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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.
This course is a Masters with a focus on practical and academic skills in Public Relations. It involves a mix of journalism, 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.
Get to know Spark, Fashion North 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 you already hold a postgraduate qualification, please see our Applying for additional postgraduate degrees Help and Advice article.
If you don't meet our standard entry requirements, you can take one of the foundation pathways at our partners ONCAMPUS Sunderland. Find out more information and whether your course is eligible on our ONCAMPUS page.
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.
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.
2023/24 fees are:
Part-time fees are £417 per 10 credits.
Please note that part-time courses are not available to international students who require a Student visa to study in the UK.
*European Union (EU), EEA (European Economic Area), and Swiss nationals who do not qualify for the EU Settlement Scheme are classed as international, however, for 23/24 admission you will receive a European student fee scholarship and will pay the home tuition fee rate for the duration of your studies. The discounted fee will be reflected in your offer letter. Learn more 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 as well as in the PR departments of organisations such as the NHS, local authorities, leading sports clubs, fashion brands, business start-ups, social enterprise organisations and charities.
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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