Communications Management (Public Relations) (MA)

Overview

This postgraduate programme of study is concerned with a specialist area that is part of two wider fields of study: communications (or media) studies and business studies. This area of academic interest and activity is sometimes also called organisational or corporate communications, and the phrase 'news management' is also sometimes used in this context.

The course aims to provide a thorough knowledge of the methods of data collection and analysis available to those professionally and academically concerned with communications management and the necessary skills to use these methods in a professional context. The course will also emphasise the need to look beyond the application of techniques; it will, therefore, incorporate a critical attitude to research and encourage you to operate as reflective practitioners, whether in a professional or academic context.

Sir John Cass Faculty of Art, Media and Design

www.londonmet.ac.uk/jcamd/

NB - THIS COURSE IS NOT AVAILABLE IN SEPTEMBER 2012

Applying and entry

PLEASE NOTE There is no official closing date for this course, but you are advised to apply as early as possible as we will only consider your application if there are places available on the course.

Tel: 020 7133 4202
Email: admissions@londonmet.ac.uk

Applicants should have a good Honours degree in a relevant subject, or a lower grade of first degree plus relevant professional experience, or training, or extensive professional experience at a high level. All applications will be considered on their individual merits and applicants may be asked to attend an interview.

Course contents

Course structure

The course comprises 6 taught modules and dissertation (Major Project) of 15,000 words:

• Public Relations
• Advanced Public Relations
• Communication Ethics
• Media Theory and Communications Strategy
• Research Methods in Art Media and Design
• Major Project Development
• Major Project and Professional Context

The first two modules introduce, and then develop, the key skills, techniques and knowledge involved in the construction of public relations strategies in different industries and sectors.

Communication Ethics introduces some of the legal, ethical and regulatory constraints on communications, and examines the notions of propaganda and the public sphere, while Media Theory and Communications Strategy presents theoretical approaches to the understanding of audiences.

The Research Methods module examines key concepts and methods and develops skills in communications research, and Major Project Development supports students in developing a research proposal. This is then put into practice in the final Major Project dissertation module.

Assessment

You are assessed via essays, individual and group research projects, and a final dissertation. The first semester public relations module is assessed via a formal examination.

Careers

Career opportunities

The course is designed to attract a range of students: people working or seeking employment in organisations in the communications and information industries, where communications planning and evaluation are central to career structures. It also prepares you for entry into research degrees in communications. Graduates typically find positions in the communications departments of organisations in the public and private sectors, or elsewhere in the wider communications industries.

Those taking the PR option are eligible to join the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) as student members. On completion of an approved course, you will be eligible for upgrading to associate membership (AMCIPR) if you have less than four years experience in public relations or full membership (MCIPR) if you have more than four years professional experience (subject to confirmation).

Student profiles

What the students say

Read a student profile: Ariadna Bakhmatova
Read a student profile: Marta Claravalls-Paris
Read a student profile: Isabella Young
Read a student profile: Nazanin Zaghari