Public Affairs Management
PRCA Diploma in Public Affairs Management
About this course
The qualification provides a broad overview of public affairs work and covers parliamentary processes such as legislative procedures and government policy-making. It includes a thorough exploration of public affairs planning, stakeholder identification, issues mapping, message development, parliamentary engagement and relationship management all set within a broader context of lobbying codes, ethical practice and personal responsibilities.
Course detail
Study Support Package
Live interactive online workshops
One to one tutorials
Online library with all the books you need
Individual feedback on your assignment ideas
Study Hub: our bespoke online learning centre
Networking via our LinkedIn group
Easy tutor contact
PRCA accredited
What are the course fees and how to book?
Enrolment and payment is via the PRCA.
Please contact the PRCA team.
Who is this course for?
The PRCA Diploma in Public Affairs Management is for people working in public affairs in a junior role and people in other PR-related disciplines who are looking to know more about public affairs or move careers into public affairs.
In-house or agency. It is suitable for people working in both settings.
Flexible learning. You want to be able to study at a time and pace that works for you.
Experienced or entry-level. The course is suitable if you are new to the field or a more experienced practitioner looking to underpin what you do with some theory, concepts and models.
Learning outcomes
Delegates will understand key concepts in public affairs management:
Lobbying, government relations, issues management, reputation management
Differences/similarities between public affairs work at an agency and in-house
Political PR
Lobbying codes, ethical practice and personal responsibilities
Parliamentary processes
Scottish Parliament, Welsh Assembly, Metro Mayors and Local Government processes.
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.
Download our course brochure for all the course details including:
- Full syllabus
- Assignment details
- Reasons to study
- About the PRCA
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Thank you for downloading more information about the course. We would love you to join us. Enrolling online is easy and if you have any questions just give us a call or drop us an email.
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Meet your course leader Stuart Thomson
The value of public affairs is often underrated but engagement with government and officials can offer huge benefits to any organisation. I’ve always had a passion for spreading the word about public affairs both through training and in books.
Hear from others
Find out what it’s like to study with PR Academy.
“The flexible learning structure, tutor support and online resources meant that I could fit the course around my work schedule.”
Kylie Groves, Government Communications
Your questions answered
The quick answer is no. There are lots of advantages to being a member of a professional body though so if you aren't already, think about joining.
At PR Academy we have been teaching online since we started in 2007. We have a specially designed online learning centre - we don't just put you on Teams!
Our teaching is delivered through a mix of on-demand content, guided reading, live workshop sessions (usually recorded for later playback) plus tutor support. We have an online library that we have curated specially for our courses.
Some courses offer individual tutorials that can be booked and the opportunity to submit an assignment proposal for individual feedback.
It isn’t essential, for example you can study while on a career break. For some of the higher level courses you will need experience. For example, for CIPR Diploma level courses you need to have a minimum of five years experience and reasonably senior level.
Some of the assignments are designed to be based on your work but if you aren’t currently employed a tutor can help you with other options.
We offer plenty of support. Many courses offer individual tutorials that can be booked. The course leader is easily contactable and there is always someone in the office who can help with day to day queries.
They aren't heavily academic. We still discuss theory because that’s what makes us better practitioners, but we show how to apply it in practice. We call it applied learning.
The assignments are mostly in the style of business writing rather than academic essays or dissertations.
Most of the courses give you a maximum time to complete - usually one or two years, so there is plenty of flexibility.
If you want to extend beyond this, then it is usually the decision of the awarding body (e.g. the CIPR or PRCA)