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Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA) (2026 Entry)

Course code

P-L561

P-L56A (two-year part-time)

Start date

April and September

Duration

1 year full-time;
24-48 months part-time

Qualification

Led by

Centre for Lifelong Learning

Location

University of Warwick

Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA) (2026 Entry)

Course code

P-L561

P-L56A (two-year part-time)

Start date

April and September

Duration

1 year full-time;
24-48 months part-time

Qualification

Led by

Centre for Lifelong Learning

Location

University of Warwick

Meet us

Download our prospectus Link opens in a new window

Apply now

Find out more about our Career Development and Coaching Studies taught Master's degree at Warwick

Join Warwick's Career Development and Coaching Studies MA and boost your skills in supporting the career development of others. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning will provide you with a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required for your career.

Course overview

This MA provides a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required to support the career development of others 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.Link opens in a new window

Course structure

The full-time MA is available to UK (home) students and to international students requiring a Student visa.

The part-time MA might be more suitable for students with additional commitments (e.g. work or family). Part-time study can be completed in two ways.

The 2-year MA route offers a structured route to part-time study.
The 4-year flexible route allows students to start with a PG Certificate or PG Diploma programme and then move on to the MA course, completing all elements within four years, depending on how quickly you wish to move through the MA.

The part-time MA is NOT suitable for international students requiring a Student visa.

More information about enrolment, choosing the right course, and fees and funding - please see our Frequently Asked Questions page.

Hear from our students

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Accreditation

Entry requirements

General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

2:2 in any discipline.

Level 7 Postgraduate Award from the Centre for Lifelong Learning

Significant professional experience/current employment in a relevant field of work + level 4-6 cognate qualification in a related field + related academic/employer reference.

This course is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds, including individuals who are currently involved in career development and coaching support, and individuals who wish to work in these areas. If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course team. You 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 B
Overall IELTS score of 7.0, and minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above

Find out if you are exempt from this entry requirement.

To access a 6 or 10 week pre-sessional English language training course at Warwick University you must meet specific entry requirements beyond those normally expected for a Band B condition in order to attend, including equivalent to an IELTs level 7.0 in listening and speaking. You would be expected to complete the course with no less than a 7.0 in listening and speaking and a 6.0 in reading and writing.

International Students

We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications.

For more information please visit the international entry requirements page.

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.

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.

Academic References

We typically ask for one academic reference for taught courses, and two academic references for research courses.

You will be asked to include an email address for your referee(s) when submitting your application and we will contact them for you.

View our guide to academic references.Link opens in a new window

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

Modules

Core modules

Please note all dates are provisional and will be confirmed later in the timetabling process once you are enrolled on the course.

Please see Modules and Key Dates.

Module title

Credits

Optional modules: Route A, choose 3; Route B, choose 1

Module title

Credits

Dissertation

Module title

Credits

*The modules mentioned above may be subject to change. Please read our terms and conditions for more detailed information.

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 funding

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.

Teaching

Part-time students:
The core and optional modules are taught through a blend of workshops and virtual learning. Each module typically consists of in-person workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, and online webinars.

Full-time students:
Full-time students attend weekly classes for core modules and either weekly classes or workshops for optional modules. Independent learning using on-line study materials and links to key reading are also part of each module.

Dissertation:

For the dissertation, you will be allocated a dissertation supervisor to support your work. Group workshops and supervision are provided to assist you 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.

Class sizes

Vary between 10-40 students dependent on the module.

Typical contact hours

For full-time students, you will have weekly sessions in each term. In term one, you will complete two core modules. You will attend weekly classes for each of these. Each class lasts for two hours. The delivery of modules in terms two and three will vary. Independent study and preparation are also required. Your timetable will clarify the precise details once you are enrolled on your modules.

For part-time students, each module typically consists of 2 days of intensive, attendance-based workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, online webinars and tutorial support.

Assessment

Modules are assessed through a combination of assignments (5,000 word projects) and case studies. Dissertation A (60 credits) consists of a 15,000 word dissertation (100%). Dissertation B (100 credits) consists of a more in-depth 25,000 word dissertation (100%). Typically, the dissertation is focused on a topic of your choice and includes an initial literature review, research questions, methodology and findings and discussion.

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, and you will be able to choose your optional modules when you join us.

Reading Lists

If you would like to view reading lists for current or previous cohorts of students, most departments have reading lists available through Warwick Library on the Talis Aspire platform. 

You can search for reading lists by module title, code or convenor. Please see the modules tab of this page or the module catalogue. 

Please note that some reading lists may have restricted access or be unavailable at certain times of year due to not yet being published. If you cannot access the reading list for a particular module, please check again later or contact the module’s host department.

Careers

Your career

Our graduates occupy a range of relevant career development roles in the private and public sectors in the UK and internationally. Former students have gone on to publish and disseminate their work in a range of academic and professional contexts. 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.

Department

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

Our Postgraduate Research courses

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Apply to the course

This course has full-time study and part-time study options. Part-time options have two entries a year.

Apply for full-time October 2025

Apply for four-year part-time April 2025

Apply for two-year part-time October 2025

Apply for four-year part-time October 2025

Before you apply, please read our Application Selection GuidanceLink opens in a new window to see if this MA programme is right for you.

Read our notes on how to apply

How to apply checklist

Our how to apply checklist helps you prepare for your application

Read the checklist

I'm ready to apply

Learn more about the Applicant Portal.

Apply now

Application deadlines

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2026 opens on 2 October 2025.

Applications close on 2 August 2026 for students who require a visa to study in the UK, to allow time to receive a CAS and complete the visa application process.

Useful links

Applicant portal
After your applied
Admissions statement
Join a Live Chat

2025 entry

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

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Explore ways to connect with us

We understand how important it is to visit and explore your future university before you apply. That's why we have put together a range of online and in-person options to help you discover more about your course, visit campus, and get a sense of postgraduate life at Warwick. Our events offer includes:

Warwick hosted events
Postgraduate Fairs
Live chats
Talk and Tours
Department events

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Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

Why Warwick

Discover why Warwick is one of the best universities in the UK and renowned globally.

8th in the UK

in the Guardian University Guide 2025

6th Most Targeted University

by the UK's top 100 graduate employers (The Graduate Market in 2024, High Fliers Research Ltd)

69th in the World

out of 1,500 institutions across 104 locations (QS World University Rankings 2025)

Page updates

We may have revised the information on this page since publication. See the edits we have made and content history.

About the information on this page

This information is applicable for 2026 entry. Given the interval between the publication of courses and enrolment, some of the information may change. It is important to check our website before you apply. Please read our terms and conditions to find out more.

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Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA) (2026 Entry)

Career Development and Coaching Studies (MA) (2026 Entry)

Find out more about our Career Development and Coaching Studies taught Master's degree at Warwick

Scholarships and financial support

Living costs

How to apply checklist

I'm ready to apply

Find out how to apply to us, ask your questions, and find out more.

Online applicant event

Explore ways to connect with us

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

Why Warwick

8th in the UK

6th Most Targeted University

69th in the World

5th best student city in the UK

Gold standard teaching

92% of our research

Page updates

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