Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations MA
Year of entry 2025
- Start date
- September 2025
- Delivery type
- On campus
- Duration
- 12 months full time
- Entry requirements
- A bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject.
Full entry requirements - English language requirements
- IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component.
- UK fees
- £15,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £32,250 (Total)
- Contact
- masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Global organisations are realising their corporate communications and marketing functions need to work closely to communicate with stakeholders, driving demand for graduates with a specialist skillset.
This innovative course explores the drivers and dynamics of modern corporate communications and its relationship with marketing and public relations. You’ll focus on stakeholder management, global strategic marketing, reputation management, media relations and digital PR.
Taught by academics who combine their professional experience with the latest research expertise, you’ll examine key theories and concepts and gain the practical professional skills employers are looking for.
You’ll benefit from our corporate connections with senior figures working in the sector who regularly visit to offer a practitioner’s view during guest lectures. Many also provide case studies and practical projects.
Course highlights
- This course is shaped by the Business School’s Global and Strategic Marketing Research Centre, one of the leading centres of research marketing in Europe.
- This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners. The CIPR work to set, maintain and advance standards in PR professional practice and this recognition is testament to the practical relevance of our course.
- Learn from academics who bring their world-leading expertise to you in the classroom.
- Develop cross-cultural thinking and understand how professional marketers operate across the world, helping you stand out in the global job market.
- Learn in an inclusive international environment and graduate with a global perspective, able to collaborate with colleagues from all over the world.
- Benefit from a full and varied programme of industry-experienced guest speakers who’ll share current trends and insight, helping you to connect your learning to developments and challenges in the industry.
- On all Masters courses at Leeds University Business School you’ll have an opportunity to apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which will include company visits, guest lectures and networking events, as well as an opportunity to visit local places of interest. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.
Find out more about studying your Masters at Leeds University Business School.
Accreditation
Course details
This course provides you with an essential foundation in communications theory, marketing strategy and public relations practice.
Exploring the history and theory of corporate communications, you’ll study marketing areas such as global strategic marketing, research methods for marketing, consumer culture and digital PR. You’ll develop an understanding of how organisations manage their identities, marketing communications and public relation practices.
You’ll also benefit from a dedicated professional skills module, empowering you to develop essential skills for optimising employability and succeeding in the global business environment.
Choosing from a selection of optional modules, you’ll focus on a topic that matches your interests and career plans. You could study strategic priorities such as brand management or corporate social responsibility and sustainability, refine your persuasive writing and speechmaking skills, or learn how to manage change in an organisation. Alternatively, you could gain an understanding of marketing analytics, sales promotions or digital marketing.
The course culminates in a final dissertation, allowing you to demonstrate the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through detailed analysis of a specific topic. Two options are available – you can complete a standard research dissertation on an academic topic of your choice, or a practice-based dissertation, allowing you to work on a real-world marketing problem.
Course structure
The list shown below represents typical modules/components studied and may change from time to time. Read more in our terms and conditions.
Year 1 compulsory modules
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Marketing Communications | 15 |
| Global Strategic Marketing | 15 |
| Corporate Communications Strategy | 15 |
| Advanced Topics in Reputation Management | 15 |
| Consumer Culture and Digital PR | 15 |
| Public Relations in Practice | 15 |
| Research Methods for Marketing | 15 |
| The Global Marketing Professional | 15 |
| Marketing Academic / Applied Dissertation | 45 |
Year 1 optional modules (selection of typical options shown below)
| Module Name | Credits |
|---|---|
| Marketing Analytics | 15 |
| Persuasive Writing and Speechmaking | 15 |
| Corporate Social Responsibility and Sustainability | 15 |
| Brand Management and Corporate Identity | 15 |
| Sales Promotion and Sponsorship | 15 |
| Change Management and Communication | 15 |
| Digital and Interactive Marketing | 15 |
Learning and teaching
You’ll be taught using a range of methods including lectures, tutorials, seminars and workshops. The rest of your time will be spent in independent learning, which allows you to develop your skills in research and analysis.
Our Virtual Learning Environment will help to support your studies: it’s a central place where you can find all the information and resources for the school, your programme and modules.
