Ground-Breaking PR Degrees at Greenwich
The University of Greenwich launches two ground-breaking degrees in Public Relations this year.
Students will work in an agency environment and pitch to real practitioners in the new BA (Hons) starting this October and Executive MA which is planned to start later in the academic year.
Luminaries in the PR world like Louise Fish (Communications Director, NICE), Donald Steel (Head of Press, BBC) and Kevin Read (Managing Director, Bell Pottinger Business and Brand) have helped to develop the courses which will combine a firm theoretical grounding with the latest industry practices.
And both degrees have been approved by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), a first in London, so students will leave with their professional qualifications under their belt as well as the benefits of the broader university education. The CIPR advanced certificate is embedded in the BA, and the CIPR diploma in the MA.
Mark Ramsdale, Head of Education Policy at the CIPR, says: "We're delighted to approve the university’s BA and MA in Public Relations. The CIPR focuses on raising professional standards in the PR industry through education and our course approval process is exacting. The University of Greenwich's well-balanced course provides students with necessary communications theory using up-to-date teaching methods, enabling them to hit the ground running when they start their PR career. We wish the course and its students the best."
Sarah Roberts, a practitioner with over 15 years experience who has helped to develop the programme, says: "PR is the interface between an organisation and its public; it is how an organisation says, ‘This is what we are all about and what we can do for you’. It couldn't be more critical to success so it matters that everyone in PR understands how to work effectively and to a high standard. Everyone in PR should strive for professional recognition and get an industry approved qualification."
Public Relations is a fast growing industry employing around 50,000 people in the UK with a turnover of at least £7 billion. It consistently ranks in the top three career choices of graduates.
Sarah adds: "What organisations tell us is they want graduates who can add value straight away and senior professionals who can broaden their perspective to use PR as a strategic tool, helping to take their organisations ahead. We have designed these two courses to give students a robust understanding of business and communications theory together with lots of hands-on practical PR experience including pitching ideas, writing effectively and creative thinking. The impact of new technology and social media, globalisation, the increasing sophistication of audiences and the drivers of ethical behaviour and corporate responsibility are all embedded in the core subjects and options provide opportunities to specialise later on”.
The BA is a full-time, three year degree course while the Executive MA is taught on Friday evenings and Saturdays, once a month, allowing students to combine study and work.
The two programmes have been led by Mandy Atkinson (a senior lecturer at the University of Greenwich), with support from Sarah Roberts (a practitioner with over 15 years experience who joins the university team as a part-time senior lecturer) and Paul Simpson (former head of PR at BBC Radio 1).
For more information, interviews and images
Caron Jones
University of Greenwich Public Relations
0208 331 8248
Caron.Jones@gre.ac.uk