Public Relations (Undergraduate Major)

This major will teach you how to plan and develop effective communication strategies, and how to put those plans into action and measure their effectiveness. It will also prepare you for changing attitudes and behaviours, managing relationships, and engaging with stakeholders, including primary decision-makers.

Learn to strategically manage communication, reputation and relationships for organisations and governments.

Public relations professionals may provide advice to management and decision makers at the highest level, and work closely with employees, governments, the community and the media.

Public relations is about managing communication, reputation and relationships for organisations and governments. It involves attracting and retaining the support of employees, investors, communities, customers and other stakeholders critical to success.

You will learn how the digital environment has affected communication and discuss the practice of ethical communication, issues and crisis management in local, national and international situations.

You will have opportunities to test your skills by working with real clients and industry partners.

Recommended double majors:

• International Business
• Journalism
• Management
• Marketing
• Tourism and Hospitality

What jobs can the Public Relations course lead to?
Careers

• Corporate affairs advisor
• Communications officer
• Digital engagement manager
• Event coordinator
• Senior media advisor
• Internal communications specialist
• Government relations coordinator
• Public relations consultant

Industries

• Event management
• Government
• Healthcare
• Marketing and communications
• Mining and resources
• Education
• Tourism
• Sports

What you'll learn

• Utilise knowledge of the principles and role of contemporary public relations in a diverse range of organisational settings
• Critically evaluate organisational issues from a public relations perspective and develop relevant and creative strategies to address them
• Identify data relevant to the management of public relations from a wide range of sources and integrate that information in order to form a sound basis for decision-making
• Develop and enhance the high-level written and oral communications skills needed for success as a public relations professional
• Use new and emerging communications technologies to support the achievement of public relations goals and objectives
• Demonstrate initiative in acquiring new public relations knowledge and skills and a desire to maintain the currency of that knowledge
• Appreciate the globally interconnected nature of the public relations domain and abide by internationally recognised professional and ethical standards
• Recognise the realities of cultural diversity in public relations practice and approach intercultural communication with sensitivity
• Apply high level oral and written communication skills in a diverse range of professional public relations situations

Why study Public Relations

Professional recognition

• Professionally accredited by the Public Relations Institute of Australia.

Cutting-edge

• Develop your social media marketing and analytics skills in The Agency, our social media command centre.

Work experience

• You’ll graduate job-ready by completing an internship in your final semester, completing a minimum of 20 working days with an organisation in a public relations capacity.

Alternative pathways

Portfolio entry

• Portfolio entry is available for those who can demonstrate equivalence to Curtin’s ATAR entry through the submission of a portfolio that includes evidence of your academic achievements, qualifications and ability.

UniReady

• If you don’t meet our minimum admission criteria, the UniReady Enabling Program can help you qualify for entry into a range of undergraduate courses.

Certificate IV + English Competency

• The certificate IV is the minimum requirement for university entry. It qualifies you for entry to Curtin courses with a 70 ATAR. You must also meet English language proficiency.

Indigenous applicant

• If you’re an Aboriginal or Torres Strait Islander applicant who hasn’t met Curtin’s minimum admissions criteria, the Centre for Aboriginal Studies offers bridging courses that are tailored to help you gain entry into this course.

The offering information on this website applies only to future students. Current students should refer to faculty handbooks for current or past course information.

The information on this page may be subject to change. In particular, Curtin University may change the content, method or location of delivery or tuition fees of courses.

While Curtin uses reasonable efforts to ensure that the information provided on this page is accurate and up to date, errors and omissions sometimes occur. Curtin makes no warranty, representation or undertaking (expressed or implied) nor does it assume any legal liability (direct or indirect) for the accuracy, completeness or usefulness of any information.