About this course
Develop the skills to become a confident cognitive behavioural therapy practitioner and help treat patients with anxiety and depression on this PGDip at the University of Southampton. Enhance an existing career or start a new one with this professionally accredited qualification.
On this postgraduate diploma we’ll train you in using evidence-based CBT to treat mild to moderate anxiety and mild to severe depression.
We run the course in line with national Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) guidelines, and jointly recruit through partner IAPT services.
It’s open to high intensity IAPT trainees and others interested in developing specialist skills in this area.
You’ll develop:
- a clear understanding of cognitive behavioural concepts, models and methods
- a critical appreciation of the literature on which sound clinical decision-making is based
- skills in collaborative assessment, formulation and treatment based on empirically validated models
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.
Download the programme specification
The programme specification sets out the learning outcomes of this course and details how the course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
Academic
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects:
- psychology
- medicine
- social work
- occupational therapy
- nursing
- or an equivalent professional qualification
If you have a nursing qualification that is not a degree, it must be equivalent to an undergraduate PG diploma.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
Professional
You must provide evidence of at least 4 years' full time experience, and prior training, experience or knowledge in:
- CBT
- interpersonal skills
- mental health problems
- interviewing
- general assessment
- understanding of ethical and professional issues
If you have a different professional background, you may be considered on an individual basis, by submitting a portfolio of evidence linked to the BABCP 'Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes' criteria.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 7.0
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
Recognition of professional experience
If don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This is a full-time course that runs for 12 months. You’ll need to attend the University for 2 days a week.
The course is made up of 7 modules, all of which you’ll need to take and pass in order to achieve the postgraduate diploma. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
For entry in Academic Year 2021-22
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules:
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth. The module focuses on generic therapeutic and basic competencies, as well as specific behavioural and cognit...
The aim of this module is to apply your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth. The module focuses on generic therapeutic and basic competencies, as well as specific behavioural and cogniti...
The aim of this module is to apply your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation for anxiety and to examine CBT change methods in depth. The module focuses on generic therapeutic and basic competencies, as well as specific behavioural...
The aim of this module is to apply your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation for depression and to examine CBT change methods in depth. The module focuses on generic therapeutic and basic competencies, as well as specific behaviou...
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth - as applied to anxiety presentations. You may take the full module (PSYC6107) covering a full range of pr...
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth - as applied to depression.
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include:
- lectures
- interactive workshops
- group work
- independent learning
Assessment
We’ll assess you through:
- case reports
- essays
- therapy recordings
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers
This training provides a pathway towards British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accreditation, allowing you to pursue a professional career in CBT.
Careers services at Southampton
We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2020). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV/resume and interview skills workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:
- our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
- a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
- our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Health Education England (HEE) will pay your fees for this course.
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay £10,029.
- This course is not available to EU and international students.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional scholarships, grants and bursaries may be available to help you fund your master’s study, both from the University and from other organisations.
How to apply
- Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Submit your application.
Application deadlines
UK students
Applications must be received no later than 4 weeks before the start of the course. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.
Application assessment fee
We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.
This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.
If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to send 2 academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
Learn more about how to apply with our postgraduate application guide.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We'll assess your application on the strength of your:
- academic achievements
- relevant professional experience
- personal statement
- academic references
We'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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