Glossary

Use this search only if you have an exact code for a Program, Stream, or Course, e.g. 3403, ACCTA13502, ACCT1501 or ACCT*.

PR and Advertising/Design - 8234

Program Summary

Faculty: Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences

Contact: sam@unsw.edu.au

Campus: Sydney

Career: Postgraduate

Typical Duration: 3 Years

Typical UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC Per Semester: 6

Max UOC Per Semester: 24

Min UOC For Award: 144

Award(s):

Master of Design

Master of Public Relations and Advertising

View program information for previous years

Program Description

This program allows you to graduate with both a Master of Design (MDes) and a Master of Public Relations and Advertising (MPRA) after three years, with students with appropriate background able to complete both degrees in two years.

This dual award provides graduates or those seeking to change careers a professionally relevant, rigorous education in public relations and advertising and an industry-engaged, and professionally relevant education in design knowledge and skills. Increasingly PR and Advertising works with designers and design thinking, and designers are often working in the context of marketing and advertising.

These two degrees will equip you with the personal confidence and professional capabilities needed to move into creative leadership roles in freelance, project or design business contexts. As a student you will be challenged to and equipped to think critically and innovatively in your development of PR and advertising strategies and design and digital media practice. Both degrees merge contemporary theory and academic rigour with creativity, research, and practical industry skills, combining design creativity and rigorous research strategies.

The Master of Public Relations and Advertising and Master of Design dual award is ideal for industry professionals from advertising or design seeking to advance their career, as well as career-changers wanting to enter vibrant and rapidly evolving industries.

Program Objectives and Graduate Attributes

See the Objectives of 9313 Master of Design and 8281 Master of Public Relations and Advertising.

Program Learning Outcomes

Advanced disciplinary knowledge

Graduates will have advanced knowledge relating to the persuasive, promotional and participative communication dimensions of public relations and advertising and be able to apply this knowledge in a range of professional settings.
Graduates will demonstrate an advanced understanding of concepts and principles of design as an integrated practice

Research based learning

Graduates will have developed a sound understanding of the scholarly research practices in the fields of public relations and advertising to engage in independent and reflective learning in academic and industry contexts
Graduates will be able to apply research principles and methods applicable to contemporary design practices and plan and execute a substantial research-based professionally-focused project in design

Cognitive skills and critical thinking

Graduates will have developed high quality critical thinking and problem solving skills for public relations and advertising
Graduates will be able to critically analyse, reflect on and synthesise complex information, problems, concepts and theories and apply established theories to design practice and apply knowledge and skills to demonstrate autonomy, expert judgement, adaptability and responsibility as a practitioner

Communication and adaptive skills

Graduates will be able to communicate complex ideas to a range of audience, using written, oral and mediated communication, undertake both independent and collaborative enquiry, apply technical skills, and be creative, strategic learners and practitioners
Graduates will be equipped to justify, interpret and communicate knowledge, skills and ideas to specialist and non-specialist audiences

Global outlook

Graduates will have an understanding of both local and global issues in the fields of public relations, advertising and communication
Graduates will demonstrate the qualities of an ethical practitioner, cultural awareness, environmental and social responsibility, and a respect for diversity

Program Structure

For the 2 year stream (A):

MPRA Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18 - 24 UOC)
MPRA Prescribed Electives (24 - 30 UOC)
MDes Core (36 UOC)
MDes Studio Areas of Practice (12 UOC)

For the 3 year stream (B):

MPRA Cognate Courses (24 UOC)
MPRA Advanced Disciplinary Courses (18 - 24 UOC)
MPRA Prescribed Electives (24 - 30 UOC)
MDes Design Core (48 UOC)
MDes Studio Areas of Practice (24 UOC)

Exit Strategy

You may exit the program with only one of the constituent degrees if the requirements for that program have been met but may not then take out the combined degree at a later date.

Entry Requirements

You must satisfy the entry requirements for each of the component single award programs to enter the dual award:

Applicants for the 2 year stream (A) are required to have:

Honours Bachelor degree or Graduate Diploma in a relevant discipline* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

Applicants for the 3 year stream (B) are required to have:

Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant discipline* with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%
Bachelor degree (or equivalent qualification) in any discipline with a record of academic achievement equivalent to a UNSW credit average of 65%, plus one year relevant professional experience

*Relevant disciplines include:

Arts, Humanities, Social Sciences
Media, Communications, Journalism, Public Relations, Advertising, Marketing
Design
Creative Arts

Credit Transfer

If you are seeking credit transfer you must submit documentary evidence of courses completed at the time of initial enrolment. UNSW Arts and Social Sciences will then determine the number of units of credit to be granted. Credit Transfer will not be granted for courses completed more than ten years previously. The maximum credit transfer for a Masters is 50% of the stream, that is, up to 48 UOC credit transfer for the 2 year stream and 72 UOC credit transfer for the 3 year stream.

Award with Excellence

You are eligible for the award of a degree "with Excellence" if you achieve a Weighted Average Mark (WAM) of at least 80 in all courses and complete at least 50% of the requirements of your award at UNSW.

ARTS5505 Personalised English Language Enhancement (6 UOC)
This course ARTS5505, can be taken as an additional course but will not count towards your program.

Academic Rules

2 year stream (A)

Enrol in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising and Master of Design and complete 96 UOC
Complete 48 UOC of courses in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising
Complete 48 UOC of courses in the Master of Design

3 year stream (B)

Enrol in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising and Master of Design and complete 144 UOC
Complete 72 UOC of courses in the Master of Public Relations and Advertising
Complete 72 UOC of courses in the Master of Design