International Public Relations and Global Communications Management (MA)
- Duration: 1 year
- Mode: Full time
Conversion course
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path.
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
Prepare for your future as a public relations (PR) professional through a mix of practice, theory and academic study, all while deepening your understanding of the PR practitioner’s role, and the strategic and operational contributions we make to organisations.
Cardiff central
The school is based in the heart of Cardiff’s vibrant media quarter in a purpose-built facility adjacent to the new BBC Cymru/Wales building.
A global viewpoint
Your fellow students will come from a range of national and cultural backgrounds allowing you to gain a global perspective of PR practice.
Research excellence
You will study with one of the UK’s leading schools for communications research, classed by the Government as the 2nd best in the UK.
Professional accreditation
This course is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).
The advance of digital technology as a result of the 4th industrial revolution means public relations (PR) and reputation and brand management are critical components of organisational planning and strategy.
Our MA International Public Relations and Global Communications Management programme will help you develop the skills and techniques you’ll need to succeed as a PR and Communications professional in any industry, at an international level. We can help you pave the way for success in this thriving industry, in which we’re seeing an increasing need for skilled, dynamic professionals.
You will be introduced to PR knowledge, skills and theory by a faculty comprised of academic staff and PR practitioners, all of whom bring their unique and diverse perspectives into their teaching. It is this blend of research and experience, spanning multiple decades and countries, that makes our programme distinctive.
You will gain theoretical understanding of how media and PR have evolved and work in practice, balanced with unrivalled practical activation and experiences. You will cover a range of PR specialisms, including crisis management, content campaign development and implementation, corporate social responsibility, media relations, corporate and consumer communication strategy and internal communication approaches.
Assignments will help you to apply theory and research in a practical and analytical way and your dissertation will provide the opportunity to apply what you have learnt to an area of personal interest – allowing depth and analysis that results in further understanding of a particular practice area.
Whatever your future aspirations in the PR and communications field, you will benefit from graduating from a CIPR-accredited programme. This not only looks great on your CV alongside your academic qualification, but also allows you take your place amongst a network of forward-thinking, respected PR and communications professionals.
Accreditations
Where you'll study
School of Journalism, Media and Culture
We provide a scholarly environment to help you acquire both the knowledge and skills needed to enter your chosen area of the media.
Admissions criteria
This is a conversion course. Conversion courses allow you to study a subject unrelated to your undergraduate degree or current career, and support you with a change of career path. No prior knowledge or degree in the subject is required.
In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.
With your online application you will need to provide:
- A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved a 2:2 honours degree in any subject, or an equivalent international degree. If your degree certificate or result is pending, please upload any interim transcripts or provisional certificates.
- A copy of your IELTS certificate with an overall score of 7.0 with 6.0 in all subskills, or evidence of an accepted equivalent. Please include the date of your expected test if this qualification is pending. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of an IELTS.
- A personal statement of no more than 300 words in total, which covers the following:
- your interest in and passion for this specific programme at Cardiff University (100-150 words)
- your aspirations and motivations for working in the public relations and communications sector (100-150 words).
If you do not have a degree, your application may be considered on the basis of your professional experience. Please provide additional evidence to support your application such as signed and dated employer references.
Application Deadline
We allocate places on a first-come, first-served basis, so we recommend you apply as early as possible. Applications normally close at the end of August but may close sooner if all places are filled.
Selection process
We will review your application, including your personal statement (to assess your suitability for and understanding of the programme), and if you meet all of the entry requirements, and places are still available, we will make you an offer.
Find out more about English language requirements.
Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.
Criminal convictions
You are not required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check or provide a Certificate of Good Conduct to study this course.
If you are currently subject to any licence condition or monitoring restriction that could affect your ability to successfully complete your studies, you will be required to disclose your criminal record. Conditions include, but are not limited to:
- access to computers or devices that can store images
- use of internet and communication tools/devices
- curfews
- freedom of movement
- contact with people related to Cardiff University.
Course structure
This is a full-time course and is taught across two semesters (Autumn and Spring) from the end of September to the beginning of June.
The dissertation can be practice-based - providing you with an opportunity to apply theory to the practice of communications management and public relations.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/25 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.
| Module title | Module code | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| International Public Relations Theory | MCT417 | 20 credits |
| International Public Relations Practice | MCT418 | 20 credits |
| Research Methods 1 | MCT454 | 20 credits |
| Global Communications Management | MCT518 | 20 credits |
| Digital Communications Management | MCT531 | 20 credits |
| Research Methods 2 | MCT577 | 10 credits |
| Professional Practice | MCT579 | 10 credits |
| Project Based Dissertation | MCT580 | 60 credits |
The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.
Learning and assessment
How will I be taught?
You will be taught through workshops, lectures and seminars which complement the practical and academic elements of the course. You will also have access to industry leading professionals through the courses guest lecture series.
How will I be assessed?
You will be assessed through a range of formative and summative assessments throughout the course. The main method of assessment on this programme is coursework.
How will I be supported?
You will be allocated a Personal Tutor, for help and support with academic and pastoral needs, who is available when needed to discuss progress, provide advice and guidance.
You will be supported by the Student Support services in the school and through wider university resources.
You will have regular tutorials with programme directors/personal tutors as well as the opportunity to meet with module co-ordinators on request.
Feedback
Feedback is provided at each assessment point for summative assessments, formative feedback is provided in practical sessions and throughout teaching.
What skills will I practise and develop?
You will develop skills in the following areas:
- Professional writing
- Media research
- Key public relations skills
- Presenting to a range of audiences
- Business networking skills
- Work placement opportunities in public relations and marketing communications
- Diversity and cultural awareness skills
- Report writing
- Cross cultural communications
- Time management
- International team working
- Independent research
- Social media management skills
- Personal reputation management skills
Tuition fees for 2024 entry
Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.
Learn how we decide your fee status
Fees for home status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £10,950 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.
Fees for island status
Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.
Fees for overseas status
| Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
|---|---|---|
| Year one | £22,700 | £2,500 |
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Living costs
We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.
Funding
Career prospects
Graduates of MA International Public Relations and Global Communications Management are employed in a range of occupations; roles can range from Public Relations Executives, Press Officers, Communications Managers and Copywriters for global and UK corporations.
Next steps
Open Day visits
Register for information about our 2023 dates.Make an enquiry
Contact us for more information about this course.International
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HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.
