Overview
Organisations need strategic communications to help achieve their goals. Part of that is strategic communication and public relations (PR), dealing with the relationships between an organisation and its public. It’s no wonder that global PR jobs will grow by 4.54% over the next eight years (UCAS ).
Gain career-valuable PR insights from two cultures and countries by studying at both the University of Stirling and Pompeu Fabra University in Barcelona, Spain. This Masters in Strategic Communication and Public Relations will really give you a unique international perspective.
You’ll spend your first semester at Stirling on our breathtaking 330-acre campus nestled in the heart of Scotland. For the second semester you’ll head to the vibrant streets of Barcelona as you continue your studies at Pompeu Fabra University, right in the middle of one of Europe’s most dynamic cultural hubs.
You'll complete your degree entirely in English, with the flexibility to choose where you’d like to be based for your dissertation - Stirling or Pompeu Fabra.
Studying in two countries gives you a powerful edge in today’s global job market with deeper cultural awareness, enhanced confidence, and real international experience.
Study a range of PR and communication topics
On this Strategic Communications and PR Masters degree you’ll learn core topics like public relations theories, strategic planning and media relations.
You’ll gain valuable employability skills learning about research methods, digital media production, branding, advertising and content development and promotion. You'll explore public affairs and intercultural communication, both as fields of study and as real-world career paths.
Meet top communication experts at European Institutions
This Masters in Strategic Communications and PR includes a public affairs field trip to Brussels. You'll visit different institutions to meet top communications experts from across Europe.
Professional recognition
This Masters in Strategic Communication and Pubic Relations is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations. CIPR is Europe’s largest and globally influential professional body for public relations. We're also members of the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) and European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA).
These memberships provide valuable resources, networking opportunities, and professional development to help you advance in your career and contribute to the field.
Award-winning students
Our students have won EUPRERA Master Thesis Awards in 2019, 2021, 2022 and 2023. The accolade honours students who make a significant contribution to the field of public relations in Europe.
Top reasons to study with us
Course objectives
On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:
- develop an advanced and critical understanding of complex communication phenomena and theories underpinning them;
- develop, execute and evaluate strategic communications plans and campaigns;
- communicate effectively to a wide range of publics, using appropriate communications tactics, technologies and terminology;
- advise on appropriate channels and messaging to meet strategic communications objectives;
- integrate theory, research findings and awareness of communications technologies into strategic communication planning;
- recognise and respond appropriately to the ethical challenges associated with strategic communication and public relations;
- set objectives and design and implement public relations activities and tactics to meet those objectives;
- conduct research and evaluation appropriate to public relations and strategic communications activities.
Professional accreditation
This Masters in Strategic Communication and Public Relations is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Qualifying from a CIPR-accredited course will be recognised by employers around the globe.
We're also members of the European Public Relations Education and Research Association (EUPRERA) and European Communication Research and Education Association (ECREA).
- EUPRERA advances academic research and knowledge in public relations and strategic communication.
- ECREA focuses on the development of communication research and higher education in Europe.
Study abroad
You will spend at least one semester at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain.
Research overview
Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling was ranked 2nd in Scotland overall in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our overall research classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.
Pompeu Fabra staff are also research active and publish internationally.
Entry requirements
Academic requirements
A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject.
As this is a joint degree with Barcelona, you must additionally be eligible to meet the PFU entrance
Applications for the next intake of this course should be submitted by the end of June 2025.
International entry requirements
English language requirements
If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:
- IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
- Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
- IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.
See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.
Pre-sessional English language courses
If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, University of Stirling International Study Centre offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.
Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.
Course details
The taught elements of the course are carried out across two semesters, which run from September until December in Stirling and from January until March in Barcelona. Masters students are then expected to spend the summer carrying out a research project and submit a 12,000-word dissertation, which they can choose to complete either at the University of Stirling or Universitat Pompeu Fabra.
Semester dates for 2025/26
- Autumn semester (University of Stirling): Monday 22 September - Friday 5 December 2025
- Spring semester (Universitat Pompeu Fabra): Monday 12 January - Friday 20 March 2026
- Dissertation period (University of Stirling and Universitat Pompeu Fabra): April - September 2026
Modules
Teaching
You’ll be taught by lectures, seminars, workshops, case studies, small group tutorials, field trips and visiting speaker presentations.
Guest lectures from public relations practitioners provide networking opportunities and introduce students to current practice in the industry. We work closely with the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), and you can attend CIPR events, allowing you to meet practitioners working in the field and to extend your network of contacts.
Fieldwork
You’ll have the opportunity to attend a public affairs field trip in Brussels, which includes visits to the European institutions and specialist industry seminars with leading public affairs and communication experts.
Assessment
Methods of assessment include:
- essays;
- academic and practice-based papers;
- timed assignments;
- public relations and communication campaigns, strategic communication plans and reports;
- a media relations portfolio which includes organisation of media conferences, digital media production and designing media packs;
- case studies;
- research designs and projects;
- in-class contributions and presentations.
You will also complete a 12,000-word dissertation.
For some of the more practical modules, you’re required to produce a portfolio of work – which you can present to potential employers at job interviews.
