CIPR Specialist Certificate: Internal Communications

Level 5 | Degree |8/9SQA
Shape Culture, Drive Engagement

Enhance your ability to plan, deliver, and evaluate strategic internal communication that drives employee engagement and supports organisational goals. From understanding organisational culture to crafting compelling messages and managing change, this qualification equips you to build trust and influence behaviour from the inside out.

Achieve a respected CIPR qualification and gain the confidence to lead internal comms with purpose, clarity, and measurable impact.

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Accredited qualification

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online
Start anytime
Live cohort start dates
September 2025
January, April, June 2026
Duration
10 weeks
Course tutors
Michelle Atkinson
Course fee

£995 +VAT
Plus Institutional fees
CIPR Fees
Membership £80
Registration £81
Assessment £290
*Team discounts and payment options available

Get a recognised qualification

Join a 300,000 strong digital marketing community!

Over 75,000

Learners

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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 internal comms expertise with the CIPR Specialist Certificate. Learn how to plan and deliver strategic internal communications that drive engagement, shape culture, and support organisational change.
With nesma, you’ll benefit from expert tutor support, practical learning, and insights you can apply immediately.
Ideal for communications professionals ready to make a greater impact through effective messaging, trusted leadership comms, and a deeper understanding of how internal communication fuels business success.
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What you'll learn

This course gives you a clear understanding of the strategic role internal communications plays in engaging employees, supporting change, and driving organisational success. You’ll explore how to plan, deliver and measure impactful communications across a variety of internal channels.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
  • Plan and implement effective internal communication strategies aligned with organisational goals.
  • Create clear, compelling content that informs, inspires and drives engagement
  • Use research, insight and evaluation to measure impact and continuously improve your internal comms practice

Your course includes

  • 20 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

Shape Culture. Drive Change. Lead with Confidence

This course is ideal for anyone working in internal communications who’s ready to build strategic confidence, broaden their impact, or step into a more senior role.

You’ll learn how to plan and deliver engaging internal communications that support business goals, build trust, and drive employee engagement—across digital, social and face-to-face channels.

By the end, you’ll be able to create campaigns that support change, strengthen culture, and add real value to your organisation—backed by a respected CIPR qualification that proves your expertise.

With nesma, you’ll get practical insights, expert tutor support and a faster route to success 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 build the specialist skills and insight to lead internal communications that truly connect people, purpose, and performance.

In short, you’ll become a CERTIFIED Internal Comms professional, ready to craft impactful messages, support organisational change, and foster a culture of engagement from the inside out.

Assessment 

You’ll complete one written assignment that puts your learning into action:


  • Internal comms plan – based on research, with clear objectives, key audiences, and activities
  • Content curation report – how you’d find and use relevant content
  • Creative brief – for a piece of content to support your plan

    It’s a practical, real-world task that shows you can plan and deliver effective internal communications.  You’ll get clear guidance and support to help you succeed.


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 ready to specialise in internal comms and play a more strategic role in their organisation.

Ideal for early to mid-career professionals, HR or PR practitioners, and anyone involved in employee engagement who wants to gain a recognised qualification and the skills to plan, lead, and measure impactful internal communications.  If your not sure talk to us  

Entry requirements

You’re ready to take this course if you’ve completed the CIPR Foundation Award, hold a UK degree (or equivalent), or have at least two years’ relevant work 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

Michelle Atkinson

Senior Internal Communications Leader & CIPR Fellow

With over 30 years in PR and communications, including 20 at a senior level, I currently work in Internal Communications. A Fellow of the CIPR, I’ve held senior roles across public sector organisations and consultancies. I support MA students at Newcastle University and serve as Secretary of the CIPR North East committee. Passionate about public and crisis communications, I enjoy helping others grow while continuing to learn. Outside of work, I’m a football fan and enjoy staying active.

Learning outcomes


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.

Excellent Training Program!

The presenters were amazing. They were engaging, timely, and knowledgeable

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

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