Master of Public Relations & Advertising
Theory and practice for media futures.
Domestic
International
Combine practical experience with a deep theoretical understanding, to advance your career and prepare for the future of media, public relations and advertising.
Faculty
Faculty of Arts, Design and Architecture
Delivery Mode
Face-to-face (includes blended), Research
Award
Master of Public Relations and Advertising
Commencing Terms
Term 1, Term 2, Term 3
Duration (Full Time)
2 Year(s)
- Overview
- Entry requirements
- What will I study?
- Future careers
- How to apply
- Fees & Scholarships
Overview
The UNSW Master of Public Relations & Advertising is a two-year full-time postgraduate degree that will shape you into a well-rounded communication professional known for your creativity, innovation, and strategic thinking.
Merging best practice theory and academic rigour with creativity and practical industry skills, the Master of Public Relations and Advertising is ideal for industry professionals seeking to gain knowledge and advance their career, as well as career-changers wanting to enter a vibrant and rapidly evolving industry.
Key features
Understand the media industry
Mentored by academics who are leaders in the industry, you’ll acquire a versatile range of strategic communication skills, informed by an understanding of key trends, discourses, dynamics and patterns in global media and communications.
The practical and creative approach of the program will be balanced by critical engagement with the growing influence of public relations and advertising, as you explore perspectives from cultural studies, media studies, and digital network studies. Most importantly, you’ll learn about past and current industry landscapes, as well as how to predict trends and shifts in the industry, preparing you to adapt and thrive professionally.
Electives include industry-relevant subjects including Understanding Digital Cultures, Advertising Analytics, Understanding Contemporary Media, Advertising & Strategy and Writing for Media.
Connections to facilitate hands-on experience
You’ll be supported and encouraged to undertake industry-focused projects and work-integrated learning opportunities. Our strong industry connections can help you undertake real-world learning through work experience and establish networks to boost your career. UNSW is also a leading university for entrepreneurial programs and facilities, giving you the opportunity to nurture unique, start-up aspirations.
Explore the big issues
The School of Arts and Media also provides opportunities for study with experts in globalisation, political communications and climate change, preparing you to pursue a career that tackles some of today’s biggest challenges. This big-picture understanding will support your hands-on skills, empowering you to build ethical marketing communication strategies that influence the issues you care about.
Why study this degree at UNSW?
- We rank in the global top 50 for media (QS World University Rankings 2020)
- Practice in state-of-the-art production spaces
- Adobe Creative Cloud subscription included from the day you start your degree for the duration of your studies
- Be supported by our diverse, open and inclusive Arts, Design & Architecture community.
- Learn through research-informed teaching
- Prioritise career success – UNSW won the Australian Financial Review’s Most Employable Students Award in 2020.
- Benefit from strong industry links and partnerships
- Access world class alumni connections
- Join a global top 50 university (QS World University Rankings, 2021)
Program Code
8281
CRICOS Code
083245C
Campus
Kensington
Total Units of Credit (UOC)
96
Indicative Enrolments
247
Want to see more from UNSW Arts, Design & Architecture?
Entry requirements
There are three different streams of the Master of Public Relations and Advertising. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to public relations and advertising.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
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.
For the 1.7 year stream (B)
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.
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%.
For the 2 year stream (C)
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on your educational background and citizenship. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If you’re completing an Australian Year 12 qualification (e.g. NSW HSC or equivalent), you do not need to provide anything extra to prove your proficiency. Your qualification will be used as evidence of your English proficiency.
If you do need to provide evidence of your English proficiency, this will be indicated in your application. You can prove this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
There are three different streams of the Master of Public Relations and Advertising. The stream you apply for will depend on the depth of your prior academic and/or professional experience, and how closely it relates to public relations and advertising.
You may be eligible to have your study recognised via Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). If your work experience or prior study is recognised, credit points can be counted towards the degree, and you would then be able to complete the coursework undertaking fewer subjects.
