Maura Francisco

Maura is a postgraduate student from Angola and is currently studying the MSc Strategic Communication and Public Relations (UPF Barcelona).

Great opportunity to study in two different international cities

I chose Stirling because it has strong rankings in Public Relations and Strategic Communication. The course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, which was something I really valued when choosing a programme.

I was also really interested in the international exposure the course offers. The option to spend a semester abroad in Barcelona at a highly ranked university in my field was a big attraction for me. It felt like a great opportunity to gain experience from two well-regarded universities while also studying in different environments.

Moving to Stirling from Angola has been a really positive experience

It’s quite a peaceful place and the campus is beautiful, which makes it a great environment to focus on studying. I actually enjoy the slower pace of life here, it allows me to concentrate on my work while still having time to relax.

The people have also been very welcoming, and I’ve made some great friends during my time here. Living abroad and being away from your family can sometimes be challenging, so having a community of friends around you makes a huge difference.

I’ve really appreciated meeting people from different places and building those connections. It made my time here much more enjoyable and helped me feel more at home while studying in a different country.

At Stirling I have a really good balance between student life and studying.

Supportive lecturers

One of the biggest highlights of my course has definitely been the lecturers. They’re very uplifting and supportive, it makes a big difference in how you experience the classes. The environment is really open, and they encourage a lot of participation. You feel comfortable asking questions, trying new ideas, and even making mistakes while learning.

Valuable experience gained on a placement

My course included a placement, which was a really valuable experience. The work was quite research-focused and gave me the opportunity to learn more about policy and advocacy work, which is something I’ve always been interested in.

Before doing the placement, I mostly had an idea of what that type of work might involve. Being able to actually engage with it helped me understand the field much better and see how research and communication play a role in policy work. It was also great to gain practical experience and add it to my CV, which will definitely help when applying for jobs after graduation.

This degree has helped prepare me for my career

Many of the projects we do are designed to mimic real PR environments. We work on things like campaign ideas, communication strategies, production, and research in ways that are very similar to what you would do in a professional setting.

Because of that, I feel like I have a good understanding of what to expect from the industry and how to approach different types of work in PR and communications.

What one piece of advice would you give to anyone thinking of studying at Stirling and in Scotland?

I’d say make the most of the experience. Studying abroad is not just about academic study, it’s also about meeting new people, exploring new places, and growing personally.