ABOUT THE COURSE
Passionate about PR and communications? Want to boost your employment prospects? Solent’s MA PR & Multimedia Communications programme is designed to help graduates build on traditional paradigms of public relations, exploring critically how the PR industry relates to advertising, marketing and journalism.
With an emphasis on the emergence of ‘peer-to-peer’ communications on digital platforms, this course can help improve the employability of both recent graduates and existing practitioners.
The ‘Professional Development’ unit gives students work-placement and freelance opportunities, enhancing their professional skillset. Students will also be able to pitch for paid work at Solent Creatives, who specialise in connecting students with businesses who need creative support. These projects can help students to strengthen their portfolio of professional work.
Learners are encouraged to carry out additional work experience alongside their regular studies. The course team’s close links with industry have helped past students to negotiate placements at top local and national agencies.
The course concludes with a major project or dissertation. This is another opportunity for students to specialise their knowledge, conducting in-depth research into an area that complements their unique career ambitions.
The course curriculum emphasises content creation and management across paid, owned, earned and shared platforms. Students will learn how to commission work and manage relationships with advertising, marketing and brand journalism specialists.
What does this course lead to?
As the roles of digital newsroom manager, multimedia advertiser, marketing professional, and corporate PR continue to converge, it is increasingly important that students gain first-hand experience of these functions. With opportunities for networking, live client briefs and portfolio development all built into the course, graduates leave Solent with a wealth of industry relevant experience to show potential employers.
Who is this course for?
This course is aimed at graduates in a PR or communications-related discipline. The course content is well-suited to graduates who wish to build upon their existing knowledge and explore new and emerging communications channels.
FACILITIES
We have a fully equipped IT centre with both PC and Mac computers. These feature industry-standard image manipulation, video and audio editing software. Access to camera equipment and professional recording devices for podcast and video creation is highly likely, and access to photographic equipment is always available.
Solent is proud to offer students a range of high-end media facilities. Students also have the opportunity to access an extensive media loans service, where they can borrow high-end video production and photography equipment.
Students study alongside industry experts with a wealth of first-hand insight to share. The course is delivered through interactive seminars. These small group sessions allow for open discussion and regular feedback.
YOUR FUTURE
Suitable roles for graduates include:
Public relations (agency and in-house)
Marketing
Digital and social media communications
Crisis management
Internal communications
Research and analysis
Content management
Stakeholder relations
Customer communications analysis
Brand partnership
Graduates will be in a good position to pursue further professional qualifications. Chartered Institute of Public Relations diplomas are available in areas of expertise such as crisis management and internal communication. Membership of the CIPR encourages continued professional development (CPD).
MPhil/PhD options are open to those wishing to pursue academic research and teaching.
INDUSTRY LINKS
Live client briefs are used for the ‘Multimedia Campaign’ unit. The ‘Professional Practice’ unit requires every student to undertake a work placement or freelance project. Students who are in work while taking the course have the opportunity to adapt the topic of their assignments to suit the needs of their employers. Adaptable units include:
Dissertation/Final Project
Multimedia Campaigns
Professional Practice
Evaluation and Measurement
PR in a Multimedia World
There is a strong relationship between the course and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, as evidenced by the participation of the CIPR Presidents in our eBook in a day events. These events have been organised by the MA students for the past two years.
Students benefit from a range of guest speakers and practical events including a crisis simulation, an ‘eCampaign’ in a day, and participation in industry events.
PLACEMENTS
Work placements and freelance projects are a core part of the curriculum, helping to ensure that students graduate with a range of relevant workplace experience.
Students are encouraged to source their own client (through Solent Creatives) or to find a work placement that is appropriate to their career ambitions. The course team will be available to provide support and guidance as necessary.
The placements and projects vary in length, depending on client needs. The minimum required is a four week placement, but on average the client projects last much longer.
