General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 in any discipline.

If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course team. You must be working in a higher education career and employability development context.

Duration

The course lasts up to 4.5 years and you are able to complete earlier if your circumstances allow.

English language requirements

You can find out more about our English language requirementsLink opens in a new window. This course requires the following:

• Band A
• IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0.

Student VISAs

The University of Warwick is not currently sponsoring students on part-time courses, including part-time courses that are akin to distance learning, with a Student visa.

Therefore, we will not be able to produce a Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS) for a part-time course.

Please visit our visa pages and read the guidance provided to see if your visa permits study at The University of Warwick.

International qualifications

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information, please visit the international entry requirements pageLink opens in a new window.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Core modules

Career Development Theories

This module aims to develop systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding of classic and contemporary career development theories from a range of discipline areas. It also aims at enhancing confident and creative theoretically-informed practice in relation to a range of relevant roles.

Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education

This module enables participants to develop an overview of the wider context in which higher education careers work takes place. The module is designed to develop reflective practice in HE careers work focusing on: the student experience; the evolution and current development of higher education; the management of career and employability work; roles, organisations and policies; professional ethics, theoretical perspectives and values.

Research in Professional Practice

This module aims to develop understanding of the research process and its relevance to your professional practice, including designing research into your own practice field. This includes identifying research questions, appropriate research strategies, and sources using a variety of methods. It will enable you to design research in an aspect of career development work of interest and relevance to you.

Dissertation

This module enables participants to develop knowledge and understanding of a specialist area within the broad fields of career development, career coaching, coaching and work-related learning. You will apply the research methodology knowledge developed under the supervision of an academic member of staff. You can choose a shorter (A) or longer (B) dissertation which will impact the number of other modules you need to take.

Optional modules

Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:

• Technology-based Career Learning and Provision
• Employability and Career Development Learning
• Guidance Skills (Advanced)
• Employer Engagement and Labour Markets
• Recruitment Practices and Talent Management
• Work-related Learning in Higher Education
• Career Coaching (Information, Advice and Guidance)
• Marketing the Service
• Group Work
• Management of Higher Education Career and Employability Services

Teaching

Each module is taught via a blend of contact time and distance learning with the precise blend varying according to each module. You will be taught by experienced AGCAS Trainers for at least two modules.

The workshops are highly interactive and led by experienced career development professionals. The distance-learning materials are delivered via a virtual learning environment.

Everyone on the MA, PG Diploma and PG Certificate starts with the core modules, firstly in Career Development Theories and then Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education. These modules run twice a year.

Class sizes

Vary between 5-40 students dependent on the module.

Typical contact hours

Each module typically consists of independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, online webinars, and tutorial support. Most modules also include workshops of which a small number may be run in-person. The precise blend varies according to each module and is explained in the relevant module section.

Assessment

The course is generally assessed through work-based projects depending on the module choices each student makes.

Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be accessible when you register for each module and you will be allocated to any relevant Warwick small group classes. We will facilitate your registration for the core modules and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us. 

Your career

Our graduates occupy a range of relevant career development roles in Higher Education and many rise within the sector as they progress through and achieve the CEIGHE qualification. Former students have gone on to publish and disseminate their work in a range of academic and professional contexts and secured prizes for this. PhD opportunities are available at Warwick within the Centre for Lifelong LearningLink opens in a new window and the Warwick Institute for Employment ResearchLink opens in a new window. 

Centre for Lifelong Learning (CLL)

For more than 30 years, the Centre for Lifelong Learning has been a centre of expertise in the education of lifelong learners in different contexts. It has a focus on enabling adult learners to achieve their personal and professional goals by accessing a Warwick education, irrespective of background.

Our departmental research strategy focuses on four interconnected themes: concepts of lifelong learning; people-focused professions; wellbeing and identity; participation and collaboration. We seek to enthuse staff, students, and the wider community with this vision. More information is available on our website.

Find out more about us by visiting our website.Link opens in a new window

Our Postgraduate Taught courses

• Career Coaching (PGA)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (PGCert)
• Career Development and Coaching Studies (PGDip)
• Career Development Theories (PGA)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (MA)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (PGCert)
• Career Education, Information and Guidance in HE (PGDip)
• Career Development Theories - CEIGHE (PGA)
• Challenges of Careers Work in Higher Education (PGA)
• Coaching (MA)
• Coaching (PGCert)
• Coaching (PGDip)
• Leadership and Team Coaching (PGA)
• Psychotherapy and Counselling (MSc)

Our Postgraduate Research courses

• Open PhD
• PhD in Adult Education and Lifelong Learning
• PhD in Social Policy and Social Work
• PhD in Social Work

Tuition fees

Tuition fees are normally payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. However, this course is part of the Centre for Lifelong Learning department which follows a non-standard fee structure. Full fee details are listed via the 'Find your course fees' button below.

Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and registration and some student amenities.

Find your course fees

Fee Status Guidance

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Students will be classified as Home or Overseas fee status. Your fee status determines tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available. If you receive an offer, your fee status will be clearly stated alongside the tuition fee information.

Do you need your fee classification to be reviewed?

If you believe that your fee status has been classified incorrectly, you can complete a fee status assessment questionnaire. Please follow the instructions in your offer information and provide the documents needed to reassess your status.

Find out more about how universities assess fee status

Additional course costs

As well as tuition fees and living expenses, some courses may require you to cover the cost of field trips or costs associated with travel abroad.

For departmental specific costs, please see the Modules tab on the course web page for the list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue (please visit the Department’s website if the Module Catalogue hyperlinks are not provided).

Associated costs can be found on the Study tab for each module listed in the Module Catalogue (please note most of the module content applies to 2022/23 year of study). Information about module department specific costs should be considered in conjunction with the more general costs below:

• Core text books
• Printer credits
• Dissertation binding
• Robe hire for your degree ceremony

Scholarships and bursaries

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2024 will open on 2 October 2023.

Applications will close on 2 August 2024 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

How to apply for a postgraduate taught course