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Career Development Theories (PGA) (2025 Entry)

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Postgraduate Taught

Find out more about our Career Development Theories, CDCS taught PGA at Warwick

The Career Development Theories PGA on Career Development and Coaching Studies programme is designed for applicants from a wide range of backgrounds. You will gain a comprehensive understanding of classic and contemporary career development theories and use this to develop confident and creative practice.


Course overview

This Postgraduate Award aims to develop systematic knowledge and comprehensive understanding of classic and contemporary career development theories from a range of discipline areas. It is made up of just one 20 credit module which is described further below and has more accessible entry requirements.

Once you have received the Award, you can apply for a longer course within the Career Development and Coaching Studies suite and apply for the transfer of your credit. You are advised to discuss this with the course team.

Watch the following video from course director, Wendy Pearson.

This video was filmed in 2023.


General entry requirements

Minimum requirements

These courses are designed for applicants who are working in a higher education careers environment and able to produce written work of a good standard.

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.


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 (Academic, UKVI or Online) score of 6.5 and 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.

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 contact us for more detailed information on content and availability.

For 2023/24 entry, please see Modules and Key dates.


Teaching

30 hours of blended learning consisting of in-person workshops with further materials provided via a virtual learning environment, supported by core reading available electronically, and a post-workshop webinar. There is no need to purchase or borrow your core reading materials.


Class sizes

Vary between 15-30 students dependent on the module.


Typical contact hours

Each module typically consists of intensive in-person workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, and online webinars.

Two Annual Start Dates

There are two intakes each year in April and October for this course. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply three months before each intake.


Assessment

The assignment consists of a work-based project.


Your timetable

Your personalised timetable will be accessible when you register for the module and you will be allocated to any relevant Warwick small group classes. 


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

Graduates from these courses have gone on to work for a range of employers in the career development sector and beyond.

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

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

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 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


Online applicant event

Before you apply, see if you could come onto an online event to meet course teaching staff and like-minded applicants. Ask any questions you have about studying this course, and get personalised guidance to see if this is the right option for you.


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