Why QMU ?
With a degree in PR from QMU , you can be sure that you are well prepared for a successful career . Our teaching staff , many of whom still work in industry , ensure that they are up to date with all the latest news and developments in their field . Our staff have close links to professional bodies including the Chartered Institute of Public Relations ( CIPR ) and the Public Relations Communications Association ( PRCA ).
Many staff are also actively involved in ground-breaking research projects , present papers at international conferences and regularly publish in academic journals .
Our courses not only focus on the subject matter at hand but also enable you to gather a wide range of transferable skills , such as making presentations , research techniques and IT , further preparing you for the workplace .
There are a number of benefits to studying at QMU , such as placements and study abroad options . Our PR students benefit from a compulsory placement , but we actively encourage all students to gain some work experience while on their course . Our students tell us that work experience is a highly beneficial aspect of their course work , enabling them to put what they have learnt into practice . It enables them to utilise knowledge gained from earlier years of their course . The opportunity to study a semester abroad is also beneficial . Previous students have reported the experience as exciting , useful and very interesting to see how other countries deal with the subject matter .
Our approach to learning and teaching
Our degrees are modular and you will benefit from a variety of teaching methods including lectures , seminars and workshops . There is a focus on problem-based learning and group work to develop key skills required in the workplace . Assessment methods also vary and include examinations , written reports , essays , presentations and peer assessment . Our assessment methods include formative and summative components , so students receive early feedback on progress made and can use it to help inform final assessment coursework .
Industry is extremely supportive of our courses and students will benefit from hearing guest lectures from a range of practitioners and visiting professors . Our students are also invited to help run prestigious events such as the CIPR PRide Awards and the PR Festival . Building contacts and networks are key to gaining an understanding of the industry and securing work experience and employment on graduation .
The PR courses hold a networking lunch giving students an opportunity to meet and talk to senior PR and marketing practitioners . We also have an advisory panel made up of senior professionals from a range of public , private and third sector organisations . Regular meetings provide a forum for debate and discussion covering current trends and issues affecting the industry . One panel member described coming to QMU as being like ‘ entering an oasis of ideas ’. The advisory panel also enriches our teaching and helps maintain currency .
Research
The majority of our staff are actively engaged in research which means that the content of the courses is cuttingedge and inspirational . Staff in film , media , creative industries , cultural management , cultural policy , and cultural studies were submitted to the Research Excellence Framework ( REF ) in 2014 to the Media , Communication , Cultural and Media Studies , Library and Information Management panel . 77 % of QMU ’ s outputs in this area were ranked as world leading and internationally excellent .
Recent and ongoing scholarship includes : Dialogue , engagement and action research ; Informational justice ; critical PR and critiques of communication management .
Career prospects
Our aim is to prepare students for employment and as a graduate of QMU you will have the skills , knowledge and experience sought by employers . Our graduates go on to work in a variety of careers , not only in the UK , but across the world . These are mentioned on the course pages which follow . However , should you choose to remain in Scotland , you are well placed to benefit from job opportunities , with Edinburgh playing home to the second highest number of public and private sector headquarters in the UK after London .
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