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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

    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.
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    Public relations study abroad programs

    Public relations undergraduate programs

    Bachelor's in public relations

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      Advertising / Public Relations - BA University of Central Florida, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      22,478 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 22,478 USD

      Start date
      January, May, August
      Show program overview about Advertising / Public Relations
    • false

      Advertising And Public Relations - BA/BSc University of Nebraska at Kearney, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      14,900 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 14,900 USD

      Start date
      January, August
      Show program overview about Advertising And Public Relations
    • false

      Advertising and Public Relations - BCS (with placement) Universidad CEU San Pablo, Spain

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      45 months
      Annual tuition fee
      15,891 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 13,390 EUR

      Start date
      September
      Show program overview about Advertising and Public Relations
    • false

      Media and Public Relations - BA (Hons) London Metropolitan University, UK

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      17,672 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 12,700 GBP

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

      Advertising, Social Media and Public Relations - BA Lynn University, USA

      Program type
      Bachelor's
      Duration
      4 years
      Annual tuition fee
      37,600 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 37,600 USD

      Start date
      January, May
      Show program overview about Advertising, Social Media and Public Relations
    See all bachelor's degrees in public relations

    Diploma in public relations

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

      Program type
      Undergraduate diploma
      Duration
      3 years
      Annual tuition fee
      12,288 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 15,412 CAD

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

    Certificate in public relations

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      Public Relations - Cert University of Regina, Canada

      Program type
      Undergraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      14,352 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 18,000 CAD

      Start date
      September, January, May
      Show program overview about Public Relations
    See all undergraduate certificates in public relations

    Pathway in public relations

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

      Program type
      Undergraduate pathway
      Duration
      2 years
      Annual tuition fee
      15,167 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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      Communication & Public Relations - MBA EU Business School, Spain
      • Online

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      20,650 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 17,400 EUR

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

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

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      18 months
      Annual tuition fee
      8,225 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 6,930 EUR

      Start date
      February, June, September
      Show program overview about Digital Media and Communications: Public Relations and Advertising in Networked Society
    • 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

      Multimedia Public Relations - MA Teesside University, UK

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      18,090 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 13,000 GBP

      Start date
      September, January
      Show program overview about Multimedia Public Relations
    • false

      Public Relations - MSc Full Sail University, USA
      • Online

      Program type
      Master's
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      35,000 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 35,000 USD

      Start date
      January, February, March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, November, December
      Show program overview about Public Relations
    See all master's degrees in public relations

    Diploma in public relations

    • false

      Communication Studies: Public Relations - PGDip Auckland University of Technology, New Zealand

      Program type
      Postgraduate diploma
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      23,778 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 33,724 NZD

      Start date
      January, February
      Show program overview about Communication Studies: Public Relations
    See all postgraduate diplomas 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
      Annual tuition fee
      13,181 USD

      Fee in university's local currency 16,532 CAD

      Start date
      January
      Show program overview about Public Relations
    • false

      Public Relations - Corporate Communications - OCGCert Fanshawe College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,296 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 – Corporate Communications - PGCert Centennial College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      1 year
      Annual tuition fee
      13,180 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 - PGCert Sheridan College, Canada

      Program type
      Postgraduate certificate
      Duration
      8 months
      Annual tuition fee
      18,246 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.