CIPR Specialist Diploma: Crisis Communications

Level 7 | Postgraduate Degree | 11SQA
Lead with clarity in times of crisis

Designed for senior professionals, this qualification builds the expertise to advise at board level, manage complex reputational risks, and lead strategic crisis communications with authority.

You’ll deepen your understanding of crisis theory, stakeholder response, and ethical leadership—equipping you to guide organisations through uncertainty and protect long-term trust.

Achieve a respected CIPR qualification that recognises your ability to lead at the highest level..

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Accredited qualification

Digital Marketing Institute
Format
Live online

Live cohort start dates
September 2025
January, April, June 2026
Duration
10 weeks
Course tutors
Dr Heather Yaxley
Course fee

£1,349 +VAT
Plus Institutional fees
CIPR Fees
Membership £80
Registration £81
Assessment £355
*Team discounts and payment options available

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Over 75,000

Learners

5.0 (62 reviews) 

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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 expertise in risk, reputation, and crisis response with the CIPR Specialist Diploma in Crisis Communications.

You’ll learn to analyse threats, shape crisis plans, and manage communications under pressure—supported by ethical insight and practical tools.

Ideal for experienced PR professionals looking to specialise or step into a senior advisory role. With nesma, you’ll gain expert support and a respected qualification that proves you’re ready to lead when it matters most.
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What you'll learn

This qualification equips you with the insight, tools, and critical thinking needed to manage crisis communication at a senior level. You’ll explore the causes and consequences of reputational threats, develop strategic plans to mitigate risk, and lead ethical, effective responses under pressure.

By the end of the course, you’ll be able to:
  • Assess risks and readiness: Identify potential threats, contribute to risk planning, and evaluate your organisation’s crisis preparedness.
  • Lead crisis response: Manage communications during high-pressure situations, provide credible advice to senior leaders, and maintain public trust.
  • Apply ethical judgement: Navigate complex scenarios with professionalism and integrity—aligning actions with organisational values and public expectations.

Your course includes

  • 10 weeks 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

Be the voice of calm in a crisis

This course is ideal for experienced PR professionals looking to lead on crisis communication—whether you’re stepping into a senior advisory role or specialising in risk and reputation management.

Learn how to identify threats, plan for the unexpected, manage pressure, and respond with clarity and integrity when it counts most. You’ll build credibility as a trusted adviser to senior leaders, with the confidence to protect brand reputation and guide organisations through uncertainty.

By the end, you’ll be equipped to lead with strategic insight, ethical judgement, and practical tools—backed by a respected CIPR qualification that proves your expertise in crisis comms.

With nesma, you’ll benefit from expert tutor support, a flexible online format, and a quicker, smarter path to professional recognition.

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 confidence, insight, and specialist expertise to lead crisis communications at the highest level—preparing for the unexpected and responding with credibility, clarity, and control.

In short, you’ll become a CERTIFIED crisis comms expert, ready to protect reputation, support leadership, and guide organisations through their toughest moments.

Assessment 

To complete the course, you’ll submit 1 assignemnt:


  • A 3,000-word executive report analysing a real or simulated crisis scenario, assessing management strategies, and recommending improvements based on data and best practice.
  • A 2,000-word reflective statement covering your research, methodology, ethical considerations, and lessons learned.

This practical assessment demonstrates your ability to lead crisis communications with professionalism, strategic insight, and ethical awareness. You’ll receive clear guidance and expert support throughout.

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 experienced PR and communications professionals ready to lead crisis communications at a strategic level and guide organisations through high-pressure situations.

Ideal for senior practitioners, consultants, crisis managers, and in-house or agency professionals who want to deepen their expertise, strengthen strategic crisis response skills, and earn a respected qualification that supports leadership in critical moments.  If your not sure talk to us  

Entry requirements

You’re eligible if you hold a relevant CIPR qualification, a UK degree (or equivalent), or have several years’ relevant PR or communications experience. Other professional qualifications plus experience may also qualify you.

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 tutor

Dr Heather Yaxley

Founder & Strategic PR Consultant

Heather supports the delivery and assessment of CIPR professional qualifications. With over 20 years’ experience in PR and communications, she founded Applause Consultancy to help individuals and organisations address strategic challenges and improve performance. A published author, researcher, and qualified educator, Heather holds a PhD in career strategies and is a CIPR Accredited Practitioner and Fellow. She is passionate about sustainable career development, reflective practice, and empowering others to achieve their professional goals.

Learning outcomes


What our learners say

Prepared for anything

This course gave me the tools and confidence to anticipate crises and respond quickly under pressure.

Leading with clarity

I’ve learned how to communicate clearly and calmly during high-stress situations, which has transformed my leadership

Ethics and impact

The focus on ethical decision-making helped me handle complex crises with integrity and protect my organisation’s reputation

Empowered to lead Multi-Channel PR

I am now more confident in planning and executing multi-channel PR campaigns, making the most of interesting content and measuring PR in a more meaningful and effective way.

Confident, Credible, and Evidence-Led

I now make sure evaluation is a part of every key activity we undertake, and I use data and insight much more than I ever have. I can now explain the theory behind my decisions and cite examples that I’ve picked up during my studies.

Ready to take the next step 

I know that I’m ready to take the next step in my career, to work with a team under me that I can develop and share ideas with. The expert knowledge that I’ve gained through studying is being put into practice with success.

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

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