PhD Public Relations at University of Stirling

Programme overview

Doctoral research in public relations within the School of Communication, supervised by internationally published researchers, with a critical, socially and environmentally conscious research tradition.

Faculty: Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences | Department: School of Communication | Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time | Intake: 1st day of any month | Study mode: full-time / part-time | Location: Stirling, Scotland, United Kingdom

What you will study

Original research; areas include critical and socio-cultural PR studies, strategic communication, media relations, public affairs and activism, political, health, science and environmental communication, PR ethics and digital communications.

Official programme page

Application information

Entry requirements

An upper second class honours Bachelors degree or higher qualification; for some studentships and programmes a suitable masters degree may be specified. English language (international applicants): IELTS Academic or UKVI 6.5 overall with at least 6.0 in each sub-skill; Pearson Test of English (Academic) 62 overall with 60 in each sub-skill; TOEFL taken before 21 January 2026: 88 overall with 20 reading, 19 writing, 19 listening, 22 speaking; TOEFL taken from 21 January 2026: 4.5 overall with no band below 4. Application requires a research proposal, proof of qualifications, an academic reference and a CV, and a funding plan.

Domestic applicants: GBP 5,238 a year (2026/27). UK (home) full-time rate, all subjects; part-time £2,619 per year Source

International applicants: GBP 21,500 a year (2026/27). International full-time rate; part-time £10,750 per year; registration-only fee £500 after the fee-paying years Source

Intake: 1st day of any month

Duration: 3 years full-time, 6 years part-time

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