Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (PgDip)
- Duration: 2 years
- Mode: Part time
Open day
Find out more about studying here as a postgraduate at our next Open Day.
Why study this course
This BABCP accredited programme is available as a second year, following on from the postgraduate certificate. It enables mental health staff to develop further competence in high intensity CBT.
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.
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.
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.
Taught by BABCP accredited practitioners
You will be taught by BABCP accredited practitioners with a vast range of professional, clinical and research experience.
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. The course is designed to help you towards individual practitioner accreditation with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). We also 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.
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.
You should already have a high-level of clinical skill in CBT, which would have been attained by completing a BABCP level 1 accredited programme. You will put your knowledge and training into practice by working with adults, children, and older adults in a wide range of settings.
Within your clinical field, whether that is adults, children or older adult services, you will be expected to work with a range of presenting problems, predominantly depression and anxiety disorders that have been taught on your Level 1 BABCP accredited Certificate.
Accreditation by BABCP ensures an excellent standard of training. However, you will have to meet further criteria would have to be met for full practitioner accreditation with BABCP.
To be considered, you must be able to practice CBT in your workplace as you will be expected to attain 100 hours of CBT practice. You will receive 14 sessions of group supervision with an experienced BABCP accredited practitioner.
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.
Admissions criteria
Applicants need:
- An undergraduate degree (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.
Applicants should apply for the postgraduate certificate (PgCert) in the first instance unless they hold a BABCP accredited CBT certificate from another institution.
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 at the end of June before each intake.
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.
If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Supervisor form
Evidence of supervision in the workplace.
If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Additional questions
Additional application questions.
If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.
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 Diploma (PgDip) consists of a series specialist supervision sessions commencing in September.
The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum and will be reviewed prior to the 2023/24 academic year. The final modules will be published by September 2023.
Year one
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
The Fundamentals of CBT | PST401 | 20 credits |
CBT for Specific Disorders | PST402 | 40 credits |
Year two
Module title | Module code | Credits |
---|---|---|
CBT Clinical Skills | PST603 | 30 credits |
CBT Metacompetences | PST604 | 30 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?
You will be taught in supervision sessions offered by BABCP-accredited practitioners and including live supervision using therapy recordings.
You will have online access to programme materials and resources via Learning Central and also have access to Cardiff University library facilities. We provide recording equipment for students on the diploma course.
How will I be assessed?
- The course is assessed via a combination of written assignments and practical assessment
- The PG Cert is assessed by one essay and two case reports
- The PG Dip is assessed by a further case report and a rating of a recorded therapy session.
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.
What skills will I practise and develop?
By fully engaging with this course, you should be able to:
- Demonstrate critical understanding of the theoretical and research base for CBT through completing a Master’s level essay
- Develop disorder-specific competences in each of three areas: (i) depression, (ii) phobic anxiety disorders i.e. specific phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia (iii) diffuse anxiety disorders i.e. generalised anxiety disorder, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder
- Demonstrate CBT skills for specific disorders through completing an extended case report
- Evidence 100 hours of supervised clinical CBT practice.
- Evidence 84 hours of training from BABCP accredited practitioners
Tuition fees for 2023 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
Year | Tuition fee | Deposit |
---|---|---|
Year one | £4,500 | None |
Year two | £4,500 | None |
Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland
If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2023/24 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.
More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.
Financial support
Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.
Additional costs
Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?
No specific equipment required.
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.
Funding
Next steps
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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.