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Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring (Fully Online) at University of Buckingham - UCAS

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2024 - 20252025 - 2026
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There are other course options available which may have a different vacancy status or entry requirements – view the full list of options

Open days

14May
Postgraduate Open Evening
Postgraduate
28Jun
The University of Buckingham - Open Day
Undergraduate

Course summary

The University of Buckingham is:

  • Home of the two-year degree, the University of Buckingham, based in the South East of England, is ranked 6th for Student Satisfaction in the UK (National Student Survey, 2020).
  • Our award-winning small class tutorials ensure every student is known by name and supported throughout their studies, including by dedicated personal tutors.
  • As pioneers of the two-year degree, we offer a condensed version of the traditional three-year degree, meaning you can gain a full honours degree and complete your studies a whole year earlier. Alternatively, you can complete both your undergraduate and master’s degree with us in just three years: saving you time and money.
Course Info This is a twelve-month online course starting every January and September and is worth 120 credits. From September 2021 all schools are required to apply the Early Careers’ Framework (ECF) process to their Newly Qualified Teachers. This requires good mentors. Whilst ECF mentoring will be covered, this course delves much more deeply into the thought processes and critical thinking needed to make an excellent mentor, going beyond the requirements for the Mentor Standards and ECF. This programme includes weekly interactive seminars with the course leader, which mainly involves the dissemination of exceptional mentoring practices, and online group discussions where participants learn from each other and the course leader. All students will have full access to our library, containing a comprehensive suite of online resources. This work-based online course, which comprises of four 30 credit modules at Level 7 that will include covering all aspects of the Mentor Standards (DfE National Standards for school-based mentors, 2016). Examining these standards enables participants to be able to respond to demands from Ofsted regarding the quality of mentoring in their community. Looking at the Mentor Standards will be combined with rigorous academic study at Masters level, evaluating and critiquing a range of academic research relating to mentoring and relating to leadership skills and behaviours, integrating research with practice throughout. Students will be able to critically analyse, engage in and reflect on mentoring and evaluate the implications for their own educational setting. They will be expected to develop their ability to explore what it means to be a critically reflective practitioner in their work as a mentor. If you are interested in developing your knowledge further check out our MA Education (Mentoring). “The PG Dip in Mentoring is a fascinating course and extremely beneficial for developing practical skills with mentoring as well as engaging with relevant, cutting-edge academic research. The Buckingham course is one of the only courses of its kind, focussing exclusively on developing mentoring. The course leader and the lecturers are experts in their field and each online seminar has been a pleasure to attend. I have enjoyed the course so much that I intend to go on to complete the MA in mentoring when I have completed the PGDip. I cannot recommend this course highly enough for middle managers and senior leaders who want to enhance their skills in this important area of education.” Mr P Bray, Director of Studies at New Hall School “The course has been a real eye opener. At first, I was worried. I hadn’t written essays for about seven years and had quite a bit of help that time round. However, throughout the course, there has never been a question to silly and all the lecturers have been more than happy to provide their time, above and beyond their allocation. The essay clinics were a great help and strangely enjoyable.” Craig Nevard. Head of D and T, Wycombe High School

Modules

Module 1: Introduction to Mentoring Theory Module 2: A Research Based Approach to Mentoring Module 3: Critical reflections on Mentoring Module 4: The Wider Context of Mentoring

Assessment method

Every student is allocated a supervisor. You will regularly communicate for example, via Teams, Zoom, Email or another online meeting platform with your supervisor at times that are suitable for you both, to support each module. You will also have access to regular online study sessions throughout the course. There are induction sessions to introduce you to how the course will run – on application you will receive a choice of dates where you will indicate when you will attend. When the course start you will have access to MOODLE, the University’s online learning platform and from there you will access the course handbook and all resources needed for successful completion of the course. In the handbook there is a week by week guide which will indicate what work is expected that week. This will either be:

  • A recorded film to watch
  • A reading
  • Independent study towards a module
  • A Twilight session which will be live, but recorded and shared on Moodle after the date. These Twilights are optional in terms of attendance as we know that many people struggle to be available at certain times. However, all these sessions are recorded and should then be watched after the live event. This means that as you progress through the course you end up having access to library of videos that you can re-visit, to support you to a successful outcome.
It is important to understand that you, as a Master’s Level student, will be expected to work independently and you are expected to fully engage with the guidance provided to complete the required modules. Assessment is carried out through written assignments and evidence-based practice in mentoring recorded through the completion of course documentation tracking application to practice. Assistance is given throughout the course regarding the expectations of writing at Master’s level. Who should take this course?
  • Teachers in the UK and internationally
  • Current mentors on ITT programmes
  • Mentors in SCITTs
- Anyone mentoring in an education setting

Entry requirements

UK degree (2.2 or above). For equivalent qualifications, contact [email protected] to confirm that your qualification meets the University entry requirements. Working as a mentor in an educational context.

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

Fees to be confirmed
Postgraduate Diploma in Mentoring (Fully Online) at University of Buckingham - UCAS