How To Become A Public Relations Officer In South Africa & Qualifications

Are you looking for a way to become a Public Relations Officer in South Africa and you don’t know the subjects needed or even universities in South Africa where you can undergo the course? If yes, then this informative article is for you. You will be given detailed information about how to become a Public Relations Officer in South Africa, Universities and Subjects Needed.

What Does A Public Relations Officer Do?

Public relations officers plan, develop, put into place and evaluate information and communication strategies that present a client’s (an individual or company) image and reputation. Their aim is to gain understanding and support for clients, as well as to influence the opinion and behaviour of the public, clients and other stakeholders.

They also assess public opinion and advise their clients on different approaches to putting across their public personas, using different types of media to reach their chosen audience.

Public relations officers could work in a company’s in-house public relations department or as an account executive at a consultancy that looks after a number of clients.

The job could include:

• Planning campaigns and strategies
• Monitoring the public and media’s perception of a client
• Writing and editing
• Arranging events
• Developing good relationships with the media
• Arranging for advertising or promotional films to be produced
• Public speaking
• Representing the client at events.

What Qualifications Do I Need?

Public relations are a very competitive industry and many employers will expect you to be qualified to degree level, although this is not always essential. A bachelor’s degree and related work experience are typically needed to become a public relations officer or work in specialist positions.

Public relations courses are offered at various universities and technikons, as well as at the Public Relations Institute of South Africa (PRISA). A National Senior Certificate that meets the requirements for a diploma or degree course is a prerequisite.

In order to qualify for the certificate that PRISA offers, students must obtain a three-year public relations qualification plus two years public relations related experience, or a PRISA Certificate in Basic Principles of Public Relations plus three years public relations related experience.

What Subjects Do I Need?

Contact each institution for their specific requirements, but these subjects are recommended:

• Languages

Where Can I Study?

Oxbridge Academy

• National Certificate: N4 – N6 Public Relations
• www.oxbridgeacademy.edu.za

University of the Witwatersrand

• Degree: Public Relations and Communication
• www.wits.ac.za

North-West University

• Degree: Public Relations and Communication
• www.nwu.ac.za

University of Johannesburg

• Degree: Public Relations and Communication
• www.uj.ac.za

University of Pretoria

• Bachelor of Commerce: Communication Management
• www.up.ac.za

UNISA

• Bachelor of Arts: Communication Science
• www.unisa.ac.za

Cape Peninsula University of Technology

• National Diploma: Public Relations Management
• www.cput.ac.za

Tshwane University of Technology

• National Diploma: Public Relations Management
• www.tut.ac.za

Durban University of Technology

• National Diploma: Public Relations Management
• www.dut.ac.za

Damelin

• Diploma: Public Relations
• www.damelin.co.za

Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University

• National Diploma: Public Relations Management
• www.nmmu.ac.za

Pearson Institute of Higher Education

• Bachelor of Arts: Public Relations
• www.pihe.ac.za

Varsity College

• Diploma: Public Relations
• www.varsitycollege.co.za

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