International Public Relations and Communication (MA)

How will I be taught?

You will be taught through lectures, online materials, seminars, and workshops to deliver both the practical and academic elements of the course. You will also hear from industry-leading professionals through the expert lecture series which is a regular part of this programme.

How will I be assessed?

The main method of assessment on this programme is written coursework such as an academic essay or professional-style report. Most of these assessments are completed individually and there are some group projects included to demonstrate your experience of team working and collaboration.

How will I be supported?

We offer a wealth of support for postgraduate students, including specialist support for international students via the Student Connect team based in the university’s Centre for Student Life. The School of Journalism, Media and Culture also has a dedicated Student Support team to help you with many practical aspects of your programme or direct you to other resources.

Academic support

During the programme, our experienced lecturers and tutors will be on hand to provide help with the academic content for each of your modules. Their help and support is available within the regular in-person seminars and you can also contact them by email during the teaching weeks if you have further questions.

In each module you will receive feedback on your work and for every assessment we provide written feedback as part of the marking process. Other feedback is less formal and takes place as your participate in the various seminars and activities held during the programme.

Academic resources

To support your study you will have access to a large library of resources and other materials. Your will be directed to many of these as the course progresses, but all essential programme and module materials are hosted online in a dedicated online portal which you can access 24/7 throughout the programme.

You will also be able to access Cardiff University libraries across campus, including the school’s library right at the heart of our building in Central Square. Online access is also provided to more than 1.5 million books, journals and other resources. Our library resources are particularly helpful when working on your research project and preparing your dissertation towards the end of the programme. This is a critical and substantial part of the degree, and we will make sure that you are offered the support of an academic supervisor as you develop your project.

Other support

You will also have a personal tutor during the programme and who can provide general academic advice. If you are experiencing difficulties, they will be there to listen and help to direct you to the appropriate source of support. In addition, more specialist support services are available via Student Connect and our Student Life teams.

Located in the purpose-built Centre for Student Life, these support services encompass: Advice and Money, Student Futures for careers support, Counselling services, Health and Wellbeing, the Student Disability Service including dyslexia support, Academic Study Skills and Student Mentoring. Our Student Connect services can also provide guidance in areas more specific to international students such as visas and immigration requirements.

What skills will I practise and develop?

The Learning Outcomes for this Programme describe what you will achieve by the end of your programme at Cardiff University and identify the knowledge and skills that you will develop. They will also help you to understand what is expected of you.

On successful completion of your Programme you will be able to:

Knowledge & Understanding:

• Demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical frameworks, concepts, and principles that underpin public relations and the role that it plays at local, national, and international levels of economic, political and social organisation. 
• Relate the diversity of approaches to public relations and communication to current domains or drivers of practice, evaluating their cultural, social and political implications.
• Express, in detail, evaluation approaches for assessing the effectiveness and impact of public relations campaigns or other strategic communication activities.
• Examine the global perspectives and intercultural dynamics that influence public relations practice, demonstrating an awareness of their impact on organisational reputation and the effectiveness of its communication.

Intellectual Skills:

• Critically assess and apply relevant knowledge to a range of complex situations drawing on techniques of research and enquiry sufficient to allow detailed investigation of public relations issues within their organisational, social, and cultural context.
• Synthesise complex information from multiple disciplines to develop coherent and persuasive communications strategies tailored to diverse stakeholders and contexts.
• Conduct research into public relations and communications management issues, showing a critical understanding of how to evaluate (the rigour and validity of) new or existing data and apply it to new situations or approaches to practice. 

Professional Practical Skills:

• Develop and plan public relations campaigns that align with organisational aims and objectives by integrating strategic thinking, audience analysis and the tactical planning of online and offline channels.
• Select and apply a range of professional communication and media practices in response to organisational issues or problems, demonstrating skills in both strategic thinking and pragmatic execution. 
• Research and engage with creative processes to create a range of public relations outputs, understanding how to interpret this material for the needs of differing audiences, stakeholders, platforms and communications objectives.
• Demonstrate responsibility and self-management in progressing their learning and professional development, reflecting on progress and responding to feedback with appropriate action.

Transferable/Key Skills:

• Work across a variety of individual, group and self-managed modes of study, demonstrating initiative, motivation, creativity and the capacity for critical self-reflection.
• Collaborate effectively by demonstrating teamwork and professionalism, respecting different contributions or perspectives, and able to resolve conflicts in a reasonable, negotiated manner. 
• Apply advanced problem-solving and decision-making skills, employing critical judgement and creativity to address complex issues and challenges within the communications profession.
• Analyse and synthesise data and information from a variety of sources, to evaluate its relevance and validity, and synthesise its application to real-world situations or professional contexts. 
• Demonstrate intellectual curiosity, independent critical thinking and an ability to express ideas effectively, communicating clearly both orally and in writing, using a variety of media.