Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education
The MA enables you to make a distinctive contribution to higher education careers work through independent research. It is delivered by the University of Warwick and AGCAS (Association of Graduate Careers Advisory Services) and designed and taught in partnership with this professional body. It is also approved by the Career Development Institute (CDI) as meeting the qualification requirement for the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. The course leads to an award by the University.

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.
Flexible approach
There are two pathways available within the MA in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education: Route A and Route B. It is not necessary to finalise preferred route at the time of application as this can be confirmed later. Both pathways enable direct entry to the MA.
Route A
Route A includes the 3 x core 20 credit modules (including the Research in Professional Practice module), a choice of 3 x 20 credit optional modules from the table below and a 60 credit module completed via a 15,000 word Dissertation (A). All participants 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 (key dates) and further details are available in AGCAS events calendar).
Route B
Route B includes the 3 x core 20 credit modules detailed below (including the Research in Professional Practice module), a choice of 1 x 20 credit module, and a 100 credit module completed via a 25,000 word Dissertation (B). This route is particularly suitable if you have a relevant prior qualification and experience.
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. Dissertation students are allocated a dissertation supervisor. Supervision is provided to assist you with undertaking an initial literature review, constructing research questions and designing a methodology. There is a considerable experience available within the course team and most topics connected with higher education careers work can be pursued.
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 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 predominately in the HE sector, while some have transferable skills they take in to 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 Practice workshop (see dates) and be 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 methodology. There is considerable experience available within the course team and most topics connected with career development and coaching can be pursued.
To apply for this course you will need to apply through postgraduate admissions
For an April 2021 start please search under the academic year 20/21. Admissions for an April start will close on Monday 13 February.
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 available for 2020/21
Module code | Module title | AGCAS course? | Credits | Level |
CE 951 | Career Development Theories | No | 20 | 7 |
CE 946 | Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education | Yes | 20 | 7 |
CE 956 | Research in Professional Practice | No | 20 | 7 |
CE 941 | Dissertation A OR | No | 60 | 7 |
CE 942 | Dissertation B | No | 100 | 7 |
Further optional modules
Module code | Module title | AGCAS course? |
Credits | Level |
CE 930 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 931 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 932 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 933 | No | 20 | 7 | |
CE 934 | No | 20 | 7 | |
CE 935 |
Management of Higher Education Career and Employability Services |
Yes | 20 | 7 |
CE 938 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 939 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 968 | Yes | 20 | 7 | |
CE 993 | Yes |
20 |
7 |
*The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.
For more information about the qualifications we offer in Career Education, Information and Guidance in Higher Education, watch this video of Course Director Phil McCash:
This video was filmed in November 2015.
Key facts
Course code: P-L550Level: postgraduate (Level 7)
Length: up to 4.5 years (Part-time)
Venue: main campus/distance learning (depending on Covid-19 related guidance)
Other courses
PG Certificate in CEIGHE
PG Diploma in CEIGHE
PGA
Useful information
General university fees and funding
AGCAS Accreditation
