CIPR Qualification:

Professional PR Certificate

Level 5 | Degree | 8/9 SQA
The CIPR Professional Public Relations Certificate course is just what you need if you have a degree and aspire to break into the world of PR, or if you're at the beginning of your PR journey and eager to earn a qualification.
It is an accredited qualification designed for PR professionals seeking to enhance their skills and advance their careers. This comprehensive course covers key topics such as strategic communication planning, media relations, stakeholder engagement, digital communications, and ethical practices in public relations.
Participants will explore how to develop effective communication strategies, manage reputation, leverage social media, and measure campaign success. With a strong emphasis on real-world applications, the course provides invaluable insights and practical tools to navigate the ever-evolving PR landscape, making it an essential investment for anyone looking to thrive in the field.
Format

Live (virtual)
Learning

Starting dates

7 January 2025

April 2025 

June 2025

September 2025

Duration

14 x 3 hour
Live sessions

6 x 1 hour
Tutor session

Supplementary

16 weeks

Course tutor(s)

Anne-Marie Lacey
Debbie Sharratt

Course fee

 £995 + VAT 

Excludes CIPR fees*
See enrolment guide
for details

Aims of the course

The aim of the course is to equip PR professionals with the strategic knowledge and practical skills needed to excel in the dynamic field of public relations. The course focuses on communication strategy, media relations, stakeholder engagement, and digital communications, empowering participants to manage communication challenges effectively and enhance organisational reputation. Ultimately, it prepares PR practitioners for leadership roles and drives impactful results for their organisations.

Assessments Methods 

There are 3 units and each requires a written assignment that demonstrates understanding of the unit’s content and the development of relevant skills.

Students must also submit a statement of reflection that connects their learnings to practical applications in the field of public relations.

Entry requirements 

This course is perfect for you if you’re a graduate looking for a career in PR or if you have a couple of years’ PR experience at a junior level.
To study for the Professional Certificate in PR you will need either a CIPR Foundation qualification or any UK recognised degree, or equivalent or
2 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors, e.g. marketing, journalism) and 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, 1 of which must be in the English Language.

How can it be used?

This Qualification provides a valuable foundation for advancing careers in public relations by equipping professionals with essential skills and knowledge. It enables individuals to develop effective communication strategies, manage media relations, and handle crises, making them valuable assets to any organisation. Graduates can pursue roles such as PR consultants or communication managers and use the certification to showcase their commitment to professional development and industry best practices.
All our learners gain access the the nesma learning hub and you own learning homepage. From here you can access all your courses, materials and activities, see your progress and work with other students. 

The platform provides broader benefits including skills passport, activity badges, and access to skills intelligence, offers and news!

Learning outcomes

The course comprises of three units and learning outcomes are summarised below.

Learning Outcome Unit 1
Learning Outcome Unit 2
Learning Outcome Unit 3 

Public Relations in context: This unit provide students with essential PR principles. By the end of the unit, learners will develop effective communication strategies, craft tailored messages, and understand media relations, along with ethical considerations for navigating complex communication scenarios.

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Content, media and engagement: Students will demonstrate the ability to build and maintain relationships with journalists while crafting compelling press materials and pitches.

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Measurement, evaluation and professional ethics: Students will learn to identify key performance indicators (KPIs) and utilise measurement tools to assess the effectiveness of PR campaigns and report results to stakeholders.

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The 'nesma way'

What makes us different is our focus on giving you a great learning experience with more tutor engagement and personal focus ...we call it 'The nesma Way'!  

  • Personalised course selection and options support
  • Structured guidance from our exclusive tutors
  • Simply more contact time to ensure your success
  • Membership to an ever-growing learning community
  • A leading edge learning companion, content and online tools
  • Amazing pass rates and a great experience!
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Course Tutors

Anne-Marie Lacey

Before earning a Master of Arts in Public Relations, I got my first job through my student blog. My career progressed to being a PR Manager at an integrated brand consultancy. I then set up my own business - Filament PR, a virtual UK agency providing consultancy and coaching services to top brands.

As a Fellow of the CIPR, I maintain Chartered Practitioner status through annual CPD appraisals. My work covers international trade fairs, crisis management, and training sessions, offering a diverse professional life.

Debbie Sharratt

I teach at universities, offer expertise in CIPR Qualifications and Influencer Marketing, and have over a decade of experience as an independent Chartered PR Practitioner. Honoured with the CIPR PRide Independent Practitioner of the Year Award (North East) in 2012 and 2018. My qualifications include a BA (Hons) from Birmingham University, an MA in Marketing from Northumbria University, and CAM certifications. Actively engaged in CIPR activities, serving on various committees and panels. Strong in strategic planning, research, and collaboration, with a passion for impactful PR through analytical thinking.

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