Public Relations and Media, BA (Hons)

Here’s how experiential learning comes to life in the BA (Hons) Public Relations and Media programme at Swansea University, and what a typical student experience really feels like:

From day one, you’ll be doing — not just watching.

This course is designed so that you build real, practical skills from the very start. You’ll spend time in media labs, take part in live campaigns, collaborate on creative group projects, and even have the option to complete an internship or placement year. The Media, Communications, Journalism & PR department has strong industry connections, so you’ll be encouraged to apply your learning directly to real-world situations. You’ll also receive dedicated support to help you secure placements — and if you’re feeling adventurous, you can even spend a semester abroad to gain international experience.

Hands-on opportunities and facilities

Work placements and the “Year in Industry”
You’ll have the chance to take a professional placement year — in the UK or overseas — where you’ll experience working in PR, media, digital agencies, or corporate communications roles. This gives you the chance to develop your network, boost your confidence, and understand how campaigns work in real organizations.

Study abroad options
If you want to see how PR and media operate globally, you can spend a semester abroad in destinations such as Hong Kong, Singapore, or the USA. It’s a brilliant way to gain new perspectives, expand your cultural awareness, and build international connections.

Real media production
Throughout your studies, you’ll get hands-on with digital media campaigns — planning strategies, creating content, managing branding and communications projects, and developing storytelling skills that combine creativity with strategy.

State-of-the-art facilities
You’ll have access to professional-standard media labs, studios, and production spaces where you can shoot, record, edit, and produce multimedia content for your coursework and projects.

Collaborative projects
Many modules are taught in workshops and seminars that mimic real agency environments. You’ll work with classmates to design and pitch campaigns, manage communications plans, and respond to live briefs — all skills that prepare you for a fast-paced PR career.

Student media opportunities
Swansea Student Media — which includes print, radio, and TV — is run by the Students’ Union and offers you the chance to get involved in creating content, running shows, or managing editorial teams. It’s a great way to build experience while being part of a creative community.

Support and guidance
You’ll have a personal tutor who will help you make the most of your degree — from academic progress to finding placements and exploring your career interests.

Research and resources
If you’re curious about the bigger picture, you can get involved in the department’s research clusters in areas like Media History, Technology, and Journalism. Plus, the university’s libraries, archives, and digital databases give you access to a wealth of resources to support your studies.

Graduates from this programme go on to exciting roles across public relations, media, marketing, and communications. Many become confident storytellers, strategic communicators, or creative content producers. Typical career paths include PR Officer or Communications Executive, Social Media Manager or Digital Strategist, Content Producer or Journalist, and Media Relations Consultant.

Here’s how Swansea supports your transition from student to professional, and what you can look forward to:

The Careers & Employability team offers one-to-one career guidance, tailored CV and interview workshops, employer networking events, and ongoing support from your very first year.

Through the Swansea Employability Academy, you’ll have access to resources, career guidance, and employability projects that help you gain hands-on experience while you study.

This degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), giving you professional recognition that’s respected across the PR industry.

You’ll also have the opportunity to complete a work placement or a year in industry, allowing you to gain valuable real-world experience and build professional connections in media or PR environments.

Swansea maintains strong industry links and regularly hosts guest lectures from professionals in media, PR, journalism, and marketing — meaning what you learn is always connected to current industry trends and practice.

Graduates from the School of Media, Communications & PR have gone on to work in a variety of sectors including public relations agencies, media organisations, marketing departments, NGOs, and broadcasting companies.

While Swansea doesn’t publish specific salary data for this course, PR graduates with CIPR accreditation in the UK typically start at competitive entry-level salaries, with rapid career progression as skills and experience grow.

Swansea is ranked 2nd in Wales for graduate prospects and among the UK’s top 40 universities for graduate outcomes, reflecting its strong focus on employability and career development.

Many alumni now work internationally as multimedia journalists, PR account executives, event coordinators, and digital content creators.

Further Academic Progression:
After completing the BA in Public Relations and Media, you can choose to deepen your expertise through postgraduate study. Many graduates go on to pursue a Master’s in areas such as Strategic Communication, Digital Media, Journalism, Branding, or Political Communication. Swansea itself offers an MA in Communication, Media Practice and Public Relations, which expands your skills with modules in branding, media design, video and podcast production, and includes a major research or practice-based project.