Public Relations (N4 – N6)
COURSE BACKGROUND
Are you looking to pursue a career in Public Relations, would you like to work as a media liaison? This qualification aims to provide the graduate with the necessary skills to follow a career in Public Relations.
This qualification considers professional practice within the public relations sector as being a very important part of the communication environment and particularly specializing in public relations.
The qualification provides students with the skills needed to coordinate and manage the broad spectrum of Public Relations in a professional manner, at a technical, managerial, and strategic level.
When studying Public Relations (N4-N6) one of the most important things that you will learn about is communication. You will also learn about the role of public relations in various contexts, the development of public relations strategies and programmes, the manner in which media relations are managed, and the way in which public relations interacts with other departments (such as marketing). You will also learn about related topics, such as entrepreneurship, information processing and office practice. By studying these topics, you will gain the broader skill set that you need to become a knowledgeable and efficient employee within the PR department of an organization.
If you are an excellent communicator, and you enjoy working with different types of people, then the field of public relations offers you an exciting range of career opportunities. Public relations is a diverse field – and PR specialists are employed by organisations in both the public and the private sector to generate publicity, communicate key messages, manage reputation, and maintain relationships with various stakeholders.
What will I learn?
- Communication: A Public Relations Officer often has to deal with clients, advertising companies, the press and the public. Maintaining the value of the brand among such people require excellent communication skills.
- Office practice: This subject will expose you to common and best practice in the office environment – everything you need to know to ensure that the offices run effectively and efficiently.
- Public Relations: Public relations centers on how the PRO manages information about the company and how it is perceived in the public eye. Understanding marketing, perceptions, and how to liaise with the wide variety of people that make up “the public” is essential to your success.
First Year
First Semester: N4
First Year
First Semester: N5
Office Practice
Office Practice provides secretarial students with the required knowledge of the secretarial career and with the practical skills in office procedures, to perform with self-confidence the functions attached to the post of secretary and eventually the post of management assistant.
Information Processing
Information Processing equips the student with the necessary skills to effectively capture relevant medical data, to effectively utilise computer skills, and to attain keying-in excellence. These skills help develop accuracy and speed for the successful operation of an office.
Communication
Communication equips students with the necessary verbal and non-verbal communication knowledge (theoretical) and skills (practical) to function effectively.
Entrepreneurship and Business Management
Entrepreneurship and Business Management studies the different aspects of starting your own business. It provides basic knowledge of how to draw up a business plan and all the necessary aspects needed for a business plan.
Office Practice
Office Practice provides secretarial students with the required knowledge of the secretarial career and with the practical skills in office procedures, to perform with self-confidence the functions attached to the post of secretary and eventually the post of management assistant.
Information Processing
Information Processing equips the student with the necessary skills to effectively capture relevant medical data, to effectively utilise computer skills, and to attain keying-in excellence. These skills help develop accuracy and speed for the successful operation of an office.
Communication
Communication equips students with the necessary verbal and non-verbal communication knowledge (theoretical) and skills (practical) to function effectively.
Public Relations
Public relations is the practice of deliberately managing the release and spread of information between an individual or an organization and the public in order to affect the public perception.
Second Year
First Semester: N6
Public Relations
Public relations is the practice of deliberately managing the release and spread of information between an individual or an organization and the public in order to affect the public perception.
Information Processing
Information Processing equips the student with the necessary skills to effectively capture relevant medical data, to effectively utilise computer skills, and to attain keying-in excellence. These skills help develop accuracy and speed for the successful operation of an office.
Entrepreneurship and Business Management
Entrepreneurship and Business Management studies the different aspects of starting your own business. It provides basic knowledge of how to draw up a business plan and all the necessary aspects needed for a business plan.
Marketing management
Studies the important aspects of the various markets, the marketing mix, consumer behaviour, marketing strategies and international marketing.
- Qualifying students are employable in various corporate, parastatal, governmental, public relations consultancies and conferencing venues, within a range of industries, as junior public relations practitioners and coordinators.
- This qualification will provide the required communication skills and knowledge that modern businesses now demand for new employees entering the workplace, by combining public relations skills with business practice.
- The specific selection of subjects in this course aims to prepare the student to take up a position in any modern business or office, which requires a high level of communication competence to serve the needs of a communication driven organisation.
- Public Relations Coordinator
- Public Relations Officer
- Events Coordinator
- PR Account Manager
- PR Account Supervisor
- Communications Assistant
- Media Coordinator
- Community Engagement Officer
A National Senior Certificate with Diploma admission – A minimum of 30% for English coupled with a minimum of 40% for four (4) x 20 credit subjects; OR
A NC(V) with Diploma admission – A minimum of 50% in English on either First Additional Language or Home Language level AND Mathematics or Mathematical Literacy AND Life Orientation – a minimum of 60% in the three (3) compulsory vocational subjects is required; OR
A SC (without endorsement) or equivalent – A minimum of five (5) subjects must be passed; OR
A Higher Certificate, an Advanced Certificate in a cognate field; OR
Mature Age Exemption:
• Candidates must have attempted Matric/Grade 12, reached the age of 23 before or during the first year of registration with three years’ work experience and a proven ability relating to the proposed programme as well as adequate communicative skills; OR
• Candidates must have reached the age of 45 before or during the first year of registration.
Upon completion, certification will be issued from the Department of Higher Education & Training [DHET].
mgt_b 2.jpg The National Diploma in Public Relations is made up of the following courses which are done over a period of 18 months.
National Certificate (N4): Public Administration, Communication, Information Processing, Office Practice. Electives: Economics, Entrepreneurship & Business Management, Computer Practice, Marketing Management. Financial Accounting.
National Certificate (N5-N6): Communication, Public Relations, Information Processing, Office Practice. Electives: Public Administration, Labour Relations, Municipal Administration, Legal Practice.
| N4 | 60 Credits |
| N5 | 60 Credits |
| N6 | 60 Credits |
| Total | 180 Credits |
| Duration | 18 Months |
| Registration Fee | R350.00 |
| Deposit Fee | R950.00 |
| Monthly Fee | R850.00 (18 Months) |
| Course Fee | R16600.00 |
NB: Deposit And Registration Fees Are Non-Refundable.
