Media & Communication

Certificate in Public Relations

The Certificate in Public Relations provides foundational training in public relations principles, media relations, corporate communication, stakeholder engagement, and communication strategy. Students learn PR concepts, media management, communication writing, event management, crisis communication, and digital PR. The programme is designed for individuals seeking entry-level positions in public relations or as a pathway to further studies in communication.

Students develop competencies in public relations strategy, media relations, communication writing, stakeholder engagement, event management, crisis communication, and digital communication. The curriculum covers introduction to public relations, media relations, PR writing and communication, corporate communication, event management, crisis communication, digital PR and social media, and PR ethics. Practical skills are developed through case studies and PR project work.

Public relations skills are in high demand across Kenya's corporate sector, NGOs, government agencies, and media organisations. Every organisation needs to manage its public image, engage with stakeholders, and communicate effectively with audiences. Kenya's growing media landscape and digital communication environment create sustained demand for PR skills. The programme addresses the demand for foundational public relations training.

The programme combines classroom lectures with case studies, practical exercises, and PR project work. Students develop PR plans, write press releases, create communication strategies, and practise media relations. Teaching methods include lectures, case studies, group discussions, and project-based work. The programme emphasises practical communication skills needed by PR professionals.

Graduates find employment as PR assistants, communication assistants, media relations assistants, or corporate communication support staff in companies, NGOs, government agencies, and PR agencies. The certificate also provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes in public relations, communication, and media studies.

This programme is ideal for KCSE graduates with an interest in communication, media, and public relations, as well as individuals seeking practical communication skills for employment in Kenya's corporate and media sectors. The programme provides directly employable skills in public relations and corporate communication.

Duration: 1 year
Public, up to: Ksh 24,000
Private, up to: Ksh 50,000
Job market: High

The programme

What you study, how long it takes, and how it is delivered.

Practicalities

Study mode: Full-time, Part-time, Evening
Attachment: 0 months
Average class: 30 students
Award: Certificate

What you study

10 subjects

Introduction to Public Relations
Media Relations
PR Writing and Communication
Corporate Communication
Event Management
Crisis Communication
Digital PR and Social Media
Stakeholder Engagement
PR Ethics and Professional Standards
PR Campaign Planning

Modules

8 in the programme

Introduction to Public Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Introduction to public relations covering PR concepts, PR history, the role of PR in organisations, PR functions, and the evolution of public relations practice.
Media Relations
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Media relations covering media landscape, press relations, media pitching, press releases, media conferences, and building relationships with journalists and media outlets.
PR Writing and Communication
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
PR writing covering press releases, media advisories, feature articles, PR reports, speeches, newsletters, and writing for different PR channels and audiences.
Corporate Communication and Stakeholder Engagement
Year 1Semester 13 creditsCore
Corporate communication covering internal communication, stakeholder mapping, stakeholder engagement strategies, corporate identity, and managing organisational communication.
Event Management
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Event management covering event planning, press conferences, product launches, corporate events, event logistics, and using events for PR and stakeholder engagement.
Crisis Communication
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Crisis communication covering crisis management, crisis communication planning, reputation management during crises, media handling during crises, and post-crisis communication.
Digital PR and Social Media
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
Digital PR covering social media management, online reputation management, digital content creation, influencer relations, and using digital platforms for PR campaigns.
PR Ethics and Capstone Campaign Project
Year 1Semester 23 creditsCore
PR ethics covering professional standards, PRSK code of conduct, and a capstone project developing a complete PR campaign for a real or simulated organisation.

Specialisations

Corporate Communication
Focus on internal communication, corporate identity, stakeholder engagement, and managing organisational reputation.
Digital PR and Social Media
Focus on social media management, online reputation, digital content creation, and influencer engagement for PR.
Media Relations and Crisis Communication
Focus on media relations, crisis management, press operations, and reputation management during organisational crises.

A day as a student

A typical day combines morning lectures on PR principles or media relations with afternoon case study discussions and practical writing exercises. Students write press releases, develop PR plans, create social media content, and practise media relations strategies. Group work involves developing PR campaigns and crisis communication plans for real or simulated organisations. The programme emphasises practical communication and relationship-building skills.

