CIPR launches free student memberships
The Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) has today launched free membership for students studying CIPR-recognised undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses.
The changes will benefit the hundreds of students currently enrolled on the 43 courses currently approved by the CIPR, which meet the Institute’s rigorous professional standards. Graduates from CIPR-recognised courses are 15 percent more likely to hold a graduate job six months after graduation than the current national average*.
Free membership will help students on CIPR-recognised courses get ahead in their studies through the provision of professional standard tools, resources and benefits.
The benefits available to student members include:
- access to research and reports on key communications trends and issues
- access to skills guides and best practice guidance on essential areas of PR practice
- free training webinars worth over £700 per year
- opportunities to network with CIPR regional and national groups
- free subscription to PRWeek
- full CIPR membership (MCIPR) immediately, or in the following year, after graduation (course dependent).
To apply for this membership, students on CIPR-recognised courses will need to contact their University course leader.
For students not enrolled on CIPR-recognised courses, but studying public relations or other subjects on undergraduate and postgraduate degree courses, the CIPR has frozen the current student membership price of £35 per year. The CIPR also supports graduates in the early stages of their careers by providing a stepped discount rate for Associate CIPR membership (ACIPR) and full CIPR membership (MCIPR) (dependent on experience), £55 for the first year and £85 for the second year after graduation.
The CIPR hugely values its relationships with student members and their universities. Student membership demonstrates an interest in public relations and a commitment to the profession. It also gives the next generation of practitioners access to the full range of benefits currently available to all CIPR members and I hope it will give graduates a head start in their public relations career. This move will also be a boost to our range of 43 approved courses, hopefully attracting more people to become students of public relations.
This is a real benefit for students entering the public relations field as it immediately shows they have a professional approach. I have been a member of the CIPR for nearly 30 years and have gained greatly from its services, stance on standards and the company of fellow members.
As a student member of the CIPR I have had a great deal of resources at my disposal. Access to skills guides, best practice, up-to-date research and a free copy of PRWeek have all been extremely useful in planning and writing assignments. The CIPR has also been great in ensuring they contact me with the latest networking and work placement opportunities which can help further my career.
Notes to editors
About the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR)Founded in 1948, the Chartered Institute of Public Relations (CIPR) is the Royal Chartered professional body for public relations practitioners in the UK and overseas. The CIPR is the largest membership organisation for PR practitioners outside of North America. By size of turnover and number of individually registered members, we are the leading representative body for the PR profession and industry in Europe.
The CIPR advances professionalism in public relations by making its members accountable to their employers and the public through a code of conduct and searchable public register, setting standards through training, qualifications, awards and the production of best practice and skills guidance, facilitating Continuing Professional Development (CPD), and awarding Chartered Public Relations Practitioner status (Chart.PR).