MA Public Relations

Study Mode Full-time
Year of Entry 2025/26
Students being interviewed outdoors with boom microphone

MA

Public Relations

Explore the industry and develop the skills needed for a career in PR on this CIPR and PRCA-accredited course.

Everything you need to know...

  • Pound sign

    What is the fee?

    Home: £10,620 for the course
    International/EU: £17,725 for the course

  • Time

    How long will I study?

    1 Year

  • Location

    Where will I study?

    City Campus

  • Date

    When do I start?

    September 2025
    January 2026


Postgraduate open day

Come to an open day

Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.

Learn more

Course summary

  • Develop the creative, theoretical and technical skills required for a successful PR career
  • Explore communication theory, practice and research through wide-ranging learning methods
  • Learn how the industry works - build relationships and develop reputations with real-life briefs
  • Attain excellent, sought-after PR credentials on a CIPR and PRCA-accredited course
  • Benefit from the tutelage of PR specialists and attend masterclasses from industry insiders

This course allows you to develop a deep understanding and flair for PR. You'll attain industry knowledge and gain contacts as well as reinforce your skills with detailed theoretical grounding - leaving as an employable, experienced professional.

Accredited by
  • Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)

This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

When you enrol on a course recognised by the CIPR you are eligible for CIPR Student Membership. This gives you access to the members area of the CIPR website, where they have a dedicated student area which offers help and advice on getting into the PR industry.



Hallam Live

View our students' work

Find out more about the Media Arts and Communications department and view the work of some of our students.

Learn more

How you learn

At Sheffield Hallam, all our courses are designed to engage you with the world and challenge you to think in new ways. You’ll get to collaborate with others, and you’ll be taught in a supportive environment where you can thrive.

The course is focused on the real-world application of PR and communication theory. You'll work on live briefs with real clients, learning how to work with bloggers and journalists and develop an organisation's reputation. You'll also explore the day-to-day realities of the job - how to write sharp news releases, manage a crisis and examine how ethics are central to the public relations sphere.

You learn through

  • practical projects
  • lectures and seminars
  • commercial opportunities with real-world clients
  • critical thinking and group work skills
  • employability workshops
  • guest speakers and masterclasses
  • webinars with industry specialists
  • development of your online showreel

Applied learning

Live projects

Throughout the course you'll work with real clients on practice-based projects, allowing you the real-world experience that is so central to the PR industry.

Networking opportunities

A number of industry days and events (Grad Talk, Pathways) are held on campus enabling you to network with and attend talks and workshops run by creative media industry professionals and organisations. These activities give a window to the world of work and opportunities that lie ahead.


Future careers

This course prepares you for a career in

  • public and private sector organisations
  • PR agencies
  • charities
  • pressure groups
  • voluntary sector.organisations

This course benefits from Partner University status with the Public Relations Consultants Association (PRCA). A limited number of Universities are endorsed by the PRCA for offering excellent courses which are intellectually rigorous and esteemed by employers.

You gain automatic free student membership of the PRCA and all the benefits that come with it, including exclusive access to work placements, internships, graduate schemes and entry level jobs, free online training and free access to the industry recognised PRCA Online Certificate.

Where will I study?

You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.

City Campus

City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.

City Campus map | City Campus tour 


City Campus map
Location

Howard Street
Sheffield
S1 1WB

Get directions
students working on computers in the library
Adsetts library

Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.

Learn more

Learn more about your department

Media, Arts and Communications Facilities Tour

Take a look around the media, arts and communication facilities at Sheffield Hallam University with lecturer Saskia Wilson.

Department page

Entry requirements

All students

Normally

• an honours degree (2.2 or above) or equivalent in any subject

• a good standard of written and spoken English.

Overseas applicants from countries whose first language is not English must normally produce evidence of competence in English. An IELTS score of 6.5 with 5.5 in all skills (or equivalent) is the standard for non-native speakers of English. If your English language skill is currently below an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills we recommend you consider a Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve an equivalent English level.

You may also be considered if you do not hold a degree but can provide evidence of relevant professional experience.

If you do not have such academic qualifications we may consider your application individually, based on your personal, professional and work experience, and other formal qualifications. You may also be able to claim credit points which can reduce the amount of time it takes to complete your qualification at Sheffield Hallam. Find out more

Additional information for EU/International students

If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.

For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.


Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.

Modules

Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.

Modules studied may differ depending on when you start your course.

Final year

Compulsory modules

Module
Credits
Assessment
Persuasion, Influence, And Power
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Pr: Dissertation/ Final Project
Credits 60
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Pr: Specialisms
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Pr: Strategy And Campaigning
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)
Research And Communication Skills
Credits 30
Assessment Coursework(100%)

Fees and funding

Home students

Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £10,620 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.

International students

Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £17,725 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.

Students sat on a sofa

Postgraduate student loans

Up to £12,471 is available in 2024/25 for home students on most masters courses.

Learn more

Additional course costs

The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.

General course additional costs

Additional costs for Media, PR and journalism courses (PDF, 331.5KB)

Legal information

Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.

 

How do I apply?

You apply for this course via our online application form.

Apply for September 2025

You can also use the application form above to apply for future years of entry.

Not ready to apply just yet?

Why not come to our next open day? Open days are the perfect place to talk to staff and students, visit our campuses and get all the information you need. Alternatively, feel free to ask us a question.

Come to an open day Ask a question

Why choose us?

A trophy icon

Teaching

We are Gold rated in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) for the outstanding quality of our teaching and student outcomes

A bed icon

Accommodation

We guarantee to find you an affordable place to live that’s close to campus and comes with all bills included

A head and shoulders icon

Employment

95% of our UK graduates are in work or further study 15 months after graduating (2021/22 Graduate Outcomes Survey)

Where next?

Find out more about Sheffield Hallam's postgraduate opportunities and community.

Two attendees wearing coats, speak to a member of staff at a stand within the University's atrium

Come to an open day

You can chat to teaching and admissions staff, view our facilities and learn more about your funding options.

Book now
A crowd of attendees browsing stalls in the Sheffield Hallam atrium during an open day

Sign up for updates

Receive emails about postgraduate study, including application reminders and alerts for open days.

Sign up
Three female and one male student sat together around a table drinking hot beverages in a cafe.

Information for international students

Information for international students including entry requirements by country and funding.

Learn more

Cancel event

Are you sure you want to cancel your place on Saturday 12 November?

Close