Requirements

Public relations professional - requirements

As a public relations professional, you’ll manage the image and reputation of an organisation or person, giving a positive representation to consumers, businesses and the public. Learn more about a career in public relations and what you’ll need to study and do to get a role.

Know what you'll need to land a job below.

What qualifications do you need to be a public relations professional?

Most entry-level PR roles are open to graduates of all fields but some of the more relevant subject areas to consider include:

Please note this is a beta version. We'll continue to improve our suggestions here so that we show you the most relevant subjects.

Do you need a postgraduate qualification to be a public relations professional?

Most employers don’t ask for postgraduate qualifications for PR roles but having one will increase your industry knowledge and make you more employable.

Examples of taught MAs and research degrees at postgraduate level include MAs in:

MBA communications and public relations
Media and communications
Strategic marketing

What skills do you need to be a public relations professional?

As well as being a strong communicator, you’ll also need excellent interpersonal skills to succeed in this role.

Hard skills usually include:

Press releases
Media relations
Digital marketing
Content creation
Copywriting
Key performance indicators (KPIs)

Soft skills include:

Communication
Eye for detail
Social media
Presenting

Do you need work experience to be a public relations professional?

As PR is a competitive industry to break into, previous work experience is helpful for your job applications. You may be able to volunteer or intern at a PR agency or write for a local or student newspaper or magazine to gain some experience. Relevant uni degrees may also include a placement year as part of the course.