Career in Advertising & Public Relations: Courses, Colleges & Salary

Are you coming up with memorable taglines, creating attractive visuals or creating compelling social media content? This industry will inspire you to think creatively. Your innovative concepts can influence brand identities and connect with viewers, which makes you create a meaningful impression. To talk about choosing a career in advertising I would say it is one of the exciting pathways to showcase your creative expression and experience. 

The Advertising & PR industry has been blooming in recent years, and pursuing a career in this industry can be quite thrilling. For the better understanding of potential advertising careers options we are providing you with essential information to help you understand and prepare better for your future. 


Why Should You Choose Advertising & PR as a Career?

As we are a part of the modern and constantly changing world, the rapidly advancing technology and the mushrooming social media, you would want to select a career in Advertising & PR which is both a demanding and emerging industry. If you have an interest towards creativity and the ability to shape public opinion, then pursuing a career in Advertising & PR could be the ideal choice for you. 


What makes advertising a promising career today?  

The rise of digital media, content creation, influencer marketing, and brand storytelling has made advertising an ever-evolving and growing field. It is dynamic, with strong cross-industry demand and opportunities for both creative minds and strategic thinkers.


Advertising & PR Career Scope in India

Advertising & PR are the essential components of marketing which play a crucial role in connecting customers with their needs and any product specifications. The variety of scope in Advertising & PR allows you to explore various roles and discover a specialized area that matches your interest, abilities and passions. This field offers you a broad variety of career opportunities, including positions like public relation executive, copywriter, marketing manager, brand strategist, social media manager, account management, content creation and creative leadership.



Image Source: Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)

Top Advertising & PR Courses in India

Advertising and PR courses students come from different parts of India as well as come from different backgrounds. You can be an engineer, or a graduate in mathematics, journalism, English, sociology or any other field. If you have any experience in the creative space like working with digital agencies, as a social media executive, a content writer or even a graphics designer then perks are on your way. There are some top courses in India which will give you a great exposure to this area where you can upgrade your skills. 

You can glance over the SACAC’s integrated marketing communication course which is one of the best in India, offers you an insight into how the advertising world works. You will get a chance to interact with faculty members, who are successful award-winning professionals in their field.


Key Skills Required for Advertising & PR Courses:

Once you have made up your mind to pursue Advertising & PR courses, here are few key skills that is a must – 

  • Communication
  • Digital Media Skills 
  • Creativity
  • Social Media Management
  • Multimedia Skills 
  • Strategic Thinking


Image Source: Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)


Advertising & PR Courses: Eligibility Criteria


Whether you are planning to go for advertising courses, public relation courses, or both, as they have the same stems, you can be a graduate in any discipline, equivalent qualifications or a working professional. If you have these following qualities it's a bonus for you –

● A creative and innovative bent of mind.

● Interest in contemporary society and events.

● Motivation and persistence to meet one’s goals.

● Ability to work individually, as well as in a team.

● Strategic mind with planning details 


Top 5 Advertising & PR Colleges in India:

To polish yourself and your skills you can enroll into the specialized institution that has a well designed curriculum with focused skill set development on Advertising & PR. Here are top 5 colleges in India who has best courses with best faculty in this field –

  1. Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication (SACAC)
  2. Indian Institute of Mass Communication (IIMC)
  3. Symbiosis Institute of Media and Communication, Pune
  4. Xavier Institute of Communication, Mumbai
  5. Mudra Institute of Communication, Ahmedabad 


Advertising & PR Course Fee:

Advertising and Public Relation courses offered in India vary according to the components of the curriculum, duration and specialization. However, on average a student would have to spend somewhere between ₹2 to ₹3 lakhs per annum. The course fee for diploma in advertising and public relations at Sri Aurobindo Centre for Arts and Communication is ₹2.45 Lakhs with the course duration of 12 months. 


Career Options in Advertising & PR

Upon finishing the course, you will have the opportunity to explore various genres of work such as –

  • PR Executive
  • Copy writers
  • Brand Strategist
  • Social media marketer/ manager
  • Production team Manager
  • Creative Heads
  • Media or community relationship manager
  • Content Editors
  • Marketing manager
  • Art director 
  • Influencer 
  • Public affair consultant 

The best colleges for advertising and public relations in India will create numerous opportunities for you. You will be able to pursue your career forward at these organizations: 

  • Marketing agency
  • PR firm
  • Media companies
  • Media houses
  • Magazine houses
  • Finance or investment companies


How does SACAC help you kickstart your advertising career?  

SACAC provides hands-on training, experienced faculty, and real-world projects that help you build a strong portfolio. With its industry connections and internship opportunities, SACAC serves as a launchpad for a successful career in advertising.


Advertising & PR Career - Salary Expectation

The average salaries of Advertising & PR in India does vary based on the experience, location and job responsibility. For an entry level job, you can expect around ₹3 to ₹5 lakhs annually. Professionals with experience expect between ₹6 to ₹12 lakhs per annum while senior and specialized roles can expect anywhere between ₹15 to ₹30 lakhs or more based on their particular role and experience. 


A successful Advertising professional is someone who amalgamates creativity with strategic thinking while managing client relationships and media interaction skillfully.


Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)


Q1 Can I join advertising after engineering?

Yes, absolutely. Many professionals transition into advertising after engineering. If you have a passion for creativity, storytelling, or branding, enrolling in an advertising course in India or a diploma in PR can help you build the necessary skills to enter the field successfully.


Q2 What qualifications do I need for a career in advertising?

A degree in any stream arts, science, engineering, or commerce is acceptable. What matters most is your creative mindset and communication skills. Completing a specialized advertising and PR course gives you industry-relevant training in media, branding, and strategy.


Q3 Is advertising a good career for creatives?

Yes, advertising is one of the best career paths for creative thinkers. It offers opportunities in copywriting, campaign design, brand strategy, digital content creation, and more. If you enjoy ideation, visuals, or storytelling, advertising can be both fulfilling and dynamic.


Q4 Can I shift to advertising after an engineering or science degree?

Yes. Many people move into advertising from technical or scientific fields. A structured advertising course in India can help you bridge the gap by teaching essential skills like campaign development, audience research, and creative thinking.


Q5 What is the salary of an advertising professional in India?

The salary of an advertising and PR professional in India varies by experience, role, and location. Freshers typically earn between ₹3–5 LPA, while experienced professionals in strategy, creative, or digital roles can earn ₹8–20 LPA or more, especially in top agencies or multinational brands.



About the Author:

Nisha Gupta

Nisha Gupta is an art researcher based in New Delhi.  She has done her post graduation in Art History and Aesthetics from MSU Baroda. Her interests include research and writing. She is also an art educator and likes mentoring young artists.