NEWS: A chance to master the art of European PR

The first UK Master of Arts degree in European PR has been launched by

Leeds Metropolitan University.

The university is running the full time postgraduate course in

partnership with academic institutions in Austria, Belgium, France,

Germany, Portugal and Holland.

Courses will run in English, French and German, with students having to

study in a language other than their mother tongue. During the 14-month

course, the syllabus will cover such subjects as comparative European

history, European lobbying, PR research methods, and evaluation theory

and practice.

The course, which kicks off in October, will also include three month

work placements.

Ralph Tench, Leeds Metropolitan University course director, said the

planned MA had won strong support from PR agencies.

He said: ‘The course provides public relations training in different

cultures at a strategic level but with direct relevance to PR

organisations operating in those countries. ‘The consultancies I have

spoken to are very excited about it and are keen to support the

industrial placements.’

Tench said the university was anticipating interest from students with

proficiency in their selected language and with a background or interest

in PR, communication/media studies, the social sciences or economics.

He added that the seven participating universities were each likely to

take in about 16 students each year.

Focus, p15.