Diploma in Public Relations

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)

The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the professional body for Public Relations (PR) practitioners in the UK.

 

With over 9,500 members, involved in all aspects of the public relations industry, it is the largest body of its type in Europe.  The CIPR Diploma may be seen as the benchmark title for practitioners in the industry, raising the standards in the Public Relations field.

The CIPR is responsible for the content of the programme and for maintaining the quality of the syllabus.

Globaltraining has been approved by the CIPR UK as an official provider of this Diploma in Cyprus.

 

Course Objectives

The Diploma in Public Relations provides candidates with the knowledge and understanding of theory and practice to enable them to become effective and efficient PR professionals.  It explores the strategic management activities of the PR function, and ensures candidates develop an enhanced awareness as public relations practitioners.  Candidates will learn to appreciate PR as a management function by examining and analysing public relations issues.

The CIPR Diploma is for PR professionals, or for those working in PR who do not have an industry-specific qualification.  The programme is designed to equip participants with the necessary knowledge and skills to fully recognise the importance of image and be able to manipulate and control the public face of a business or organisation.  Candidates will examine case studies and will be given the opportunity to consider PR issues in workshops with experienced PR practitioners.  They will study recommended texts for a more theoretical examination, and build case histories by conducting research from a range of mediums such as newspapers, magazines, journals, specialist publications and other forms of media.

Entry Requirements

  • Postgraduate-level professional qualification, or
  • Degree in a related discipline (business, management, communications, etc.) and have 1 year of full time employment in PR or
  • Degree in any field plus 2 years of PR experience, or
  • CIPR Advanced Certificate, or
  • At least 4 years of full time PR practical experience and a Diploma from selected PR organisations

Course Structure

The CIPR Diploma consists of 3 units:

 

Unit 2.1 - Pr Theory and Practice (Professional Knowledge):
This unit introduces the basic elements of public relations theory, exploring different concepts and schools of thought.  Candidates will investigate the social, economic and political impact of public relations in their own workplace, and in wider contexts, and will draw theory and ideas from a wide range of public relations writing and thinking, which they will critically examine and evaluate.
 
Unit 2.2 - Pr Planning and Management (Vocational Skills):
This unit emphasises the importance of planning in strategic public relations, and introduces a range of theories, models and concepts concerning public relations management.  Candidates will learn to consider and prioritise the needs of stakeholders in designing effective and persuasive communication, and to appreciate the value of research in the planning process.
 
Unit 2.3 - Personal Skills and Development (Reflective Practice):
For the final part of the Diploma, candidates will use the knowledge and skills acquired in the first two units to conduct a self-directed research investigation into a particular aspect of public relations practice and/or theory.  With the help of their tutor to define the project parameters and to create a realistic research plan, candidates are expected to produce an in-depth and reflective investigation - a project of around 6,000 words.

Examination & Assessment

  1. Unit 2.1 Assessment: "Critical Reasoning Test" (essays/report 5,000-6,000 words)
  2. Unit 2.2 Assessment: Planning Assignment based on a case study (5,000 words)
  3. Unit 2.3 Assessment: Personal Project agreed with tutor (6,000 words)
  4. The course is offered twice a year and classes are held in the evenings and at weekends to assist working professionals
  5. Typically, weekday classes are held from 17.00 to 22.00, and full-day weekends classes are held from 09.00 to 17.00 (specific dates and times are included in the Intercollege Globaltraining Course Schedule).

Teaching Approach at the Intercollege Globaltraining

  • Interactive workshops use a combination of theory and case studies
  • Tutors are there to help with studies - supporting the candidates and making sure they are on the right track to pass the exam and assessments, as well as providing guidance on any problems or issues that may arise during the programme.
  • Two "Research Methodology" sessions are included in the programme to assist with writing at a professional level
  • Revision sessions are given prior to the exam and submission of the final project
  • Reading material is that proposed by the CIPR.  Recommended texts  will also be proposed as additional reading

CIPR Membership

All candidates are required to become members of the CIPR.  Application forms may be downloaded from the Institute website, or obtained from Globaltraining.