CIPR Specialist Diploma – Internal Communications

The Specialist Diploma (Internal Communications) Submission:

The assignment will comprise:

1. A 3,000-word (+/- 10%) management proposal including:
a) Identification and justification of the chosen topic of inquiry;
b) Critical evaluation of the activity with reference to its management and measurement;
c) Recommendations for improvement drawing on data analysis and performance indicators.

2. Supporting 2,000-word (+/- 10%) review of proposal for change including:

• Overview of secondary research undertaken;
• Relevant research methodology;
• Frameworks and models relevant to internal communication used to inform
recommendations;
• Discussion of ethical challenges encountered in the process.

There are 4 assessment sessions per year. Depending on when you enrol on to the qualification you could qualify in as little as 6 to 8 months.

As well as the tuition time, you’ll need to set aside approximately 10 to 12 hours per week for self-study. This might increase as you work towards submitting your assessments.

You qualify for the Specialist Diploma (Internal Communications) if you hold 1 or more of the following:

• CIPR legacy Advanced Certificate or Professional PR Certificate
• CIPR legacy Diploma or Professional PR Diploma
• one of the following plus 1 year’s relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors, e.g. marketing, journalism) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language*:
  • CIPR Legacy Internal Communications Certificate or the Specialist Certificate (Internal Communications)
  • postgraduate professional qualification in a related discipline (e.g. CIM diploma)
  • UK Bachelor’s degree or equivalent in a PR related discipline: business, marketing, management, communications, media or journalism.
• 1 of the following plus 2 years’ relevant full-time employment in public relations (or related sectors) and 5 GCSEs at grade 5 or above, 1 of which must be in the English language*:
  • CAM Advanced Diploma in Marketing Communications
  • NCTJ Diploma
  • UK bachelor’s degree or equivalent in any other subject
  • LCCIEB qualification which must comprise 5 level-3 subjects in PR, marketing, advertising, and principles and practice of management
• 4 years’ relevant full-time employment in internal communications (or related sectors) and 5 GCSEs at grade C or above, 1 of which must be in the English language*.

Relevant experience should include at least 50% of the following:

• PR planning and crisis management / managing the PR aspect of a potential crisis situation
• planning, developing and implementing PR strategies
• organising events including press conferences, exhibitions, open days and press tours
• researching, writing and distributing press releases to targeted media
• coaching client representatives in effective communications with the public and with employees
• preparing and delivering speeches to further public relations objectives
• establishing and maintaining cooperative relationships with representatives of community, consumer, employee, and public interest groups
• preparing or editing organisational publications for internal and external audiences, including employee newsletters and stockholders’ reports.
• If you don’t have sufficient experience in these areas, the Professional PR Certificate or Specialist Certificate (Internal Communications) may be a better starting point for you.

Our next cohort is due to start on 9 January 2025 , for more information please contact jen.lorimer@nesma.co.uk.