Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations MA
Year of entry 2026
- Start date
- September 2026
- 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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 in any component.
- UK fees
- £15,750 (Total)
- International fees
- £31,500 (Total)
- Contact
- masters@lubs.leeds.ac.uk
Course overview
Shape brand reputations with sharp words and bold thinking in a career that moves fast.
This integrated course brings together corporate communications, marketing and public relations (PR), focusing on managing what brands say, how they say it and who they’re saying it to. Every company wants to stand out, so demand for this skillset has never been higher.
This course covers every angle: the ins and outs of corporate communication, its relationship with marketing and PR. You’ll also focus on more specific skills in stakeholder management, global strategic marketing, reputation management, media relations and digital PR.
Communication that lands is a game-changer for brand reputation and growth. Whether talking to industry leaders, customers, employees, other businesses, media or influencers, we need communicators who know how to cut through the noise.
Learn from academics who’ve worked on the ground in communications, marketing and PR, with guest lectures from senior industry figures, using case studies and practical projects to help you learn. We know what it takes to build a bright career in the field, and we’ll help you get there. Our graduates have gone on to pursue careers in the automotive, pharmaceutical and food and drink industries.
Student profile: Vaibhavi Ghosh
“The UK stands as one of the largest communication hubs globally, with a vibrant and diverse market.”
Vaibhavi Ghosh, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
Hear more about Vaibhavi Ghosh’s time at Leeds
Why study at Leeds:
- Leeds is a city built for communications. From Channel 4’s national headquarters to a vibrant PR scene, we’re a northern powerhouse.
- This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), the world's only Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners.
- Learn from academics who've worked in the field and bring their experience to you in the classroom.
- Soak up industry-expert knowledge as guest speakers share current trends, insight and real-life business challenges to expand your thinking.
- The world is your limit, as you learn how international communications, PR and marketing professionals operate, helping you stand out in the global job market.
- 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.
- Learn in an inclusive international environment and graduate with a global perspective, ready to collaborate with colleagues from all over the world.
- On all our Masters courses in Leeds University Business School, you can apply for a place on a week-long international study tour which includes company visits, guest lectures and networking events. Previous study tours have included visits to Berlin, Frankfurt, Milan and Zurich.
Leeds University Business School
Leeds University Business School has triple accreditation from the three leading bodies AACSB, AMBA and EQUIS. This means you'll join one of the UK's most prestigious business schools with a global reputation for high-quality teaching and research. We’ll introduce you to a culture of new ideas and different perspectives. Our diverse, international learning community will offer you new experiences and global connections that last a lifetime.
Accreditation
This course is recognised by the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, 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.
Course details and modules
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 |
| Sales Promotion and Sponsorship | 15 |
| Change Management and Communication | 15 |
| Digital and Interactive Marketing | 15 |
| Brand management | 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 6.5 overall, with no less than 6.0 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 Business (6 weeks) and Language for Business (10 weeks).
We also offer online pre-sessionals alongside our on-campus pre-sessionals. Find out more about our six week online pre-sessional and our 10 week online pre-sessional.
You can also study pre-sessionals for longer periods – read about our postgraduate pre-sessional English courses.
How to apply
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 2026
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: £31,500 (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
If you have the talent and drive, we want you to be able to study with us, whatever your financial circumstances. There may be help for students in the form of loans and non-repayable grants from the University and from the government. Find out more at Masters funding overview.
Scholarships are also available to help fund your Masters. Find out more and check your eligibility below:
Career opportunities
Masters careers and employability: hear from students and alumni video
Where this degree could take you
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.
Here’s an insight into the job roles some of our corporate communications, marketing and public relations graduates have obtained:
- PR and communications manager
- client manager
- communications specialist
- corporate communications manager
- external communications intern
- PR account executive.
...in companies like:
- Nissan
- Coca Cola
- Takeda
- Royal Bank of Scotland
- Nestoil
- Porter Novelli
- Watt International
- Hill Knowlton Strategies
Profile quote: Leyao Yang
“In one of the modules I studied, I worked collaboratively with my classmates to operate as a real PR team. We had the opportunity to pitch to our client, deal with a corporate crisis and hold a press conference.”
Leyao Yang, Corporate Communications, Marketing and Public Relations
Our students are 6th most targeted
by 100 of the UK's leading employers
Careers support
At Leeds, we help you to prepare for your future from day one – that’s one of the reasons Leeds graduates are so sought after by employers. The University's Careers Service is one of the largest in the country, providing a wide range of resources to ensure you are prepared to take your next steps after graduation and get you where you want to be.
- Dedicated employability officer – gain quality advice, guidance and information to help you choose a career path. From CV and cover letter writing to supporting you with job applications, our School’s dedicated employability officer is on hand to help maximise your capabilities through a process of personal development and career planning.
- Employability and networking events – we run a full range of events, including careers fairs and industry talks in specialist areas and across broader industries, with employers who are actively recruiting for roles, giving you the opportunity to network and engage with industry sponsors.
- Employability skills training – to support your transition to the workplace, we embed training in a range of key transferable skills valued by employers, such as research and data analysis, in all our programmes.
- MyCareer system – during your studies and after you graduate, you’ll have access to a dedicated careers portal where you can book appointments with our team, get information on careers and see job vacancies and upcoming events.
- Opportunities at Leeds – there are plenty of exciting opportunities offered by our Leeds University Union, including volunteering and over 300 clubs and societies to get involved in.
You'll also have full access to the University’s Careers Centre, which is one of the largest in the country.
Links with industry
Several senior figures from the worlds 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.
Guaranteed industry experience
The Global Industry Programme gives Masters students a great opportunity to gain real-world experience through live industry projects. You’ll connect with leading companies across the globe to work on impactful, hands-on consultancy projects, enhancing your employability skills and enabling you to apply your theoretical knowledge to practical business challenges.
Work placements and industry experience
As a Masters student at Leeds, you’ll have the unique opportunity to gain real-world industry experience with our Global Industry Programme.
You’ll develop key professional skills and gain invaluable insight into working in your chosen field, helping to solve a real business problem from a live company brief.
This experience will enhance your CV, helping you to stand out in the competitive graduate jobs market and improving your chances of securing the career you want.
Benefits of the Global Industry Programme:
- Fully online and designed to fit around your studies.
- Opportunities to make professional networks in areas such as digital marketing, business growth, sustainability and funding strategy.
- Gain valuable insight and build consultancy experience with a UK or international organisation, working on a time limited brief.
- Work as part of a team across disciplines to tackle real business needs.
- Advance your experience and hands-on skills by putting the course teachings into practice.
- Improve your employability prospects.
- Make new friends, build confidence and consider your future plans.