CIPR Professional PR Certificate

Level 5 | Degree |8/9SQA
Advance your PR expertise

Strengthen your strategic thinking and creative capabilities across the full PR planning cycle. From research and insight to content creation, media relations and evaluation, this qualification gives you the tools to deliver ethical, effective communications that change minds and influence behaviour.

Achieve a respected CIPR qualification and develop the confidence to lead campaigns that make a measurable impact.

Learn with nesma and get more tutor time! 

*Course update - updated syllabus from February 2026*
CIPR is enhancing the CIPR Professional PR Certificate with a refreshed syllabus and a new two-unit structure. The updated qualification will be available for NEW cohorts starting from February 2026. Current learners will continue with the existing three-unit format.

Accredited qualification

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online
Start anytime
Live cohort start dates
October 2025
February, April, June 2026
Duration
10 months
Course tutors
Anne-Marie Lacey, Deb Sharratt
Course fee

£1,195 +VAT
Plus Institutional fees
CIPR Fees
Membership £80 1yr
Registration £81
Assessment £580

Get a recognised qualification

Join a 300,000 strong digital marketing community!

Over 75,000

Learners

5.0 (62 reviews) 

Why learn with nesma ?

We offer personalised learning that adapts to your changing situation at work and home, and more tutor hours to make sure you achieve your learning goals faster! 

Plus using our exclusive SkillsView™ and dedicated advisors, we work with you to help you build learning pathways to help you get that promotion! 

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Unique offers for this programme: 

We provide a unique range of offers to support your learning experience when completing this qualification:
  • Flexible dual award options to enhance your qualification portfolio
  • Earn nesma credits for smoother progression to other programmes.
  • Dedicated expert support available throughout your learning journey.

Course description

Advance your PR expertise with the CIPR Professional PR Certificate. Develop strategic skills in PR planning, media relations, and digital communications.
With nesma, you’ll get expert tutor support, real-world insights, and a clear route to a recognised industry qualification.
Perfect for early to mid-career professionals ready to take on more responsibility and lead effective, high-impact PR campaigns.
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What you'll learn

This qualification is made up of two units that give you a strong foundation in modern PR practice. You’ll learn how to plan and evaluate PR activity, create engaging content, and measure the impact of your work—all while applying the ethical and professional standards that guide the industry.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
  • Research, plan, deliver and evaluate PR campaigns
  • Create content that engages and influences audiences across multiple channels
  • Apply ethical, legal and professional standards in your work
  • Build your confidence and credibility as a PR practitioner

Your course includes

  • 35 hours of expert-led live online classroom sessions
  • Curated resources and case studies to support your learning.
  • 121 sessions with tutor to support with assignment 
  • Live online learning with lifetime access 
  • Qualification Certificate

Take your PR practice to the next level

TThis course is perfect for communicators ready to develop beyond the basics—whether you’re early in your PR career, expanding your role, or preparing to take on more responsibility.

You’ll learn how to plan and evaluate PR campaigns, create engaging content, connect with key audiences, and measure your impact—building the confidence to manage PR activities strategically, ethically, and effectively every day. The refreshed two-unit CIPR syllabus ensures your learning is practical, relevant, and aligned with modern PR practice.

By the end of the course, you’ll be equipped to lead campaigns with confidence and ownership, apply ethical and professional standards in your work, create content that engages and influences audiences, and earn a respected CIPR qualification that boosts your credibility and career prospects.

With nesma, you’ll qualify faster and receive expert support every step of the way—better than any other study centre.

All of our learners gain access to the nesma learning hub via your own homepage.

From here you can access all of 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!

Aims

You’ll deepen your strategic understanding and develop advanced planning and content skills to manage effective PR campaigns.

In short, you’ll become a CERTIFIED PR professional, ready to take ownership of campaigns that influence behaviour, engage diverse audiences, and deliver measurable results aligned with organisational goals.

Assessment 

To complete the course, you’ll submit two assignments that cover the untis.  


You’ll get clear guidance and support to help you succeed.

Details will be released nearer the start date of the course

CIPR Membership  & Assessment Fees

We handle all the admin – you focus on learning
We’ll arrange your membership, registration, and assessment  fees,  and help you prepare with practice tests and revision sessions.
Plus, as a CIPR member, you’ll gain access to expert resources, practical toolkits, on-demand webinars, and exclusive networking opportunities. You’ll also benefit from ongoing career support and become part of a vibrant community of PR and communications professionals committed to ethical, high-impact practice.
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Who is it for?

