BUCKINGHAMSHIRE NEW UNIVERSITY · UNITED KINGDOM
PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy
Diploma · Taught in en
At a glance
24 mo
Duration
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IELTS
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Tuition / yr
en
Language
Diploma
Level
- BABCP Level 2 AccreditationAccreditation
- Clinical Supervision ProvidedSupport
- Full KSA Portfolio SupportAccreditation Pathway
- Part-time, 2-year StudyFlexibility
- Expert CBT Therapist FacultyTeaching Quality
The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (PGDip CBT) at Buckinghamshire New University is a two-year, part-time program designed to qualify you as a CBT therapist. This course is accredited at Level 2 by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP), meeting their minimum training standards. You will develop essential knowledge and skills in CBT theory, ethical practice, and evidence-based clinical application, with a focus on treating mood and anxiety disorders. Delivered by experienced CBT therapists, the curriculum provides comprehensive training and includes clinical supervision for your training cases. The program is tailored to support individuals from diverse clinical backgrounds, including those without a core profession, by offering full support for the BABCP's Knowledge, Skills, and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio requirements. This flexible format allows you to advance your career while continuing your current professional commitments. Upon completion, you will be equipped with practical CBT techniques to make an immediate impact on clients' lives and will be eligible to apply for BABCP accreditation as a CBT therapist. For those seeking further academic advancement, an MSc pathway is also available, which includes a master's thesis in the second year.
Curriculum
The course is designed to progressively build your CBT skills, starting with foundational knowledge and moving to more complex case treatments. You will learn to apply CBT effectively to a range of mental health difficulties.
- Year 1
- Fundamentals of CBT: history, origins, formulation, and behavioural experiments
- Developing self-reflective skills, risk management, conducting therapy sessions, academic writing, and clinical reports
- Identifying unhelpful thinking and behaviours
- Aligning clinical problems to evidence-based treatment protocols
- Treatment of mood and anxiety disorders with evidence-based practice
- Shifting clients toward recovery and relapse prevention
- Year 2
- Treatment of more complex cases
- Supervised clinical work with BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapists
- Applied practice and transfer of theoretical knowledge to the field
- Development of independent learning skills to stay updated with CBT developments
Careers
Graduates of the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program will be prepared for roles as qualified CBT therapists. The BABCP Level 2 accreditation enables you to apply for professional accreditation, enhancing your career prospects in psychotherapy.
- CBT Therapist
- Psychotherapist
Frequently asked questions
- What are the entry requirements for the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program?
- You need a good undergraduate degree, preferably in Psychology or a related field. You also require at least two years of post-graduation experience working with vulnerable adults or those with mental health problems, and one year of accountable practice in a mental health setting. Additionally, you must have completed training in a BABCP-eligible core mental health profession or meet the BABCP KSA portfolio requirements.
- How long does the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program take to complete?
- This is a part-time program designed to be completed over two years.
- What are the tuition fees for international students?
- Specific tuition fees for this PGDip course are not detailed on the program page. Please refer to the university's official fees section for postgraduate courses or contact Buckinghamshire New University directly for current international tuition rates.
- What are the career prospects after completing this PGDip?
- Graduates will be prepared for roles as CBT Therapists and Psychotherapists. The course's BABCP Level 2 accreditation enables you to apply for professional accreditation, significantly enhancing your career prospects.
- How do I apply for the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program?
- Applications are submitted directly to Buckinghamshire New University through their online application portal. You will need to gather academic qualifications, proof of professional experience, and details regarding your core profession or KSA portfolio, along with assurance letters from supervisors and clinical placement agreements.
Entry requirements
Undergraduate DegreeA good undergraduate degree (1st, 2:1, or 2:2), preferably in Psychology or a mental health-related area (e.g., Psychology, psychological therapy, Mental Health Nurse).
Professional ExperienceAt least two years of post-graduation experience working with vulnerable adults and/or individuals with mental health problems.
Accountable PracticeCompletion of 1 year of accountable practice in a mental health setting, following attainment of KSA portfolio skills/competencies or core professional training, prior to commencing the course.
Core Profession OR KSA PortfolioEither completed training in an eligible core mental health profession (as listed by BABCP) OR meet BABCP KSA portfolio requirements. KSA portfolios will need to be reviewed by the KSA course selector prior to admission.
Applicants will be shortlisted and invited for an interview. Clinical supervision must be in place prior to acceptance, with assurance letters from BABCP accredited clinical supervisors or those with additional accreditation in CBT clinical supervision. Clinical placement agreements also need to be in place prior to commencing the course. Students are expected to complete 200 hours of clinical practice during the course and receive external supervision in addition to university supervision.
Fees
Tuition (international)Fees for this specific PGDip course are not detailed on the university's general fees page or the program page. Please refer to the university's official fees section for postgraduate courses or contact them directly for current international tuition rates.
Tuition (home)Fees for this specific PGDip course are not detailed on the university's general fees page or the program page. Please refer to the university's official fees section for postgraduate courses or contact them directly for current home/domestic tuition rates.
LivingThe university's general fees page does not provide specific living cost estimates. Students are advised to budget for accommodation, food, transport, and personal expenses.
Tuition fees are a significant consideration, and the university offers various resources for funding, including scholarships, bursaries, and student loans. Recent BNU graduates may qualify for a fee discount on postgraduate studies. An online payment portal is available for fee payments. It is crucial to pay fees on time to maintain access to university facilities.
How to apply
1. Access the Application PortalApply directly to the university using the online application portal.
2. Prepare Documents and InformationGather all necessary academic qualifications, proof of professional experience, and details regarding your core profession or KSA portfolio. Ensure you have evidence of clinical supervision and placement agreements in place before applying or acceptance.
3. Complete the ApplicationFill out the online application form with all required personal and academic details.
4. InterviewIf shortlisted, you will be invited for an interview as part of the selection process.
Accreditation
This course is a Level 2 British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) Accredited Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) Diploma. Completion enables application for accreditation as a CBT therapist by the BABCP.
Frequently asked questions
What are the entry requirements for the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program?
+
You need a good undergraduate degree, preferably in Psychology or a related field. You also require at least two years of post-graduation experience working with vulnerable adults or those with mental health problems, and one year of accountable practice in a mental health setting. Additionally, you must have completed training in a BABCP-eligible core mental health profession or meet the BABCP KSA portfolio requirements.
How long does the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program take to complete?
+
This is a part-time program designed to be completed over two years.
What are the tuition fees for international students?
+
Specific tuition fees for this PGDip course are not detailed on the program page. Please refer to the university's official fees section for postgraduate courses or contact Buckinghamshire New University directly for current international tuition rates.
What are the career prospects after completing this PGDip?
+
Graduates will be prepared for roles as CBT Therapists and Psychotherapists. The course's BABCP Level 2 accreditation enables you to apply for professional accreditation, significantly enhancing your career prospects.
How do I apply for the PGDip Cognitive Behavioural Therapy program?
+
Applications are submitted directly to Buckinghamshire New University through their online application portal. You will need to gather academic qualifications, proof of professional experience, and details regarding your core profession or KSA portfolio, along with assurance letters from supervisors and clinical placement agreements.