Program Overview

University Program Information

The university offers a range of programs, including undergraduate and honors qualifications, master's and doctoral degrees, and short learning programs.

Undergraduate and Honors Qualifications

The university provides various undergraduate and honors qualifications, each with its own set of requirements and curriculum.

• 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 the ability to create and maintain beneficial relationships in a variety of organizational 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 organizational support in a communications environment; exercise ethical conduct, values, and professionalism when dealing with clients.
• Qualifying learners can therefore contribute to effective organizational communication and the quality of communication in the public and private spheres.
• This qualification will be presented online only.

Registration Requirements

• Applicants (new applicants and 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.
• Re-registering students may register for the 2026 academic year once the registration period opens.

Curriculum

The curriculum for the Diploma in Public Relations includes the following modules:

First Level

• 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
• ENG1504 - Practising Workplace English
• EUC1501 - End-User Computing I (Theory)
• EUP1501 - Ethical Information and Communication Technologies for Development Solutions

Second Level

• 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

• 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

Research Areas

The university has various research areas, including:

• Problem-solving research with relevance and impact
• People in research
• Research and innovation initiatives
• Directorate of Innovation, Technology Transfer and Commercialisation
• Research support
• Research ethics

Colleges

The university has several colleges, including:

• College of Accounting Sciences
• College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences
• College of Economic and Management Sciences
• College of Education
• College of Human Sciences
• College of Law
• College of Science, Engineering and Technology
• College of Graduate Studies

General Information

• Advancing excellence through our Colleges
• Inaugural Lectures