City University partners with Vested to support new talent

City, University of London has announced it has partnered with financial services specialist consultancy Vested, to deliver a series of initiatives through 2024 and 2025 to support new talent joining the industry.

The City, University of London has announced it is launching new Master's programme in Marketing Communications and Public Relations and Strategic Communications in September. This initiative is part of the formation of the School of Communication and Creativity at the university. The courses aim to offer students a dynamic blend of theoretical knowledge and hands-on industry experience.

Through the partnership, Vested will give insights and hands-on experience to both bachelor's and master's level students. Initiatives include internships, work experience, employability training sessions, and the joint development and delivery of the 'Pitching Campaigns' module for the MA course.

Elspeth Rothwell, EMEA CEO, Vested, shed light on the purpose of this collaboration. She stated, "We are on a mission to change the world of financial services marketing communications and that starts with the people who work in the industry and at the beginning of their careers. This partnership enables us to work with an incredible university and team who are doing so much already to improve social mobility and learning, we are proud to be playing our role in opening the door to those who may not have considered it before."

Dr Raluca Moise, Deputy Head of Department of Media, Culture and Creative Industries at City, University of London, expressed her enthusiasm for the joint venture. "We are delighted to be partnering with Vested," she shared. "Our new media, PR, and marketing communications master's programmes are designed to equip students with a mix of theoretical and practical knowledge. With modules like "Pitching Campaigns", we are hoping to develop critical thinking in our students, which is a sought-after skill for employers. The support Vested will be providing around employability will benefit all of our students as they look at life beyond academia and take their skills into the industry."

The newly-built MA programmes are an apt representation of the current employment market in the UK and Europe, offering cutting-edge theoretical understanding and practical abilities in the areas of professional practice. The programmes combine fresh and innovative practices such as Digital Content Creation with emerging fields in marketing and strategic communications. Health communication, fashion communication, and political communication are notably a few sectors that will be explored. The faculty comprises recognised experts in their fields, who lead pioneering research projects across all areas of communication.

The newly launching MA Marketing Communication programme has earned the accreditation from the Chartered Institute of Marketing UK. Through this collaboration with Vested and the launch of modernised programmes, City, University of London continues to show its dedication to preparing its students for successful careers in the ever-evolving fields of PR and marketing.