Mass Communications, Advertising and Public Relations BA (Hons)



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Course overview

Develop the knowledge, creativity and practical skills to succeed in the dynamic world of communications, advertising and public relations in this professionally accredited course.

Love telling stories, creating content and exploring how communication shapes the world around you? This flexible degree combines creativity, strategy and communication, giving you the opportunity to develop specialist knowledge in advertising and public relations while building the professional skills employers want.

For more than 20 years, Edinburgh Napier University has been inspiring students to turn their passion for storytelling into rewarding careers in communications. You’ll learn from experienced media practitioners and researchers who combine academic expertise with real-world insight, building your skills through hands-on projects, industry engagement and developing a portfolio of work that showcases your talent.

You'll graduate a creative, strategic and critical thinker, ready for employment or postgraduate study in areas such as strategic communications, public relations, public affairs, marketing, advertising, branding, digital content production and more.

Whether you begin in Year 1 or join through direct entry from college into Year 2 or Year 3, you'll explore different areas of media, communication, advertising and PR, helping you discover the career path that best matches your skills and ambitions.

Choose choice. Choose Edinburgh Napier.

International student ambassador Ja Wei Ho.

Mode of Study:

Full-time

Duration:

4 years

Start date:

Sep

UCAS code:

W123

Course details

The course has been designed and developed with the needs of both students and employers at its heart, preparing graduates for a rapidly changing media, social and economic landscape.

From day one, you'll explore how organisations build brands, engage audiences and shape public opinion across traditional and digital media. Through a blend of theory and practical experience, you'll gain a strong understanding of strategic communication, creative advertising, media relations, digital media and campaign development.

As you progress through the degree programme, you'll build specialist expertise in media, communications, advertising and public relations while working on real-world projects that prepare you for a wide range of careers in the creative and communications industries.

Graduates leave with the confidence and industry-relevant skills to pursue jobs in advertising, public relations, corporate communications, marketing, media and digital content, or to continue their studies at postgraduate level.

This degree shares its first two years with the BA (Hons) Media and Communication, giving you the opportunity to build a broad foundation in media and communication before choosing to specialise in advertising and PR in your final two years.

On this course, you'll:

  • build transferable skills that employers need, including critical thinking, creativity, curiosity, problem-solving, communication, collaboration, research and analytical skills.
  • develop a strong understanding of media and communication theory while applying your knowledge through practical, project-based learning.
  • prepare for postgraduate study or careers across the media and communication industries, including public relations, marketing, digital content creation, journalism, media production and international communication.
  • grow your confidence, professionalism and ability to collaborate, network and communicate effectively in a range of settings.
  • connect with industry through live client briefs, guest speakers and placement opportunities, helping you gain valuable experience and expand your professional network.
  • explore emerging trends and technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), and develop the critical and ethical skills to harness them effectively in media and communication contexts.
  • calendar

    How you’ll be taught

     Learning is hands-on and collaborative, combining lectures and tutorials with workshops, practical projects, teamwork, class discussions, one-to-one guidance and independent study to help you develop and apply the skills in a real-world setting. As you progress through Years 3 and 4, you'll work with external organisations on live projects, collaborating in small teams to solve real communication problems and produce work for your portfolio.
  • note and pen

    Assessments

     Assessments are designed to give you the opportunity to apply your knowledge and skills to tasks that reflect real-world media and communication practice. Depending on the module, you'll create portfolios, reflective learning logs, individual and team presentations, professional pitches and projects, with many assessments based on live or simulated briefs to professional and ethical standards.
  • briefcase

    Work placement

     There is an optional placement module in Year 3. In addition, a number of 3rd and 4th year modules have live projects with small student teams working with external organisations.
  • study abroad

    Study abroad

     There is an opportunity to study abroad for the 2nd trimester in Year 2.
  • library

    Facilities

    You will be based in the School of Arts and Creative Industries on our Merchiston campus, situated in the heart of Edinburgh, alongside the School of Computing, Engineering and the Built Environment.

    This mix of disciplines helps create an inspiring, innovative and collaborative atmosphere.

    This is enhanced by excellent facilities including newsrooms, TV, radio, podcasting, design and photography studios and sound-proofed music studios. There are also Mac Labs for creative design work.

    On campus, you’ll also find the 500-seat Jack Kilby Computing Centre and library, open 24 hours a day in Trimesters 1 and 2, student support services and Edinburgh Napier Students’ Association.

Popular modules

Year 1

Year 2

Year 3

Year 4

In addition to two core modules studied each semester in Years 1-3, you'll have access to a range of rich optional modules, allowing you to tailor your degree to reflect your interests, strengths and career ambitions.


All Year 4 modules are core and reflect the professional and academic focus for accreditation by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR).

RECOGNISED BY:

Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) - Studying a CIPR-recognised course gives you a direct head start in your public relations and strategic communications career. It proves that your degree meets the highest professional and ethical standards, ensuring everything you learn is grounded in real-world industry practice. You can apply for discounted CIPR student membership, unlocking regional networking events, mentorship opportunities, training resources and connections with leading practitioners. It also provides a fast track to full professional membership 1-year after graduation.

Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) - Being a partner university with the PRCA, a globally-recognised industry body, provides students with free membership and wide access to a range of free webinars, industry training and networking events.

Meet your Programme Leader and Teaching Team

Throughout your studies, you’ll learn from experienced professionals and industry leaders who bring valuable expertise, insight and real-world perspectives to your learning experience.

Programme Leader: Aideen McLaughlin.

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

What are the entry requirements for Mass Communications?

Our entry requirements indicate both Standard and Minimum qualifications with which we normally accept students. Competition for places varies from year to year and you aren't guaranteed a place if you meet the minimum qualifications.

Can you go straight into second year of university?

Advanced entry into Year 2 or Year 3 of this course is possible for students with suitable qualifications. See the individual year tabs for more information.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the undergraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

Minimum Year 1

Scottish Higher

  • Standard Entry Requirement: BBBB including English or other literary subject*.
  • Minimum Offer Entry Requirement: CCCC including English or other literary subject*.

You may be given an adjusted offer of entry if you meet our specified minimum entry requirements within our widening participation criteria, and outlined in our Contextual Admissions Policy. Click here for further information about our entry requirements and admissions policies.

A Level

  • BCC including English or other literary subject*.

Irish Leaving Certificate

  • H2, H2, H3, H3 at HL including English or other literary subject*.

BTEC (QCF) Extended Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades DMM (Merit, Merit, Merit) in a related subject.

BTEC (QCF) National Diploma Level 3

  • Minimum grades D*D* (Distinction*, Distinction*) in a related subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma

  • Award of Diploma with 28 points overall with three HL subjects at grades 6, 5, 4 including English other literary subject*

T Level

Grade Merit

  • T Level must be completed in a English/Literary subject or an A Level in an English subject may be required. Please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk to check if you meet the subject specific requirements.

 

*Literary subjects accepted: Modern Studies, History, Psychology, RMPS, Latin, Sociology, Theology, Media Studies, Politics, Classics, Philosophy, Geography, A Level Government and Politics, A Level Classical Civilisation, A Level Drama.

Minimum Year 2

HNC

  • Pass HNC with grade B at SCQF level 7 in all graded units.
  • Accepted HNCs - Advertising and PR, Media and Communication, Events Management, Marketing. Other HNCs where the primary subject areas include Advertising, PR or Branding will be considered individually.

Minimum Year 3

HND

  • Pass HND with grade B at SCQF level 8 in all graded units.
  • Accepted HNDs - Advertising and PR, Media and Communication, Events Management, Marketing, Fashion Business.  Other HNDs where the primary subject areas include Advertising, PR or Branding will be considered individually.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test. The English Language requirements for this programme are IELTS (Academic) with 6.0 overall and no element below 5.5.  For guidance on the acceptability of other English Language tests please contact ugadmissions@napier.ac.uk.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English. Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

If you do not currently meet our minimum English language requirements, we offer a number of pre-sessional English language courses which could help you achieve the required level. 

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • MSc Nursing courses
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2026/27 2027/28
Scotland £1,820 £tba
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £9,790 tba
Overseas and EU £18,220 tba

Students from England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland will be invoiced the tuition fees for 3 years of their 4 years of study.

Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.

If additional compulsory costs other than the tuition fees are applicable, these will be detailed in the course details.

Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


The University offers a 10% discount on MSc Postgraduate Taught Masters programmes to its alumni. The discount applies to all full-time, part-time and online programmes.

Careers & employability

Future graduate promotional pins.

What can you do with a BA (Hons) Mass Communications, Advertising and Public Relations degree?

This degree combines creative thinking with strategic communication, giving you the skills to develop campaigns, build brands, engage audiences and manage reputations across a rapidly evolving media landscape.

Through a mix of academic study, practical projects and live industry briefs, you'll gain hands-on experience creating integrated communication campaigns and tackling real-world challenges. The degree also equips you to adapt to emerging roles in digital media and communication as technologies and industries continue to evolve.

Graduates are well prepared for careers in:

  • Advertising
  • Public relations
  • Corporate communications
  • Marketing communications
  • Public affairs
  • Branding and brand management
  • Reputation management
  • Media and digital communications
  • The wider creative industries

Whether you want to work for a global agency, an in-house communications team, the public sector or launch your own creative career, you'll graduate with the knowledge, practical experience and professional confidence to make an impact.

Spotlight: What does a Public Relations Officer do?

As a PR Officer, your job is to help organisations communicate effectively with their key audiences, build their reputation and share their stories. You might develop communication strategies and campaigns, write press releases, pitch stories to journalists, manage social media channels, respond to media enquiries, write copy, produce digital content and support events.

This role combines creativity with strategic thinking, giving you the opportunity to shape an organisation's public image, engage stakeholders and communicate across a wide range of print and digital channels and platforms.

Recent graduates at Usher Hall.