Bachelor of Professional Communication - Public Relations major

Bachelor of Professional Communication - Public Relations major

Your guide to majoring in Public Relations (PR) with the Bachelor of Professional Communication at RMIT.

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Student type:
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See course admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
or part-time equivalent
Fees:

Commonwealth Supported Places

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City
Learning mode:
On campus
Entry score:

See course admissions

Duration:
Full-time 3 years
Fees:

AU$ 38,400 (2025 annual)

Next intake:
February, July
Location:
Melbourne City

Introduction to the major

Learn to manage reputations and inspire trust with a Public Relations major at RMIT, adapting to active and evolving situations in a range of settings.

Public relations is a career for people with enquiring minds. The heart of modern PR jobs is advising organisations on how to enhance their working relationships and reputation.

With a Public Relations major in this professional communication degree at RMIT in Melbourne, you’ll gain the skills to effectively communicate your organisation’s message to a range of different audiences. 

Exploring areas such as campaign strategy, risk and crisis communication and contemporary media relations, you’ll gain professional skills in writing techniques, strategy, and media and stakeholder relations, with an emphasis on problem-solving, creativity, relationship development and project management.

Graduate prepared for the increasingly globalised, technology-driven world of public relations within corporate, government, not-for-profit and consultancy environments.

Dr Leah Li, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations
Students learn through live briefs with our industry partners so they are prepared to join a future-ready global workforce within corporate, government, not-for-profit, and consultancy sectors.

- Dr Leah Li, Senior Lecturer in Public Relations 

About the Bachelor of Professional Communication

Designed to equip you with in-depth knowledge of this essential field, the RMIT Bachelor of Professional Communication reflects the workplace reality of increasing demand for professional communication roles and functions.

With this Melbourne-based Professional Communication course featuring majors in Advertising, Public Relations (PR) and Digital Communication, you can choose either a double major or specialise in one and choose three minors from our broad range of multidisciplinary areas.

Why choose to major in Public Relations (PR) with the Bachelor of Professional Communication?

Cutting-edge content

Stay up to date with the latest innovations in the sector, building adaptable skills and contemporary practices.

Learn hands-on

During placement with a public relations agency, work on actual briefs and gain exposure to industry professionals.

Fully accredited

This major is endorsed by the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA).

The public relations degree at RMIT really highlighted the power of communication. It made me realise how important it is for brands and organisations to engage in conversation with stakeholders, and the public.
Portrait of Nic Gill, Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) at RMIT - Nic Gill, Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) at RMIT
Square tile reading "We've won Silver! 2022 PRIA Golden Target Awards"

2022 PRIA Award winner

In 2022 the Bachelor of Communication (Public Relations) was awarded a Silver award for Public Relations Program of the Year in the Public Relations Institute of Australia (PRIA) Golden Target Awards; Australia's longest running and most prestigious public relations and communication industry awards.

Career outcomes

The Bachelor of Professional Communication opens up a wide array of career opportunities, so you can tailor your subject selection to focus on your preferred path.

Our broad range of industry partners and focus on active, authentic and applied learning produces graduates in high demand by industry.

Public relations plays a vital role in all types of organisations – ensuring effective communication with people and other groups that need to know (or are interested in how they’ll be affected by) the activities or future plans of that organisation.  

Changes in technology have helped the PR process evolve in fast-paced environments, serving organisations in areas such as being known, being understood and, most importantly, being trusted. 

For Public Relations graduates, there’s a strong employment rate in businesses, government departments and agencies, and not-for-profit bodies including charities. The PR major prepares you to solve problems and construct communication materials effective in all sectors of public relations, making our graduates adaptable to the ever-changing business environment. Of course, you can also start your own PR business.

Public Relations graduates find PR jobs in many areas, including:

  • corporate communication
  • change management
  • internal communication
  • issues and crisis management
  • public affairs and lobbying
  • media relations and publicity
  • event management
  • fundraising and sponsorship
  • strategic communication
  • brand management.

Your guide to the Public Relations major

Understand what your subject options are when you decide to major in Public Relations (PR) with the RMIT Bachelor of Professional Communication:

First year subjects:

  • COMM2920 Advocacy and Voice in Public Relations
  • COMM2937 Public Relations Strategy and Planning

Second year subjects:

  • COMM2921 Contemporary Media Relations
  • COMM2923 Public Relations Professional Practice
  • COMM2916 Organisational Communication

Third year subjects:

  • COMM2688 Issues Risk and Crisis Communication
  • MKTG1510 Applied Public Relations Research
  • COMM2924 Public Relations Capstone Project 

By integrating a second major or a range of minors you will deepen your expertise in a specialised area while gaining a well-rounded understanding of how your chosen interest's principles intersect with other fields.

This combination of knowledge and skills will prepare you for the complexities of the modern business landscape and equip you to make a meaningful impact in your chosen career path.

All majors and minors in the Bachelor of Professional Communication are complementary.

Suggested combinations are:  

Advertising major

Studying advertising at RMIT combines opportunities to work on industry-based projects with your natural curiosity for what makes people tick. Develop your creative practice and work alongside best in the business as you master the skills required to kick-start your career.

Digital Communication major

When you choose the Digital Communication major in the Bachelor of Professional Communication at RMIT University, you’re choosing to learn in-demand skills that will prepare you for a changing/transforming media industry.

Journalism minor

Build practical journalism skills required for a contemporary or allied journalism career. Using RMIT’s world-class facilities, you'll address practical and theoretical aspects of journalism, including reporting and writing, ethics, law, podcasting and photography.

Media minor

Blend practical skills with creativity so you can build the knowledge needed to work across film, television, radio, social and digital media. You will produce innovative and compelling content across a wide range of existing and emerging media platforms.

Law and Emerging Technology minor

Develop specialist knowledge and skills related to the laws and policies that govern the digital media environment including in intellectual property, artificial intelligence and blockchain.

Bachelor of Professional Communication full course information

This is just one of the 3 majors that you can choose from. Visit the Bachelor of Professional Communication course page to find full course information, explore your study options, and get details on entry requirements, pathways, fees, plan structure and how to apply.

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Acknowledgement of Country

RMIT University acknowledges the people of the Woi wurrung and Boon wurrung language groups of the eastern Kulin Nation on whose unceded lands we conduct the business of the University. RMIT University respectfully acknowledges their Ancestors and Elders, past and present. RMIT also acknowledges the Traditional Custodians and their Ancestors of the lands and waters across Australia where we conduct our business - Artwork 'Sentient' by Hollie Johnson, Gunaikurnai and Monero Ngarigo.

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