Handbook

There is a more recent version of this academic item available.

Overview

Students commencing prior to 2021 should refer to program 8282 Master of Public Relations and Advertising. The Master of Public Relations and Advertising (MPRA) will provide graduates or those seeking to change careers a professionally relevant, rigorous education in public relations and advertising. As a student you will be challenged … For more content click the Read More button below. The Master of Public Relations and Advertising program aims to develop a critical understanding of professional communication through the application of contemporary research and theory to public relations and advertising discourses and contexts. Key objectives are to examine modes of communicative practice including informative, persuasive, creative, promotional, digital and interpersonal discourses, and to engage ethically with publics and communities, engage creatively with ideas and production technology and engage professionally with organisational practices. Graduates will develop knowledge of how professional communicators can help organisations build mutually beneficial relationships with publics including citizens, consumers and critics.

Students commencing prior to 2021 should refer to program 8282 Master of Public Relations and Advertising.

The Master of Public Relations and Advertising (MPRA) will provide graduates or those seeking to change careers a professionally relevant, rigorous education in public relations and advertising. As a student you will be challenged to and equipped to think critically and innovatively in your development of PR and advertising strategies. Merging contemporary theory and academic rigour with creativity, research, and practical industry skills, the Master of Public Relations and Advertising is ideal for industry professionals seeking to advance their career, as well as career-changers wanting to enter a vibrant and rapidly evolving industry. The Master of Public Relations and Advertising combines creative approaches with in-depth knowledge of the theory and research behind the planning and implementation of highly successful public relations and advertising strategies.

The Master of Public Relations and Advertising program aims to develop a critical understanding of professional communication through the application of contemporary research and theory to public relations and advertising discourses and contexts. Key objectives are to examine modes of communicative practice including informative, persuasive, creative, promotional, digital and interpersonal discourses, and to engage ethically with publics and communities, engage creatively with ideas and production technology and engage professionally with organisational practices. Graduates will develop knowledge of how professional communicators can help organisations build mutually beneficial relationships with publics including citizens, consumers and critics.

Learning Outcomes

Articulate advertising, public relations, and interdisciplinary theories and practices—and synthesise these with societal and cultural concerns

Global citizens
Professionals
Scholars

Continuously acquire and develop the advertising, public relations, and interdisciplinary knowledge, skills, and capacities necessary to exhibiting expertise and to finding career fulfilment

Scholars
Professionals

Critically and creatively engage complex bodies of advertising, public relations, and interdisciplinary knowledge to inform, appraise, and/or lead professional practice and/or scholarship

Scholars
Professionals
Leaders

Shape nuanced, media-aware communication strategies and tactics for a range of specialist and non-specialist audiences

Leaders
Global citizens
Professionals

Demonstrate self-directed and reflective problem-solving skills

Scholars
Professionals

Act ethically, respectfully, and responsibly in the context of professional and regulatory frameworks

Global citizens
Professionals

Collaborate effectively with others

Professionals

Graduate Capabilities

For more information on Graduate Capabilities please click on this link

Program Structure

48 UOC specialisation (MDIAES) - 1 year / 48 UOC

Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18-30 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (18 - 30 UOC)

72 UOC specialisation (MDIAFS) - 1.7 year / 72 UOC

Foundation Core Course (6 UOC)
Cognate Courses (24 UOC)
Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18-30 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (12 - 24 UOC)

96 UOC specialisation (MDIAIS) - 2 year / 96 UOC

Foundation Core Course (6 UOC)
Cognate Courses (36 UOC)
Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18-30 UOC)
Prescribed Electives (24 - 36 UOC)

Specialisation Requirements

Enrolment Disclaimer

Please note that this Handbook is a comprehensive catalogue of our offerings and includes courses that can be taken to satisfy program requirements irrespective as to their availability for a particular year. Availability of courses is best checked using filters on this site or on the class timetable site.

You are responsible for ensuring that you enrol in courses according to your program requirements and by following the advice of your Program Authority. myUNSW enrolment checks that you have met enrolment requirements such as pre-requisites for individual courses but not that you are enrolling in courses that will count towards your program requirements.

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

The admission requirements for the MPRA program 8282 are as follows:

MPRA 48 UOC Plan (1 year)

Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

MPRA 72 UOC Plan (1.7 year)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

MPRA 96 UOC Plan (2 year)

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65% or better.

Honours degree or Graduate Diploma* (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%

Relevant disciplines for these programs include:

Arts, humanities, Social Sciences
Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing
Business, Economics, Commerce
Law
Design

Applicants with a degree in a discipline not listed here but who wish to make a case for its academic relevance to these programs should enquire here: studyarts@unsw.edu.au

*it is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.

Limitations on Recognition of Prior Learning

For more information about admission requirements for various UNSW programs, visit the following website(s):

Domestic Students

International Student

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

For more information on university policy on progression requirements please visit Academic Progression

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Master of Public Relations and Advertising - MPRA
Master of Design - MDes8234 - PR and Advertising / Design

Recognition of Achievement

Award with Excellence

Current Students Award with Excellence

For more information, please visit:

The Award with Excellence is awarded in coursework masters programs, including Masters (Extension) but with the exception of Masters (Extended) such as JD and MD, when a Weighted Average Mean (WAM) of at least 80% has been achieved and at least 50% of the requirements of the award are completed at UNSW. All eligible programs will award 'with Excellence' except in special circumstances where approval of Academic Board has been given for a program to opt out.

Program Fees

At UNSW fees are generally charged at course level and therefore dependent upon individual enrolment and other factors such as student's residency status. For generic information on fees and additional expenses of UNSW programs, click on one of the following:

Domestic Students

Commonwealth Supported Students (if applicable)

International Students

Additional Expenses and Resources

Students require access to Library facilities, UNSW Computer labs, and the Learning Centre. All readers are electronic and provided via Blackboard/Moodle.

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Access past handbook editions (2018 and prior)

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions

Faculty
Faculty: The primary academic unit in which related disciplines of teaching and research are conducted.

Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture

Campus

Sydney

Study Level
Study Level refers to the academic level of a program, specialisation or course.

Postgraduate

Typical duration:

2 Year(s)

Delivery Mode

Fully online, Research, Face-to-face (includes blended)

Intake Period

Term 1, Term 2, Term 3

Academic Calendar

Minimum Units of Credit

AQF Level

Level 9

Award Type

Masters (Coursework)

Award(s)
Award(s): Qualification upon completion (all awards offered by UNSW are accredited by UNSW and align with the Australian Qualifications Framework).

Master of Public Relations and Advertising - MPRA

CRICOS Code

083245C

PR and Advertising

8281

96 Units of Credit

Overview

Learning Outcomes

Graduate Capabilities

Program Structure

Enrolment Disclaimer

Admission Requirements

Entry Requirements

Program Requirements

Progression Requirements

Associated Programs

Related Double Degree

Recognition of Achievement

Program Fees

Additional Expenses and Resources

Pre-2019 Handbook Editions