Public relations officer

You can get into public relations (PR) with a degree in most subjects.

You could also do a degree or postgraduate course related to public relations. The Chartered Institute of Public Relations has a list of recognised university courses .

Courses include:

• public relations
• public relations and media
• marketing and PR
• PR and corporate communications

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 2 to 3 A levels, or equivalent, for a degree

• a degree in any subject for a postgraduate course

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
• university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

You could do a college course, which might give you an advantage when looking for a trainee public relations role.

Courses include:

• English
• marketing
• creative and digital media - social media option
• T Level in Marketing

Entry requirements

Entry requirements for these courses vary.

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English and maths for a T Level

More Information

• funding advice|https://www.gov.uk/further-education-courses/financial-help
• search for courses|/find-a-course
• guide to T Levels|https://www.tlevels.gov.uk/

You could work towards this role by doing a Public Relations and Communications Assistant Level 4 Higher Apprenticeship.

This takes a minimum of one year to complete.

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

• 4 or 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C) and A levels, or equivalent, for a higher or degree apprenticeship

More Information

• equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
• apprenticeship levels|https://www.apprenticeships.gov.uk/apprentices/about-apprenticeships#UnderstandingApprenticeshiplevelsandqualifications
• guide to apprenticeships|https://www.gov.uk/apprenticeships-guide

You'll find it useful to get paid or unpaid experience of working in public relations. You could:

• contact PR departments and consultancies for work experience
• volunteer to promote local charities
• write for student magazines, blogs and social media
• work on student or volunteer radio services

You could study for professional qualifications through the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

These can be done online or at a training centre. Courses include:

• Foundation Certificate for beginners
• Professional PR Certificate, if you're a graduate or have at least 2 years of PR experience

Further information

You can find out more about a career in public relations from the Public Relations and Communications Association (PRCA) and the Chartered Institute of Public Relations .

As a public relations officer, you could:

• plan and deliver PR campaigns for clients
• monitor data to understand the public and media's opinion of your clients
• attend events like photoshoots, conferences and press launches
• develop good connections with the media to promote your clients
• write and edit press releases, social media posts, policy statements and speeches

You could work in an office or at a client's business.