Course summary

This postgraduate course offers you a unique combination of in-depth study of coaching psychology and career coaching with practical training in coaching skills. It aims to equip coaches, consultants, career and HR professionals and psychologists to work with individuals and groups at relational depth in organisations in the role of career coach, coach or consultant. It will provide you with knowledge on the most salient topics in coaching in today’s changing world of work. You will learn about evidence-based psychological theories and the context in which coaching takes place. This is one of the few courses in London to focus on adult career management and coaching with practical coaching skills development. It attracts individuals working in a wide range of settings and organisational contexts, and provides you with excellent opportunities for peer learning and networking. MSc Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology: our MSc will develop your research skills enabling you to critically evaluate theory, research and practice in these fields and to undertake applied career or coaching research. It offers you the opportunity to undertake a deep exploration of this helping relationship. The course combines evidence-based, theoretical and practical study to not only develop your professional expertise, but also develop greater self-awareness and understanding. You will investigate pragmatically and critically how coaching works in organisations. You will also have the opportunity to apply for one of a limited number of placements with the Birkbeck Careers Service in your second year. Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology: our Postgraduate Certificate is the starting place if you are an experienced manager or professional looking to explore a transition into coaching or career coaching. You will be keen to understand the role of professional helping relationships at work from an academic perspective and wish to gain valuable, evidence-based coaching practice. Experienced coaches also have the option of developing their coaching portfolio in lieu of the core skills module. The Certificate is ideal if you are looking to support your existing skills or career coaching specialism, or as a progression route onto our MSc Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology. Highlights

• After gaining either the MSc or Postgraduate Certificate in Career Coaching and Coaching Psychology you will meet the qualification requirements for entry to the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. The Register is the sector equivalent of Chartered Status. Being on the Register proves to employers and clients that you hold a qualification in career development at QCF Level 6/SCQF level 11 or above, abide by the CDI Code of Ethics, and undertake and record a minimum of 25 hours' CPD per year. Increasingly employers are asking that employees are on the Register.

• The MSc provides a unique opportunity to undertake a career coaching placement in Birkbeck's Careers Service. If you are successful in securing a placement, you will have the chance to apply your learning in a real-life context and receive regular group support in developing your practice.

• We are renowned for the quality of our teaching in organisational psychology and for our expertise in the delivery of part-time courses. Our flexible teaching model gives you the freedom to take some modules online and fit your studies around your other commitments.

• career and coaching psychologists in private practice and coaching organisations

• higher education career consultants

• external coaches in private practice

• executive and leadership coaches

• internal coaches and career or talent managers in commercial organisations

• mentors in start-ups

• consultants in change management

• career specialists in the NHS and social agencies.