This course is designed for communicators who want to take the next step in their PR career and build strategic, campaign-ready skills.

It’s ideal for early to mid-career professionals, in-house teams, agency staff, marketing executives, and those in PR-related roles who want to gain a recognised qualification and the confidence to plan, deliver, and evaluate effective PR campaigns..  If your not sure talk to us  

Entry requirements

You’re eligible if you’ve completed the CIPR Foundation, hold a UK degree (or equivalent), or have 2+ years’ experience in PR, marketing, journalism, or a related field.

If English is not your first language, you will need to demonstrate you’ve achieved an equivalent qualification.  If your not sure talk to us  

Your course tutors

Anne-Marie Lacey

PR Expert 

Anne-Marie Lacey is a senior tutor at nesma and founder of Filament PR, a virtual agency providing consultancy and coaching to leading brands. As a Fellow of the CIPR and Chartered Practitioner, she brings extensive experience in crisis management, international trade fairs, and communications strategy. Anne-Marie combines practical industry knowledge with a passion for teaching, helping students develop the skills and confidence to succeed in their CIPR qualifications and professional careers.

Deb Sharratt

PR Expert

Deb is a Chartered PR Practitioner and award-winning communications consultant with over a decade of independent experience. She delivers CIPR qualifications and bespoke Influencer Marketing training with nesma, alongside teaching at university level.

With a strong track record across the public, private and third sectors, Deb brings strategic insight and hands-on expertise to every project. She is an active CIPR Council Member and co-chairs the Influencer Relations panel. A published blogger and passionate communicator, Deb enjoys helping professionals grow their confidence, skills and impact through creative, practical learning.

Learning outcomes


Course structure


The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is introducing an improved and more streamlined version of the CIPR Professional PR Certificate. As part of this update, the qualification will move from three units to two, supported by a refreshed and more focused syllabus. The new structure will be in place for cohorts beginning from February 2026. Learners joining before February 2026 will continue with the current three-unit format, while those starting from February 2026 onwards will follow CIPR’s new, updated syllabus.

Unit 1: Public Relations & Communication Planning and Evaluation

In this unit, you learn how to position public relations strategically within organisations and society. You’ll analyse stakeholders and audiences, apply planning models, and develop robust campaign plans. You’ll also set communication objectives, create measurable targets, and learn to evaluate impact using industry‑standard frameworks such as AMEC. Along the way, you’ll explore ethical, legal and regulatory issues, governance, and risk in PR practice.
What you’ll learn:
  • Understanding the role of PR in organisational and societal contexts
  • Conducting stakeholder and audience research to inform strategy
  • Applying structured planning techniques and project tools
  • Setting SMART communication objectives and performance metrics
  • Monitoring and evaluating campaign outcomes against clear goals
  • Identifying and managing issues, risks, and ethical dilemmas
  • Navigating legal and regulatory constraints and professional governance

Unit 2: Communication & Content Management

This unit focuses on creating compelling, ethical content and managing communication across modern channels. You’ll explore how messages are shaped in a digital world, learn to tell stories that resonate, and use data to guide your content decisions. You’ll also consider the global, cultural, and technological context of communication, including the ethical use of AI and verification of information.
What you’ll learn:
  • Crafting narrative and content strategies for different audiences and media
  • Producing ethical, truthful, and culturally sensitive content
  • Using storytelling and content curation to build engagement
  • Planning and running social media campaigns aligned with strategic goals
  • Interpreting and using insight and data to improve content performance
  • Creating content responsibly using AI tools, while ensuring fact-checking and integrity
  • Understanding and mitigating misinformation, persuasion challenges and reputation risks

What our learners say

I got the promotion!

My boss and colleagues have now recognised my commitment to the role and ambition to progress further, and I will be getting a promotion next month as a result!

Confidence to go freelance

Studying with nesma has given me the confidence to go freelance, and I have not looked back. Thanks nesma!

Practical learning, real impact

Studying this course has increased my confidence and has allowed me to contribute more to everyday work situations, improving my performance within my role.

Learning from industry experts

The tutors are true experts who know what works and what doesn’t. They were fascinating to listen to, and I gained valuable knowledge and practical ideas to apply at work.

Simple to understand!

Armed with the knowledge and techniques obtained from your school, I feel more equipped to navigate the challenging social aspects of the real world and become a professional in my field of choice.

Credibility with colleagues.

I feel like I have some equal standing with my colleagues. I was the only team member without a PR qualification in the communications team.    It has given me a boost in confidence in my own abilities.