Skip to main content

Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (PgCert)

  • Duration: 1 year
  • Mode: Part time

Applications are closed

Applications for this course are currently closed. Contact us for more information.

deadline-date

Deadline date

The deadline date for application is 11 August.

calendar

Open day

Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.

Why study this course

This BABCP accredited training programme will provide you with the knowledge and clinical skills to qualify as a psychological therapist.

tick

Accredited by British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP)

This programme meets the high-quality standards in education set by the BABCP and is designed to help you towards individual practitioner accreditation with BABCP.

globe

The only accredited multi-professional CBT programme in Wales

This is the only multi-professional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme in Wales accredited by the BABCP.

rosette

Ranked 5th in the UK and 38th in the world

Our School is ranked highly for Psychology in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.

certificate

Taught by BABCP accredited practitioners

You will be taught by BABCP accredited practitioners with a vast range of professional, clinical and research experience.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) is a talking treatment tool used by mental health professionals that has been proven to help people manage a range of mental health conditions, such as anxiety and depression.

This part-time course is intended for professionals working in mental health, such as mental health nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. However, we offer another route called the Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KSA), which ​enables practitioners with sufficient levels of experience and knowledge to be able to attain the equivalent level of training eligible to apply for the training.

The syllabus is based on the Roth & Pilling competency framework for CBT with anxiety disorders and depression, and the course focuses on CBT with adults, although we also welcome practitioners working with children and older adults.

This programme provides high quality postgraduate training in Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (CBT), and is accredited by the BABCP at Level 1. You will have to meet some further criteria, in addition to the course, for full practitioner accreditation.

There is a requirement of 100 practice hours to complete the course, the overriding majority of which needs to occur on a 1:1 basis. This involves working with Depression and Anxiety disorders that you will be taught on the training programme.

Accreditations

Where you'll study

School of Psychology

Study in a dynamic and stimulating learning environment, informed by our leading research in psychology and neuroscience.

  • icon-chatGet in touch
  • Telephone+44 (0)29 2087 4007
  • Marker70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

Admissions criteria

  Applicants need:

  • An undergraduatedegree (please see the 'entry requirements' document for exceptions)
  • A core profession in mental health or KSA portfolio -  (please contact cbt-admin@cardiff.ac.uk for further details)
  • Work (paid or unpaid) in the UK in which you can practise individual CBT with clients experiencing anxiety and depression
  • A manager and a clinical supervisor (these may be the same person)
  • A GCSE level English qualification
  • Personal suitability
  • Demonstrated interest and commitment to CBT.

All applicants must be student members of BABCP.

Please note that you also need to complete the following three additional forms which you can find at the bottom of the page.

  • Manager's Form
  • Supervisor's Form
  • Additional Questions.

Once you have completed these forms you need to upload them as Other information when you are completing the online application form’

Potential students will be interviewed as part of the admissions process. Interviews are usually held in August.

Please note: Course intake for Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies is in September each year and the application deadline is 11 July 2023.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Application downloads

Manager Form

For the CBT training to be effective those undertaking it will need the support of their managers.

Supervisor Form

Evidence of supervision in the workplace.

Additional questions

Additional application questions.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

If you do not currently work for the NHS you will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from or have resided in certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required. If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.

Course structure

The Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert) consists of a series of training days commencing in September.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2024/25 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2024.

Module titleModule codeCredits
The Fundamentals of CBTPST40120 credits
CBT for Specific DisordersPST40240 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

The course is delivered via 14 skills-based training days. You are required to attend all of the first four training days. These will focus on developing a critical understanding of the theoretical and research base for CBT. These training days will include didactic teaching, discussion, video, clinical material, reflections on practice, role play and experiential exercises to encourage participants to reflect on links between theory, research and practice. A further 10 training days aim to develop your understanding and skill in applying CBT techniques to specific disorders as set out in the Competences Framework (Department of Health, 2008).

You are expected to attend a minimum of eight of the ten training days, to practice the skills taught in your own CBT practice and be prepared to discuss your clinical work at training days.

How will I be assessed?

The course requires you to complete an essay, a case study and two extended clinical narratives. You will also keep log books over the year detailing CBT-related activity.

How will I be supported?

You will have access to a personal tutor to oversee pastoral care, and there will be opportunities to consult with the teaching staff and to engage in discussion with visiting trainers.

A Programme Handbook will include detailed information about the programme of study including guidance on completing assessed work. The course outline, handbook and schedules of assessment will be available via the Cardiff University website, and you will have access to Cardiff University Library, a bench library of key text at the course base, and online resources via the Cardiff University website.

Tuition fees for 2024 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Fees for entry 2024/25 are not yet available.

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2024/25 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

This course does not currently accept students from outside the UK/EU.

Additional costs

Living costs

We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Career prospects

Graduates from the course will have evidence of skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, recognised by the BABCP, which can be used in a number of employment fields.

To apply for accreditation, you first need to have a BABCP recognised professional background in mental health which the BABCP call a Core Profession. If your prior mental health profession is not listed here or you do not fully meet the criteria, equivalent training and experience in mental health is recognised through the KSA Route to Accreditation.

Read the Core Profession information on the BABCP website.

Funding

UK Government master’s funding

If you are starting your master’s degree in September 2023 or later, you may be able to apply for UK Government postgraduate funding to support your study at Cardiff University.

Next steps

icon-academic

Open Day visits

Register for information about our 2023 dates.
icon-chat

Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.
icon-international

International

Learn more about our truly global university.
icon-chat

Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.

Discover more

Related searches: Psychology


HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.