Careers can shape people’s opportunities, wellbeing and sense of purpose. With our Postgraduate Diploma, you’ll develop the professional skills and practical knowledge to help people make informed and inspiring career choices. Our learning flexes around your work and commitments, and there’s always expert support on-hand. Whether you’re starting out, enhancing your role or progressing to the next level, you’ll build valuable skills for a career in further or higher education careers departments, human resources teams, or even your own practice.
Modules
Grow your practical and theoretical career development skills.
Core knowledge: explore the latest approaches to career guidance
Coaching and guidance skills: build communication and professional support skills
Careers and society: understand the changing role of the workplace in society, and our lives
Applied professional learning: complete project-based assignments linked to real challenges
Professional recognition: meet the requirements to join the UK Register of Career Development Professionals
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.
*Please note that only ONE option from CE9B6 and CE9A9 may be chosen
Progression
Many students progress from the PG Diploma CDCS to the MA CDCS.
Teaching and learning
Our flexible course combines workshops, independent study and distance learning.
Flexible part-time study: complete the course over 10 to 24 months, with a flexible approach if you’re based overseas and/or working full time
Blended learning: study six 20-credit modules through a blend of workshop-based and distance learning
Choose when you start: begin your studies in either April or October
Personal tutor: expert guidance throughout your course, along with support from module tutors and our wellbeing team
Practice-focused learning: apply your learning through project-based assignments and professional reflection
Class size is usually between 10-40 students dependent on the module.
Each module typically consists of in-person workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, and online webinars.
The module CE934 Recruitment, Employer Engagement and Labour Markets is delivered online. Please note that only ONE option from CE9B6 and CE9A9 may be chosen.
Modules are assessed through a combination of assignments (4,000 word projects) which may include equivalent activities (e.g. recordings).
Entry requirements
2:2 in any discipline.
Or Level 7 Postgraduate Award from the Centre for Lifelong Learning Or 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.
IELTS overall score of 7.0, minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
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
Explore your future university further at an upcoming event, online or in-person. Can't join? Receive regular email updates or ask current students and staff questions about life at Warwick.
