Coaching (PGDip) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Coaching taught Postgraduate Diploma.
This part-time course provides participants with a thorough understanding and critical evaluation of the higher-level skills and theoretical knowledge required for coaching in a range of contexts. The course is focused on experienced adult learners who wish to develop their practical and theoretical capability and credibility to apply coaching skills in practice.
Course overview
The PG Diploma is made up of six modules of twenty-credits each at Master's level 7, 3 in Year One, and 3 in Year Two. The course provides a comprehensive understanding of the theoretical knowledge and practical skills needed to build a deep awareness of self, and so participants are able to articulate their unique personal coaching presence in relation to a critical evaluation of theories. You will also gain an in-depth theoretical and practical understanding of the coaching process, as well and developing a comprehensive understanding of research methods in professional practice. The course is accredited by the Association for Coaching and this ensures that our courses are focused on developing coaches in line with internationally recognised standards of best practice.
This part-time course is delivered over two academic years and provides the essential core skills and knowledge. The first year gives you the Postgraduate Certificate in Coaching and building on this, after successful completion of the second year, you will receive a postgraduate diploma in coaching.
This is a blended learning course, and so each module has a two-day face-to-face interactive skill-based workshop delivered at Warwick, plus distance learning virtual resource centre material available 24/7.
Hear from our students
Hear from current Coaching students, Sarah and Rehan, talking about their experience on the course.
General entry requirements
Minimum requirements
This course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. This includes individuals who are currently involved in people development and coaching support, line managers wanting to take a coaching approach to leadership, and 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. If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course team.
Applicants must be able to produce written work of a good standard.
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
Please note all dates are provisional and will be confirmed later in the timetabling process once you are enrolled on the course. All modules are taught via a blend of workshops and virtual learning and are 20 credits.
Please see Coaching modules and key dates.
Year 1
CE9B3-20 Listening, Questioning and Direct Communication:
This module provides you with comprehensive knowledge of the foundation skills and theoretical perspectives required for coaching in a range of contexts. Linked to professional competencies, this module is designed to develop systematic theoretical knowledge, skills in practice, and self-awareness, focusing on three fundamental coaching elements: Active listening, Powerful Questioning, and Direct Communication. The module will also focus on how listening, questioning and direct communication are fundamental to developing the working and learning alliance, and consider the integrated nature of coaching.
CE9A8-20 Establishing Trust and Building Relationship
This module provides you with a comprehensive view of the skills and knowledge required to build and maintain an effective coaching relationship. You will develop detailed theoretical and practical knowledge about integrity, confidentiality, respect, support, and challenge, while holding the coachee in “unconditional positive regard.”
CE 9B2-20 Ethics and Standards in Coaching
This module provides you with comprehensive knowledge of the ethics and standards required in professional coaching, as well as maintaining high levels of professional practice through supervision and continuing professional development.
Year 2
Choose any three of the following modules:
CE9B1-20 Use of Self and Coaching Presence
This module provides you with a comprehensive knowledge of the theoretical basis for developing a deep awareness of what is happening within self and for the coachee during a coaching conversation. You will develop a systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding of ‘coaching presence’ and through self-awareness, develop confident and creative professional practice.
This module provides you with a comprehensive view of the key skills and theoretical knowledge required to manage the coaching process, facilitate progress for the coachee, and to congruently address issues that are counter to the achievement of the coachee’s (and sponsor’s) objectives.
CE 955 Career Vocation and Calling
This module enables you to develop knowledge and understanding of classic and contemporary perspectives on career, vocation and calling and to integrate and apply these perspectives with career development and coaching in a variety of contexts and practices
CE 9B6 Leadership and Team Coaching
This module provides you with comprehensive knowledge of the skills and theoretical perspectives relating to leadership coaching and team coaching. Designed to develop systematic theoretical knowledge, skills in practice and self-awareness, focussing on coaching in organisations in which leadership coaching and team coaching will be used. The module will provide an understanding of the skills and models of leadership and team coaching and the impact this has on the role and skill requirements of the coach.
CE956 Research in Professional Practice
This is an essential module if you wish to progress and compete the full Coaching Master’s and undertake a dissertation of your choice.
To develop an understanding of research methods necessary to complete a small-scale research project related to professional practice including literature review, research questions, research strategy, sources, evaluative framework, reflexivity, and dissemination.
Teaching
The course is delivered by skilled tutors who are also experienced coaches. You will engage in workshops, independent study, and virtual learning. The workshops take place at The University of Warwick, usually over two days. There is no place on this course for lectures, everything we do is with coaching at its heart; the workshops are designed and delivered as team coaching events to role model coaching in everything that we do. Assignments are project-based and follow each workshop.
There is significant individual support available through the course team and assignments are project-based to demonstrate both your skills and knowledge and are completed following each workshop.
The content of our coaching courses has been informed by the professional coaching bodies' competency frameworks, including the Association for Coaching (AC), the European Mentoring and Coaching Council (EMCC) International Coach Federation (ICF). This ensures that our courses are focused on developing coaches in line with internationally recognised standards of best practice.
Class sizes
A maximum of 21 students.
Accreditation
The course is accredited by the Association for Coaching, so after logging the appropriate number of coaching hours, you be an accredited coach with the AC, as well as holding a MA from one of the top 10 universities in the UK.
Your timetable
Your personalised timetable will be complete when you are registered for all modules, compulsory and optional, and you have been allocated to your lectures, seminars and other small group classes. Your compulsory modules will be registered for you when you join us.
Your career
The University of Warwick is one of the UK's leading universities. Our postgraduate coaching courses will develop you as a credible expert coach so you will be able to build a career in coaching, in the context of your choice. Alternatively, you will be able to apply your coaching skills within your organisation, such as HR professionals, and line managers to enhance your leadership skills and improve individual and team effectiveness, so supporting promotion potential.
As well as developing your coaching skills and knowledge, the course will help you develop a strong network formed through the shared experience, which can be of on-going support after the course has finished.
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
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.
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
Scholarships and financial support
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
Living costs
Find out more about the cost of living as a postgraduate student at the University of Warwick.
Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.
Apply to the course
This part-time course has two intakes each year.
Application for 2024 entry is now closed. However, please go to our 2025 entry webpages to apply for April 2025 or October 2025 course.
Read our notes on how to apply
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
After you’ve applied
Find out how we process your application.
Applicant Portal
Track your application and update your details.
Admissions statement
See Warwick’s postgraduate admissions policy.
Join a live chat
Ask questions and engage with Warwick.
Postgraduate Coaching online taster
Course Director Ian Day will be there to present some live information about studying our PGA, PG Certificate, PG Diploma and MA in the fascinating practice of Coaching. Ask Ian any questions and meet other like-minded potential applicants:
- There is currently no taster available.
Warwick Hosted EventsLink opens in a new window
Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.Postgraduate Fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.