On this course, you’ll be taught by our expert academics, from lecturers through to professors. You may also be taught by industry professionals with years of experience, as well as trained postgraduate researchers, connecting you to some of the brightest minds on campus.
Assessment
Assessment methods emphasise not just knowledge, but essential skills development too. This may include formal exams, group projects, reports, computer simulation exercises, essays and written assignments, group and individual presentations and reflective logs.
This diversity enables you to develop a broad range of skills as preparation for professional life.
Applying
Entry requirements
A Bachelor degree with a 2:1 (hons) in any subject. This course is primarily aimed at students with a general or non-business background; however we do not restrict entry for those who have previously studied marketing.
International qualifications
We accept a range of international equivalent qualifications.
English language requirements
IELTS 7.0 overall, with no less than 6.5 in any component.. For other English qualifications, read English language equivalent qualifications.
Improve your English
International students who do not meet the English language requirements for this programme may be able to study our postgraduate pre-sessional English course, to help improve your English language level.
This pre-sessional course is designed with a progression route to your degree programme and you’ll learn academic English in the context of your subject area. To find out more, read Language for Marketing (6 weeks) and Language for Business: Marketing (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
Application deadlines
Applicants are encouraged to apply as early as possible.
International applicants: Thursday 26 June 2025
UK applicants: Friday 15 August 2025
Documents and information you’ll need
- a copy of your degree certificate and transcript, or a partial transcript if you’re still studying
- contact details for two academic references
- a personal statement
- an up-to-date CV
- your approved English Language test* (if applicable)
- a letter of sponsorship, if you need one.
* Applicants who have not yet completed an approved English language test may apply for a Masters course prior to taking a test.
Read about visas, immigration and other information in International students. We recommend that international students apply as early as possible to ensure that they have time to apply for their visa.
Admissions policy
University of Leeds Admissions Policy 2025
This course is taught by
Leeds University Business School
Contact us
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Email: masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Telephone:
Fees
UK: £15,750 (Total)
International: £32,250 (Total)
Read more about paying fees and charges.
For fees information for international taught postgraduate students, read Masters fees.
Additional cost information
There may be additional costs related to your course or programme of study, or related to being a student at the University of Leeds. Read more on our living costs and budgeting page.
Scholarships and financial support
We’re offering up to 50 Business School Excellence Scholarships to UK and International students starting one of our Masters courses in 2025. These scholarships offer a 50% fee reduction and will be awarded to particularly deserving applicants who demonstrate excellent academic, professional and personal achievements.
You do not have to submit a separate application for our Excellence Scholarships - you will be automatically considered when your course application is reviewed.
International Excellence Scholarships (International applicants)
Career opportunities
From day one, we encourage you to think beyond your time at Leeds and reflect on a meaningful career. As a graduate of this course, you’ll have a rounded and reflective approach to communications strategy and practice.
Opportunities to participate in extracurricular activities will also build your teamwork, communication and employability skills to enhance your prospects after graduation.
Many graduates of this course become effective communications professionals, either in internal corporate and marketing communications roles or in PR, digital and social media agencies.
Recently, our graduates have started careers as consultants, account executives and communications advisors for a range of organisations in the UK and overseas. Some examples of job titles include Digital PR Executive, PR and Marketing Manager, Programmatic Executive, and Officer of Branding and Marketing.
Links with industry
A number of senior figures from the world of corporate communications, marketing and public relations are invited to deliver guest lectures, providing a practitioner's view of the latest industry developments.
Recent contributors include: Sainsburys, Creative Concern, Ikea UK & IE, Sustainly, Marks and Spencer, Holition, Search Laboratory, Edit, Rise at Seven and Brand 24.
Careers support
Professional Development support will be provided as part of this course to help you achieve your career ambitions.
You’ll also benefit from the University’s Careers Service, where you can access a range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate., where you can access a range of support to help you plan your career and make well-informed decisions, even after you graduate.
Read more about our careers and professional development support.
Student profile: Vaibhavi Ghosh
By studying this integrated approach at Leeds, I knew I would acquire a holistic skill, enabling me to navigate the complex landscape of modern communication effectively.Find out more about Vaibhavi Ghosh's time at Leeds