Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Award

PgDip

Key facts

Location:: Off Campus
Study option:: Full-time
Duration:: 12 Months
Start date:
School:: School of Life Sciences and Education

BABCP accredited

British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies

100% employment rate

All our students go into employment after completing the course

Delivered in partnership

Course is run with partners at the NHS and cognitive behavioural specialists

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy develops your theoretical knowledge, reflective abilities and practical skills to enable you to become a skilled and independent practitioner with adults with common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression.

Cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) is a type of psychotherapy based on the theory that psychological symptoms develop and are maintained as a result of the interaction between the thoughts, emotions and behavioural responses of the individual.

In cognitive behavioural therapy the therapist and client work collaboratively to identify and change thoughts and behaviours that may be maintaining symptoms.

This course has been developed as part of the national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies initiative, which aims to increase the availability of qualified high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapists.

It’s a collaborative venture between the University and staff from the South Staffordshire and Shropshire Foundation NHS Trust. This collaboration provides excellent opportunities to integrate theory and practice within the award.

The learning outcomes for the course are based on national guidance regarding the Improving Access to Psychological Therapists (IAPT) Curriculum for High Intensity Therapists and the requirements of the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

The course has consistently achieved 100% student satisfaction in the Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey.

On successful completion of study, we will issue the following award: PgDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Work placements

You’ll spend three days a week on placement in the West Midlands region, and two days at the University.

Course content

The award is completed on a full-time basis over a one-year period from January to January. Although the majority of trainees on the award will have been specifically recruited as part of national IAPT initiatives, places are sometimes available to self-funding individuals working outside of these services who fulfil the entry requirements.

Professional body accreditation

Course graduates gain accreditation of the BABCP. This entitles graduates to practice CBT as independent practitioners. The level 2 qualification is an industry recognised minimum standard that allows graduates to apply for jobs as High Intensity CBT therapists within the NHS. Without this accreditation, graduates would be unable to do this.

Modules

The tables provide an indicative list of the modules that make up the course for the current academic year. Each module is worth a specified number of credits. Our teaching is informed by research, and modules change periodically to reflect developments in the discipline. We aim to ensure that all modules run as scheduled. If for any reason a module cannot be run we will advise you as soon as possible and will provide guidance on selecting an appropriate alternative module.

Year 1 compulsory modules
Year 1 compulsory modules
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy In Context	15 credits
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Theory And Core Skills	15 credits
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy With Anxiety Disorders	15 credits
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy With Depression	15 credits
Consolidating Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practice	30 credits
Developing Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Practice	30 credits

Entry requirements

You'll need:

To hold a relevant core profession e.g. mental health nursing, social work, occupational therapy or clinical psychology. If you don’t have a core professional training, you may be admitted if you can provide evidence that you fulfil the Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) requirement of the BABCP prior to the start of the course. This will be assessed at interview.
Access to an appropriate work setting where you can undertake at least three days per week of face-to-face CBT practice and the audio/video recording of client sessions for assessment in an academic setting.
Access to a BABCP-accredited workplace supervisor who can offer weekly supervision.
To meet the Staffordshire University required level of proficiency in English – IELTS Level 7 or equivalent.

You’ll be required to undertake a written assessment and an interview before being admitted to the course. You’ll also need to demonstrate that you have the necessary interpersonal and academic abilities to achieve the award.

We select to the values of the NHS values-based recruitment.

Facilities

Science Centre

Our £30 million Science Centre in Stoke-on-Trent contains specialist laboratories with the latest state-of-the-art equipment.

Psychology - Observation and Cognitive Suite

The observation laboratory is a large room setup with digital video cameras and microphones and is used to carry out research on focus groups, interviews, behavioural observations and presentations. The cognitive suite of laboratories is a purpose-built set of five individual testing rooms linked to a central control room and houses two eye-trackers.

Careers

After completing the course, you’ll be equipped to work as a high-intensity cognitive behavioural therapist.

Eager for more knowledge? Upon completion, you’ll be ideally placed for further academic study at top-up Masters level.