The trade offs

In its favour

High demand for PR and communication skills across all sectors in Kenya.
Offered at multiple universities (7 institutions) providing wide accessibility.
Provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes with PRSK professional membership.

Against it

Fee data varies significantly between institutions and is not always publicly available.
Senior PR roles require diploma or degree-level qualifications plus PRSK membership.
PR work can involve high-pressure situations including crisis management and media scrutiny.

What it costs

Tuition at both ends of the market, and how to pay for it.

What it costs, and where

Against 106 media & communication courses

Public19k to 24k

19k at Laikipia University24k at University of Nairobi

Private41k to 50k

41k at Mount Kenya University50k at Gretsa University

Annual tuition in Kenyan shillings, rounded. The upright tick is the median for this field, so a bar sitting entirely to its right is an expensive programme by the standards of its own subject.

The fine print

Public: Laikipia 19K, UoN 24K (studyinkenya.co.ke, uonbi.ac.ke). Private: MKU 41,100, Gretsa 50,000/yr.

HELB loans and NGCDF bursaries are available for eligible Kenyan students. Universities may offer institutional scholarships for qualifying students.

Funding options

HELB Loan
NGCDF Bursary

Scholarships

2 recorded

HELB Loan
LoanKsh 40,000Kenyan
Kenyan students enrolled in certificate programmes at chartered universities
NGCDF Bursary
BursaryKenyan
Kenyan students from respective constituencies pursuing certificate-level studies

Getting in

The grades, the alternatives, and who accredits the award.

What you need

KCSE mean grade: D+
Alternative entry: KCSE D+ (Plus) for most institutions; KCSE C- (Minus) for UoN. MKU requires D+ with C- in Kiswahili or English. Laikipia and Maseno accept D+.

How you are assessed

3 components

Continuous Assessment Tests
Written examination40% of the mark
Regular CATs evaluating understanding of PR principles, media relations, and communication concepts.
Case Studies and PR Assignments
Project30% of the mark
Case study analyses of PR scenarios, press release writing, PR plan development, and social media content creation.
End of Semester Examinations and Capstone Campaign
Project30% of the mark
Final examinations and a capstone PR campaign project demonstrating applied PR competencies.

Accreditation

All offering universities are chartered by the Commission for University Education (CUE). The programme aligns with PRSK professional standards.

Accredited by

Commission for University Education
AcademicRequired
All offering universities are chartered by CUE.

Where it leads

The roles it opens, and what you leave with.

Where graduates go

4 roles

PR Assistant
High demandKsh 22,000 to Ksh 65,000
Assists in PR operations in companies, NGOs, or PR agencies, supporting media relations, content creation, event coordination, and PR campaign implementation.
Communication Assistant
High demand
Supports corporate communication functions in organisations, assisting with internal communication, content development, stakeholder communication, and communication materials production.
Media Relations Assistant
Moderate demand
Supports media relations activities in organisations, maintaining media contacts, preparing press materials, monitoring media coverage, and coordinating media engagements.
Social Media and Digital PR Assistant
High demand
Manages social media accounts and digital PR activities for organisations, creating content, monitoring online reputation, and engaging with online audiences.

Graduate outcomes

Graduates find employment as PR assistants, communication assistants, and media relations assistants in companies, NGOs, government agencies, and PR agencies, with opportunities for progression to diploma programmes.

Certifications

Public Relations Society of Kenya (PRSK) — Associate Membership

Industry links

Common misconceptions

Public relations is just about spin and manipulation.
Modern PR focuses on transparent communication, relationship building, stakeholder engagement, and ethical representation of organisations to their audiences.
PR is the same as marketing or advertising.
PR focuses on building relationships and managing reputation through earned media and stakeholder engagement, while marketing and advertising focus on promoting products through paid channels.
A certificate in PR has limited career value.
Every organisation needs PR personnel, and the certificate provides a pathway to diploma and degree programmes with PRSK professional membership.
PR is only for large corporations.
Organisations of all sizes including SMEs, NGOs, government agencies, and individuals require PR skills to manage their public image and stakeholder relationships.