Study public relations abroad
An in-depth guide to studying public relations as an international student.
Explore public relations programs abroad
-
PhD programs in
public relationsNo programs listed
Public relations degrees abroad
Public relations (PR) describes the way that organizations work to create positive public perceptions of themselves and control their reputations. It’s a field that encompasses elements of marketing, business, and advertising.
As a PR student, you’ll learn how to communicate effectively, build strategic relationships, successfully promote brands, and manage the media. You’ll study the theoretical and practical aspects of campaign planning, consumer psychology, client management, and copywriting. You’ll graduate with the knowledge and skills necessary to kickstart your career in PR.
More and more businesses are now operating internationally, meaning PR professionals with the expertise to work across borders are in high demand. By studying abroad, you’ll see how companies use different PR practices, strategies, and campaigns to connect with different cultures and demographics. This will help you to hone your craft and develop the international outlook desired by employers.
Public relations program structure
You can study PR at various undergraduate and graduate levels, including diplomas, certificates, bachelor’s, master’s, and doctorate programs. Diploma and certificate programs typically involve one or two years of study and will introduce to the fundamentals of the field.
The most popular course of study is to complete a bachelor’s degree over three or four years. These programs are typically offered as a BA, however, some universities might classify PR degrees as a BSc if they include more analytical and mathematical components of marketing. In Europe, most bachelor’s programs will be accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
Although most entry-level PR roles will only require a bachelor’s degree, there are options to undertake postgraduate qualifications if you’re looking to secure a management position after graduating. A master’s can be studied over one or two years, followed by a PhD which usually takes five years of study.
Teaching usually takes the form of lectures, seminars, tutorials, practical workshops, and guest presentations from industry professionals. Assessment methods on PR programs involve exams, written assignments, presentations, case studies, and portfolios of projects relating to real-life client briefs.
Although the exact content of your PR course will depend on the university and country you choose to study in, you can expect to cover the following core topics:
- Understanding public relations
- PR concepts and contexts
- PR events
- Media platforms
- The principles and practices of communication
- Consumer psychology
- Business strategy
- Managing the brand
How to study public relations abroad
-
Universities & programs
Find the right program for you and your career aspirations
-
Application assistance
Be guided through your application process
-
Visa & embassy guidance
Maximise your chances of being granted a visa
-
Enrollment & travel advice
Get support all the way to your first day at university
Public relations study abroad programs
Public relations undergraduate programs
Bachelor's in public relations
-
Communication Arts (Public Relations) - BA St. Francis College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 26,688 USD
- Start date
- January, May, September
-
Communication Arts - Public Relations - BA Concord University, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 18,186 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Communication and Media Studies - Public Relations - BA Fisher College, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 31,992 USD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Advertising and Public Relations - BJour University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 27,000 USD
- Start date
- January, June, August
-
Integrated Strategic Communication - Public Relations - BA University of Kentucky, USA
- Program type
- Bachelor's
- Duration
- 4 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 29,050 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Pathway in public relations
-
Public Relations with Journalism (Foundation) - UGP Leeds Beckett University, UK
- Program type
- Undergraduate pathway
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 10,900 USD
- Start date
- January, September
Diploma in public relations
-
Public Relations - Dip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 3 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,412 CAD
- Start date
- September
-
Public Relations (compressed) - Dip Durham College, Canada
- Program type
- Undergraduate diploma
- Duration
- 30 months
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,687 CAD
- Start date
- September
Public relations graduate programs
Master's in public relations
-
Strategic Communication and Public Relations (Joint Degree PFU Barcelona) - MSc University of Stirling, UK
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 15,950 GBP
- Start date
- September
-
Public Relations and Advertising - MA DePaul University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 24,320 USD
- Start date
- January, March, September
-
Mass Communications/Public Relations Concentration - MA/MSc Murray State University, USA
- Program type
- Master's
- Duration
- 2 years
- Tuition fees per year
- 13,200 USD
- Start date
- January, August
Certificate in public relations
-
Public Relations - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,532 CAD
- Start date
- January
-
Public Relations – Corporate Communications - PGCert Centennial College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,531 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
-
Public Relations - Corporate Communications - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada
- Program type
- Postgraduate certificate
- Duration
- 1 year
- Tuition fees per year
- 16,676 CAD
- Start date
- January, September
Future public relations careers
A degree in PR will open many career opportunities for you because almost every organization needs to manage its public image. You’ll have the instinct and expertise to excel in any of the following roles:
- Public relations officer
- Publicist
- Communications officer
- Marketing executive
- Social media manager
- Press officer
- Crisis manager
- Copywriter
PR is a competitive industry and most employers prefer to recruit individuals with proven experience and a willingness to learn. As such, it’s a good idea to look for an internship at a PR agency, or in the communications department of a company. Honing your craft and networking with experts will help take your application to the next level.
