CIPR Advanced Certificate
Quicklinks
Introduction
The Advanced Certificate is a part-time vocational PR course, which gives students a solid grounding in all the key concepts, techniques and skills needed to develop effectively as a PR practitioner. It is a qualification in its own right, but also prepares students for the CIPR Diploma, the major vocational qualification for membership of the Institute.
Who is the course aimed at?
The Advanced Certificate is taught as a part-time course and as such, is ideal for those in full time employment.
The Advanced Certificate is for you if:
- You are a graduate in any subject who would like to go into PR; or
- You have been working in the PR industry at fairly junior levels for at least two years
Please see below for Entry Requirements
The course is taught and assessed at the same standard as a first degree (NVQ Level 5).
What will I learn?
The CIPR Advanced Certificate will provide you with a solid grounding in all of the key concepts, techniques, theories and skills needed to develop effectively as a PR practitioner.
You will focus on core topics such as:
- Communication theories
- Management skills
- Writing skills
- Media relations
- PR in practice
The course will provide plenty of opportunities to build your practical skills as you work on case-studies.
The Advanced Certificate level involves investigating case histories in workshops with visiting practitioners and by reference to recommended texts. Students will also be expected to draw on information to build case histories and find evidence for practical examples from a wide range of print and electronic media.
How will I benefit?
Study for the CIPR Advanced Certificate and:
- Help advance your career
- Increase your confidence in the workplace
- Gain the theory to back up decision-making and underpin practice
- Adopt a more strategic and structured approach to PR
- Obtain an industry-recognised qualification
Hear from others about the benefits of the CIPR Advanced Certificate
When and Where?
There are two intakes per year – one in the Autumn and one in Winter (Jan – March) – and the course lasts for approximately 12 months. Actual teaching time is approximately eight days (48 hours); the rest is project work and assignments.
The course is taught at various venues throughout the UK, including centres in Birmingham, Bristol, Cambridge, Edinburgh, Guildford, Kent, Leeds, Liverpool and London. (*)
!!! NEW FOR 2009 !!! Study online for the Advanced Certificate.
There are also a number of overseas centres.
Teaching takes place over a number of study days or evenings (48 hours of teaching over 12 months) involving presentations, case-studies and workshops. The course is part-time so you can study while you work. Group discussions and debates mean you can share knowledge and experiences with fellow students and other PR professionals. You’ll meet and share experiences with colleagues at the same stage of their careers that are facing the same challenges as you.
Teaching days vary according to venue, for example some venues teach on either Fridays or Saturdays (approximately one session per month), on Saturdays only or over two weekdays. Cost varies according to venue.
In addition to the teaching sessions students are expected to spend approximately 200 hours on independent study over the length of the course.
Find out more about CIPR Advanced Certificate venues, dates and costs
Quality Assurance
(*) Please note that not all of these centres will be available every year.
How will I learn and be assessed?
Teaching centres are encouraged to offer a variety of study options – such as evening, weekend, and day blocks or distance learning (non-UK based candidates). Centres individually determine the structure of teaching sessions with a focus on consistency of outcome, rather than prescriptive or restrictive content.
It is envisaged that a combination of the following will be used by centres:
- Lectures
- Workshops
- Interactive group learning
- Discussion
- Guest presentations
- Multimedia
- Case studies
- Study/reading packs
Advanced Certificate Syllabus (PDF)
The assessment of students' work submitted for the qualification is carried out wholly by CIPR examiners (Critical Reasoning Test) and by students', tutors and then moderated by CIPR examiners (planning assignment and critique).
What are the entry requirements?
Applicants for the Advanced Certificate in Public Relations course must have any one of the following:
- The CIPR Foundation Award
- Any UK degree
- Two years' relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors e.g. marketing, journalism) and five GCSEs grade C or above, one of which must be English Language
- The LCCIEB Group Diploma in PR, plus one year’s experience in PR
NB: Equivalent qualifications are acceptable.
Plus: those whose first language is not English must be able to demonstrate proficiency in the language - spoken and written – to an International Language Testing System (IELTS) band score of 7.0 or above or equivalent.
How do I apply and how much will it cost?
Application Details
To apply for the Advanced Certificate, please complete the application form below and return to the CIPR (address on the form) together with the other document/s (copies of qualification certificates, sponsor’s letter etc) as stated on the form.
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. Successful candidates will receive an acceptance letter via email from CIPR. Candidates (or their sponsors) will then be invoiced for CIPR Awarding Body fees.
