Mass Communications, Advertising and Public Relations

Mass communications, advertising, and public relations together address the full landscape of how organisations and individuals communicate with large audiences through media, persuasion, and strategic messaging. Mass communications covers the theory, history, and practice of media in its many forms, while advertising examines how brands and products are positioned and sold through creative and data-driven campaigns. Public relations focuses on reputation management, media relations, and the strategies through which organisations shape how they are perceived by different audiences.

Together they prepare you for the industries that sit at the heart of contemporary public life.

At Edinburgh Napier University, this four-year full-time programme draws on more than twenty years of expertise in professional communication education. You will develop skills across all three areas of the degree, learning to plan and evaluate media campaigns, write for different audiences and formats, manage media relationships, and understand the ethical and regulatory frameworks within which communications professionals operate. The programme includes a year abroad, giving you international exposure to different media markets and communication cultures.

Edinburgh Napier's industry connections and practical teaching approach ensure the curriculum reflects what communication employers actually need from graduates.

The breadth of the programme means graduates are not narrowly trained in one specialism but have the versatility to work across different communication roles as their careers develop.

Graduates go on to careers in advertising agencies, public relations consultancies, marketing departments, broadcast and digital media, corporate communications, government communications, and journalism. The degree also provides a foundation for postgraduate study in marketing, communications, media studies, or journalism.