Media and Public Relations MA

Overview

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

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

Important information

We've highlighted important information about your course. Please take note of any deadlines.

Your course and study experience - disclaimers and terms and conditions

Please rest assured we make all reasonable efforts to provide you with the programmes, services and facilities described. However, it may be necessary to make changes due to significant disruption, for example in response to Covid-19.

View our Academic experience page, which gives information about your Newcastle University study experience for the academic year 2023-24.

See our terms and conditions and student complaints information, which gives details of circumstances that may lead to changes to programmes, modules or University services.

 

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

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

Module information 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.

Optional modules availability

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

To find out more please see our terms and conditions.

Media and Public Relations MA modules

Compulsory Modules	Credits
Media and Promotional Cultures	20
Methodologies: Researching Media, Culture & Society	20
Strategies and Management in PR	20
Theoretical Approaches to PR	20
Dissertation for MA Media and Public Relations	60

Optional Modules	Credits
Global Security Law	20
International Human Rights and Development: Global Challenges	20
Law, Digital Markets and Competition	20
Freelancing in Media and Communications	20
Global Public Relations	20
International Media and Law (Semester 2)	20
Representations: feminism, race and intersectionality	20
Cultures of Data Visualization	20
Digital communication for cultural institutions and organisations	20
Power, Politics and Communication	20
Public Relations in Government and Politics	20
Risk and Crisis Management	20

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

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

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

• peers
• academics
• personal tutors
• our University Student Services Team
• student representatives

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

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

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 team-working 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 award-winning Careers Service is one of the largest and best in the country, and we have strong links with employers. We provide an extensive range of opportunities to all students through our ncl+ initiative.

Visit our Careers Service website

Quality and ranking

All professional accreditations are reviewed regularly by their professional body

Recognition of professional qualifications outside of the UK

From 1 January 2021 there is an update to the way professional qualifications are recognised by countries outside of the UK

Check the government’s website for more information.

Facilities

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

The Armstrong building includes:

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

Fees and funding

Tuition fees for 2024 entry (per year)

Tuition fee increases

If your studies last longer than one year, your tuition fee may increase 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.

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

Find funding available for your course

Select your country

INTO International Pre-Master's - Pathway course

Our Business and Humanities Pre-Master's will prepare you for Master's study at Newcastle. If you're successful then you're guaranteed a place on this Master's course. 

• Business and Humanities Pre-Master's

How to apply

Using the application portal

The application portal has instructions to guide you through your application. It will tell you what documents you need and how to upload them.

You can choose to start your application, save your details and come back to complete it later.

If you’re ready, you can select Apply Online and you’ll be taken directly to the application portal.

Alternatively you can find out more about applying on our applications and offers pages.

Apply Online  

Open days and events

You'll have a number of opportunities to meet us throughout the year including:

• campus tours
• on-campus open days
• virtual open days
• webinars

Find out about how you can visit Newcastle in person and virtually

Overseas events

We regularly travel overseas to meet with students interested in studying at Newcastle University.

Visit our events calendar for the latest events