Classroom hours
During the semesters, you can expect to spend around two to four hours in synchronous in-class and asynchronous sessions (e.g. lectures, seminars, webinars, workshops and discussions) per week for each of your modules. These will be combined with around 32 hours (full-time study) of your independent study. There may also be dedicated fieldtrips and online guest lectures as part of the teaching on particular modules.
During the dissertation period, you will have regular meetings with your dissertation supervisor and dissertation seminars.
Course director
Key staff
University of Stirling
Dr Alenka Jelen is Course Director and teaches public relations theories; public affairs and advocacy; media relations and production and research methods. Her current research focuses on public relations as an academic discipline; gender in public relations and media; relationships between media and politics; and health communication.
Dr William Dinan teaches and researches promotional culture, communication and power. Interests include spin; propaganda; political communication; lobbying and civil society advocacy; freedom of information; transparency and governance.
Grant Thoms teaches and has research interests in public relations practice, media relations, public affairs and lobbying. He is a chartered public relations practitioner with a varied client base.
Universitat Pompeu Fabra
Professor Jordi Xifra is Programme Co-Director of the MSc Strategic Communication and Public Relations (Joint Degree) at Universitat Pompeu Fabra. His research focuses on the intellectual history of public relations, and the role of film in building public relations discourses. He has published more than 15 books on public relations and public affairs in Spain, and his articles have been accepted for publication in Public Relations Review, Journal of Public Relations Research, and American Behavioral Scientist, among others. He founded Public Relations Inquiry (Sage), a key critical journal in the field of public relations.
Dr Lluís Mas specialises in the relationship between branding and political communication in social media; sound branding; body image and advertising; and PR strategies. He teaches Public Affairs and Advocacy.
Fees and funding
Fees and costs
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
Eligible students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
If you need to extend your period of study, you may be liable for additional fees.
If you are studying part time, the total course fee will be split over the years that you study. The total fee will remain the same and will be held at the rate set in your year of entry.
For more information on courses invoiced on an annual fee basis, please read our tuition fee policy.
| 2025/26 | |
|---|---|
| Students from the UK, Republic of Ireland and EU | £9,500 |
| International (excluding EU) students | £20,600 |
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
This course is eligible for a postgraduate tuition fee loan from one of the UK’s governments. See the Scholarships and funding section, below, for more details.
Additional costs
There are some instances where additional fees may apply. Depending on your chosen course, you may need to pay additional costs, for example for field trips. Learn more about additional fees.
Scholarships and funding
Funding
If you have the talent, ability and drive to study with us, we want to make sure you make the most of the opportunity – regardless of your financial circumstances.
Learn more about available funding opportunities or use our scholarship finder to explore our range of scholarships.
Postgraduate tuition fee loans
Scottish students may be eligible to apply to the Students Award Agency for Scotland (SAAS) for loans of up to £11,500 to cover tuition fees and associated living costs.
English students can apply for a loan of up to £12,167 each year as part of the Postgraduate Masters Loan Scheme.
Welsh students can apply for financial support of up to £18,770 as a combination of grant and loan from Student Finance Wales.
Northern Irish students can apply for a postgraduate tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 from Student Finance NI.
International students may be able to gain additional funding from loan providers.
Scholarships
Eligible international students could receive a scholarship worth between £4,000-£7,000. See our range of generous scholarships for international postgraduate students.
University of Stirling alumni will automatically be awarded a fee waiver for the first year of Masters studies through our Stirling Alumni Scholarship.
Applicants from the UK or Republic of Ireland who hold a first-class honours degree or equivalent will automatically be awarded a £2,000 scholarship through our Postgraduate Merit Scholarship.
Cost of living
If you’re domiciled in the UK, you can typically apply to your relevant funding body for help with living costs. This usually takes the form of student loans, grants or bursaries, and the amount awarded depends upon your personal circumstances and household income.
International (including EU) students won’t normally be able to claim living support through SAAS or other UK public funding bodies. You should contact the relevant authority in your country to find out if you’re eligible to receive support.
Payment options
We aim to be as flexible as possible, and offer a wide range of payment methods - including the option to pay fees by instalments. Learn more about how to pay
After you graduate
Our Masters in Public Relations and Strategic Communication leads to management-level careers across many industries. These careers include:
- public relations
- organisational communication
- corporate communications
- strategic communication and related areas
Salary expectations
PR and Communication salaries in the UK average £37,000 a year (Source: Glassdoor, 2024).
Our graduate success
Our alumni are found around the globe in public, private and voluntary sectors. Many of our graduates work in:
- PR consultancy roles
- communication agencies
- in-house communication departments in various organisations
- NGO advocacy and communication
- public affairs
- digital and social media
Others stay in academia, going on to gain PhDs and then work as lecturers, teaching and researching in universities.
Organisations our graduates work for include:
- Pfizer
- Nike
- UK Government
- Office Depot
- Police Scotland
- The National Museum of Wales
- Frame Agency
Career support
When you study PR abroad with us, you receive:
- Support from both universities' career services
- A dedicated Employability Officer at Stirling
- International networking chances
- Skills for global PR markets
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