About this course
Develop your cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) knowledge and skills to the level of a competent CBT practitioner on this postgraduate diploma at the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载. This part-time course is accredited by the British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) at level 1 and will count towards your accreditation as an individual practitioner.
On this part-time PGDip you’ll gain an in-depth understanding of cognitive behavioural concepts, models and methods.
By studying both theory and research-based evidence, you’ll develop essential skills in:
- collaborative assessment
- formulation and treatment
- critical decision-making
Your choice of modules will allow you to develop specialist skills in line with the needs of your clinical practice.
Typical optional modules will cover severe mental health conditions:
- CBT for psychosis and bipolar
- CBT for personality presentations
This is a flexible programme, with most students working in clinical settings and attending the University at least one day a week.
We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).
Course lead
Your course leader is Dr Katherine Newman-Taylor. Her clinical interests are in working with people with psychosis, and adopting a cognitive behavioural approach to living well with voices and paranoia.
Read Dr Newman-Taylor's staff profile to find out more about her work.
Learn more about this subject area
Course location
This course is based at Highfield.
Awarding body
This qualification is awarded by the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 the Course Description Document
The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.
Entry requirements
Academic
You’ll need a 2:1 degree in one of the following subjects:
- psychology
- medicine
- social work
- occupational therapy
- nursing
- or an equivalent professional qualification
If you have a nursing qualification that is not a degree, it must be equivalent to an undergraduate degree.
Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.
Professional
You must provide evidence of at least 4 years' full time experience, and prior training, experience or knowledge in:
- CBT
- interpersonal skills
- mental health problems
- general assessment
- understanding of ethical and professional issues
We usually receive applications from qualified mental health professionals (for example, Psychologists, Psychiatrists, Psychiatric Social Workers, Occupational Therapists, and Mental Health Nurses).
If you have a different professional background, you may be considered on an individual basis. You'll need to submit a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio. This KSA portfolio is linked to the The British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) criteria.
Submitting a KSA portfolio
If you do not have a BABCP recognised core profession, you must provide evidence of prior training and experience which meets the requirements for PG training.
BABCP recognised core professions include:
- mental health nurse
- social worker
- occupational therapist
- accredited counsellor
- practitioner psychologist
- psychiatrist
If you're unsure you have a recognised core profession, you can check the BABCP Core Profession List.
If you need to submit a KSA portfolio, please see our guidance for submitting a KSA.
English language requirements
If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:
IELTS score requirements
- overall score
- 7.0
- reading
- 6.5
- writing
- 6.5
- speaking
- 6.5
- listening
- 6.5
We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.
If you don’t meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.
Pre-masters
If you don’t meet the academic requirements, you can complete a pre-master's programme through our partnership with OnCampus. Learn more about the programmes available.
Recognition of professional experience
If don’t have the exact entry requirements, but you have significant work experience in this sector we’ll assess your relevant professional experience, your subject knowledge and your aptitude for learning.
Your application will be considered on individual merit and you may be asked to attend an interview.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
Course structure
This part-time-only course usually runs over 24 months. You’ll usually attend the University for 1 day a week.
You’ll study a combination of compulsory modules (modules which all students on the course take) and optional modules (modules we’ll ask you to choose from a list of options).
You'll need to pass all of your modules in order to achieve the postgraduate diploma. The pass mark for all modules is 50%.
Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.
Modules
The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.
For entry in academic year 2025 to 2026
Year 1 modules
You must study the following modules in year 1:
CBT - Severe Mental Health for Depression
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth - as applied to depression. You will apply these skills in supervised practice.
CBT Severe Mental Health Fundamentals
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth. The module focuses on generic therapeutic and basic competencies, as well as specific behavioural and cognit...
CBT Severe Mental Health for Anxiety
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth – as applied to anxiety presentations. You will apply these skills in supervised practice.
Year 2 modules
You must study the following modules in year 2:
CBT - Severe Mental Health Working with Complexity
This module aims to develop your competence in working psychologically with people with serious mental health needs (SMH).
CBT Portfolio
This module comprises a portfolio evidencing your academic and clinical work completed over the course of your PG CBT training, aligned with BABCP requirements for accreditation.
You must also choose from the following modules in year 2:
CBT Severe Mental Health for Personality Presentations
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth - as applied to personality presentations. You will apply these skills in supervised practice.
CBT Severe Mental Health for Psychosis and Bipolar
The aim of this module is to extend your knowledge and understanding of CBT assessment and formulation and to examine CBT change methods in depth - as applied to psychosis and bipolar. You will apply these skills in supervised practice.
Learning and assessment
Learning
The learning activities for this course include:
- lectures
- interactive workshops
- group work
- independent learning
Assessment
We’ll assess you through:
- case reports
- essays
- therapy recordings
Academic Support
We'll assign you a personal academic tutor, and you'll have access to a senior tutor.
Careers and employability
The employability and enterprise skills you'll gain from this course are reflected in the 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills model. When you join us you'll be able to use our skills model to track, plan, and benefit your career development and progress.
天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 skills overview

Work experience opportunities
Choosing to do work experience is a great way to enhance your employability, build valuable networks, and evidence your potential. Learn about the different work and industry experience options at 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载.
Careers services and support
We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载 Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:
- work experience schemes
- CV and interview skills and workshops
- networking events
- careers fairs attended by top employers
- a wealth of volunteering opportunities
- study abroad and summer school opportunities
We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.
Your career ideas and graduate job opportunities may change while you're at university. So it is important to take time to regularly reflect on your goals, speak to people in industry and seek advice and up-to-date information from Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise professionals at the University.
Fees, costs and funding
Tuition fees
Health Education England (HEE) will pay your fees for this course.
Fees for a year's study:
- UK students pay ?8,000.
- This course is not available to EU and international students.
What your fees pay for
Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams. The fee you pay will remain the same each year from when you start studying this course. This includes if you suspend and return.
Find out how to pay your tuition fees.
Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.
Explore:
10% alumni discount
If you’re a graduate of the University of 天发娱乐棋牌_天发娱乐APP-官网|下载, you could be eligible for a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.
Funding your postgraduate studies
A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.
How to apply
- Use the blue 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our postgraduate admissions system.
- Create an account which gives you access to your own application portal. .
- Search for the course you want to apply for.
- Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
- Pay the ?50 application assessment fee, (there are some exemptions, check terms and conditions).
- Submit your application.
For further details of our admission process, read our step by step guide to postgraduate taught applications.
Application deadlines
Contact your Service or Trust Lead for information on application deadlines.
Supporting information
When you apply you’ll need to submit a personal statement explaining why you want to take the course.
You’ll need to include information about:
- your knowledge of the subject area
- why you want to study a postgraduate qualification in this course
- how you intend to use your qualification
You'll also need to submit two academic references.
Please include the required paperwork showing your first degree and your IELTS English language test score (if you are a non-native English speaker) with your application. Without these, your application may be delayed.
What happens after you apply
You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.
We will aim to send you a decision 6 weeks after you have submitted your application.
Unfortunately, due to number of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.
Equality and diversity
We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.
Got a question?
Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.
Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000
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