17.08.07
Award-winning PR consultant joins UCF to launch Cornwall's first undergraduate degree in Public Relations

Award-winning public relations consultant, Jon Cope, has been appointed course leader of University College Falmouth's pioneering three-year BA(Hons) Public Relations course.

The launch of Public Relations at degree-level builds on the popularity of UCF's BA(Hons) Journalism course, which includes public relations as an optional module. UCF's PR degree is distinctive due to its focus on PR for non-governmental organisations and in developing countries.

Prior to joining UCF, Jon enjoyed a highly successful 12-year career in press relations for organisations including the Medical Research Council and the NHS, as well as senior roles within some of the UK's leading consumer PR agencies. He was part of the team responsible for the Red Consultancy winning PR Week's hotly contested award for Consultancy of the Year 2003 and Marketing magazine's PR Agency of the Year award 2002/3.

Jon is a member of the BBC World Service Trust roster of trainers qualified to provide campaigns training organisations in developing countries, and was responsible for establishing and teaching the Consumer PR module as part of Westminster University's MA in Public Communication.

Students on the three-year UCF PR degree course will graduate with a portfolio of PR campaigns and a range of public relations skills including writing, research analysis, pitching and budgeting. They will also gain a thorough knowledge of UK and global media and a grounding in the history and theory of public relations. Work placements in years two and three will prepare students for jobs in the industry.

"In many ways this is a dream job, joining UCF at such an exciting time in its evolution. Falmouth is an incredible place to live and work, and I am looking forward to meeting the first intake of students in September to prepare them for careers in the competitive but rewarding PR industry. Hopefully, many of the students will remain in Cornwall to help develop the county's burgeoning PR industry."

University College Falmouth is a founding partner in the Combined Universities in Cornwall, a unique initiative to promote regional economic regeneration through higher education. The CUC is funded mainly by the European Union (Objective One), the South West Regional Development Agency, and the Higher Education Funding Council for England, with support from Cornwall County Council.

There is still time to apply for BA(Hons) Public Relations for September 2007 entry. For further information, please visit www.falmouth.ac.uk/publicrelations, email admissions@falmouth.ac.uk or telephone 01326 213851.

For further information about this press release, please contact Jilly Easterby, Head of Public Affairs, University College Falmouth on 01326 213792 or email jilly.easterby@falmouth.ac.uk.

The Objective One Programme for Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly has invested in the Combined Universities in Cornwall (CUC) project, both Phase 1 and Phase 2, through the European Regional Development Fund (ERDF) and the European Social Fund (ESF). University College Falmouth is a partner of the CUC.

Editor's notes:

Clare Morgan
Media Relations Manager
Objective One Partnership Office
Castle House
Pydar Street
Truro TR1 2UD
Mobile: 07973 813647
Telephone: 01872 223439

cmorgan@cornwall.gov.uk

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