PME School of Media : Chartered Institute of Public Relations Advanced Certificate - AdvCert

• Faculty of Performance, Media & English

• School
• Birmingham School of Media

• Campus
• City North

• Duration
• Part-time: 1 year

• Fees
• University Fees (2012/2013): £1,390
  CIPR Fees (paid directly to CIPR): £780

Overview

Register now to attend our Postgraduate Open Evening on Thursday 10 May 2012

This one-year part-time course provides a solid grounding in all of the key concepts, techniques, theories and skills needed to develop effectively as a PR practitioner. Birmingham City University is the only Midlands centre approved by the CIPR to offer this course and students may enrol to commence studies either in November or January each year.

The course is aimed at graduates interested in pursuing a career in public relations or those who have been working in the business for at least two years. Those achieving success on the Advanced Certificate course will qualify for entry to the CIPR Diploma.

The Advanced Certificate course develops the skills necessary to work as an effective PR professional in public or private sector PR, in-house or consultancy. The course involves investigating case histories in workshops with visiting practitioners and by reference to recommended tests. Students will be learning practical skills, such as how to write for the media, and produce other media products suitable for publication.

Key Facts

Why study for a CIPR qualification?
Because they are:

• the only PR professional qualifications awarded by a Chartered body
• designed specifically for PR practitioners
• industry-recognised in the UK and worldwide
• run part-time, enabling you to study while you work
• generous in the amount of teaching time and tutor support they offer

What are the benefits?
Studying for a CIPR qualification will help you to:

• enhance your skills and stay ahead of the game
• improve your decision-making and effectiveness at work
• make a real difference to your organisation through what you can deliver

Plus employers and clients will:

• benefit from a more skilled and motivated employee
• gain a competitive edge with a more effective team member

Course Structure

Topics and activities covered include:

• PR and its contemporary profile as a discipline 
• History and development of PR
• PR theory and context – business, political and social.
• Writing skills
• Media relations
• Planning and managing PR campaigns

Assessments

Class contact consists of 48 hours provided in one 2-day and seven 1-day teaching blocks throughout the year in the Birmingham School of Media, City North Campus. In addition, you would be expected to spend approx 5 - 6 hours per week on independent study over the length of the course. You will also have access to a website where you can contact your tutor and fellow students at any time.

Further Information

The content of this course is determined by the CIPR. Please visit the CIPR website for detailed information about the course syllabus, reading list and course regulations.

Entry Requirements

Applicants have to be at least 21 years of age and 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 5 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

Equivalent qualifications are acceptable.

Please note: if your first language is not English, you 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.

Application Details

Applications should be made directly to the CIPR. The application form is available on the CIPR Adavnced Certificate in Public Relations course webpage. If your application is successful, the CIPR will notify this University and we will send you information on how to enrol.  You will be notified as soon as possible whether your 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 your sponsor before the first teaching date.

Enquiries

Prospective students from the UK or EU may enquire online by using the Course Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 5595.

Prospective students from non-EU countries may enquire via the International Enquiry Form or call +44 (0)121 331 6714.

Fees Notes

Please note that the fees are split between the CIPR and Birmingham City University as follows:-

• CIPR Awarding Body fees: £780 (VAT zero rated) paid directly to CIPR
• Birmingham City University fees (2012/2013): £1,390 (VAT zero rated) paid directly to Birmingham City University. Cost include a copy of the textbook 'The Public Relations Digest' compiled by the CIPR and access to all university facilities. You will also be provided with lunch and teas/coffees.

If you are not already a CIPR member, you will need to join at a specially discounted rate of £145 for your first year of membership (the membership application is part of the course application form).

For self funding students it is possible to pay the University fees by installments. Please email media.admissions@bcu.ac.uk for further details.

Further Information

For further information, please contact Karen Edmunds (enrolment) on 0121 331 6618 media.admissions@bcu.ac.uk or Peter Wilby (Course Director) on 0121 331 7641 or 5719