The CIPR will then pass candidates’ details onto their chosen centre, which will, in turn, invoice candidates (or their sponsors) for the centre fee (this amount varies according to centre – please see the listing under venues, dates and fees for the amount charged by your chosen centre.)
Before downloading the application form, please see section Condition of acceptance onto course.
Terms & Conditions
Condition of acceptance onto the course
Whether studying at a centre or online, it is a condition of being accepted onto the course that students who are not already CIPR members apply for membership of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.
UK students should apply at the grade relevant to their experience, but at the heavily discounted rate of £145 (VAT exempt). There is provision within the course application form to apply for CIPR membership.
Overseas students must apply for the Global Affiliate grade of membership at a cost of £77* (VAT exempt) but only after they receive notification of acceptance on the course from the CIPR.
* For courses starting after 1st January 2010 this will be £79.
Cost
The fees to study the Advanced Certificate at UK centres vary according to the individual centre. Please see the listing under venues, dates and fees for the amount charged by your chosen centre.
NB: Whether studying at a centre or online, if you are not already a CIPR member, you will need to apply for membership at the reduced rate of £145 (UK) / £77* (overseas) for your first year's subscription. Please see section Condition of acceptance onto the course.
* For courses starting after 1st January 2010 this will be £79.
And Finally…
Word of Mouth
Read about past students’ experiences
- While I have lots of experience on a practical level I am finding the course is really helping me to understand the theory behind a lot of the practices I engage in. It is also very useful to have time to share experiences with others working in the industry. Gemma Pettman – Leeds Metropolitan University 07/08
- I have gained a great deal of insight into the theory which I have been able to apply to my work on a day-to-day basis. Anon – Cambridge Marketing College, Edinburgh 07/08
- I have benefited immensely from the general PR introduction - even after the first two days I was full of ideas and enthusiasm which I could take back and put into practice in my workplace. Laura Maley – Leeds Metropolitan University 07/08
- I have met a lot of great people at a similar stage of career and learnt a lot about the theory that underpins my work. Ben Sawtell – PR Academy, London 07/08
- It's been hard work but I'm already applying a lot of what I've learned to my day job. It's encouraged me to be more professional in my approach. Leo Tarring – Cambridge Marketing College (Guildford) 07/08
- I feel that the course has given me confidence in decision making within my daily role. It has been the first time in quite a few years that I have studied; the lecturers have ensured that this has not been as daunting as I had first imagined. Rian Huxley – Birmingham City University 07/08
- It supplies a lot of the theory and academic background to my daily work and also has been an intellectual challenge. (Suzanne Leitch, Bluewater 06/07)
- I think it's a good course to do as not only do you get chance to learn more about PR, you get the opportunity to network and learn from others examples, both from the teaching staff and the fellow students. Learning how various industries operate (in house and agency) is fascinating as most people get consumed in their own day to day environment. (Katie Bretherick - Leeds Met University 06/07)
- So far it has been an interesting course, with a helpful blend of theory and practice. The standard of teaching is high and made it easy to apply our new learning to the workplace. It is good to have a tangible qualification at the end of it all and certainly good news that the certificate has QCA accreditation now. This makes it all the more valuable in terms of career development as far as I'm concerned. (Lea Fountain – The Learning Shop, Bluewater 06/07)
- The course has been invaluable to me and I have used many skills that I have developed within my working life. (Jenny Groutage – University of Central England 06/07)
- I have a much better understanding of the potential of PR. It has helped me at work and I am only half way through the course. There are many non-PR related tasks to practicing PR and I have learnt how to apply them to PR. But be prepared to read and spend time on your study (Carole Sales – Cambridge Marketing College – Bristol venue 06/07)
- It's very practical and makes you think about what you do and why you do it (Nicola Clarke – Cambridge Marketing College 06/07)
- It is fun and I feel that I have learnt loads (Jessica Chambers – Cambridge Marketing College – Guildford 06/07)
- It's definitely worth doing to improve your skills and knowledge of PR, particularly if, like me, you're only experience is what you've learnt "on the job." (Ellie Gray – Chloe Kane and Associates – London 06/07)
- A very interesting and challenging course which can be applied to my current position. Once completing the certificate, it will add great value to the CV. (Susan Cook, Chloe Kane and Associates, London 06/07)
FAQ
Q: Is the Advanced Certificate available as an online course?
A: Yes. Click here for information.
Q: Is there a deadline for applications?
A: No, however applications will be dealt with on a first-come, first-served basis and some venues do fill up quite quickly
Q: Are there any other teaching venues apart from those shown on the website?
A: No, all the venues are shown. The CIPR aims to increase geographical coverage of its courses and is gradually expanding the number of centres on a year-on-year basis.
