Course summary
This British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) accredited course enables you to develop your skills and qualify to practice Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT). Throughout your time on the course you will develop your understanding of CBT and the theory, research and complex issues you may have to face in a professional environment. We will help you gain the skills to support, provide care and improve the psychological wellbeing of others. Why study this subject? Actively promoted by The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE), CBT is an evidence-based therapy recommended to treat a range of mental health problems. The techniques can be applied in general medical, nursing and psychological practice. So, whether your goal is to become a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist or you want to apply the techniques in a broader context, this course gives you the skills and practical training you need to be confident in theory and practice. Why study at Buckinghamshire New University? At BNU we are proud to be one of the most diverse student bodies in the country, offering opportunity to all, with a large proportion of our students coming from a BAME background and/or international study. We are also one of the only master’s courses in the UK which will help you with your portfolio for the BABCP. We believe in offering an opportunity to everyone who is interested in CBT regardless of their background, and we value our partnerships within the local community, including the West London NHS Trust, one of the largest mental health providers in the UK. What will I study? Our course teaches you how CBT can be used effectively to tackle a range of mental health difficulties, from depression and social anxiety to panic attacks, OCD & Trauma. You will analyse how a diverse range of individuals think and encourage the implementation of positive behavioural change. We focus on applied practice and being able to transfer theoretical knowledge to the field, developing the interpersonal qualities required for therapeutic environments. You will be encouraged to develop independent learning skills and increase your abilities to stay abreast of the latest developments in CBT and therapeutic approaches. What are my career prospects? As a qualified Cognitive Behavioural Therapist you will be ready for a rewarding career within the NHS, private or commercial sectors. You will immediately have the ability to apply your knowledge to improve the wellbeing of others.
Modules
Year One Introduction to CBT Introduction to Anxiety Introduction to Depression Year Two Advanced CBT skills for Anxiety Advanced CBT skills for Depression Advanced CBT skills for Practitioners
Assessment method
During your time on the course, you will complete 200 hours of clinical practice for which you will also need to receive supervision from an external supervisor on your placement, as well as the course team, to ensure safe and ethical practice. As well as being supported by expert clinical tutors, you'll benefit from specialised workshops delivered by guest speakers to help develop your understanding and contribute to your learning. The university also brings in experts by experience. Who are past CBT patients whose own mental health experience is their expertise and can be a great source of inspiration showing you how your training can benefit the mental health of others through the eyes of those who have been there. The course employs a variety of teaching and assessment methods to cater for the diverse needs of students, and you will be taught using lectures and workshops, with supervised practice and practical use of our psychology laboratory facilities. On the course you can contribute through group presentations/meetings and have individual tutorials where you'll learn to use different methods of working collaboratively. You'll also have access to our Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) throughout the course where you'll be able to access online resources and participate in group forum discussions with your peers. We encourage all you to spend time on personal therapy and self-reflection which is often a requirement of some placement providers to ensure any personal issues do not interfere with client work. As a practitioner, this is a helpful practice to develop and maintain throughout your professional career.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy
Entry requirements
There are two pathways for meeting the entry requirements for PG Dip / MSc in CBT Pathway 1 Have completed training in an eligible core mental health profession, as featured on the BABCP eligible professions list (https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Core-Professions/Core-Professions-list-and-criteria) And The learner will need to have completed one year accountable practice in a mental health setting, following the attainment of skills and competencies of core professional training. The one-year accountable practice would have been completed prior to commencing the course (this can be the year leading up to the course). Pathway 2 Have a good undergraduate degree – 2:2 or above (we advise this be in a Psychology related area). And One year accountable practice in a mental health setting, following the attainment of skills and competencies required for the BABCP KSA portfolio requirements https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Knowledge-Skills-and-Attitudes Additionally: The professions listed here may be eligible for the condensed portfolio requirements (BABCP guidance - https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Knowledge-Skills-and-Attitudes/Professions-eligible-for-Condensed-KSA-Portfolios ) Or If the applicant does not meet the requirements for a condensed portfolio, they will have to complete a full portfolio: KSA Portfolio Guidelines Please note: Successful applicants who have enrolled at BNU will be provided support to develop this portfolio. The portfolios will need to have been reviewed by the KSA course trained marker (https://babcp.com/Accreditation/Provisional-Accreditation/Knowledge-Skills-and-Attitudes ) For all pathways - Additional requirements: • A clinical placement needs to be in place prior to commencing the course. Clinical cases required for this course would be 16+ years old presenting common mental health problems – anxiety, trauma and depression. Psychological trauma training is in year 2 for part-time learners or half way through the course for full-time learners – we do not recommend working with trauma at the start of the course. • Clinical supervision of a clinical placement will need to be in place prior to acceptance on the course – Clinical supervisors will need to confirm that they have agreed to provide clinical supervision and they are BABCP accredited therapists.
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 6 | We require an IELTS score of 6.0 (with no element lower that 5.5) or a recognised equivalent. |
If English is not your first language or if you have studied in a non-majority English-speaking country, then you will typically be required to demonstrate your English language ability (speaking, listening, reading & writing) by way of a test such as IELTS.
BNU English Language Requirements
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
No fee information has been provided for this course
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
For fee information, please visit our website: bucks.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/pgdip-cognitive-behavioural-therapy
Sponsorship information
There are several ways you can fund your studies, including sponsorship and student loans. You may be able to use ELCAS credits for some of our courses. We also have scholarships and bursaries to help support our students, and if you’re a recent BNU graduate, you may even qualify for a fee discount on your postgraduate studies.
Provider information
Buckinghamshire New University
Queen Alexandra Road
High Wycombe
HP11 2JZ
Course contact details
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