Curious about studying Media and Public Relations MAat University of Leicester? We've gathered all the key details—entry requirements, modules, fees, and more. Hear from real students by checking out reviews, or take the next step by booking an open day to explore it for yourself.
MA - Master of Arts
Main Campus
Full Time
Jan 2027
1 Year
The MA in Media and Public Relations will provide you with a thorough understanding of the principles and practice of public relations by examining the structure of the PR sector and offering insights into the way in which the industry works. The course covers the history and development of public relations in different parts of the world and provides a theoretical framework for analysing this rapidly changing profession. You will examine classic and emerging PR strategies and the use of research to inform PR campaigns and to measure their effectiveness, as well as their wider social impacts. You will look in depth at successful and effective PR campaigns and at the structural relationships between PR and the media. You will consider how commercial businesses and non-governmental organisations use PR techniques to advance their objectives. This course will equip you with the skills to critically analyse PR campaigns and understand the functions of publicity and the management of crisis communications scenarios. You will gain the skills to conduct research to evaluate the effectiveness of PR campaigns and how to plan and implement an effective PR campaign. One of the great strengths of this course is that you will be taught by lecturers and support tutors who combine specialist knowledge of theory and research methods with experience of the public relations sector and its working practices. The University of Leicester is a partner of the UK Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) which means you will enjoy many benefits including: free membership of the PRCA; unlimited free access to PRCA online training courses; and access to a range of networking events, work placements and graduate schemes. This postgraduate degree will provide you with the advanced skills and knowledge you need to enhance your professional development or equip you to pursue academic study at research degree level.
During this module you?ll explore and assess many of the theories behind media research that you can apply to your own studies. You?ll start by exploring the basic concepts widely used in the research process, and the nature of the research process. Looking at how research paradigms and epistemologies impact upon research will help you to develop your own methods, and critically analyse your work. In seminars you?ll discuss and apply the principles of research ethics to media and communication research contexts and real-life cases studies. Learning how to collect, manage, analyse and interpret social science research data, will help you to assess the benefits and drawbacks of methodological tools used in research.
In this dissertation you will get the opportunity to independently and critically delineate and assess a body of theory or research within the field of media and communication. By formulating your own relevant research questions, you will outline your chosen area of debate and research for critical examination.
This module will enable you to explore in depth the relationship between public relations and journalism, and how this relationship is being impacted upon by convergence cultures and advances in digital technology. It will allow you to study the historical, structural and day-to-day relationships between public relations practitioners and journalists, including media relation strategies, agenda setting and the importance of concepts such as the information subsidy. The module will establish frameworks for researching and understanding new trends that appear to blur old boundaries, such as 'brand' or 'in-house journalists', corporations or NGOs and social movements as significant publishers of media content.
This module will introduce you to the field of public relations, exploring its origins, history and definitions. It provides a theoretical framework for analysing public relations and seeks to contextualise public relations as an academic discipline; this in turn will help you to better understand the structures of public relations in practice and public relations as a social or cultural phenomenon.
This module explores the theory and practice of strategic communications management within organisational settings, and campaigns management more generally. The module will explore specialist areas of public relations practice such as public affairs, corporate social responsibility and crisis communication. It will allow you to gain knowledge of how applied research methods are used in the evaluation of organisational reputation and relationships, as well as in assisting the development and design of campaign strategies.
4.3The University of Leicester was established in 1921 and is celebrated for its pioneering research and inspiring teaching...
