Complete our scoping form to let us know the kind of support you're looking for and what you'd like students to work on within your business.
PR and Strategic Communications Masters Internship/Project
Bring analytical insight, research support, and strategic communication expertise into your organisation.
If your organisation has a communications challenge, policy issue, campaign need, or research project that would benefit from dedicated support, hosting a University of Stirling PR & Strategic Communications Masters student could be the perfect solution.
Our postgraduate students complete a flexible research-based internship or project under joint supervision from academic staff and industry partners. This gives organisations a chance to access fresh insights and robust research while helping students apply their skills in a real-world context.
Read on to learn how a collaboration can support your organisation - or get in touch to discuss your project ideas.
Why host a PR and Strategic Communications student?
By welcoming a Stirling postgraduate into your organisation, you gain:
- High-quality research support on a communication or policy challenge.
- Fresh perspectives grounded in current theory and practice.
- A motivated contributor with strong analytical, writing, and communication skills.
- The chance to influence and mentor emerging communication professionals.
- A flexible and low-cost way to progress work you may not have capacity to tackle internally.
- Strong links with the University and its professional networks across communications, public affairs, and media.
Our students bring critical thinking, creativity, and professionalism to their industry projects.
What skills can our PR and Strategic Communications students offer?
Students on this programme are trained to:
- Apply strategic communication theory to real‑world organisational challenges.
- Undertake rigorous research and analysis.
- Interpret policy documents, consultations, and stakeholder perspectives.
- Design or evaluate communication and public relations campaigns.
- Analyse media, public discourse, and industry responses.
- Produce clear, evidence‑based briefings and reports.
- Work collaboratively with academic and non‑academic supervisors.
- Manage projects, timelines, and deliverables effectively.
This makes them ideal for organisations working in:
- Public relations and communications.
- Public affairs, policy, and advocacy.
- Non‑profit and third sector communications.
- Corporate communications.
- Campaigning organisations.
- Marketing and engagement teams.
- Renewable energy, health, environmental, or social policy roles.
- Think tanks, consultancies, and research‑focused organisations.
Types of projects students can undertake
Our students can support a wide range of communication and PR‑related work, including:
- Policy analysis and public affairs research.
- Media and stakeholder mapping.
- Campaign evaluation or development.
- Research for public consultations or legislative changes.
- Audience or community insight research.
- Crisis communication analysis.
- Digital communication or message testing.
- Production of stylised, policy‑ready reports.
- Exploring how communication strategies influence behaviour or opinion.
We work with you to define a project scope that meets your needs and fits within the module.
Examples of previous internships and projects
British Heart Foundation - Price Promotion and Industry Interference
A detailed examination of the 2017–2024 legislative pathway around price promotion regulation, including consultation analysis, stakeholder mapping, and review of lobbying activity. A stylised policy‑ready report supported advocacy planning for the new parliamentary cycle.
British Heart Foundation - Alcohol Marketing Regulation
An evaluation of 2023 Alcohol Marketing consultation responses, including media analysis, industry submissions, and the development of a clear, research‑informed summary report for policy work.
Fred Olsen Renewables - Public Affairs and Communications Support for Wind Farm Development
A communications‑focused internship providing policy research, public affairs tracking, election‑related monitoring, and stakeholder engagement support in the run‑up to the Scottish elections.
What makes this programme unique?
This module is designed to give students authentic experience working with both academic and industry supervisors. Students learn to:
- Negotiate a project brief
- Complete work to an agreed professional format
- Apply their research skills to organisational challenges
- Deliver findings clearly and to deadline
These skills are directly transferable to roles in PR, strategic communication, policy analysis, corporate communication, and advocacy.
When do placements/internships take place?
Projects take place during the programme’s flexible research module, which can accommodate a variety of timelines depending on the organisation and supervisory needs.
Typical timing:
- Spring or Summer project starts
- Duration varies based on scope, usually aligned to academic module timelines
- Work can be remote, hybrid, or on‑site, depending on project requirements
We will help you determine a suitable schedule.
How we support you
We provide:
- Guidance in shaping your project brief
- A dedicated University contact
- Academic supervision for the student
- Clear expectations and timelines
- Support throughout the collaboration
Our aim is to make the experience straightforward, flexible, and beneficial for both you and the student.
Submit a project or find out more
If you are interested in hosting a PR and Strategic Communications student or would like to discuss project ideas, please contact:
Sharron Jack - Work‑Based Learning and Skills Manager, s.l.jack@stir.ac.uk.
Partner with us to support the next generation of communication professionals - while gaining tailored, research‑driven insight for your organisation.