real clients. This material can then be used to form the basis of a portfolio of work to be shown to potential employers. We have a regular guest speaker programme comprising a broad spectrum of industry experts - ranging from those who work in the Scottish whisky industry to people who run their own consultancies, and those who are involved in local government. As well as industry positions, we are also one of the biggest suppliers of academics in the public relations fi eld.

For further information on course content visit:

http://stir.ac.uk/iq

Is the MSc in

Strategic Public

Relations and

Communication

Management

for me?

We have students who come straight from undergraduate study and those who are already employed in the industry and want to brush up on their skills. Both types succeed and do very well once in possession of this Masters qualifi cation.

The programme is designed for students from a variety of degree backgrounds and allows them to develop the necessary skills at a postgraduate level which will equip them for management roles in the public relations and communication sector. Our courses are regularly refreshed to improve their effectiveness and effi ciency in meeting both academic and professional requirements.

Five reasons why you should choose the

MSc in Strategic Public Relations and

Communication Management

1. The programme’s emphasis on how theory can help inform practice is a very useful tool for those seeking to progress their careers and gain management positions within the public relations industry.

2. We are approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which provides important networking opportunities and boosts the chances of gaining employment.

3. We keep up to date with new advances, including how digital media is used in public relations.

4. The programme at the University of Stirling is one of the longest established public relations Masters programmes in Europe.

5. Our industry links are second to none. We have an excellent guest speaker programme and we provide students with the opportunity to work for real clients as part of the course.

Programme Overview

Modules: The programme comprises six modules (core and options) and a

dissertation. The core modules are: Strategic Public Relations Planning, Public

Relations and Public Communication Theories, Research for Dissertation. The

option modules include*: Media Relations & Production, Public Affairs & Advocacy, Public Relations & Digital Media, Communication & Democracy, Tourism &

Strategic Public Relations, Health & Science Communications, Advertising, and Strategic Communications Research Placement.

(*option modules may change due to staff availability and demand. Please check with the Programme Director)

Key staff: Programme Director Dr William Dinan was awarded his PhD from

the University of Stirling for his thesis on lobbying, political communication and Scottish devolution in 2005. Before rejoining Stirling in 2014 he was a senior lecturer in Scoiology at UWS, and previously a lecturer in Scoiology at the University of Strathclyde. He has published widely on issues of political

communication, PR and lobbying, transparency and accountability. Will has advised a number of organisations on strategic communications and advocacy, and has undertaken a number of consultancy projects for public and voluntary sector bodies, including the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), BBC Scotland, the Scottish Parliament, and Oxfam.

Timetable: The taught elements of the course are delivered in two semesters,

which run from September until December and from January until the end of May. Delivery is via lectures, seminars and workshops. Methods of assessment include exams, essays, case studies, presentations and practical reports.

Dissertation: Students are expected to spend the summer carrying out a research

Entrance Requirements

Normally, a minimum of a second class honours degree ( 2.1 preferred ) or equivalent in a

relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifi cations but with signifi cant and relevant work experience are encouraged to apply.

If English is not your fi rst language you will need to provide evidence of your profi ciency in the English language.

Tuition Fees and Funding

Details of tuition fees can be found at http://www.stir.ac.uk/postgraduate/fi nancial-information/tuition-fees/

We offer a substantial package of funding opportunities to encourage and support well qualifi ed, ambitious students to come and study at the University of Stirling.

You can find out more about these

funding opportunities at

http://www.stir.ac.uk/scholarships

Contact information

Telephone:

UK+44 (0) 1786 467525

Email:

william.dinan1@stir.ac.uk

http://stir.ac.uk/iq

Join our community

Photography: For a list of photographers who have contributed to the University of Stirling photo library, visit www.marketingtools.stir.ac.uk/photography/list.php This publication can be made available in different formats. Please contact Student Recruitment and Admissions for further information: recruitment@stir.ac.uk

The University of Stirling is a charity registered in Scotland, number SC 011159.

It has been very

practical, giving us skills

in crisis management,

press conferences,

blogging and writing

press releases.