Media and Public Relations MA

Overview

Our MA in Media and Public Relations combines hands-on public relations practice with in-depth media analysis. On our programme you'll explore the intersection of media, culture, politics and business and prepare for a career in a fast-evolving industry.

This Master's in Media and Public Relations is for:

• students who have Public Relations (PR) knowledge through undergraduate studies or voluntary work
• PR professionals wishing to develop their academic knowledge and research methods

Teaching draws on the research of specialists in media, communication and cultural studies.

Through the course you'll gain:

• a critical understanding of media, culture and society
• knowledge to theorise and analyse media and public relations
• knowledge of media law and public relations regulations in a transnational context
• an understanding of the strengths and weaknesses of different types of data dissemination
• a critical understanding of the strategic and ethical use of AI within the public relations industry.

You'll also develop valuable professional skills, such as:

• analytical and critical skills to assess and conduct research in the field of media and PR
• the ability to deliver and evaluate a PR event in the public, private and voluntary sectors
• skills to set up a campaign network and deliver PR campaign messages
• skills to produce effective press releases
• written materials for traditional and digital media

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

If you’re studying an accredited degree and thinking about working in Europe after you graduate, the best place to find current information is the UK Government’s guidance on recognition of UK professional qualifications in EU member states. This official resource explains whether your profession is regulated in another country, what steps you need to take, and which organisation you should contact. 

What you'll learn

You'll build knowledge, understanding and skills through compulsory and optional modules. You'll carry out independent research into a theme or issue relating to media and public relations for your dissertation.

Part-time students take 80 credits of compulsory modules in year one and 100* credits in year two.

* 40 credits of optional modules and the 60 credits research dissertation or 60 credits final media project.

Modules

You will study modules on this course. A module is a unit of a course with its own approved aims and outcomes and assessment methods.

Course content changes

The module information below is intended to provide an example of what you will study.

Our teaching is informed by research. Course content changes periodically to reflect developments in the discipline, the requirements of external bodies and partners, and student feedback.

Full details of the modules on offer will be published through the Programme Regulations and Specifications ahead of each academic year. This usually happens in May.

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Optional modules availability

Some courses have optional modules. Student demand for optional modules may affect availability.

 

Media and Public Relations MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Media and Promotional Cultures	20
Researching Media and PR	20
Strategies and Management in PR	20
Public Relations Theory and Concepts	20

You also undertake one of the following modules:

Compulsory modules	Credits
Dissertation for MA Media and Public Relations	60
MA Media and PR Final Project	60

Optional Modules	Credits
International Human Rights and Development: Global Challenges	20
Freelancing in Media and Communications	20
Global and Environmental Public Relations	20
Media & PR Final Project	60
Cultures of Data Visualization	20
News and Journalism	20
Digital communication for cultural institutions and organisations	20
Digital Politics, Communication, and AI	20
Dissertation for MA Media and Public Relations	60

How you'll learn

Delivery and teaching methods

You'll be taught using a range of methods, including:

• online learning materials
• seminars
• workshops
• online discussion groups

You're expected to work independently and in groups. You'll:

• read widely
• participate actively in discussions
• develop topics for investigation based on advice from tutors

Assessment methods

Depending on your modules, you'll be assessed through a combination of:

• Case study
• Computer assessment
• Dissertation
• Essay
• Oral presentation
• Portfolio
• Report
• Research proposal
• Written exercise

Student support

Throughout your studies, you’ll have access to support from:

• academic staff
• personal tutors and research supervisors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives
• peers

You'll also be assigned an academic member of staff, who will be your personal tutor throughout your time with us. They can help with academic and personal issues.

Your teaching and learning is also supported by Canvas. Canvas is a Virtual Learning Environment. You'll use Canvas to submit your assignments and access your:

• module handbooks
• course materials
• groups
• course announcements and notifications
• written feedback

 

Our experienced professional teaching team includes colleagues with international background and a variety of experience in the PR and communication industry.

Each year, we host exclusive masterclasses with expert speakers, including Professor Timothy Coombs who:

• is a globally-recognised scholar of issues and crisis management and an ICA fellow.
• is editor for Corporate Communications: An International Journal
• is an author of several PR textbooks and has numerous research that has appeared in high impact PR and Communication journals
• coined the Situational Crisis Communication Theory (SCCT) which is recognised as one of the most influential theories in crisis communication
• has works that have been at the forefront of establishing crisis communication as an identifiable research field within corporate communications

Pre-Master’s and English Language courses

Need an alternative route to study this course? Our International Study Centre offers Pre-Master’s degrees and English language courses to prepare you for study. 

Explore these courses

 

Your future

Careers

We'll equip you with the skills and knowledge needed for a career in the Media or Public Relations. Our course attracts graduates from across the globe and students are given the opportunity to build a portfolio of work that translates globally. On successful completion of the course students can be employed in the following roles:

• Public Relations Officer
• Events Coordinator
• Social Media Manager
• Communications Specialist
• Publicist
• Copywriter
• Media director
• Brand Manager
• Client Services Manager
• Digital Marketing Manager
• Media Researcher
• Public Affairs Consultant
• Crisis Communications Consultant
• Strategic Advisor
• Internal Communications Manager
• Employee Engagement Manager

As an MA Media and Public Relations student at Newcastle University, you'll develop a wide range of transferable skills. These range from presentation and research skills to teamwork and project management, which are highly sought after by employers.

Further Study

This Media and Public Relations MA provides a route into PhD level study.

Our Careers Service

Our expert Careers Service is here to help you take the next steps in your professional life. We will support you while you’re studying with us and for up to three years after you graduate.

You will have access to expert one-to-one advice and guidance through our campus careers centre and online, along with digital resources, workshops, networking opportunities, and careers and recruitment events.

We’ve been awarded 5 QS Stars for Student Employability (2025). Many of our degrees are shaped by strong links with national and international businesses. We are committed to helping you access real-world experience opportunities and develop key skills through paid work placements and internships.

Visit our Careers Service website

Facilities

Most of the teaching and learning on this course will take place in-person in the Armstrong building.

The Armstrong building includes:

• lecture theatres
• seminar rooms
• PC clusters
• student lounges

Fees, Funding and Scholarships

Tuition fees for 2026 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

As a general principle, you should expect the tuition fee to increase in each subsequent academic year of your course, subject to government regulations on fee increases and in line with inflation.

EU, other EEA and Swiss nationals - tuition fee status

Depending on your residency history, if you’re a student from the EU, other EEA or a Swiss national, with settled or pre-settled status under the EU Settlement Scheme, you’ll normally pay the ‘Home’ tuition fee rate and may be eligible for Student Finance England support.

EU students without settled or pre-settled status will normally be charged fees at the ‘International’ rate and will not be eligible for Student Finance England support. You may be eligible for a scholarship worth 25% off the international fee. Search our funding database. 

If you are unsure of your fee status, check out the latest guidance here.

Scholarships

We support our EU and international students by providing a generous range of Vice-Chancellor's automatic and merit-based scholarships. See our searchable postgraduate funding page for more information. 

What you're paying for

Tuition fees include the costs of:

• matriculation
• registration
• tuition (or supervision)
• library access
• examination
• re-examination
• graduation

Find out more about:

• living costs
• tuition fees

Deposit

If you are an international student or a student from the EU, EEA or Switzerland and you need a visa to study in the UK, you may have to pay a deposit.

You can check this in the How to apply section.

Funding deadlines

If you're applying for funding, always check the funding application deadline. This deadline may be earlier than the application deadline for your course.

For some funding schemes, you need to have received an offer of a place on a course before you can apply for the funding.

Search for funding and scholarships

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

How to apply

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