Q: Should I apply to the college/university or to the CIPR?
A: All applications must be made to the CIPR.
Q: Are there still places available on a particular course?
A: The CIPR website should indicate when a course is full. However you may check by emailing the CIPR (NOT the college/university).
Q: The course is shown as full. What can I do?
A: You could consider an alternative venue, or a January start date (if the Autumn start is full) or you could contact the CIPR to be added to the waiting list for the particular course you are interested in.
Q: Is it possible to join a course after it has started?
A: Generally speaking no. In some cases though, if there are still places available and if you will have missed no more than one session, this could be possible.
Q: I will be moving from one part of the UK to another during the duration of the course. Can I start the teaching at one venue and then swap to another part way through?
A: Generally speaking no. However if both the venues you want to attend are run by the same college (eg Cambridge Marketing College which has centres in Cambridge, Guildford, Bristol and Edinburgh) then this might be possible.
Q: I will not be able to attend one of the scheduled teaching dates. Can I still attend the course?
A: Yes. Although this is not ideal it can be accommodated. You should let your tutor know as soon as possible and you will be provided with notes etc from the day you miss.
Q: I don’t quite fit the enrolment criteria– is there any leeway with this?
A: Yes. For example if we state that you need two years experience and you have one year and 10 months then we wouldn’t be too rigid. You should email the CIPR with your CV and ask for clarification on your eligibility.
Q: I have a degree from a University abroad – will this be recognised for the enrolment criteria?
A: Probably. Please contact the CIPR for further details.
Q: I already have certain PR/related qualifications. Can I receive any exemptions from some of the assessments?
A: No.
Q: I live outside the EU and want to study in Britain. Will my fees be the same and can the CIPR help me to obtain a student visa?
A: Fees are the same for EU and non-EU students. However, as the course is a part-time one, no student visas are available to study this course.
Q: Who should the cheque be made payable to?
A: The Chartered Institute of Public Relations or CIPR for the Awarding Body fees and the study centre who will invoice you seperately for their fees.
Q: My employers have offered to pay part of my fees. Can I receive two separate invoices?
A: Unfortunately not. The CIPR is only able to generate one invoice. You will need to decide who this should go to.
Q: Can I pay for the fees in instalments?
A: Only if the course you are applying for is run by Cambridge Marketing College in which case the centre fees can be paid in instalments, but the CIPR awarding body fee will still need to be paid in full before the course starts.
Q: Will there be any additional costs apart from the fees?
A: You will also need to pay for membership of the CIPR for the duration of your studies. It will also be necessary to buy one or two books. If you need to defer an assessment there is a deferral fee of £75 per assessment.
Q: Do I need to have a computer at home in order to take the course?
A: No, but bear in mind that most communication with students is via email. You will therefore need easy access to email. This could though be through an internet café etc.
Q: How much time will I need to spend studying outside lessons?
A: For the Advanced Certificate approx. 200 hours in total.
Online Advanced Certificate
Q: How do I know if the Online Advanced Certificate is right for me?
A: Studying this way could be just the thing for you if:
- You like the idea of being able to work at your own pace
- You want flexibility, but you also want to be able to study and interact with others
- Work commitments mean you may struggle to get to lectures every week
- You don’t live near any of the centres that offer the Advanced Certificate
Q: Do I have to be based in the UK?
A: No, but it is highly recommended that you attend the two separate fact-to-face sessions in London (and/or a European destination, depending on demand). You also need to meet the usual requirements in terms of English language.
Q: How much time will I need to allow obtaining the Advanced Certificate qualification if I study online?
A: About 10 – 12 hours a week. This includes time spent online, reading and completing coursework.
Q: Is the qualification the same if I study the Advanced Certificate online as if I had studied in a more traditional way, going along to lectures every week?
A: Yes, it is exactly the same, as is the syllabus and assessments.
Q: How will I know that I am keeping on track with my studies?
A: You are assigned a personal tutor who keeps in touch on a regular basis to make sure that you are on track with your studies.
Q: Can I use my work email address as my contact email?
A: Yes
Q: Will the website be available 24/7?
A: Generally yes, but there may be occasions when essential maintenance work means we have to take the site down, but we will always notify you in advance.
Q: Will I be able to access the website from work?
A: It very much depends on the IT security arrangements that your employer has in place. Some firewalls may prevent access to interactive websites.
Q: Is there a helpdesk if I get stuck using the website?
A: There is email and telephone support available.
Q: What technology is used to deliver the course?
A: The online element is based on Moodle software. This is leading learning software used by major education institutes all over the world.
