Undergraduate & honours qualifications

Diploma in Public Relations

Qualification code: 90077
NQF level: 6
Total credits: 360
SAQA ID: 97597
APS/AS: 18
Rules:
This qualification consists of 30 modules. Students should note that during the course of their studies they would be required to have access to a computer or laptop, printer and the internet.
Purpose statement:
The purpose of this qualification is to give learners who will work as Public Relations practitioners to create and maintain beneficial relationships through in a variety of organisational contexts in a social and ethically responsible manner and using Public Relations tools and principles strategically. Learners acquiring this qualification will have skills, knowledge and experience to solve problems in a professional communication context by working in a team and individually; Manage administration, including financial administration; Provide organisational support in a communications environment; Exercise ethical conduct, values and professionalism when dealing with clients. Qualifying learners can therefore contribute to effective organisational communication and the quality of communication in the public and private spheres.
This qualification will be presented online only.

Who can register?

  • Applicants (new applicants & Unisa students who applied for admission to a new qualification) may only register if they have received an offer of placement from Unisa and have accepted the offer online. Unisa reserves the right to not process and / or to cancel your registration if it is found that you were incorrectly admitted to a qualification. 
  • Re-registering students may register for the 2024 academic year once the registration period opens.

Please note: Should you wish to start a new qualification, please apply online for the alternative qualification during the prescribed application period.


How to choose your modules

Each Unisa qualification is structured in such a way that you need to pass a certain number of NQF level credits within a certain amount of time in order to graduate.

  • Co-requisite: Module A is a co-requisite for Module B. You want to register for Module B, but have not yet passed Module A. You must then register for both Modules A and B simultaneously. You may NOT cancel your registration for Module A unless Module B is also cancelled.

  • Pre-requisite: If Module A is a pre-requisite for Module B, you must pass Module A before you may register for Module B.

You may not register for more than the allowed maximum number of credits / modules per academic year and / or semester: 60 credits per semester or 120 credits per academic year.

The maximum number of credits do not include supplementary and / or aegrotat examinations from a previous semester. Modules taken for non-degree / non-diploma purposes also count towards the maximum number of credits allowed.

You must take your available time into consideration when choosing your modules, as this will impact your academic performance. You need approximately

  • 6 to 8 hours per week for semester modules.
  • 4 to 6 hours per week for year modules.

Click here for more information on managing your studies.

Curriculum for this qualification

While you are deciding on the modules for which you will be registering, write down the module names and codes so that you have something to refer to when completing your registration.

Please click on the modules below to see further information (eg semester/year module, NQF level)

First level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
DPR1501 - Introduction to Communication
DPR1502 - Communication in the Organisation
DPR1503 - Introduction to Public Relations
DPR1504 - Stakeholder Relationships
DPR1505 - The Public Relations Programme
DPR1506 - Writing for Public Relations I
DPR1507 - Understanding the Media
ENN1504 - Practising Workplace English
EUC1501 - End-User Computing I (Theory)
EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions

Second level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
ADB1602 - Administrative Management IB
DPR2601 - Public Relations Research
DPR2602 - Communication Theory
DPR2603 - Organisational Dynamics
DPR2604 - Communicating in a Global Context
DPR2605 - The Applied Public Relations Programme
DPR2606 - Writing for Public Relations II
DPR2612 - Media Liaison
DPR2613 - Image and Identity
ENG2604 - Creative Writing for Public Relations

Third level

Module (Please click on the module to see further information) Pre-requisite/Co-requisite/Recommendation
Group A. Compulsory
CML1501 - Communication Law
DPR3701 - Publicity
DPR3702 - Public Relations in Industry
DPR3703 - Production - Analogue
DPR3704 - Production - Digital
DPR3705 - Strategic Planning and Advisement
DPR3706 - Issues Management and Social Responsibility
DPR3711 - Work Integrated Learning
PLC2602 - Politics and Public Policy
PYC2614 - Community psychology: Building foundations