Study Public Relations in the UK

About Public Relations

A public relations specialist oversees developing and carrying out a PR plan, assisting a company or person to build a positive reputation using a variety of platforms and channels, such as the press, social media, and in-person interactions. In situations where their credibility is threatened, they may assist customers in defending their reputations. Importantly, the PR profession moves quickly and is constantly seeking out skilled recent graduates. The main employers in almost every company are PR consultants, which offer a specialized service to several client organizations and frequently work in highly diverse market segments. If a company cares about its reputation, it will probably invest in effective public relations, in which a PR expert works to highlight the brand's reputation, concept, products, or success. Furthermore, you could look for internships or work experience in PR firms representing numerous customers or in businesses with well-known brand sectors like fashion, automobiles, or cosmetics. At several undergraduate and graduate levels, including diploma, certificate, bachelor's, master's, and PhD degrees, students can study public relations. A bachelor's degree serves as the most common level of study and is typically completed in three or four years. These courses are normally provided as a BA, but if they also incorporate more analytical and mathematical aspects of marketing, some universities may designate PR degrees as a BSc.

Study Public Relations in the UK

London is the center of the global communications sector, where the best PR and advertising experts in the world work for some of the most well-known businesses.  An unrivaled center for media, entertainment, glamour, design, sports, and more will be integrated into your life. In the United Kingdom, the BA (Hons) in Public Relations concentrates on the interactions that businesses, brands, governments, and people have with the general public. Students will be taught about social responsibilities as well as how communication technologies may be utilized to alter attitudes and cultures. On the other hand, a master’s degree in public relations will be appealing to graduates who are already employed in public relations and who want to advance their careers through a Master’s degree. Those looking to change careers into the profession, or those who want to establish their first degree and begin a PR career with a solid individual and functional knowledge of the industry can study public relations master courses in the United Kingdom. 

Advantages of Studying Public Relations in the UK

Studying in the United Kingdom comes with numerous advantages. Firstly, the UK has some of the best-known universities in the world, and for valid reasons. British institutions, which appear frequently in worldwide rankings, are home to some of the most highly esteemed research in the world. Also, you will have the opportunity to grow professionally while studying in the UK and have a significant chance of pursuing profitable professions once you graduated. In the United Kingdom, even though only a few degree programs in PR are offered, all graduates can often enter the field. Additionally, if the student hopes to study public relations, the United Kingdom is among the best places to study public relations along with USA, Spain and Canada. Finally, one of the most sought-after professions for graduates in the UK is public relations. Therefore, the student will have a chance to study anywhere in the world in excellent companies. 

Career Paths for Public Relations Degree 

Promotion of the brand and protection of the brand are the two fundamental duties of public relations professionals. Considering these two main branches, the career paths can be separated as well. 

1. Social media strategist: Social media strategists work with their clients to design social media plans and produce content for their social media channels. They organize and arrange material in advance, making sure that each piece is aimed at the right audience for their clients.
2. Content Creator: Being a content creator is another great PR career path. The content creator promotes to journalists the good stories which the content creator has created about their brand. Like a press release about a significant corporate deal, these stories can also attract journalists' attention on their own. 
3. Brand Ambassador: Public relations professionals need to represent the company’s image in the best way possible while creating creative advertisements to attract the clients’ interest. Thus, being a brand ambassador is another good option for public relations students. 
4. Account Manager: Managing several public relations operations is a specialty of PR account managers. They are employed by public relations agencies that look after the public image of numerous businesses or people.
5. Media Relations: The development of relationships with media, editors, personalities, and other influencers is the responsibility of media relations specialists. They make sure a product can reach the public through a variety of media, such as social media, television, newspapers, and journals.
6. Marketing and Advertisement Manager: They gather data on consumer perceptions of a brand and choose the most effective content to market goods and services to that target. To make sure that all advertising and marketing material is consistent with the company's image, marketing experts engage with other PR co-workers.
7. Crisis manager: Crisis managers deal with both governmental difficulties and problems that may affect a brand's reputation. They instantly come up with strategic plans for how a company can react to a situation and manage the public reaction.

What Skills Do I Need to Pursue a Public Relations Career?

There are some essential skills to have which will help you to pursue a career in public relations. Firstly, public speaking is among the important skills in this field. The students need to be persuasive, confident, and appealing when speaking in front of an audience in class. You'll soon be assigned tasks at work that require public speaking in front of a camera or making a sales pitch during a meeting with co-workers to advance a person, a business, or an organization. The second skill is to be talented in writing.  Since, press releases, speeches, and advertising products are vital to the PR sector, you need to effectively convey your thoughts in writing. The third essential one is to have social media skills. The way people communicate with one another has completely changed as a result of social media. Thus, one of the most sought-after fundamental talents for PR professionals is understanding how to use social media as a platform for mass discourse.

Is Studying Public Relations Right for Me?

PR could be an interesting area to work in if you're eager to improve your communication abilities, thrive in a fast-paced environment, and learn something new on daily basis. Unlike the common though, being introvert or extrovert does not matter much. The essential key here is to influence people with your various abilities such as writing, advertising, or creating. Moreover, if you think that your communication skills are advanced and you are willing to be engaged with people, then studying public relations may be right for you. 

How Long Does It Take to Study Public Relations?

In the United Kingdom, completing a bachelor’s degree in public relations takes three, maybe four years. Whereas, completing a master’s degree in public relations generally take one year.

The Best Universities to Study Public Relations

Several universities are offering highly qualified public relations courses in the UK.  These British universities include London Metropolitan University, University of Leeds, University of Arts London, and Coventry University. 

1. London Metropolitan University: London Metropolitan, or by its other name, London Met is home to a diverse community of inspiring and committed students and instructors. It is in one of the most dynamic metropolitan cities in the world. The primary components of contemporary advertising, marketing communications, and public relations are covered in this career-oriented course that examines the modern marketing sector.
2. University of Leeds: The University of Leeds is one of the biggest higher education establishments in the UK. The University of Leeds’s PR programs are aware of the transformation in the sector and examine the forces behind contemporary corporate communications, their dynamics, and how they relate to marketing and public relations.
3. University of Arts London: The University of the Arts London was founded in 2003 as a collegiate institution in London, England, with a focus on the performing arts, graphic design, and fashion. For the third consecutive year, University of the Arts London (UAL) is rated second in the world for Art & Design according to the 2021 QS World University Rankings. You will learn how corporations connect with a variety of audiences through the PR courses at the University of Arts London, as well as how brands are established and maintained online.
4. Coventry University: Coventry University is a public research university which is in Coventry, England. Coventry University wants to help you get ready for the workforce by offering courses that are focused on the professional lives of the individuals and along with employment opportunities. The Marketing and Public Relations (PR) degree program aims to give you the information, abilities, and skills necessary to succeed in the modern marketing and PR fields.

Public Relations Admission Requirement

In the United Kingdom, most universities demand an IB or A-Level diploma in order to be eligible for study. A Levels at grade C or above including subjects like English, history, art and media, or a minimum of 24 points in the IB diploma is the main requirement. Also, the applicants need a minimum score of 6.5 from IELTS. If you hope to study a master’s degree in public relations, an equivalent bachelor’s degree along with a minimum score of 6.5-7.0 from IELTS is required. However, it is important to note that the requirements may change depending on the university.