BA Hons Marketing Communications with Public Relations

3 Years On Campus Bachelors Program

Bournemouth University

Program Overview

If you’re someone who enjoys creativity, storytelling and understanding how brands connect with people, this course will feel like the perfect match. Marketing Communications with Public Relations at Bournemouth University helps you learn how to shape a brand’s voice, manage its reputation and create campaigns that genuinely influence how audiences think and feel.

Curriculum Structure

Year 1

Your first year gives you the building blocks of marketing and PR. Through modules like Principles of Marketing Communications, Digital Essentials and Integrated Marketing Communications, you’ll explore how brands communicate, how digital tools work, and why audience behaviour matters. You’ll also dive into Contemporary Debates in Marketing Communications and build early research skills through Research in Action 1.

Year 2

In your second year, you’ll move into the heart of PR practice. With modules such as Principles of Public Relations, Content Creation and PR Events, you’ll learn how to write compelling stories, design engaging content and plan events that bring a brand to life. This is the year where theory becomes practice — you’ll work with real briefs, pitch ideas and develop campaigns that reflect what professionals do every day.

Final Year

By your final year, you’ll think and operate like a communications strategist. You’ll study Strategic Management for PR and Reputation Management and Crisis Communication, where you learn how organisations protect their image and respond to challenges. Your dissertation and optional modules such as Brand Meaning or Social Media Management let you specialise in the areas that excite you most.

Focus areas: strategic PR, digital content, crisis communication, brand storytelling, audience engagement

Learning outcomes: create and manage campaigns; develop content across media formats; analyse brand and audience behaviour; manage organisational reputation; work on real PR challenges with confidence

Professional alignment: this degree is accredited by the Chartered Institute of Marketing (CIM) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) — a major advantage when you’re applying for internships and graduate roles

Reputation: Bournemouth University has excellent industry links, with students earning placements at major organisations including Walt Disney Studios, Warner Brothers, Liverpool FC, Saatchi & Saatchi, and more, giving you strong real-world exposure

Experiential Learning (Research, Projects, Internships etc.)

What makes this course stand out is how quickly you start working like a real marketing and PR professional. Instead of only studying theories, you’ll be creating content, responding to real client briefs, and building campaigns in a supportive, creative environment. Bournemouth gives you access to industry-standard tools, media spaces, and a huge network of employers — so by the time you graduate, you’ll already have meaningful experience and a strong portfolio.

Here’s what this looks like in your day-to-day learning:

Real client projects: You’ll work on live briefs set by actual companies and charities, giving you the chance to develop campaigns, pitch ideas and see your work used in real-world contexts.
Optional placement year: You can take a 30-week or full placement year, with past students securing roles at places like Walt Disney Studios, Warner Brothers, Liverpool FC, creative agencies, and major PR firms.
Hands-on modules: From Content Creation to PR Events and Campaigns in Practice, many units require you to design events, craft digital content, write press materials and collaborate on group projects — exactly how the industry works.
Guest speakers and workshops: You’ll learn directly from professionals currently working in marketing, PR, branding and digital media, helping you understand industry expectations and build valuable contacts.
Creative facilities and digital tools: You’ll use media labs, collaborative workspaces and the university’s digital production resources to create videos, graphics, social media assets and campaign materials.

Progression & Future Opportunities

By the time you finish this degree, you’ll be ready for exciting roles where creativity, communication and strategy come together. Many students go on to become campaign managers, public relations officers, brand communication specialists, or digital PR executives — roles where you help organisations shape their voice and build meaningful connections with audiences. Because you graduate with hands-on experience and a strong portfolio, employers see you as someone who can contribute from day one.

To support you on that journey, Bournemouth offers:

A dedicated Careers & Employability team that helps you polish your CV, prepare for interviews, find internships and connect with agencies and brands looking for fresh talent.
Strong graduate outcomes — with a high percentage of students from this programme moving into work or further study within 15 months of graduating.
Professional accreditations from CIM and CIPR, giving your degree extra credibility when applying for PR, communications and marketing roles.
Opportunities to take a 30-week or full placement year, with past students gaining experience at major organisations like Disney, Warner Brothers, and Liverpool FC.
Long-term value through skills that remain relevant across industries: strategic thinking, content creation, crisis communication, influencer relations and brand storytelling.

Further Academic Progression:

After completing your bachelor’s degree, you can continue into a Master’s programme in areas such as Strategic Marketing, Public Relations, Digital Media, Branding or Corporate Communications. You also have the option to pursue professional qualifications through CIM or CIPR, which can strengthen your industry profile even further.