Public Relations: Colleges in India offering PR courses and Scope in India

Interested in taking up Public Relations as a career? Check out the various universities in India that offer courses in Public Relations.

Competition is rising every day. Organisations, companies and brands want to be right on top and each brand wants to have a positive image in the perceptive society that we live in. Here’s where Public Relations (PR) comes in. The need for professional Public Relators in today’s challenging world is in great demand as MNCs (multinational companies) make great efforts to maintain its image with their clients and customers. A PR’s job is not just to carve out press releases from time to time and address the media on the owner’s behalf, but to also maintain a positive image, handle relations with clients, customers and society. Before we get to where you can take up this ever so exciting and challenging course, let’s know a brief bit of what Public Relations is all about.

What is Public Relations?

Public Relations (PR) is a strategic communication process which is used by MNCs, organisations, companies to build a beneficial and mutual relationship with their clients, customers and the public. A PR’s role is to maintain a positive image of the brand, promote the brand, save guard the reputation of the company and maintain a strategic relationship with the public. The functions of a PR is not to advertise, but to promote a brand through the means on content on all sorts of mediums such as newspapers, broadcast, websites and much more.

Public Relations is taught in Journalism and Mass Communication courses in universities and colleges. Now various colleges and institutes are rolling out special courses for Public Relations which can help one enhance their knowledge and skills and also be groomed to be a professional PR. The types of Public Relations is as follows:

Media Relations	Investor Relations
Government Relations	Community Relations
Internal Relations	Customer Relations
Marketing Communications	Representative

PR Courses in India

Shiksha lists the various universities, colleges, institutes which offer Public Relations course in India.

University of Mumbai

The Department of Communication and Journalism (DCJ) under the University of Mumbai offers students a Master’s in Public Relations. One of the most renowned universities in the nation, students can opt to take up Master’s in PR which is a two-year course. Candidates have a higher chance of getting placements through universities as many companies visit at the end of the year to recruit talented students. About the course

Course	Masters in Public Relations
Duration	2 Years
Fees	Rs 23,825 (Per Semester)
Examination Fees	Rs 1,060

Admission Process: The admission process is as such that candidates need to firstly meet the eligibility criteria as set by the university. The basic eligibility criteria is that the candidate needs to have secured a minimum of 55% from a recognized board. The admission process for Masters in Public Relations is as follows:

• Apply online
• Write and submit an essay which needs to be submitted with the application form.
• The student must produce two testimonials from at least two teachers.
• Appear for DCJ Entrance Exam
• Group Discussion
• Interview

Once the candidate has cleared all the formalities, the student is then eligible for admission at the university.

Indian Institute of Mass Communication

One of the most prestigious institutes in the nation, the Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC) offers students a postgraduate diploma in journalism and mass communication courses. IIMC offers candidates a PGD in Advertising and Public Relations. However, getting admission in IIMC is no child’s play. Thousands of students apply to get admission in IIMC. About the course.

Course	Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising and Public Relations
Duration	1 Year
Fees	Rs 1,23,000
Seat Intake	77

Admission Process: Candidates need who are applying for admission at IIMC need to meet the eligibility criteria set i.e. the candidate should have done their graduation from a recognised board and should have secured a minimum of 55%. Students will have to apply and then appear for the IIMC Entrance Exam which is conducted in the month of May. Candidates who clear the entrance exam, will be called for an interview and group discussion. Candidates who clear the rounds, will be called for admission at the institute. For more information about the IIMC Entrance Exam, candidates can go through the following links as mentioned below:

How to apply for IIMC Entrance Exam	IIMC Entrance Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
IIMC Entrance Exam Previous Years Question Papers	How to check IIMC Entrance Exam Results

MET Institute of Mass Media

Candidates who want to want to pursue a course for a short duration, the MET Institute of Mass Media offers students an advanced diploma in Mass Media – Journalism and Public Relations. A student will learn the role of a journalist and a PR as well. The fusion can help a student grow and understand the two different roles as a PR needs to keep plenty of media contacts in his profession. Students are offered a three-pronged certificate programme. About the course:

Course	Advanced Diploma in Mass Media – Journalism and Public Relations
Duration	1 Year
Fees	Rs 3,02,080

Admission Process: The admission process is as such that candidates need to meet the eligibility criteria i.e. the candidate should be a graduate in any discipline from a recognised university and should have secured a minimum of 50%. Candidates will have to apply online and appear for an entrance exam which is conducted by MET. Candidates will then be called for a group discussion and personal interview. Students who clear the rounds, will be granted admission at the institute.

International Institute of Mass Media

The International Institute of Mass Media (IIMM) offers students a postgraduate diploma course in Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing. The IIMM offers undergraduate, postgraduate, PGD and short term courses at the institute. A student can benefit greatly through the postgraduate diploma course as one can learn about advertising, PR and marketing, all which goes hand in hand. About the course:

Course	Postgraduate Diploma in Advertising, Public Relations and Marketing
Duration	1 Year
Fees	Rs 37,500 (Per Semester)

Admission Process: The admission process is as such that candidates need to apply online and then have to appear for an entrance test which is conducted by IIMM. Candidates who clear the entrance exam will be called for an interview. Qualified candidates will be called for admission at the institute.

Aligarh Muslim University

Another renowned university in the nation, the Aligarh Muslim University offers students a Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations. However, the seat intake is very limited. Only 10 students are granted admission. Thousands of students apply for admission at the university, however, only limited students are granted admission. About the course

Course	Postgraduate Diploma in Public Relations
Duration	1 Year
Seat Intake	10
Age Limit	Not more than 27 years

Admission Process: For admission at the university, candidates have to appear for the AMU Entrance Exam which is conducted annually. Candidates will have to apply online. Students who are able to clear the entrance exam, they will have to appear for an interview. A merit list will be released and qualified students are granted admission in the university.

For more information on AMU Entrance Exam, candidates can go through the following links:

How to apply for AMU Entrance Exam	AMU Entrance Exam Pattern and Marking Scheme
AMU Entrance Exam Question Papers	AMU Entrance Exam Syllabus

Scope of Public Relations In India

Organisations and companies need professional and well groomed Public Relators. The need for good communication skills and confidence is what organisations and companies search in India. The scope in India is brilliant and salaries offered by organisations only go higher along with experience. MNCs and organisations along with government department need PR officials as they uphold and build the brand image.

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