Career Development and Coaching Studies
The MA provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required for the support of career development in a range of contexts. We will enable you to make a distinctive contribution to the field of career development and coaching studies through taught modules and independent research. The MA is approved by the Career Development Institute (CDI)Link opens in a new window as meeting the qualification requirement for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.

There are two pathways available for both full and part-time students within the MA in Career Development and Coaching Studies: Route A and Route B. It is not necessary to finalise your preferred route at the time of application as this can be confirmed later.
Route A
Route A consists of 6 x 20 credit modules and a 60 credit Dissertation module (15,000 words). It provides a full training for working as a career development professional.
Route B
Route B consists of 3 x 20 credit modules, a 100 credit Dissertation module (25,000 words) and 1 x 20 credit module from the list of Route B options below. It is designed for individuals with some experience of career development support or those wishing to pursue independent research in the field of career development and coaching studies.
This MA can be completed full-time or part-time. Each 20 credit module is taught via a blend of workshop-based and distance learning. The workshops take place at The University of Warwick, usually over two days (part-time) or weekly (full-time) (see dates). Assignments are project-based and follow each workshop.
Multiple Start Dates
The full-time route starts every October, and takes one year to complete. The part-time route starts in April or October, and take up to four years to complete. Both routes begin with a mandatory induction the day before the Career Development Theories module.
Full-time (P-L561)
The full-time MA is completed over 12 months. You will undertake 6 modules during the year, starting with the Career Development Theories module. The core modules are delivered weekly, and the optional modules are delivered over two-day workshops. We welcome applications to the full-time route from both national and international students.
Part-time (P-L561P)
A flexible approach is adopted for people wishing to study part-time, to enable attendance for those with full-time work or other responsibilities. You will start with the Career Development Theories module and attend between 2 and 6 workshops per year depending on how quickly you wish to move through the MA. This route is not suitable for international students requiring a Tier 4 Visa. Such students are advised to consider the full-time route.
We are happy to discuss moves from part to full time and vice versa.
This course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. This includes individuals who are currently involved in career development and coaching support, individuals who wish to work in these areas and/or those who are interested in the study for personal interest. The University's standard entrance requirement is an undergraduate degree graded at 2:2 in any discipline*. Equivalent professional qualifications can also be considered.
Applicants must be able to produce written work of a good standard.
*If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course team.
For April 2022 applicants:
Applicants must have, or be expected to achieve, an English language test certificate that meets our Band A English language requirements: IELTS 6.5 overall with no component score below 6.0 (or equivalent). Please see the following webpage to find out if you are exempt from this entry requirement: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/sroas/admissions/pg/english
For courses starting in the academic year 2022/23 (from October 2022) onwards:
Applicants must have, or be expected to achieve, an English language test certificate that meets our Band B English language requirements: IELTS 7.0 overall and all components. Please see the following webpage to find out if you are exempt from this entry requirement: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/sroas/admissions/pg/english
Overseas Applicants:
We have welcomed students from a range of countries including the UK, Ireland, Norway, France, Germany, Romania, Slovenia, USA, China, Oman, Indonesia, Brunei, Singapore, Mongolia and Australia. You are invited to discuss the course options available with the course team.
Former students have gone on to publish and disseminate their work in a range of academic and professional contexts. Our graduates occupy a range of relevant roles in the private and public sectors. PhD opportunities are available at Warwick within the Centre for Lifelong Learning and the Warwick Institute for Employment Research.
You will attend a Research in Professional Project workshop (see dates) and are allocated a dissertation supervisor. The workshop and supervision are provided to assist participants with undertaking an initial literature review, constructing research questions and designing a research strategy. There is a considerable experience available within the course team and most topics connected with career development and coaching can be pursued.
Both route A and B described above enable direct entry to the MA. It is also possible for students to register for the PG Diploma or PG Certificate CDCS and then transfer to the MA.
Applications are open for part-time starting October 2022.
Apply here - PT - October 2022
Applications are reviewed as they are received.
For Warwick graduates who have Home or Overseas fee status, there is a 10% tuition fee discount in place. Learn more here.
See course fees and funding for more information. View potential additional fees
Further module information
More information on core and optional modules is indicated below. Detailed module information is available by clicking on the relevant module title e.g. aims, learning outcomes, syllabus, teaching and assessment.
Route A or B modules:
Module Code | Module title | Teaching method | Credits | Level |
CE 951 | Career Development Theories | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 952 | Career Coaching and Counselling | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 956 | Research in Professional Practice | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 941 or CE 942 | Dissertation | Supervision and virtual learning | 60 or 100 | 7 |
Route A modules: optional - choose three from the list below
Module code | Module title | Teaching method | Credits | Level |
CE 953 | Career Related Learning | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 954 | Organisations and Labour Markets | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 944 | Career, Work Experience and Employability | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
CE 955 | Career, Vocation and Calling | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
Route B modules: optional - choose from one of the below
Module code | Module title | Teaching method | Credits | Level |
CE 944 | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 | |
CE 953 | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 | |
CE 954 | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 | |
CE 955 | Blend of workshops and virtual learning | 20 | 7 |
*The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.
This video was filmed in July 2019.
Apply here - PT - October 2022
Applications closed for full-time 2022
Key facts
Level: postgraduate (Level 7)
Length: 12 months (Full-time)
48 months (Part-time)
Venue: main campus/distance learning
Success stories
"I was at a crossroads as to what kind of career I wanted, but I knew it was working directly with vulnerable individuals and supporting them to take positive steps forward."
Shaheen, MA Graduate 2017Other courses
PG Diploma in CDCS
PG Certificate in CDCS
PGA
Useful information
Career Development InstituteLink opens in a new window