How our courses work

Join our CIPR courses when the time is right for you. Decide how quickly you want to complete or take advantage of the full one or two years allowed.

Our ‘join anytime’ courses are super flexible and come with lots of support.

Discover more about how our courses work

Ann Pilkington, co-founder of PR Academy explains how our Guided Learning 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 not all features apply to our Independent Learning option.)

https://vimeo.com/882107294?share=copy

How our CIPR courses work

Join anytime: You can enrol as soon as you are ready to start studying.

Study at your own pace: You decide how quickly you want to complete, or you can take advantage of the one or two years allowed for CIPR courses.

PR Academy Study Hub: Our study hub has been designed specially for our PR and communication courses with easy-to-follow lessons, video content, guided reading (all reading materials are provided) and some have live workshop sessions.

Live workshop sessions: Our live workshops are interactive sessions where a tutor will lead discussions about the topic. They run regularly so you can book these on the dates that work best for you.*

Tutorials: Most courses offer one-to-one tutorial time.*

Assignment submission dates: There are four times a year when the CIPR takes in work for its exam board, these are usually January, April, July and October. You just need to decide which you want to aim for, and if you change your mind or work gets in the way, just opt for the next one as long as you’re still within the time to complete.

(* Live sessions and tutorials don’t apply to our Independent Learning option. See the table below to learn more.)

Study options: Guided Learning and Independent Learning

Course feature comparison between Guided Learning and Independent Learning
Course feature Guided Learning Independent Learning
PR Academy Study Hub ✓ ✓
Online library ✓ ✓
On-demand expert lectures ✓ ✓
Podcasts ✓ ✓
Case studies ✓ ✓
Tutorials ✓ ✕
Live online sessions ✓ ✕
Assignment topic approval ✓ ✓
Assignment topic individual feedback ✓ ✕
Easy access to help and support ✓ ✓

 

On some of our courses you can choose between Guided Learning and Independent Learning.

Our Guided Learning students benefit from all our brilliant resources plus tutorial time, an invitation to all our live sessions plus feedback on a detailed assignment proposal.

Our Independent Learning option is a more affordable way to study and may suit students from overseas who are paying for the course themselves because UK sales tax (VAT) probably won’t apply.

The table above provides a summary of the two study options.

Hear from others

Discover the benefits of applying theory to practice from Leila.

https://vimeo.com/753946253

Career Consultation Call

Need some one-to-one advice?

Book a FREE Career Consultation Call. Talk to one of our experts about planning your career and which qualification is right for you.

SCHEDULE A TIME

Got a question?

Call our friendly team on  +44 (0)20 3862 6910 or email [email protected]

Contact Us

Discover more

Diverse campaigners gathered together in an urban setting, holding handmade placards and discussing campaign materials, candid documentary photography, natural light, energetic but authentic atmosphere.
Public Relations 28.10.26

So, you want to change the world? How PR can be used to fuel your revolution

Livia Oldland explores how PR and communications can be used to challenge the status quo and drive positive social change. Drawing on campaigns for parental rights, she examines the enduring power of rhetoric, storytelling and creative campaigning, and asks how communicators can use their skills to make a difference.
Volunteers sitting around a table in a community charity space, talking and sharing a relaxed moment together.
Public Relations 14.10.26

Keeping it real in a world of fake news: a survival guide for small charities

Jessica Bomford explores how small charities can build and maintain trust in an increasingly fragmented and AI-driven media landscape, sharing practical approaches to authentic content, social media, storytelling and strategic communications.
Rob Mcivor descends the Col de Vars wearing red cycling gear. The image also carries the #50Over50 logo
Careers 12.10.26

#50Over50 What Happens Next. Do you want to write a novel?

Do you dream of writing a novel? Rob McIvor's talent for storytelling was hugely valuable as a corporate comms specialist and he is now celebrating the publication of his first book.
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.
Our courses aren't purely academic. We explore theory because it helps us become better practitioners, and we show you how to apply it in practice. The assignments are mostly in the style of business writing rather than academic essays or dissertations.
No. You can study while on a career break, for example. However, some higher-level courses require relevant professional experience. For example, for CIPR Diploma-level courses, you need to have a minimum of five years’ experience and be at a 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.
It varies according to the course and the stage you are at. As a general guide, allow around two to four hours a week, although you'll need more time when working on an assignment. Most courses have a maximum completion time, allowing you to either spread learning over a longer period or complete it more quickly by studying more hours each week. For example, the CIPR Professional PR Diploma can be completed comfortably in about ten months. The short CIPR diplomas can be completed in about six months and the Foundation in about two months. But all can be done more quickly if you have the time.
The course leader is easy to contact, and someone from the PR Academy team is available to help with day-to-day queries. Depending on your course, you may also be able to book individual tutorials with your tutor.
Yes, most of our students are working full-time, and many have family commitments too. Our courses are demanding, but our flexible approach allows you to fit your studies around work and other commitments.