| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time 2 years part time |
| Entry year | September 2026 |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Media and Communications |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | 2:2 Honours degree |
|---|---|
Overview
- Build advanced expertise in PR strategy, reputation management and brand communication across diverse sectors.
- Create standout social media campaigns in the fast-paced attention economy.
- Explore the impact of AI on online culture and learn from real-life influencers.
- Apply global promotional strategies through practical case studies and live briefs.
- Tailor your degree with flexible module choices and learn from PR experts and industry pros.
Top 10 for Communication and Media Studies
8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Home to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
The biggest film-related archive in the UK outside the British Film Institute
Develop transferable skills and specialist knowledge through interdisciplinary teaching
Varied graduate careers
Top 10 for Communication and Media Studies
8th in The Times and The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025
Home to the Bill Douglas Cinema Museum
The biggest film-related archive in the UK outside the British Film Institute
Develop transferable skills and specialist knowledge through interdisciplinary teaching
Varied graduate careers
Entry requirements
2:2 Honours degree.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
English language requirements
International students need to show they have the required level of English language to study this course. The required test scores for this course fall under Profile B2. Please visit our English language requirements page to view the required test scores and equivalencies from your country.
Course content
The MA Media and Public Relations offers a dynamic blend of academic theory and practical application, preparing you for careers in PR, media and the creative industries. You'll explore key strategies in branding, digital marketing, social media campaigning and reputation management, while gaining a critical understanding of AI’s impact on online culture.
The course focuses on developing transferable skills such as persuasive communication, ethical decision-making and creative problem-solving. You’ll also gain hands-on experience through case studies and optional modules tailored to your interests.
With access to cutting-edge facilities like the Digital Experience Lab, and learning from leading academics and industry professionals, you’ll be part of a vibrant, future-focused learning environment. The Industry Insights module supports you in mapping out your career goals.
Whether you're starting out or upskilling, this MA equips you with the expertise and confidence to thrive in today’s fast-paced media and PR sectors.
The modules we outline here provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand.
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMMM010 | Promotional Cultures in Consumer Society | 30 |
| CMMM016 | Strategic Communications | 30 |
| CDFM001 | Dissertation - Written | 60 |
Optional modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CMMM014 | Industry Insights | 30 |
| CMMM001 | Media and Communications: Theory and Concepts | 30 |
| CMMM017 | Manufacturing Fame: Reputation Management and Strategy | 30 |
| CMMM013 | AI and Society: Critical and Cultural Perspectives | 30 |
| EAFM009 | Transmedia Adaptations | 30 |
| EAFM910 | Stars, Stardom and Celebrity From the Classical Era to the Contemporary | 30 |
| DRAM142 | Creative Management | 30 |
Fees
2026/27 entry
UK fees per year:
£12,650 full-time; £6,325 part-time
International fees per year:
£25,550 full-time; £12,775 part-time
Scholarships
The University of Exeter has many different scholarships available to support your education, including £5 million in scholarships for international students applying to study with us in the 2025/26 academic year, such as our Exeter Excellence Scholarships*. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.
University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship
We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone taught Masters degree (eg MA, MSc, MRes, MFA, LLM, PGCert, PGDip) or research degree (eg MPhil, PhD) with us a scholarship towards the cost of their tuition fees. These scholarships are worth 20% of the first year tuition fee for students enrolling on a postgraduate taught or research programme of study in 2025/26. Full details can be found here.
*Terms and conditions apply. See online for details.
Teaching and research
Students on our MA in Media and Public Relations will receive a world-class education, including hands-on experience and training within unique facilities that support high-quality research and innovative creative production.
Research-led teaching ensures that module content reflects the latest trends in Media, Communications, and Public Relations. Alongside experts in PR, our department is home to world-leading Media and Communications scholars who research and publish in areas such as critical AI studies, big data, games studies, digital media governance and policy, digital technology and democracy, social media and migration, celebrity studies, cultural studies, digital platforms and collaborative communities, media and cultural activisms, digital inequalities, technology and inclusion, digital media and intimacy, data and communications infrastructure, and social studies of outer space.
Providing added value to your degree, guest speakers will provide valuable insights and connections, giving you the foundations to develop your own professional network and to identify key practitioners in public relations, strategic communications, and other media industries. Throughout the MA, you will also be encouraged to critically engage with the public relations industry and participate in debates about its future challenges and opportunities.
Facilities
We are fortunate to offer outstanding facilities and resources on the main Streatham Campus and in the Communications, Drama and Film buildings at Thornlea.
In the Alexander Building at Thornlea:
The Digital Experience Lab is home to two large OLED screens, a full surround sound audio system, and 16 workstations comprising 32-inch gaming monitors, Sony PS5 consoles, Apple Mac Studio M4 Max’s, and state-of-the-art multimedia editing and manipulation software.
The Content Creation Lab is a multimedia content creation studio that houses a greenscreen and range of digital cameras, lighting and audio recording equipment.
On the main campus:
The Digital Humanities Lab offers tools for examining digital content, preserving media artifacts, and analysing public discourse. The lab includes: a flagship seminar room with a 4.2-metre video wall, fostering interactive learning and collaborative media analysis; two state-of-the-art photography labs, supporting the digitisation of media content and visual PR materials; an audio-visual lab with a recording studio and sound editing suite – ideal for podcasting, campaign media, and digital storytelling; and a MakerSpace with 3D scanning and printing facilities, providing opportunities for creative promotional material development
The Bill Douglas Cinema Museum holds a vast collection of over 70,000 film-related artefacts, making it the largest research archive of its kind in any British university. It serves as a rich resource for students interested in media history, visual culture, and the evolution of public narratives. The state-of-the-art technology in our Digital Humanities Lab enhances your ability to study and analyse these materials, offering a distinctive, hands-on research experience.
I am a Lecturer (Assistant Professor) in Promotional Media (E&R). Before my appointment at Exeter, I worked at the University of Greenwich, Cardiff University, and King's College London. I have taught a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate subjects in the fields of advertising, media and communication and digital humanities.
Before entering academia, I worked for Country Garden Real Estate in China as a Senior Brand Manager; as a Journalist for Chinese Southern Daily in Foshan, and UK Chinese Journal in London; and as a Research Associate for China Current Network. I am the vice-president of the UK-China Media and Cultural Studies Association (UCMeCSA), and also a member of IAMCR, ICA, ECREA and MeCCSA.
Dr Zizheng Yu
Programme Director, MA Media and Public Relations
Careers
Our Masters programmes are designed to prepare you for a successful career, wherever in the world you plan to work. Employers expect advanced communication and technical skills, team-working and independent research, project-management and the very latest specialist knowledge from their postgraduate recruits.
Graduate destinations
Graduates from this programme will be prepared for professional opportunities in Public Relations, the creative industries and beyond. They will be equipped to enter research-led careers in sectors such as: education, the media, cultural industries, policy and production sectors, commercial and public service organisations, NGOs and the third sector.
Careers support
When it comes to securing a graduate-level position, we enjoy extremely good relations with members of the legal profession regionally, nationally and internationally. You will be supported by an Employability Officer, the wide range of services offered by Career Zone and have the opportunity to meet potential employers face-to-face through our annual Law Fair, workshops and careers sessions.
