Career Development and Coaching Studies (PGDip) (2024 Entry)
Explore our Career Development and Coaching Studies taught Postgraduate Diploma.
The Career Development and Coaching Studies PGDip will support your journey as a creative and reflective career development practitioner. Warwick's Centre for Lifelong Learning will provide you with a thorough grounding in the skills and knowledge required for your career.
Course overview
The Postgraduate Diploma provides a thorough training for today’s career development professional. It 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 ProfessionalsLink opens in a new window. The course consists of six 20-credit modules.
Course structure
Multiple Start Dates
The course starts in April or October.
Flexible Approach
This part-time PG diploma can be completed over a period of between 14 and 36 months. A flexible approach is adopted to enable attendance if you are based overseas and/or with full-time work or other responsibilities. Each 20 credit module is taught via a blend of workshop-based and distance learning. The workshops take place at the University of Warwick, usually over two days (See Modules and Key Dates). You will start with the Career Development Theories module and attend between two and six workshops per year depending on how quickly you wish to move through the course.
Watch the following video from course director, Wendy Pearson.
This video was filmed in 2023.
Accreditation
General entry requirements
Minimum 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.
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 7.0 and minimum component scores of two at 6.0/6.5 and the rest at 7.0 or above.
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.
Please visit our visa pages and read the guidance provided to see if your visa permits study at The University of Warwick.
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.
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.
For 2023/24 entry, please see 2023 CDCS Modules and key dates.
| Module code | Module title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CE 951 | Career Development Theories | 20 |
| CE 952 | Career Coaching | 20 |
Optional modules
Optional modules can vary from year to year. Example optional modules may include:
| Module code | Module title | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| CE 953 | 20 | |
| CE 954 | 20 | |
| CE 955 | 20 | |
| CE 944 | 20 | |
| CE 956 | 20 |
Progression
Many students progress from the PG Diploma CDCS to the MA CDCS.
Teaching
This course has a blend of workshops and virtual learning.
Class sizes
Class size is usually between 10-40 students dependent on the module.
Typical contact hours
Each module typically consists of in-person workshops combined with independent learning using on-line study materials, links to key readings, and online webinars.
Assessment
Modules are assessed through a combination of assignments (5,000 word projects) and case studies.
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.
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.
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 Coaching (PGA)
- 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)
- 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
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.
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 part-time course has two intakes each year.
October Intake
Application for October 2024 course is closed.
April Intake
Before you apply, please read our Application Selection GuidanceLink opens in a new window to see if this MA programme is right for you.
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.
- There is currently no event scheduled - sign up for our mailing list to receive updates
Warwick Hosted EventsLink opens in a new window
Our hosted events run throughout the year, with a mixture of virtual and in-person sessions. These events are a great way to learn more about our courses and departments, chat to current students and staff, and find out more information about accommodation, careers, and how to apply.Postgraduate Fairs
Throughout the year we attend exhibitions and fairs online and in-person around the UK. These events give you the chance to explore our range of postgraduate courses, and find out what it’s like studying at Warwick. You’ll also be able to speak directly with our student recruitment team, who will be able to help answer your questions.