Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education
The PG Certificate develops a foundation of knowledge and skills for all staff involved in higher education careers and employability work. The course is designed for people who have recently started work in a relevant role in HE and you wish to enrol on a shorter course than the PG Diploma and MA.

The PG Certificate consists of four modules: two core 20 credit modules and two 10 credit optional modules. All modules are taught via a blend of contact time and distance learning. The blend varies according to each module (see table). The course involves engaging in significant amounts of both independent study and group teaching. Its flexible nature means that you can plot an individual track through the course and use the virtual learning environment to make contact with others. Everyone will start with the core modules: Career Development Theories and the next available Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education module. These modules run twice a year (further details in the AGCAS events calendar).
Two Annual Start Dates
There are two intakes each year at the start of April and October for this part-time course. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply three months before each intake.
There is significant support available through the extended course team consisting of Dr Phil McCash, Gill Frigerio, Dr John Gough and Ian Day (all University of Warwick staff) and the AGCAS Learning Team.
The University's standard entrance requirement is an undergraduate degree graded at 2:2 or above*. The course is designed for applicants who are working in a higher education careers environment and able to produce written work of a good standard.
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 except from this entry requirement: https://warwick.ac.uk/services/aro/sroas/admissions/pg/English
Overseas Applicants:
Part-time international and EU applicants are welcomed. We have received successful applications from a range of countries including the UK, Ireland, Norway, France, Germany, Romania, Slovenia, USA, China and Australia. Full-time applicants are advised to consider our MA Career Development and Coaching Studies (PL 561).
Alternative qualifications and experience
*If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the Course Leader (Phil McCash).
Former students now occupy a range of roles in higher education careers work including management, education and career coaching. Many students progress from the PG Diploma CEIGHE to the MA CEIGHE.
Applications are open for part-time starting in October 2022. Apply here.
See course fees and funding for more information. View potential additional fees
Modules linked to an additional AGCAS course are shown below. AGCAS courses are run by AGCAS and separately charged. The AGCAS/Warwick Qualification page provides general information whereas you can find more detailed module information including dates, costs, aims, learning outcomes and assessments on the AGCAS Training and Conferences pages. Note that, for publicity purposes, the Career Development Theories and Research in Professional Practice workshops are advertised in the AGCAS calendar but are not run by AGCAS and do not carry a separate charge.
Core modules
Modules for 2020/21
Module code | Module title | AGCAS course? |
Credits | Level |
CE 946 | Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education | Yes | 20 | 7 |
CE 951 | Career Development Theories | No | 20 | 7 |
Optional modules
Module code | Module title | AGCAS course? |
Credits | Level |
CE 924 | Yes | 10 | 7 | |
CE 925 | Yes | 10 | 7 | |
CE 928 | No | 10 | 7 | |
CE 995 | Yes | 10 | 7 |
Hear from Sue Johnstone, one of our students, who explains how the course is structured and who she would recommend it to:
Key facts
Course code: P-L577Level: postgraduate certificate (Level 7)
Length: up to 2.5 years (part-time)
Venue: conference centre/teaching rooms/distance learning (depending on Covid-19 related guidance)