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.

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.

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.

Additional requirements

There are no additional entry requirements for this course.

If you have alternative qualifications and relevant experience, you are welcome to discuss these with the course leader Dr Tania LydenLink opens in a new windowLink opens in a new window.

Core modules

Some modules are linked to an additional AGCAS course--they are shown below. 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. Please note that:

• AGCAS courses are run by AGCAS and separately charged.
• For publicity purposes, the Career Development Theories; Employer/Entrepreneur Engagement and Labour Market; Marketing, Communications and Engagement, 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.

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

Optional modules

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

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

Teaching

There are two intakes each year at the start of April and October. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply three months before each intake.

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 one module.

The workshops are highly interactive and led by either Warwick teaching staff or 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. You will be able to plot your route through the course in line with your AGCAS professional pathway.

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. There is no need to purchase core reading materials.

Assessment

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

Support for research

You will attend a Research in Professional Practice workshop (see Modules & Key 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.

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. 

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.

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 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 Professional Studies 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

Apply to the course

This course has two entries a year. The April & October 2025 applications are now open.

Apply for April 2025 course

Apply for October 2025 course

Read our notes on how to apply

How to apply

The application process for courses that start in September and October 2025 opens on 2 October 2024.

Applications will close on 2 August 2025 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