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Study a course professionally accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. Prepare yourself to move seamlessly into a job with a PR agency or in-house communications department.
Skills Boost NE DiscountThis course is a Masters with a focus on practical skills in Public Relations. It involves a mix of journalism, business and marketing, social networking and communication theory, giving you a competitive edge in this fast-moving industry. As part of the course, you will develop a major PR project and undertake related research and contextual studies.
You will be introduced to a range of traditional and digital skills in public relations and will have opportunities to learn how to use the various resources based in the David Puttnam Media Centre. Alongside this, some of your teaching and learning will take place online.
A combination of online and face-to-face sessions will enable you to access resources and equipment that will broaden your skills, as well as the specialist academics and technicians who can assist you as you learn. This flexible approach will enable you to stay safe, provide you with a rounded experience and enable you to join our community of learners.
We will make all reasonable efforts to provide the courses and student experience outlined. It may be necessary to make changes in response to COVID-19 whilst we continue to follow government guidance. View our FAQs for more information or contact us.
Get to know Spark, Fashion North, Northern Lights, SR News, and Sportsbyte, our students' award-winning websites for local news, local sport, fashion and arts and entertainment.
Compared to an undergraduate course, you will find that this Masters requires a higher level of independent working. The course aims to stretch your creativity and maximise your sense of personal fulfilment.
Part-time students can expect around six hours of contact time a week.
We use a wide variety of teaching and learning methods which include lectures, seminars, critiques, workshops and practical demonstrations. These are supported by a range of guest speakers from diverse academic and industry backgrounds. You will also have high levels of contact with tutors who give regular feedback and support. Assessment methods include essays, projects, presentations, and a major project/dissertation.
Our typical offer is:
| Qualification | Minimum grade |
|---|---|
| a Canadian bachelor's degree | GPA 2.40 |
| a USA bachelor's degree | GPA 2.5 |
If your qualification is not listed above, please contact the Student Administration team at studentadmin@sunderland.ac.uk for further advice.
We usually require applicants to hold a good honours degree (2:1 or above) in a related discipline.
We will consider applicants with professional and vocational experience.
If you are suitably qualified, we will invite you to an interview to assess whether this is the right course for you.
We may ask you to undertake a short course that covers essential skills and knowledge, before you join the main Masters course.
If English is not your first language, you should have an IELTS (or equivalent) score of at least 7.0.
After 6 April 2015 you must take your IELTS exams at one of the test centres listed on the UKVI website. If you took your IELTS exam before 6 April 2015 this does not apply, and your qualification is still valid regardless of which test centre you used.
The annual fee for this course is:
Part-time fees for this course are £389 per 10 credits.
Learn more about settled status, pre-settled status, special discounts, visa requirements and Common Travel Area (CTA) agreements for the Republic of Ireland applicants in our Help and Advice article.
Take a look at the Your Finances section to find out about the scholarships and bursaries that may be available to you.
This information was correct at the time of publication.
Postgraduates are highly employable and, on average, earn more than individuals whose highest qualification is an undergraduate degree. On completing this course you will be equipped for roles throughout the PR and communications industries.
Recent Sunderland graduates have set up their own agencies or are now working in PR consultancies, as well as in the PR departments of organisations such as Giorgio Armani, the Environment Agency, Durham Cricket Board, Tyne and Wear Sports and AA Press Office.
During the course we encourage you to gain industry experience which will enhance your skills, build up a valuable network of contacts and boost your employability.
A Masters degree will also enhance career opportunities within Higher Education and prepare you for further postgraduate studies.
My experience was eye-opening, insightful, and a perfect foundation for a successful career in PR.
I wouldn’t be where I am today if it hadn’t been for my experience at the University of Sunderland.
Supportive tutors and the opportunity to meet employers helped me achieve my goals.
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