Lead Online: Build Trust and Drive Strategy

Advance your digital communications expertise with the CIPR Specialist Diploma. Designed for experienced professionals, this qualification equips you to align digital and social media activity with organisational goals and reputation management.

Explore digital strategy, content planning, and ethical practice—so you can lead with clarity, manage risk, and deliver measurable impact in a digital-first world.

With nesma, you’ll gain expert tutor support and a clear route to a respected CIPR qualification.

Format

Live cohort start dates

Duration

Course tutors

Course fee 

CIPR Fees

Over 75,000

Learners

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!

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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:

Course description

What you'll learn

Understand digital disruption: Explore how digital tech, social media, and online behaviours are reshaping communications.
Plan strategic digital activity: Use research, tools and audience insight to develop effective, ethical, and platform-specific strategies.
Measure and improve performance: Monitor results, analyse data, and apply insights to enhance impact and ensure compliance.

This course is ideal for experienced comms professionals looking to specialise in digital and social media strategy and elevate their impact.

You’ll learn how to plan, manage and evaluate digital communications that build stakeholder engagement, strengthen reputation, and align with organisational goals.

By the end, you’ll be equipped to lead ethical, data-driven campaigns across platforms—backed by a respected CIPR qualification that proves your digital expertise.

With nesma, you’ll get expert tutor support, practical insights, and a faster, smarter route to success in digital communications.

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

Executive report – a 3,000-word analysis of a digital communications challenge, including strategic recommendations based on research and data.
Reflection statement – a 2,000-word critical evaluation of your approach, methodology, and ethical considerations.
Plus a reference list to support your work.

This practical task shows your ability to research, plan, and improve digital communications strategies. You’ll get expert guidance and support every step of the way.

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.

Learn more about fees and costs →

You’re ready for the Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications if you hold a relevant CIPR qualification, a UK degree (or equivalent), or have significant relevant work experience—typically 1–4 years.

Experience should cover PR or digital strategy, crisis management, content creation, social media, and stakeholder engagement.

If you lack experience, the Professional PR Certificate is a good starting point.

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

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.

Understand the digital landscape

I have a far greater understanding of the digital communications world and how campaigns can work effectively.

Mastered digital strategy

The course has been extremely valuable in enhancing my knowledge of digital tools and strategy, which are essential for my job role.

Practical learning, real impact

I have a broader knowledge of digital communication tactics, which I have applied to my current communications strategy.

5% off for nesma students and alumni!

If you have registered or attended a course
with us before, copy/ use the promo code
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*We will of course verify you have previously learnt with us

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Other courses to consider

Thank you!

CIPR Specialist Diploma: Digital Communications

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