Foundation in PR and Communication: Independent Learning
CIPR Public Relations and Communication Foundation Independent Learning
About this course
We’re excited to announce the new syllabus for the CIPR Public Relations and Communication Foundation. This PR course will help you to understand what public relations is, what it can achieve and equip you with some essential PR skills. Come away with a deeper understanding of the role of PR and how it relates to other communication disciplines.
When you opt for our Independent Learning programme, you’ll benefit from our extensive online library, on-demand lectures from expert tutors, podcasts and case studies.
We’ve launched this option to make learning more affordable. And if you’re studying from outside the UK, sales tax (VAT) probably won’t apply.
Want more one-on-one support? Check out our Guided Learning option and add live online lectures and one-to-one tutorials.
July offer: save 10% on tuition fees if you enrol by 31 July 2026. Fees displayed have the discount applied.
Course detail
Study Support Package
Online library with all the books you need
Study Hub: our bespoke online learning centre
On-demand expert lectures
Podcasts and Case Studies
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Easy access to help and support
Pay monthly
Initial fee: £148 (+ £10 VAT where applicable)
4 monthly instalments: £130 (+ £20 VAT where applicable)
A one-off initial fee is taken when you enrol. Instalments are collected monthly from the date you enrolled.
Please note that these rates are valid until the end of July.
How we calculate your fee
Save 10% on tuition by 31 July 2026!
PR Academy tuition: £450 (+ VAT)
CIPR fees: £218 (no VAT)
Total: £668 (+ VAT)
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
VAT inclusive fee is £758
Please note that our launch offer is valid until the end of July. From 1 August, we will be charging the usual tuition fee of £500 (+ VAT).
Download our course brochure for all the course details including:
- Full syllabus
- Assignment details
- Reasons to study
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Who is this course for?
Everyone. The course is right for you if you want a career in public relations or are already working in the industry but are looking for a first qualification.
Start your learning journey. The CIPR Public Relations and Communication Foundation prepares you for the post-graduate CIPR PR Certificate.
Add a new skill. You may be running your own business, or be doing PR as part of another role. If so, this qualification gives you the skills you need and introduces you to some of the theory.
CIPR Public Relations and Communication Foundation Syllabus
- Create content for written and audio-visual platforms that will engage stakeholders;
- Identify and prioritise different audience groups and channels, and justify those choices in the context of building relationships between an organisation and its stakeholders;
- Explain how PR helps to support different organisational objectives, and how it works with related disciplines such as marketing communications and advertising.
Practical application: the assessment is a portfolio of work and a discussion paper explaining your approach. You can use your own organisation as the subject.
Reviews from our graduates
Discover how our courses work
Ann Pilkington, co-founder of PR Academy, explains how our courses work, demonstrates our Study Hub and explains the resources and support you will receive. Also hear from members of the PR Academy alumni. (Note that some features are only available on our Guided Learning courses.)
Hear from others
Find out what it’s like to study with PR Academy.
It’s a real privilege to meet and work with so many professional communicators. Studying provides a great opportunity to step back a bit from the “day job”, and so I like learning to be reflective, challenging and interactive.
Ann Pilkington, PR Academy co-founder and course leader
Your questions answered
All our learners benefit from our extensive online library, on-demand lectures from expert tutors, podcasts and case studies.
Our Guided Learning programme also includes live online lectures on a range of topics plus one-to-one tutorials.
Independent Learning: Go for this option if you are happy to study independently and don't think you'll need tutorials and live sessions. We launched this option to make the learning more affordable and if you are joining us from outside the UK you probably won't pay sales tax (VAT).
Guided Learning: Go for this option if you like the idea of access to one-to-one support, live sessions and detailed feedback on assignment proposals.
Still not sure? Book a course advice call and chat it through.
Since 1 June 2025 you need to be a member of the CIPR if doing one of their qualifications. This is included in the cost of the course and applied at the time of enrolment.
The grade of membership is "Professional Student" - you can see the CIPR membership benefits ↗ on their website.
