Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills

The Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills at the University of South Wales offers a stimulating introduction to the skills, theory and awareness to inform emerging practice.

Successful completion of this course can lead onto our MSc/PG Dip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy course.
However, there is no automatic progression and all applicants will need to reapply and be successful at interview for the MSc/PG Dip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy course.

This qualification can also help people in related professions such as social work, nursing or teaching to develop their listening and communication skills.

2023
2024

Study Mode 2023	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Part-time	1 Year	September	Newport City	C

Study Mode 2024	Duration	Start Date	Campus	Campus Code
Part-time	1 Year	September	Newport City	C

During the Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills course you will:

• develop the use of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy skills within boundaries of ethical practice (informed by the BACP Ethical Framework and BABCP Standard of Conduct, Performance and Ethics)
• develop interpersonal effectiveness skills in relation to self and others
• develop self-awareness to inform emerging practice, in line with elements of the Cognitive Therapy Scale – Revised (Blackburn et al, 2001)
• demonstrate a critical understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of CBT practice and its evidence-base
• Demonstrate integration of skills, awareness and theory into practice

Modules

Interpersonal Effectiveness Skills (Level 7)
Aims to develop a critical understanding and ethical use of a range of core cognitive behavioural therapeutic skills in the context of theoretical underpinnings.
With a focus on facilitating self-reflection through critical reflective practice in order to maintain a sound therapeutic relationship in your emerging practice.

CBT Principles, Skills and Theory (Level 7)
Provides an introduction to the skills and theory of cognitive behavioural approaches to facilitating change, acknowledging the importance of the therapeutic relationship as a platform for interventions. Aims to develop a critical understanding of CBT principles, skills, theory and empirical influence.

Working in a Professional Context (Level 7)
Develops knowledge of professional practice issues required to practice in the field. Developing their ability to critically evaluate the social, institutional, legal and ethical context in the use of CBT skills and within mental health and apply the relevant codes of ethical frameworks and professional codes of conduct.

Teaching

Teaching
This Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills is 60 credits at Level 7.
You will learn through experiential exercises, skills practice, personal development work and formal teaching. You will work in pairs, small groups and larger groups.

Attendance
You are expected to attend all teaching sessions and there is an 80% minimum attendance requirement.

Placements
There is no requirement for a student placement, personal therapy or a residential weekend on this course.

Assessment

To complete the Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills you will need to:

Take an active part in teaching and skills practice
Complete two recorded skills practice
Complete two process reports on skills recordings supported by a portfolio of evidence
Complete Written Assignment - Case study

Facilities

You will be taught in modern facilities with dedicated classrooms, using digital recording equipment.

Lecturers

Jane Muston, Course Leader

We regularly revalidate courses for quality assurance and enhancement

At USW, we regularly review our courses in response to changing patterns of employment and skills demand to ensure we offer learning designed to reflect today’s student needs and tomorrow’s employer demands.

If during a review process course content is significantly changed, we’ll write to inform you and talk you through the changes for the coming year. But whatever the outcome, we aim to equip our students with the skillset and the mindset to succeed whatever tomorrow may bring. Your future, future-proofed.

For progression onto a Masters Programme:*

Undergraduate degree.
Level 2/3 Counselling qualification desirable
Experience of working with people in a mental health setting
Two references uploaded with your application**

For completion as a standalone qualification:

Experience of working with people in a mental health setting
Relevant professional experience and/or qualifications
Undergraduate degree is desirable
Level 2/3 Counselling Qualification is desirable
Two references uploaded with your application**

* Progression onto the Masters Programme without an undergraduate degree may be possible if your performance on the Postgraduate Certificate is exemplary.

* The references must be on letter headed paper or the referee can send them direct from a professional/work email address to [email protected]

Application Deadline

You are advised to apply early. It is unlikely that complete applications received after 12 noon, 1st August 2023 will be able to complete our interview process for the September 2023 start date. In this case, your application will be considered for entry the following intake, September 2024.

Interview

Candidates attend an interview session with an number of activities that will give you an opportunity to demonstrate why you are an ideal candidate and how you meet the entry criteria. This will include a written exercise, a role play of a therapeutic interaction and interview where candidates are asked pre-specified questions. Please bear in mind to ensure you :

Demonstrate an understanding of anxiety and depression including the wider impact for the whole person.
Demonstrate an understanding for the need to use evidence based psychological therapies.
Have excellent verbal and written communication skills, enabling you to convey complex information in highly emotive situations.

We want to give you the opportunity to ask us questions that are important to you and we need to explore your motivation and suitability for the type of training we offer on this programme.

Interview Dates for 2023

TBC

Full-time fees are per year. Part-time fees are per 20 credits. Once enrolled, the fee will remain at the same rate throughout the duration of your study on this course.

August 2023 - July 2024 Fees

Part-time UK: £1055 per 20 credits

August 2024 - July 2025 Fees

Part-time UK: TBC

Student Perks

At the University of South Wales, you’re investing in so much more than a degree. We strive to provide our students with the best possible experience, no matter what you chose to study. Whether it’s access to top of the range mac books and PCs, state-of-the-art facilities packed with industry-leading equipment and software, masterclasses and events led by industry experts, or a wide range of clubs and societies to meet likeminded people, better tomorrows start with extra perks.

Each course also has their own unique student benefits to prepare you for the real word, and details of these can be found on our course pages. From global field trips, integrated work experience and free course-related resources, to funded initiatives, projects working with real employers, and opportunities for extra qualifications and accreditations - at USW your future, is future-proofed.

Click here to learn more about student perks at USW.

Additional Costs

As a student of USW, you’ll have access to lots of free resources to support your study and learning, such as textbooks, publications, online journals, laptops, and plenty of remote-access resources. Whilst in most cases these resources are more than sufficient in supporting you with completing your course, additional costs, both obligatory and optional, may be required or requested for the likes of travel, memberships, experience days, stationery, printing, or equipment.

Funding

Funding to help pay for (or cover) course tuition fees and living costs

Whilst you’re studying, you’ll have two main financial obligations – tuition fees and living costs. There’s lots of financial help available from the University of South Wales and external funding sources, that may provide loans (which have to be paid back) and grants, scholarships and bursaries (that don't).

To learn about course fees, funding options, and to see if you are eligible for financial support, visit our Fees and Funding pages.

Apply directly to the University if you are applying for a part-time, professional or postgraduate course, an Erasmus/Exchange programme, the Legal Practice (part-time) course, to top up your Foundation Degree or HND, or to transfer to USW from another institution.

Apply Now
Admissions Statement

The course will improve your employability by enhancing your communication skills, prepare for further professional and academic skills and development through practice.

Once you have successfully completed the course you will be awarded a Postgraduate Certificate Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Skills.

Successful completion of this course can lead onto our MSc/PG Dip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy course. However, there is no automatic progression and all applicants will need to reapply and be successful at interview for the MSc/PG Dip Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy course.

Previous students have gone on to qualify as psychotherapists or enhanced their existing work skills. Graduates have found work in the NHS, private health facilities and private practice. Some have gone on to teach, to develop their research careers and to supervise.