MSc in Public Relations and Strategic Communications
Dublin, Ireland
MSc
DURATION
1 year
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
EUR 17,200
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
Key Summary
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.
Explore scholarship opportunities for International Students.
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
Semester One
- Managing the Message
- Strategic Communication
- Contemporary Public Relations Issues
Semester Two
- Contemporary Communication Channels
- Communication Management
- Integrated Communications
- Ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide (QS World University Rankings)
- Ranked among the world's top 350 universities (Times Higher Education World University Rankings). Business and Economics (201-250), Arts and Humanities (201-250), Research Environment (301)
- Ireland’s highest-ranked young university, placed 59th globally (Times Higher Education Young University Rankings).
- Ranked 1st in Ireland for Graduate Employment Rate (and 23rd Globally) by QS World University Rankings
- 96% of DCU graduates are in employment or further studies within 6 months of graduation
- Voted no. 1 worldwide for Career Development by Global Student Satisfaction Awards
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.
Career Areas
Graduates are now working in communication roles on three continents, including in Australia, France, Italy, Norway, United States, as well as across the UK and Ireland. Specific roles include;
- Advertising
- Agency Strategist
- Brand Ambassador
- Business
- Communications
- Editor
- Event Management
- Market Research
- Marketing
- Presenter
Career Titles
- Advertising
- Agency Strategist
- Brand Ambassador
- Business
- Communications
- Editor
- Event Management
- Market Research
- Marketing
- Presenter
Career Prospects
- Public Relations
- Strategic Communications
- Advocacy
- Media Relations
- Content Management
- Political Communications
- Communications Management
- Brand Engagement
- Reputation Management
- Community Management
- Public Consultation
- Sponsorship
- Corporate Responsibility Management