Combine study with work or other personal commitments with our flexible online Masters in Strategic Public Relations.
Key facts
This Masters in Strategic Public Relations will help you to develop a critical appreciation of the role of public relations in contemporary society, as well as key analytical, management and communication skills that are tested through practical exercises and theoretical knowledge.
The course is delivered online via Canvas, the University of Stirling’s online learning environment.
By the end of your studies, you’ll have mastered the skills needed to work at a managerial level in the public relations industry. You’ll be able to:
If you’re interested in studying a module from this course, the Postgraduate Certificate or the Postgraduate Diploma then please email Graduate Admissions to discuss your course of study.
Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling had 70 percent of its research rated as either ‘world-leading’ or ‘internationally excellent’ in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014).
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.
If English is not your first language, you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
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.
The course includes four compulsory modules, two optional modules and a dissertation. The taught elements of the course run over two academic years. Masters students will then carry out a research project, starting in October and ending in May, and will submit a 12,000-word dissertation.
The module details given below are subject to change as the University regularly revises and refreshes the curriculum of our taught programmes. The modules outlined below represent those offered in 2018/19 on this course of study.
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.
Assessments include essays, project work and reports.
We estimate around 10-12 hours a week studying is required while studying a module.
Lecturer, Dr Katherine Champion, a specialist in Media and Communications, explains how studying at Stirling can redefine your career prospects.
Fees shown are per year (fees are different for each course)
2018/19 | 2019/20 | |
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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.
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.
If you choose to attend your graduation ceremony, you will be liable for an additional charge. There is no charge if you wish to graduate in absentia. Learn more about additional fees.
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. .
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.
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
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.
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