This course is taught and assessed at level 7 of the UK (England, Wales and Northern Ireland) National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
The CIPR Public Affairs Diploma focuses on the process of policy formation and the wider corporate communications and reputational context in which public affairs operates. This qualification is firmly rooted in practice - with senior PA practitioners involved it its development - and is also grounded in the latest academic thinking.
Download the syllabus (PDF format)
Who is the course aimed at?
This qualification is aimed at practitioners who want to develop their strategic public affairs and management skills with the aim of taking on more senior roles.
Entry criteria
Entry to the Public Affairs Diploma is on the basis of qualifications or experience or a mixture of both. See entry criteria for full details.
Venues and dates
Course times: 10.30am to 4pm. Study with the PR Academy on Saturdays at The Hatton, 51-53 Hatton Garden, London, EC1N 8HN.
Course dates (Autumn term, 2011):
- Sat 15 Oct 2011
- Sat 12 Nov 2011
- Sat 3 Dec 2011
- Sat 21 Jan 2012
- Sat 11 Feb 2012 (tutorial)
- Assignment deadline: Mon 2 Apr 2012
Course dates (Winter term, 2012):
- Sat 4 Feb 2012
- Sat 25 Feb 2012
- Sat 24 Mar 2012
- Sat 21 Apr 2012
- Sat 12 May 2012 (tutorial)
- Assignment deadline: Fri 3 Aug 2012
Students must commit to attend all four study days as listed for each individual course.
Fees
The total fees is £1,514. This is split as follows:
- Awarding body fees –
£320 (VAT exempt) paid directly to the CIPR
Note: Payment in instalments is available for self-funding students. Please email bernadettee@cipr.co.uk for further details - Tuition fees –
£995 + VAT (£1,194) paid directly to the PR Academy
Note: Payment in instalments is available for self-funding students. Please email sarah.walters@pracademy.co.uk for further details.
Fees include four books (which may be subject to change as new titles are published):
- Zetter, L (2008) 'Lobbying, The Art of Political Persuasion, Petersfield, Harriman House Stanyer, J (2008)
- Modern Political Communication, Polity Press Saunders, M, Thornhill, A
- Lewis, P, Research Methods for Business Students, 5th edition, Harlow, Pearson Education Ltd
- Exploring Public Relations by Tench and Yeoman.
Notes
If you are not already a CIPR member, you would need to join at a special reduced rate of £130 for your first year of CIPR membership. The fee for students residing outside the UK is £80 and students must apply online once acceptance onto the course has been received.
Unless a payment plan has been arranged then the CIPR Awarding Body fee and membership fees must be paid in full before the start of the course. Please contact the PR Academy regarding the deadline for payment of their fees.
The CIPR regrets it cannot accept payment of the Awarding Body or Membership fees by BACS.
How do I apply?
Applications are processed centrally at CIPR HQ. Candidates will be notified as soon as possible whether their application has been successful. Provided candidates satisfy the entry criteria, places will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. There is no deadline for applications, but you need to allow sufficient time for your application to be processed and for our invoice to be paid by you or your sponsor before the first teaching date. You should also bear in mind that some courses fill up quite quickly.
Before downloading the application form, please view our Terms and Conditions of acceptance on to the course and view the CIPR Code of Conduct.
Application forms
Now download and complete the required application form:
- Public Affairs Diploma application form for UK based students (PDF format)
- Public Affairs Diploma application form for students based overseas (PDF format)
Note
Membership of the CIPR is a mandatory requirement for Public Affairs Diploma students. For this reason, the application form covers applying for both the course and CIPR membership.
Exemptions towards the CIPR Diploma
Holders of the CIPR Public Affairs Diploma who wish to go on to study the CIPR Diploma in Public Relations will be granted an exemption from the third unit/assessment and the course fees will be reduced accordingly. Contact the CIPR qualifications team at qualifications@cipr.co.uk for further details.
