Public relations (PR) means managing the image an organisation portrays to its customers and the public. If you enjoy writing, giving presentations or have an interest in the media, PR may be for you. This degree prepares you for a role as a communication or press officer for an in-house PR department or to work for a PR consultancy. You will study business, marketing and advertising and how to use traditional and new media in creative ways.
We had between eight and 10 teaching hours a week, which is quite a small amount, but there is a fair amount of independent study required too. You get out what you put in really. If you enjoy doing practical work, anything involving organising, strategising and writing, you will definitely enjoy this course. There are several essays to write as well, but the majority of assessment comes from practical work. The facilities are fantastic - computer labs, newsrooms, large lecture theatres etc. I absolutely loved my experience as a public relations student, and would recommend this course to anyone interested in the subject.
Varied teaching and modules, which is good. Quite a lot of teaching time compared to some other universities or courses. Lots of presentations, which have helped develop everyone's confidence. Group work, campaigns and essays are all frequent types of work. The work experience module is good at helping you develop for the real world.
Not surprisingly, the advertising and PR industries are the main job sectors grads head into after university. The industry hasn't been as badly affected by the recession as many others, and so the good news is that the unemployment rate is well below the average. A lot of jobs are in London, but graduates don't just go to work in PR agencies. All sorts of organisations do their own publicity these days, and with the rise of digital and mobile technology and social media, a lot of marketing is done in quite innovative ways. This year, a lot of the PR and marketing jobs graduates landed were through personal contacts and help from their university, so build up your contacts and network your way to a job!
A degree in public relations will help you to gain subject-specific skills in communicating and promoting concepts, products and services; in social media and cultural theory and a knowledge of social and political affairs and how they affect and are affected by the news agenda. You can also develop useful transferable skills in communication, thinking creatively and solving problems, in critical thinking and constructing coherent arguments. Graduates in public relations commonly work for public relations or advertising agencies, but last year they also got jobs in the oil and gas industry, television, recruitment, education, banking, tourism and health.