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    Study public relations abroad

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

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    Explore public relations programs abroad

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    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

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    How to study public relations abroad

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    Public relations study abroad programs

    Public relations undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in public relations

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      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
      Show more details about Communication and Media Studies - Public Relations
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Communication Arts - Public Relations
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Communication Arts (Public Relations)
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Advertising and Public Relations
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Integrated Strategic Communication - Public Relations
    See all bachelor's degrees in public relations

    Public relations graduate programs

    Master's in public relations

    • false

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

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Tuition fees per year
      15,950 GBP
      Start date
      September
      Show more details about Strategic Public Relations and Communication Management
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Public Relations and Advertising
    See all master's degrees in public relations

    Certificate in public relations

    • false

      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
      Show more details about Public Relations
    • false

      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
      Show more details about Public Relations – Corporate Communications
    • false

      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
      Show more details 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.