Corporate Communications and Public Affairs

Stage 1

You will develop an understanding of the legal, ethical, political, economic and institutional frameworks you will operate in. Evaluating and apply theories of Corporate Communication and Public Affairs is a key part of this stage.

Stage 2

You will continue to develop your specialist skills, in-depth knowledge and practical experience. You will present a written research proposal for submission, which will normally form the basis for the master's dissertation or project. A four week period of professional industry experience is undertaken at the end of the taught modules.

Stage 3

The Project/Dissertation can take the form of a practical project as an alternative to the traditional academic dissertation of 15,000 words. You will work independently but under tutorial supervision, to undertake the research and prepare the project/dissertation.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

On Campus Study

You will learn through lectures, tutorials, industry-led workshops and live client projects. These comprise of a mix of group study, site visits, discussion, simulation and presentations of findings by teams and individuals.

Access to our virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle, is also provided giving you access from home to learning materials (including videos, e-books and journals).

Part Time On Campus Study

You will combine aspects of online learning and on-campus delivery. You will benefit from the support of CampusMoodle but also face-to-face interaction with tutors and classmates.

Activity Summary

• Lectures (Full-time) - 15-25 students per group, 6-8 hours per week
• Lectures (part-time) - 5-10 students per group, 3-4 hours per week
• Tutorials (Full-time) - 3-4 hours per week
• Tutorials (Part-time) - 1-2 hours per week
• Project Supervision - one-to-one, 0.5 hours per week
• Field Work - 1 hour per course
• External Visits - hours dependent on delivery mode

How long is a Corporate Communications and Public Affairs course?

The Corporate Communications and Public Affairs MSc can be successfully completed within 12 months - 3 years.

Independent Study

Please note the below assessment period represents full-time on campus mode only, part-time mode students will study the same number of assessments but over a three year period.

• 4 reports
• 1 dissertation
• 2 portfolios
• 2 project outputs

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Staff Delivering on this Course

The teaching team on this course have professorial and doctoral level knowledge and experience of the subject. They come from a variety of professional backgrounds including Blue Chip consultancy, economic development, public sector, health, the creative industries and the arts.

Many staff members have featured in the annual Support and Teaching staff with Appreciation and Recognition (STAR) awards voted by the students and organised by RGU:Union.

Other staff include guest lecturers and industry professionals who share their experiences and best practice through a series of events and workshops.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

You will have the opportunity to undertake a four-week period of professional industry experience in a communication, media or marketing environment, which will enable you to put into practice the knowledge and skills developed throughout the course and observe the overall running of the company.

You will have access to our Placement Office, who will support you remotely in sourcing and validating a suitable position.

Previous students have worked with blue-chip corporation, global communications consultancies, global broadcasting companies, newspaper corporations, leading arts and heritage organisations, oil and gas companies, marketing agencies and charities.

Job Prospects

On successful completion of this course, you will be provided with a wide range of career opportunities within the wider Corporate Communication industry. Example fields include corporate communication, media relations, public relations, public affairs and role within internal communication and crisis management consultancies.

Is Corporate Communications and Public Affairs a good career choice?

Previous graduates have gone on to work as:

• PR and Marketing Executives
• Communications Coordinators
• Marketing Executives

What is needed for an MSc in Corporate Communications and Public Affairs?

• Applicants normally hold a 2:2 undergraduate honours degree or its equivalent in any subject area.
• Applicants with a lower degree classification and / or relevant work experience will be considered on a case by case basis.
• Applicants who successfully achieve the RGU Pre-Masters Graduate Certificate Creative and Cultural Business are also eligible to apply or this Masters.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 6.5 overall, with no component lower than 5.5, or an equivalent.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.