MSc Strategic Public Relations (Online)

• Academic requirements

  A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject. Applicants without these formal qualifications but with significant appropriate/relevant work/life experience are encouraged to apply.

  Please note: If you are a student from overseas and applying with a Tier 4 student visa, we unfortunately can’t accept your application for this course – as it falls into the category of being part-time, delivered online or a distance learning course.

• English language requirements

  If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

  • IELTS: 6.5 with 6.0 minimum in each skill
  • Cambridge Certificate of Proficiency in English (CPE): Grade C or above
  • Cambridge Certificate of Advanced English (CAE): Grade B or above
  • Pearson Test of English (Academic): 60 with 56 in each component
  • IBT TOEFL: 90 with no subtest less than 20

  More information on our English language requirements

• Pre-sessional English language courses

  If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

  Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

Course Details

• Teaching

  All course material is delivered via Canvas, the University of Stirling’s online learning environment.

  Each module is divided into a number of topics. All the topics for a module will usually be available at the start of each module. As well as core materials, module contents include reading lists with additional sources of information you can use to supplement your studying.

  You must also attend at least one three-day residential school during the course of your studies. This is on the University of Stirling campus.

• Assessment

  Assessments include essays, project work and reports.

• Classroom hours

  We estimate around 10-12 hours a week studying is required while studying a module.

• Course director

  Dr Derek Hodge

  +44 (0) 1786 466215

  derek.hodge@stir.ac.uk

• Key staff

  Ask an expert

  

  Lecturer, Dr Katherine Champion, a specialist in Media and Communications, explains how studying at Stirling can redefine your career prospects.

  Ask an expert in media, culture and communications

• Fees and costs

  Fees shown are per year (fees are different for each course)

  Select fee status: Home/EU Students Overseas (Non-EU) Students

  	2018/19	2019/20
  Home/EU Students Fees shown are for full-time, one-year Masters course* If you’re domiciled in Scotland, you may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for a loan of up to £10,000 to cover your tuition fees and associated living costs. Students domiciled in the EU can also apply for tuition fee support, although may not be eligible to receive funding to support living costs. If you're domiciled in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, you should be eligible to apply for a loan from your regional body. English students apply for a loan of up to £10,609 per year as part of the UK Postgraduate Loan Scheme, Welsh students can apply for a non-means tested loan of up to £13,000 from the Welsh Government and Northern Irish students are eligible to apply for support of up to £5,500. *Fees for students who apply for a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate will be paid on a pro-rata basis. If the course is taken over two years then the fee will be split evenly over the two years. Fees are not pro-rated for students who enrol on a Masters course and decide to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma - the full fee is charged.	£6,300	£6,500
  Overseas (Non-EU) Students Fees shown are for full-time, one-year Masters course. Fees for students who apply for a Postgraduate Diploma or Postgraduate Certificate will be paid on a pro-rata basis. If the course is taken over two years then the fee will be split evenly over the two years. Fees are not pro-rated for students who enrol on a Masters course and decide to exit with a Postgraduate Diploma - the full fee is charged.	£15,250	£15,950

  Please note: You will be liable to pay tuition fees for every year you’re in attendance, and your fees will be held level upon entry. If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for an additional fee.

• Scholarships and funding

  If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.

  Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.

• Additional costs

  There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.

• Cost of living

  If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.

  EU and overseas students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support. .

  Find out about the cost of living for students at Stirling

• Payment options

  We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay

Our Masters will suit those who want to develop managerial careers in public relations, organisational communication, corporate communications or communication management.

Our alumni are found around the globe in public, private and voluntary sectors. Many graduates work in PR consultancy roles for companies around the world, or have started their own businesses. Others stay in academia, going on to gain PhDs and then work as lecturers, teaching and researching in universities.

• Testimonial quotes

  As somebody whose method of study was through online learning, I did not get the benefit of being on campus over the last three years and availing of the many facilities that Stirling has. However, thanks to the wonders of technology the distance between me and Stirling was rarely felt as I had access to a lot of what I needed through my laptop and tablet. The fact that the University has embraced the power of technology and is offering online courses is fantastic and has given people like myself a chance to avail of the Stirling experience which otherwise would not be possible.

  Gerard McDermott, MSc Strategic Public Relations (Online), 2017

• Employability skills

  We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time and develop the graduate attributes required by employers. We have a dedicated Faculty Employability and Skills Officer and a Careers and Employability Service who work in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the best out of your University experience and are given the right opportunities to make you ready for the world of work.