CIPR Professional PR Diploma

Course Overview

Take a strategic approach to PR and prepare to lead at board level. 

Gain an advanced understanding of the professional practice, including PR strategy and planning, content management, media and engagement, measurement and evaluation, and PR leadership. All underpinned by reference to ethics and the code of conduct.

You’ll also put your learning into practice, evaluating a wide range of PR concepts and techniques and applying them practically to your own work and sector.

It’s right for you if you’re an experienced PR professional and are ready to progress towards a senior management position, or if you have previously studied the CIPR Professional Certificate in Public Relations.

CIPR Professional PR Diploma

Aims of the module

The new CIPR Professional PR Diploma syllabus is based on professional practice underpinned by core PR principles, models and concepts.

Module structure

The syllabus incorporates three separate units.

  • The first unit is focused on the PR strategy and planning process, with an emphasis on research that establishes robust communications objectives, related to the organisation’s goals.
  • The second unit is focused on communications and engagement, with an emphasis on content, which reflects employers’ views that management of content across the organisation is an essential competence.
  • The third unit is focused on the leadership of PR activities, with an emphasis on management of projects, campaigns and resources; internal stakeholders, the PR team and key suppliers; and on measurement and evaluation.

Students would be awarded a CIPR Professional PR Diploma by successfully completing all three units.

Assessment Method

There are 4 assessment sessions per year. Depending on when you enrol on to the qualification you could qualify in as little as 9 to 12 months. As well as the tuition time, you’ll need to set aside approximately 10 to 12 hours per week for self-study. This might increase as you work towards submitting your assessments.

Unit 1: PR Strategy and Planning Assessment: Executive report 2000 words (+/- 10%) and summary situation analysis 2000 words (+/- 10%).

Unit 2: PR Content, Communications and Engagement Assessment: Thought leadership article 1,000 – 2,000-words (maximum 2,000 words) and supporting statement of reflection, 2000 words (+/- 10%).

Unit 3: PR Management, Measurement and Evaluation Assessment: Management proposal outlining recommendations for performance improvement, 2000 words (+/- 10%) and supporting review of the proposal for change. (2,000 words +/- 10%).

Entry Requirements

Anyone wishing to enrol for the PR Diploma will be asked to send a CV to jen.lorimer@nesma.co.uk which will be followed up with an informal chat with our course leader.

You qualify for the CIPR Diploma if you have any of the following:

  • CIPR Professional Certificate in Public Relations

One of the following plus 1 year’s relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors, e.g. marketing, journalism):

  • CIPR Internal Communications Certificate
  • postgraduate professional qualification in a related discipline (e.g. CIM diploma)
  • UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a PR-related discipline: business, marketing, management, communications, media or journalism.

One of the following plus 2 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors):

  • CAM Advanced Diploma in Marketing Communications
  • NCTJ Diploma
  • UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any other subject
  • LCCIEB qualification which must comprise 5 level-3 subjects in PR, marketing, advertising, and principles & practice of management.

4 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language.

In addition, those whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the language – spoken and written – to an International Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 6.5 or equivalent.

The Diploma in PR is right for you if you’re an experienced PR professional, managing processes, people and budgets and are ready to progress towards a senior management position, or if you have previously studied the CIPR Advanced Certificate in Public Relations.

Course Dates

Our next cohort is due to start 15 May 2024 for 6 weeks with Unit 2 starting in July running for 6 weeks and Unit 3 in September running for 4 weeks, for more information please contact lydia.hart@nesma.co.uk. 

Cost

Tuition Fees: £1,995 + VAT | CIPR Assessment fee: £1065 | CIPR Registration Fee: £81 | Total Cost £3,141 ex VAT/£3540 inc VAT

Level

Level 7 | Masters | 11 SQA

Duration

12 months

Locations

  • Virtual

Next Start Date

Session 1/6 for Unit 1 : 15th May - 2pm -4:30 pm (GMT)
Contact Client Support for more details.

Learning Options

Virtual Learning Offering:

The Professional Diploma is taught over 43 hours with a total of 16 x 2.5 -hour daytime or evening teaching sessions, via Teams, with 2 x 30 minute 1:1 assignment feedback tutorials per unit.

Our teaching is live and interactive reflecting our face to face teaching but online, for more information please don’t hesitate to contact us.

Need help deciding which course is right for you?
Call us on: +44 (0) 7734 222 254 or email: hello@nesma.co.uk