For all three streams, you will need to meet the following admission requirements to be considered for entry into the program:
For the 1 year stream (A)
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.
For the 1.7 year stream (B)
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.
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%.
For the 2 year stream (C)
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%.
*It is expected that a Graduate Diploma will have been completed after an undergraduate degree.
English language requirements
You may be asked to provide evidence of your English proficiency to study at UNSW depending on whether you are from an English-speaking background or non-English speaking background. English language skills are vitally important for coping with lectures, tutorials, assignments and examinations - this is why UNSW requires a minimum English language competency for enrolment.
If English is not your first language, you’ll need to provide proof of your English proficiency before you can be given an offer to study at UNSW. You can do this by providing evidence that you meet one or more of the following criteria:
- English language tests and university English courses
- Prior study in the medium of English
- Other qualifications
UNSW Global offers courses and programs designed to help you reach the English language level required for entry into your chosen degree. Different options are available depending on your current English language level. Learn more.
Check the specific English language requirements for this program
Program structure
This program is structured to acknowledge and recognise the unique skills and experience you bring to your postgraduate education.
If you have relevant previous experience, you may be able to undertake a streamlined degree. If you’re coming to the program with limited professional experience, you’ll undertake the full two-years study, or part-time equivalent.
Full program structure
Depending on your level of experience, the degree can either be undertaken as a streamlined one-year full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent), 1.7-years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent) or two-years of full-time enrolment (or part-time equivalent).
Explore the structure of each stream below:
Future careers
You’ll graduate with well-rounded professional communications skills and experience as well as creativity, innovation, intellectual aptitude, and strategic thinking that will help you stand out in a crowd.
Potential careers
- Radio
- Television
- Online Media Industries
- Media Relations
- Corporate Communication
How to apply
Applications must be submitted through our Apply Online portal. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term. Some high-demand programs and Faculties with limited places may have an earlier application deadline or commencement date. Find out more.
Ready to start your application?
For most international students, applications are submitted via our Apply Online service. We encourage you to submit your completed application as early as possible to ensure it will be processed in time for your preferred term.
Some high-demand programs with limited places, may have an earlier application deadline or may have an earlier commencement date. For more information visit our international applicant information page.
Ready to start your application?
Fees & Scholarships
2023 Indicative First Year Full Fee
$28,200*
2023 Indicative Full Fee to Complete Degree
$57,095*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
2023 Indicative First Year Fee
$38,880*
2023 Indicative Fee to Complete Degree
$78,845*
*Fees are subject to annual review by the University and may increase annually, with the new fees effective from the start of each calendar year. The indicative fees listed here are based on an estimated average and are for tuition only other fees and charges are not included. The amount you pay will vary depending on the calendar year to enrol, the courses you select and whether your study load is more or less than 1 Equivalent Full Time Student Load (8 courses per year).
Indicative fees are a guide for comparison only based on current conditions and available data. You should not rely on indicative fees. More information on fees can be found at the UNSW fees website.
Indicative fees to complete the program have been calculated based on a percentage increase for every year of the program. Fee increases are assessed annually and may exceed the indicative figures listed here.
Indicative fees to complete the program include tuition plus an estimate of study-related costs of approximately $1,000 per year. To find out more about other costs, visit UNSW International.
Scholarships
At UNSW, we award over $83 million in scholarships each year. We pride ourselves on rewarding excellence and making university accessible to students from all walks of life. Whether you’re a domestic or international student, our range of scholarships, prizes and awards can support your journey.
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Top 50WorldwideQS World University Rankings, 2022.
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MostEmployable GraduatesAFR Top 100 Future leaders Award.
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LeadingInnovation#1 Australian uni attended by start-up founders.
“My Master of Public Relations and Advertising was incredibly rewarding. It was an opportunity to meet smart people from around the world who shared the same interests as me, learn from advertising execs and work on real-world briefs."
