Delivered by academics who
are recognised nationally
and internationally, this
course has a particular
emphasis on the way in
which media and PR are
influenced, and provides you
with practical experience
and a study abroad
opportunity*.
BA/BA (Hons)
Public Relations
and Media
Public relations is the discipline
which looks after reputation, with
the aim of earning understanding
and support and influencing
opinion and behaviour. It is the
planned and sustained effort to
establish and maintain goodwill
and mutual understanding
between an organisation and its
publics. The media plays a vital
role in setting the agenda in
today’s society and therefore is a
key stakeholder for an
organisation.
This course focuses on the expanding
role of PR within the corporate, public
and voluntary sectors, with particular
emphasis on the way in which media
and PR are interlinked as institutions and
practices. This professionally relevant
course is continually adapted to meet the
changing needs of students, employers
and society. This flexible, accessible and
responsive approach ensures that you
will benefit from the latest research,
technology and industry practices.
In Year One key concepts within both
disciplines are covered and essential
practical skills developed. You will study
a range of modules which look at the
history of PR as well as engaging with
contemporary practice, particularly how
PR works with traditional and new
media. This knowledge informs the
development of professional skills.
Modules in Year Two extend the
knowledge of professional practices in
public relations and build on media
production skills. Within PR, we consider
how organisations communicate with
their employees and external
stakeholders through the media. This
relationship between media and public
relations is examined further in the
context of the role the media play in
democratic society. Students also learn
to take an integrated approach to
communications bringing areas of PR,
marketing and events management
together in practice in a module where
they plan, promote, deliver and evaluate
an event for a client.
Year Three offers an opportunity to
develop public relations knowledge using
concepts of strategy and persuasion.
Research skills are strengthened and
preparation begins for conducting an
extensive research project which is
undertaken in the final year dissertation.
In Year Four, you are encouraged to work
more independently, develop critical skills
and follow your own area of interest. This
will happen by working on the
dissertation research project, choosing
public relations and media options.
Invaluable practical experience is gained
through a PR work placement.
Structure
Year One modules
Introduction to PR/ Media Relations/
Online PR: Platforms and Practices/
Media Production/ Introduction to Media
Studies/ Media Industries
Year Two modules
Media Campaigning/ Employee
Communication and Dealing with
Change/ Critical Thinking and Rhetoric/
Media Production/ Media and
Democracy/ Event Management and
Evaluation
Year Three modules
Public Relations Theory and Strategy/
Persuasive Communication/ PR
Research/ Media, Culture and Society/
plus options
Year Four modules
You can opt to study for an honours
degree over four years or an ordinary
degree over three years. You will
complete a range of modules each year
as outlined.
Teaching, learning and assessment
Please see the course entry on our
website (see URL on opposite page) for
full details of the learning, teaching and
assessment activities for this course.
Also check out the ‘How we teach and
how you’ll learn’ section on pages 8-11.
142
Professional Communication Placement/
Dissertation/ plus options including: PR
and Activism or International PR
The modules listed here are correct at
time of print (Feb 2018). This course is
likely to undergo revalidation in 2018
which will result in some changes to the
content. Please check the website for
any updates.
*Subject to availability