The CIPR Specialist Diploma (Digital Communications) is suited to senior PR professionals who wish to enhance their knowledge, understanding and practical application of digital communications. The qualification and delegate will:

  • Explore the disruptive and transformative impact of digital technologies on society, business, organisations, and individuals

  • Understand the concepts and tools employed in strategic public relations planning with specific emphasis on the role of social media and digital communications management

  • Manage, plan, monitor, measure and evaluate digital and social media activities and engagement with stakeholders and online communities and consider legal and ethical

The CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications is a level 7 qualification, similar to a master’s degree, and can be completed in approximately 6 months. The course is delivered via online distance learning, and virtual live classes (evenings or weekends).

Distance Learning

£1,25000+VAT
  • Virtual Classes £1350 +VAT
  • Face-to-face Learning £1450 +VAT
  • Not Including CIPR Fees
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Free Access to All Specialist Diplomas

For delegates who sign up to any of our Specialist Diplomas, we are offering reading access to not only their selected qualification, but all three of our Level 7 Specialist Diplomas (Sustainability Communications, Crisis Communications and Digital Communications).

Delegates who then wish to gain an additional Level 7 qualification through completion of an additional assessment, will be offered 50% off our course fees to do so.

Free Project Management Qualification

All delegates who choose to undertake their CIM or CIPR qualifications with us, will have the option of studying a free project management qualification as well. Delegates can choose between either the APM Project Fundamentals Qualification* (PFQ), the AgilePM Foundation or the PRINCE2 Foundation.

These courses provide a great introduction to project management skills, which tie in nicely to wider public relations roles. If you would like to gain the full project management qualification, you will just need to pay the assessment and/or book fees associated with your chosen course.

Course Structure

The CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications has 3 main elements and on completion, candidates will be able to:

Explore the disruptive and transformative impact of digital technologies on society, business, organisations and individuals:

  • Examine the effect of existing and emerging digital technologies on communications functions and operations including ethical implications and sustainable development of digital literacy and leadership capabilities

  • Examine the impact of trends in digital communications usage including media convergence, citizen journalism, social media influencers and stakeholder activism on organizational communication

  • Use relevant frameworks, tools and techniques to analyse trends in online behaviour, media consumption, online user profiling, and the formation of network communities

Understand the concepts and tools employed in strategic public relations planning with specific emphasis on the role of social media and digital communications management:

  • Examine the range of concepts, models and tools to research external and internal environments to identify stakeholders and influencers and the issues affecting an organisation

  • Identify digital and social media tools, technologies, and platforms to improve stakeholder engagement, issues management and crisis responsiveness

  • Explore how to develop and manage audience-centred content and the role of owned, third party and user-generated multimedia content

  • Match communication strategies to specific platforms, technologies and channels (for example, Enterprise Social Networks)

Manage, plan, monitor, measure and evaluate digital and social media activities and engagement with stakeholders and online communities, and consider legal and ethical implications:

  • Determine appropriate integrated digital communication management approaches across platforms and technologies (including resource requirements)

  • Assess relevant methods of evaluating digital communication strategies and plans (including outputs, outcomes, impact, data analytics, insights and reflective practice)

  • Critically reflect on privacy and security issues and legal responsibilities in areas such as online tracking, behavioural profiling, data protection, digital security, and social media usage

  • Evaluate the ethical implications of the use of digital communications in developing, implementing and evaluating PR strategies and tactics

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Assessment

THE CIPR Specialist Diploma (Digital Communications) is assessed through two elements:

  • 3,000-word executive report

  • 2,000-word summary analysis of secondary research

Course Details

Entry Requirements

The CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications is aimed at experienced PR professionals.

Delegates should have one of the following:

  • Have completed a CIPR Qualification and have two year’s experience in a PR environment
  • hold a business / marketing degree, in addition to one year’s work experience
  • hold a non business / marketing degree, in addition to two years’ experience in PR
  • have four years’ relevant full-time employment in PR, in addition to five GCSE’s, one of which must be in English Language

If you are unsure if you are eligible, please do get in touch to discuss.

Course Start Dates

The CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications can be started at various times throughout the year depending on how you wish to study.

Pricing

The price of the CIPR Specialist Diploma in Digital Communications starts from £1,250 + VAT for pure distance-learning and £1,350 + VAT for virtual-learning.

There is an additional cost of £423 for CIPR registration and assessment.

Study Options

The CIPR Diploma in Digital Communications can be studied via pure distance-learning or virtual live classes. With pure distance-learning, delegates can get started on the course at any time and are free to work through the online materials at their own pace at any time. Virtual-learning classes are delivered by expert PR tutors over Zoom and all delegates have full access to the online learning system.

CIPR Specialist Diploma (Digital Communications) Timetable

Study Centres

  • Oxford – Oxford Brookes’ Headington and Gypsy Lane Campus Oxford OX3 0BP
  • London – Baden-Powell House, 65-67 Queen’s Gate, Kensington, London SW7 5JS
  • Reading – The University of Reading, Whiteknights, Reading, Berkshire, RG6 6UR
  • Brighton – Mithras House, University of Brighton, Lewis Road, Brighton BN2 4AT
  • Gatwick – Arora Hotel, Southgate Ave, Crawley RH10 6LW
  • Milton Keynes – Hilton Hotel. Timbold Drive, Kents Hill Park, Milton Keynes, MK7 6HL
  • Bristol – Aztec Hotel and Spa Almondsbury Bristol BS32 4TS
  • Liverpool – Liverpool Hope University, Hope Park, Liverpool, L16 9JD
  • Birmingham – Midlands Art Centre, Cannon Hill Park, Birmingham B12 9QH
  • Sheffield – Jurys Inn, 119 Eyre St, Sheffield S1 4QW
  • Manchester – Manchester Conference Centre, Sackville Street, Manchester M1 3BB
  • Bournemouth – Executive Business Centre, Bournemouth University, Holdenhurst Road, Bournemouth. BH8 8EB

CIPR Specialist Diploma Digital Communications Syllabus

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