Teaching and assessment

Teaching

Teaching and supervision sessions usually take place in the Learning Centre of St George’s Hospital in Stafford.

We know that everyone learns differently. So not only do we use traditional ways of teaching like lectures, we also use problem-based learning to help you apply your skills.

For this course, you'll:

Work with others on group work
Delve deeper into subject areas in workshops
Take part in skills acquisition through extensive role-play
Undertake enquiry-based learning
Be expected to study independently

Our teaching is supported through our Virtual Learning Environment called Blackboard. This means you can access a range of materials to support your lectures wherever you are.

We’ll also assign you a supervisor to support you throughout your research project.

Assessment

There are two types of assessments: practice (also called formative) or formal (also called summative).

Practice assessments don’t count towards your final mark. These are your chance to test your understanding – and learn how to improve for the real thing.

You’ll have formal assessments at the end of each module. These could include:

Case studies
Assessed therapy
Sessions
Portfolios
Presentations

Learning support

Your course tutors will provide lots of support. But you can also take advantage of our Academic Skills team, who can help you with:

Study skills (including reading, note-taking and presentation skills)
Written English (including punctuation, grammar)
Academic writing (including how to reference)
Research skills
Critical thinking
Revision, assessment and exam skills (including time management)

Additional support

If you have additional needs like dyslexia or a sensory impairment, then our AccessAbility Services are here to help make sure nothing stands in your way.

Feedback

We know that it’s important for you to be able to gauge your progress. So, your tutor will give you feedback on any practice assessments you do.

We usually give you feedback on formal assessments within 20 working days, but the format will vary for each module.

Your study time will include scheduled classes, independent learning and assessments.

Independent learning

As well as timetabled sessions, we know it’s important for you to discover things on your own terms. This could involve:

Reading journals, articles and books
Working on projects, alone or in a group
Researching in the library
Preparing coursework
Getting ready for exams

We’ve invested in state-of-the-art facilities to help you make the most of your private study time. Whether you need a library, a computer, or a lab, you’ll find it at Staffordshire University.

Staff

You'll be taught by staff who have a range of academic and industry experience.

Susan Fleming

Course Director

My professional experience includes working as a counsellor for the NHS, Douglas Macmillan Hospice and IMPACT & Aquarius alcohol agencies including counselling within the probation service.

Susan's profile

Sandra Willett

I'm currently a high-intensity therapist who mentors and supervises trainees in the Seisdon area. I also provide teaching support assistance and course supervision.

Fees

If you would like to know more about the fees listed and what this means to you then please get in touch with our Enquiries Team.

Alumni discount

If you've previously completed a Staffordshire University undergraduate degree (excluding HND and foundation degrees) you may be entitled to a discount of up to 25% off your course fees for any subsequent postgraduate taught course (terms apply, see the alumni discount page for details). If you have any questions about how this relates to you, please contact feesandbursaries@staffs.ac.uk.

Included in tuition fees
Included in the fees:
Workplace clinical supervision

Not included in tuition fees
Not included in the fees:
BABCP membership Course books Specific journal articles Audio-visual recording equipment

Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs
Accommodation and living costs are not included in our fees. For more information on accommodation and living costs, please see: Accommodation

Sources of financial support

Funding is available via NHS West Midlands to support individuals who are employed in relevant NHS, Local Authority and Third Sector mental health services in undertaking this course. Funding arrangements are as follows:

For new posts in IAPT services – 100% salary costs (backfill) for 12 months and 100% course fees.
Replacement posts in IAPT services – 100% course fees
Existing posts in non-IAPT mental health services – 100% salary costs (backfill) for 12 months and 100% course fees

Note: This could be subject to change.

Apply

Applications are not currently available for this course.

Enquire about this course

Rules and regulations

If you are offered a place at Staffordshire University, your offer will be subject to our rules, regulations and enrolment conditions, which may vary from time to time.

Students of Staffordshire University enter into a contract with us and are bound by these rules and regulations, which are subject to change. For more information, please see: University Policies and Regulations.

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