On our Postgraduate Award, you’ll discover how people make career decisions - and how these perspectives can support your work in career development. Based on one 20-credit module, our flexible PGA covers classic and contemporary ideas around career, vocation and calling. Whether you’re already working in guidance, coaching or HR - or looking to move into the field – we offer a strong foundation for enhancing your role or going on to further study.
This video was filmed in 2023 about all Career Development and Coaching Studies courses.
I found the programme practical and illuminating, with pair and group work that brought the learning to life. It gave me the space to reflect both professionally and personally and highlighted the value of continued learning and boosted my confidence. I applied the skills learnt both in my private and in my freelance work whilst studying. More recently, I applied my course learning in a six-month widening participation volunteering project, supporting and enabling high potential students gain access to top universities by running sessions developing essential transferable skills and setting SMART goals. I will continue building on skills learnt from the course working as a career’s advisor in schools and colleges.
Sapna
CDCS PGCert student
Modules
Develop a comprehensive understanding of career, vocation and calling across the professional landscape.
Core knowledge: explore how ideas of meaning, purpose and identity shape working lives
Practical skills: apply theoretical perspectives to real-world guidance and coaching settings
Professional growth: grow your confidence in team management and supporting people with career and life decisions
Progression opportunities: gain credits that can contribute towards further study within Coaching or Career Development and Coaching Studies programmes
Note that information found by following the links to the module catalogue is subject to change for future years of study, as we evolve our courses in response to the latest developments in academia and industry.
You’ll combine flexible study with supported, practice-focused learning.
Flexible study: learn part-time, around your work and commitments
Expert teaching: our academics offer a wealth of experience in coaching and career development
One-to-one support: a personal tutor throughout your course, as well support from module tutors and our wellbeing service
Vary between 15-30 students dependent on the module.
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.
There is one intake each year in June for this course. Applicants are strongly encouraged to apply two months in advance.
The assignment consists of a work-based project.
Entry requirements
These courses are designed for applicants with an interest in the topic and practice 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.
IELTS overall score of 6.5, minimum component scores not below 6.0
Please adjust your country as required:
We welcome applications from students with other internationally recognised qualifications. For more information, please visit the international entry requirements page.
We typically ask for one academic reference for taught 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.
There are no additional entry requirements for this course.
Fees and scholarships
Tuition fees are payable for each year of your course at the start of the academic year, or at the start of your course, if later. Academic fees cover the cost of tuition, examinations and assessment and some student amenities.
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.
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 list of core and optional core modules with hyperlinks to our Module Catalogue, where module-related costs are detailed. 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 2026/27 year of study).
Information about module 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
Dissertations and Assignments are only submitted digitally. However, students may wish to print and bind their dissertation for their own purposes. Students on some courses will have a final poster presentation as part of their project and the printing of posters may be at the students’ expense.
Find out about the different funding routes available, including; postgraduate loans, scholarships, fee awards and academic department bursaries.
(We work with over 20 partners, including professional bodies and partner colleges, and are always looking to build new partnerships)
85%
1st and 2nd class degrees
(From 2016 to 2022, 85% of our undergraduate have achieved a first or second class honours degree)
Transform your future through learning that fits your life.
Why study with us?
For more than 30 years, our Centre has supported adult learners in achieving their personal and professional ambitions, whatever their background. And with options to study on campus or online, as well as apprenticeships, you can make your course fit around your life.
Here, you’ll discover that learning has no limits as you explore ideas around four interconnected themes: concepts of lifelong learning, people-focused professions, wellbeing and identity, and participation and collaboration. Immerse yourself in a culture of growth that inspires staff, students and the wider community.
If you’re studying on, you can take advantage of a wide range of modern facilities designed to support student life. From flexible study spaces and the Library, to gyms, cafés, bars and restaurants, you’ll find places to focus, connect and recharge. You’ll also enjoy access to the Students’ Union and convenient campus parking, helping you balance study alongside work, family and other commitments.
If you’re studying online, you can still access all of the same academic and student support. Plus, if you’re near to the University, you’re free to use the facilities on campus.
Careers
All students who attend courses as part of the CEIGHE programme are currently employed in a career/employability role within Higher Education. CEIGHE courses rely on ongoing practice experience and incorporate your context and practice into our assessments to further build your employability in highly relevant ways and build your impact in your role at work.
As well as developing your careers and 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.
While this course does not offer a formal work placement, postgraduate taught students at Warwick can self-source internships and work experience to complete alongside their studies, subject to visa conditions and the 20‑hour weekly limit for full‑time students.
Opportunities can vary in length and location, including in the UK, online and internationally. Postgraduate students find that shorter, remote and/or flexible opportunities work best around their studies, often seeking opportunities over the summer when teaching decreases and the focus moves to final dissertations and projects - although this can vary depending on the nature of the course and personal preference.
Support available:
The Internships, Placements and Work Experience team provide workshops to help you to source and prepare for work opportunities, and organise peer-to-peer support so you can hear about other students’ placement experiences.
The WorkReady Toolkit guides you through the whole process, from sourcing to completing work placements.
Our Work Experience Bursary can help you cover costs if undertaking unpaid work experience.
Part-time work allows you to gain experience and additional financial support, with opportunities advertised on Warwick’s careers portal, myAdvantage and Unitemps.
Warwick students worked 286,295 paid hours via Unitemps in 25/26.
Access short-term international study, work or volunteering abroad experiences, without extending the length of your studies (duration is typically between 3 days and 12 weeks), with opportunity to apply for funding.
Students can apply to TeamWork, a four-week part-time online international experience programme, helping them to gain work experience and improve their employability skills.
Volunteer for projects which support the local community through the award-winning Warwick Volunteers.
Getting involved in societies and sports teams, especially on exec teams.
In 25/26 our jobs portal advertised 1577 12-month placements, work experience opportunities, vacation employment and volunteering from 564 employers.
Whilst there is lots of support available at the University to help, students themselves are responsible for finding and securing a suitable internship or work experience. You will also be responsible for ensuring opportunities meet visa requirements, do not exceed the universities advised 20 hours per week for full-time students and for balancing extra-curricular activity with your studies.
Tags: Centre for Lifelong Learning, Alumni profile, Postgraduate
Why Warwick
Your university experience is defined by far more than your course or the career path you follow. At Warwick, it’s where you discover who you could become.
68th
Warwick is ranked 68th in the world and top 10 in all major UK league tables
Our alumni community still call Warwick home. From a few hundred in 1965 to more than 310,000 alumni, and it's ever-growing.
As Warwick graduates, our students have access to employability support for two years after graduation, including access to careers appointments, job vacancies and professional networks.
Applications for courses starting in September and October 2027 are now open.
The on-time deadline for taught postgraduate courses starting in September/October 2027 is 2 August 2027.
We will still accept late applications, however cannot guarantee that the application will be processed in time to complete the admissions process if received in September or there are a number of conditions to meet.
If applying late please include your degree certificates and transcripts, English proficiency evidence (if needed) and ensure referees can submit references promptly to allow time for CAS and visa processing (if applicable).
This information is applicable for 2027 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 web page 'Important information to consider before making an application' in advance of applying to Warwick.
Next steps
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