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      Study public relations abroad

      An in-depth guide to studying public relations as an international student.

      Find public relations programs

      Explore public relations programs abroad

      See other programs in public relations

      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

      Best countries to study public relations

      Best universities to study public relations

      See all universities offering public relations programs

      How to study public relations abroad

      1. University & program search

        Find the right program for you and your career aspirations

      2. Application guidance

        We'll get you to the right place to start your application

      3. Visa & travel advice

        Get help after application, all the way to your first day at university

      Our team of advisors is ready to support you at every step of your study abroad journey.
      Our services are 100% free for students like you because we're funded by universities.

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      Public relations study abroad programs

      Public relations undergraduate programs

      Bachelor's in public relations

      • false

        Communication and Media Studies - Public Relations - BA Fisher College, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        31,992 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 31,992 USD

        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Communication and Media Studies - Public Relations
      • false

        Communication Studies with specializations in Media Studies, Public Relations - BA Oglethorpe University, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        39,300 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 39,300 USD

        Start date
        January, June, August
        Show program overview about Communication Studies with specializations in Media Studies, Public Relations
      • false

        Mass Communication - Emphasis in Public Relations - BSc Campbellsville University, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        25,400 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 25,400 USD

        Start date
        January, August, October
        Show program overview about Mass Communication - Emphasis in Public Relations
      • false

        Advertising & Public Relations: Global/Multicultural Communication - BJour University of Nebraska-Lincoln, USA

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        4 years
        Annual tuition fee
        27,000 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 27,000 USD

        Start date
        January, June, August
        Show program overview about Advertising & Public Relations: Global/Multicultural Communication
      • false

        Digital Media and Communications – Specialisation: Public Relations and Advertising in Networked Society - BA University of Nicosia, Cyprus

        Program type
        Bachelor's
        Duration
        18 months
        Annual tuition fee
        8,296 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 6,840 EUR

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Digital Media and Communications – Specialisation: Public Relations and Advertising in Networked Society
      See all bachelor's degrees in public relations

      Diploma in public relations

      • false

        Public Relations - AdvDip Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

        Program type
        Undergraduate diploma
        Duration
        3 years
        Annual tuition fee
        12,202 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Public Relations
      • false

        Public Relations (compressed) - OCADip Durham College, Canada

        Program type
        Undergraduate diploma
        Duration
        30 months
        Annual tuition fee
        12,419 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 15,687 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Public Relations (compressed)
      See all undergraduate diplomas in public relations

      Pathway in public relations

      • false

        Public Relations & Brand Communication (Foundation) - FD Leeds Beckett University, UK

        Program type
        Undergraduate pathway
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        14,929 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 10,900 GBP

        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Public Relations & Brand Communication (Foundation)
      See all undergraduate pathways in public relations

      Public relations graduate programs

      Master's in public relations

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        Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management - MSc University of Stirling, UK

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        21,845 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 15,950 GBP

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management
      • false

        Mass Communications/Public Relations Concentration - MA/MSc Murray State University, USA

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        13,200 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 13,200 USD

        Start date
        January, August
        Show program overview about Mass Communications/Public Relations Concentration
      • false

        Communication & Public Relations - MBA EU Business School, Spain
        • Online

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        21,105 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 17,400 EUR

        Start date
        January, October
        Show program overview about Communication & Public Relations
      • false

        Public Relations and Strategic Communications - MSc (with foundation) Dublin City University, Ireland

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        2 years
        Annual tuition fee
        18,194 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 15,000 EUR

        Start date
        September, February, June
        Show program overview about Public Relations and Strategic Communications
      • false

        Public Relations - MA Technological University Dublin, Ireland

        Program type
        Master's
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        13,949 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 11,500 EUR

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Public Relations
      See all master's degrees in public relations

      Certificate in public relations

      • false

        Public Relations – Corporate Communications - PGCert Centennial College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        13,087 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 16,531 CAD

        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Public Relations – Corporate Communications
      • false

        Public Relations - Corporate Communications - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        13,202 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 16,676 CAD

        Start date
        January, September
        Show program overview about Public Relations - Corporate Communications
      • false

        Public Relations - PGCert Humber College Institute of Technology and Advanced Learning, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        1 year
        Annual tuition fee
        13,088 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 16,532 CAD

        Start date
        January
        Show program overview about Public Relations
      • false

        Public Relations: Corporate Communications - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

        Program type
        Postgraduate certificate
        Duration
        8 months
        Annual tuition fee
        18,118 USD

        Fee in university's local currency 22,885 CAD

        Start date
        September
        Show program overview about Public Relations: Corporate Communications
      See all postgraduate certificates in public relations

      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.