MSc/Dip in Public Communications Management

Starting in the academic year 2009-2010 the following programmes are available in the field of strategic public relations and communication management.

The new MSc/Dip in Public Communications Management has developed out of Stirling’s highly regarded and internationally recognized MSc/Dip Public Relations degree. As the public relations practice develops specialist areas are becoming more defined with public communications management emerging as a critical function for government, non-profit, NGOs and international organizations such as the EU, UN and World Bank as well as consultancies specialising in these areas. Graduates of this programme will help organizations cope with the challenges of communicating with diverse audiences and developing relationships with key stakeholders. Public communication encompasses a range of professional roles such as public affairs, lobbying, strategic communication, stakeholder engagement, community relations, communication management, and corporate communication.

Public Communications Management draws together a range of topical issues and interdisciplinary perspectives as diverse as social influence, public diplomacy, and stakeholder engagement. Public communication has its roots in the study of political communication, advocacy and public campaigns, and this degree draws on that tradition with its focus on public affairs and public communication.

The programme also includes modules on project management, media relations, research methods with options to specialize in areas such as stakeholder engagement, conflict resolution and negotiation, scenario planning, and public communication and technology.
Teaching is seminar driven, giving students ample opportunities for discussion and active engagement and the methods of assessment will include essays, reports, examinations as well as practical based assessment tasks.

The MSc/Dip in Public Communications Management will prepare you for a career in public affairs, international organizations such as the UN, World Bank, NGOs, the public and non-profit sectors, as well as consultancies and in-house communication departments.

MSc/Dip in Public Communications Management Handbook 2009/10 can be downloaded here

Bursaries available for UK/EU and Overseas Students

The Department is offering tuition fees bursaries for students studying full-time on this programme. There are twelve bursaries available, worth £1,000 each for the academic year 2010-11. They are open to anyone who has been accepted, or who holds a conditional offer, for a place on one of our full-time MSc programmes. Full details of these bursaries can be found here and applications must be made using the appropriate form before 30th July, 2010.

Further Information

Contact: Julia Jahansoozi julia.jahansoozi@stir.ac.uk