Public Affairs Diploma
CIPR Specialist Diploma: Public Affairs
About this course
Gain an insight into the process of policy formation, how public affairs relates to PR and corporate communication and the reputational context in which public affairs operates. The CIPR Public Affairs Diploma explores theory while being rooted in practice. Learn how public affairs contributes to organisational success and what is expected of an ethical practitioner in the complex political environment.
Our course includes live online sessions, tutorials and individual feedback on assignment topics, plus CIPR Professional Student Membership.
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
Live interactive online workshops
One to one tutorials
Individual feedback on your assignment idea
Online library with all the books you need
Study Hub: our bespoke online learning centre
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Easy tutor contact
Pay monthly
Initial fee: £272.80 (incl. VAT)
8 monthly instalments: £215 (incl. VAT)
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 offer: £1,214 (+ VAT)
CIPR fees: £536 (no VAT)
Total: £1,750 (+ VAT)
VAT is calculated upon enrolment and is dependent on your location and situation.
VAT inclusive fee is £1,992.80
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 £1,349 (+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?
Public Affairs practitioners. You are an experienced public affairs practitioner or a communication/PR professional working on public affairs activity and looking to gain a specialist qualification to underpin your skills with theory and analysis.
Gain new skills. You want to gain new skills or improve existing skills by learning about the strategic role of public affairs.
Moving into public affairs. You wish to establish yourself as a public affairs practitioner. The course is designed for both generalist public relations practitioners wishing to enhance their understanding of the discipline and also those intending to specialise in public affairs as a career.
Flexible learning. You want to be able to study at a time and pace that works for you.
Master’s level. This is a Master’s level course, so make sure you are ready to study and be assessed at this level.
Learning outcomes
- Discover how the public policy environment operates and how to engage in the process. Learn about the psychology of communication, persuasion, rhetoric, engaging the electorate, the role of the media and political marketing.
- Take a strategic look at public affairs practice and how it integrates with other broader reputation management. Emerging issues and trends that affect contemporary public affairs practice are discussed, together with the strategy and tactics of lobbying and campaigning and the theories underpinning the process.
- Research and develop ethical public affairs strategies and plans which confront and manage political and societal issues, change attitudes and influence behaviours, and so achieve strategic objectives.
Apply what you learn. Be assessed on real-life or work-related projects, which is great for employers, showing the practical relevance of the course.
Reviews from our graduates
Meet your course leader.
Dr Stuart Thomson Chart.PR, FPRCA is a political communications and public affairs consultant. Stuart runs his own consultancy, CWE Communications.
He advises on public affairs strategies, including political and corporate communications and reputation management. His work also includes consultation and planning communications, and he has advised on several high-profile media relations and crisis communications programmes.
Stuart is the author of several books, including ‘Public Affairs in Practice‘, ‘Public Affairs: A Global Perspective‘ and ‘The Company and the Activist: Going Beyond PR’. He also has a podcast, ‘Public Affairs in Practice‘.
Stuart regularly writes and lectures on a range of business and political issues, and his media appearances include Sky News, BBC 5 Live, BBC World, GB News and the Today programme.
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.
Hear from others
Find out what it’s like to study for the CIPR Professional PR Diploma with PR Academy.
Your questions answered
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 Specialist Diploma: Public Affairs focuses on the process of policy formation and the wider corporate communications and reputational context in which public affairs operates. It is focussed on professional practice and explores the concepts, theories and knowledge required to develop capabilities in research, planning, execution and evaluation of public affairs activities. An analytical perspective is applied to encourage candidates to take a reflective approach in examining their own experience alongside case studies of organisations and scenarios.
The assignment is an executive report and summary situation analysis on a case study of your choice. The case study must be on a topic of enquiry associated with public affairs, and the content should focus on the contexts, concepts and practical tools of public affairs. This could be based on the candidate’s own organisation, a client, another organisation of the candidate’s choice or a broader societal situation that can be associated with public affairs activities. An example topic could be "Securing rights for a neglected minority".
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.