The costs are:
- £160 for a 2-year course (PR Diploma and PR Certificate)
- £80 for a 1-year course (Specialist Diplomas and Certificate)
- £38 for the Foundation course
We asked the CIPR and the answer is yes, this is what they said:
We recognise that some candidates may already hold an individual membership with the CIPR (and that this will not be Professional Student Membership) at the time of registration. To ensure fairness and avoid duplication of charges, we propose the following:
- Membership Extension Offered Where a candidate has already paid for their own membership which overlaps with the qualification period, that existing membership will not be refunded. Instead, the individual will receive a free extension of their current membership by one or two years, in line with the length of their course. The same applies to Corporate Affiliate membership.
- Membership Grade During Qualification If you are an existing member you will remain on your existing membership grade throughout the course in order to retain any professional accreditations that you already hold e.g. Accredited PR Practitioner, Chartered PR Practitioner. You will continue to receive communications and services appropriate to your existing grade.
The CIPR PR and Communication Foundation (previously just known as the Foundation) introduces the study and practice of public relations (PR). It is an introductory qualification for people who would like to work in PR. It is also suitable for those who already undertake some PR tasks and wish to consolidate their skills and understanding. The Foundation Award is the entry point to the CIPR’s suite of professional qualifications.
NOTE: The new name for the qualification was announced on 2 March.
The CIPR Foundation is assessed as follows:
Discussion paper: Candidates produce an accompanying discussion paper showing how the portfolio of content will help deliver the objectives of the PR team in that organisation.
Portfolio: Candidates produce a portfolio of content for traditional and digital media to generate positive coverage for an organisation.
The two component assessments must be based around a single organisation.
For CIPR courses:
Your course fee is a combination of the PR Academy tuition fee and the CIPR awarding body fee (like an exam fee), a CIPR registration fee and since 1 June 2025, CIPR Professional Student membership.
For all our courses:
For the tuition fee, PR Academy provides all your tuition via our bespoke online learning centre - our Study Hub. It includes an extensive online library with around 60 books, all the resources you need for your course and, depending on the course and learning option, tutorials, assignment idea feedback, live online sessions, plus we mark your assignments. Check out our Study Support Package.
You don’t need to buy any books unless you would like to.
It definitely can. Many of our students are studying in order to increase their confidence and boost their CV and report a new role or promotion as a result of their qualification. In PR Academy’s 2023 research into PR education, respondents were asked - if they hold a professional qualification - has it led to career progression/promotion. This is a question that PR Academy has tracked since 2013. There is a consistent report of between 74 and 85 percent that a professional qualification has led to a career progression combined with confidence that it will.
Some organisations ask for qualifications when advertising PR jobs. While a PR qualification isn't essential it improves your CV and also shows your personal commitment to the profession and continuous learning. Check out our ‘Comprehensive Guide to CIPR Qualifications’ for more information.
If you are looking for a qualification in PR, then a professional qualification is a good option because you can study while you work. The syllabi for CIPR qualifications is very practical while still underpinned by theory so you can apply what you learn straight away.
Yes they are. We have practitioners from all over the world studying with us. The CIPR is the only chartered body for public relations which adds to the recognition of the qualification around the world.
There are CIPR qualifications at all levels. If you are just starting out the Foundation in PR is for you. If you are a few years into your career the Professional PR Certificate or internal communication certificate are designed for you. For more experienced practitioners there are diploma qualifications at approximately Master's level. If you aren't sure check out our Complete Guide to CIPR Qualifications or simply get in touch for a chat.
Our CIPR, PRCA and AMEC qualifications are designed for practitioners who want to advance their career with a stronger understanding of theory leading to more strategic campaigns. Many of our students say it boosts their confidence and they go on to better jobs or promotion.
Yes, we regularly speak to practitioners who are using a qualification as a way to refresh their knowledge, get up to date with latest practice and boost their CV. A qualification can be a great reminder of how much you already know boosting your confidence to get back into the PR job market. In our 2023 research into PR education, 84% of respondents said they were doing it to increase their skills.
