Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations MA | Masters

Overview

Global organisations are realising that their corporate communications and marketing functions need to work closely to communicate with stakeholders. This growing interdependence has partly been driven by the impact of online communications on organisational reputation.

This course explores the drivers and dynamics of modern corporate communications and its relationship with marketing and public relations. You will focus on stakeholder management, global strategic marketing, reputation management, media relations and social media.

Taught by academics who combine their professional experience with the latest research expertise, you’ll examine key theories and concepts and gain the practical professional skills employers are looking for.

You’ll benefit from our corporate connections, as senior figures working in the sector regularly visit to offer a practitioner’s view during guest lectures. Many also provide case studies and practical projects.

Course highlights

This course is shaped by the Business School’s Global and Strategic Marketing Research Centre, one of the leading centres of research marketing in Europe.
Learn from academics who bring their world-leading expertise to you in the classroom.
Develop cross-cultural thinking and understand how professional marketers operate across the world, helping you stand out in the global job market.
Learn in an inclusive international environment and graduate with a global perspective, able to collaborate with colleagues from all over the world.
Benefit from a full and varied programme of industry-experienced guest speakers who will share current trends and insight, helping you to connect your learning to developments and challenges in the industry.

Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.

Course content

The course provides you with an essential foundation in communications theory, marketing strategy and public relations practice.

You’ll explore the history and theory of corporate communications, connecting communications to overall corporate strategy. Alongside this, you’ll study the latest thinking in important areas of marketing such as global strategic marketing, marketing research, consumer culture and social media, as well as understanding how organisations manage their identities and reputation, marketing communications and public relation practices.

You will also benefit from a dedicated professional skills module designed to empower students by developing personal and professional skills and competencies essential for optimising employability and succeeding in the global business environment.

In addition, you will choose from a selection of optional modules that allow you to focus on a topic that matches your interests and career plans. You could focus on strategic priorities such as corporate social responsibility, digital and interactive marketing, brand management and corporate identity or marketing analytics. You could also refine your persuasive writing and speechmaking skills or learn how to manage change in an organisation.

The course culminates in a final dissertation, which allows you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you have gained, by focusing on a topic in-depth. Two options are available – you can either complete a standard research dissertation on an academic topic of your choice, or a practice-based dissertation, allowing you to work on a real-world marketing problem. 

Course structure

The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our Terms and conditions.

Course content will include modules around the following themes: <ul><li>Corporate Communication Strategy and Reputation </li><li>Global Marketing Strategy and Communications </li><li>Practices of Public Relations and Social Media Marketing </li><li>Marketing Research and Professional Skills</li></ul>Typically, you will also choose one optional module, allowing you to pursue an area of more specialised study line with your interests.

Learning and teaching

You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.

Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the School, your programme and modules.

On this course you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.

Assessment

Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.

This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.

Applying, fees and funding

Entry requirements

A Bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject. This course is primarily aimed at students with a general or non-business background; however we do not restrict entry for those who have previously studied marketing.

International qualifications

We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.

English language requirements

IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.

Improve your English

If you're an international student and you don't meet the English language requirements for this programme, you may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.

This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Marketing (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Marketing (10 weeks).

We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. You could study a part-time online course starting in January, or a full-time course in summer. Find out more about online pre-sessionals.

You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.

How to apply

Application deadline:

We operate a staged admissions process for this course with selection deadlines throughout the year.

If you do not receive an offer in a particular round, you will either be notified that your application has been unsuccessful, or we will carry your application forward to be considered in the next round.

Please see our How to Apply page for full details and the application deadlines for each stage.

Apply

Documents and information you’ll need

A copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
Two academic references
A personal statement
An up-to-date CV
Your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
A letter of sponsorship, if you need one.

* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.

Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.

Admissions policy

University of Leeds Taught Admissions Policy 2023

Fees

UK: £14,000 (total)
International: £27,500 (total)

Read more about paying fees and charges.

For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.

Additional cost information

There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more about additional costs.

Scholarships and financial support

We’re offering 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2023. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.

You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.

International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)

Masters Excellence Scholarships (UK applicants)

Career opportunities

As a graduate of this course, you will have a rounded and reflective approach to communications strategy and practice. Opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities will also build your teamwork, communication and employability skills to enhance your prospects after graduation.

Many graduates of this course become effective communications professionals, either in internal corporate and marketing communications roles or in PR, digital and social media agencies. Recently, our graduates have started careers as consultants, account executives and communications advisors for a range of organisations in the UK and overseas. Some examples of job titles include Digital PR Executive, PR and Marketing Manager, Programmatic Executive, and Officer of Branding and Marketing.

Links with industry

A number of senior figures from the world of corporate communications, marketing and public relations are invited to deliver guest lectures, providing a practitioner's view of the latest industry developments.

Recent contributors include: Sainsburys, Creative Concern, Ikea UK & IE, Sustainly, Marks and Spencer, Search Laboratory, Twentysix, Edit, Rise at Seven and Brand 24.

Careers support

As part of this course, our dedicated Professional Development Tutor will provide tailored academic and careers support to help you achieve your career ambitions.

You can expect expert advice and guidance on your career choices, help in identifying and applying for jobs, support to boost your employability, as well as one-to-one coaching on developing the professional skills you will need to start a successful career, and how to evidence these to prospective employers.

You’ll also benefit from the University’s award-winning Careers Centre, where you can access range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.