PR Certificate: Independent Learning
CIPR Public Relations and Communication Management Certificate Independent Learning
About this course
We’re excited to announce the updated and renamed CIPR Public Relations and Communication Management Certificate (previously the CIPR Professional PR Certificate). This course will show you how to develop effective PR strategies and plans that are based on research, create content that delivers on your objectives, prove your success through measurement and show you understand how to use AI ethically for PR tasks.
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
Easy access to help and support
On-demand expert lectures
Podcasts and Case Studies
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Assignment topic approval
Pay monthly
Initial fee: £201 (+ £10 VAT)
10 monthly instalments: £145 (+ £15 VAT)
A one-off initial fee is taken when you enrol. Instalments are collected monthly from the date you enrolled.
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
Please note that these rates are valid until the end of July.
How we calculate your launch offer fee
Save 10% on tuition by 31 July 2026!
PR Academy tuition: £800 (+ VAT)
CIPR fees: £851 (no VAT)
Total: £1,651 (+VAT)
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
VAT inclusive fee is £1,811
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 £950 (+ VAT).
Download our course brochure for all the course details including:
- Syllabus summary
- Assignment details
- Reasons to study
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Who is this course for?
Early career. This online CIPR Public Relations and Communication Management Certificate course (previously the Professional PR Certificate) is right for you if you have a degree and want to get into PR, or you may be early in your PR career and keen to get a qualification.
Career boost. Become a more confident communicator with the skills to take your practice to the next level. Demonstrate your ability to plan and measure what you do.
Flexible learning. You want to be able to study at a time and place that works for you.
CIPR Public Relations and Communication Management Certificate Syllabus
This PR Certificate considers the role of public relations and communication in an organisational context, how it can contribute to society and the responsibilities of an ethical practitioner in the modern world.
The syllabus comprises two units, each assesses through a real-world assignment. You will study the theories and models that underpin the PR activities below and learn how to:
- Carry out research, then develop public relations and communication strategies and plans.
- Create content that helps an organisation communicate with its stakeholders using the most suitable channels. This might be to change attitudes and influence behaviours, and/or market products and services.
- Measure the impact of communication activities.
- Use AI ethically.
Download the syllabus summary and brochure above.
Reviews from our graduates
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 aim of the PR Certificate (previously known as the Professional PR Certificate) is to introduce the candidate to the context, concepts and practical tools of public relations and enable them to develop the skills and abilities necessary to progress in their career.
The CIPR PR Certificate considers the context of PR’s role in organisations, how it can contribute to society’s better functioning, and what is expected of an ethical practitioner in the digital age.
You will learn about the role of PR and communication in an organisational and societal context, and develop the knowledge and skills to plan, execute and evaluate PR activities across a range of channels with confidence.
Candidates will: research and develop PR plans; create content that helps an organisation to tell a story, change attitudes and influence behaviours, and/or market products and services; and measure the impact of communication activities.
The syllabus comprises two units, which broadly follow the stages above and incorporate study of the concepts that underpin the tools and processes considered to be good PR practice.
To find out more download the brochure from the course page.
There is an assignment for each of the two units of study.
- Unit 1: The assessment enables candidates to demonstrate their ability to research and analyse the organisation’s communication environment, identify and prioritise stakeholders/audiences, define communication objectives, apply planning models, and outline how they will measure and evaluate communication activities.
- Unit 2: This assessment evaluates the ability to create ethical, effective communication content, adapt it appropriately for multiple channels and audiences, understand storytelling and persuasion, manage misinformation risks, interpret data, and use AI responsibly and ethically.
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.
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.
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.
