Strategic Communication and Public Relations (Joint Degree UPF Barcelona)

On successful completion of this course, you will be able to:

• develop an advanced and critical understanding of complex communication phenomena and theories underpinning them;
• develop, execute and evaluate strategic communications plans and campaigns;
• communicate effectively to a wide range of publics, using appropriate communications tactics, technologies and terminology;
• advise on appropriate channels and messaging to meet strategic communications objectives;
• integrate theory, research findings and awareness of communications technologies into strategic communication planning;
• recognise and respond appropriately to the ethical challenges associated with strategic communication and public relations;
• set objectives and design and implement public relations activities and tactics to meet those objectives;
• conduct research and evaluation appropriate to public relations and strategic communications activities.

Awarded CIPR (Chartered Institute of Public Relations) Recognition.

Awarded with a CEI label (International Campus of Excellence) by the Spanish Ministry of Education, Pompeu Fabra is a modern university with prestigious international rankings.

We're also members of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR), EUPRERA (European Public Relations Education and Research Association) and ECREA (European Communication Research and Education Association)

You will spend at least one semester at Universitat Pompeu Fabra, Spain.

Communications, Media and Culture at the University of Stirling was ranked 2nd in Scotland overall in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2021), with 100% of our research environment and 88% of our overall research classed as world-leading or internationally excellent.

Pompeu Fabra staff are also research active and publish internationally.

A minimum of a second class honours degree (2.1 preferred) or equivalent in a relevant subject.

As this is a joint degree with Barcelona, you must additionally be eligible to meet the PFU entrance requirements which are set by the Spanish government. You can find further details on these requirements on the Pompeu Fabra University website.

Applications for the next intake of this course should be submitted by the end of June 2024.

International entry requirements

View the entry requirements for your country.

If English is not your first language you must have one of the following qualifications as evidence of your English language skills:

• IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 with a minimum of 6.0 in each sub-skill.
• Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill.
• IBT TOEFL 80 overall with 18 in reading, 23 in writing, 19 in listening and 21 in speaking.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this course, our partner INTO University of Stirling offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for entry to this degree.

Find out more about our pre-sessional English language courses.

See our information on English language requirements for more details on the language tests we accept and options to waive these requirements.

My time at Stirling was enjoyable, very worthwhile and I found it to be enriching and challenging, with a real international feel to the campus.

Julian Lohaus, Germany 

We offer a comprehensive employability and skills programme to help you maximise your time at both universities and develop the attributes that employers look for. First-hand international experience you will gain during your studies has been consistently emphasised as one of the key skills of future communication professionals.  

In the Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Stirling we have a dedicated Employability and Skills Officer. The University of Stirling’s Careers Service works in partnership with academic staff to ensure you get the most out of your University experience, and are ready for the employment market. Similar programmes are in place at Universitat Pompeu Fabra.

Companies and organisations we work with include the Chartered Institute of Public Relations, the Scottish Government, the European Commission, the European Parliament, Scotland Europa, Weber Shandwick, CONCORD Europe, United Technologies Corporation, Creative Stirling, FC Barcelona, DIPLOCAT (Public Diplomacy Council for Catalonia) and several local organisations and small businesses in Scotland and Catalonia.