Cognitive Behavioural Practice (PGCert) | Courses | Queen's University Belfast
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Cognitive Behavioural Practice (PGCert)

PgCert|Postgraduate Taught

Cognitive Behavioural Practice

Entry year
2023
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
1 year (Part Time)
Places available
30 (Part Time)

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is recognised internationally as an effective psychological treatment for many emotional and mental disorders. The UK NICE guidelines recommends Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for a number of conditions including depression, anxiety, panic disorder, social anxiety and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. In Northern Ireland the DHSSPS Psychological Therapies Strategy has endorsed the principle of stepped care for mental health services and recognised the need for more evidence-based psychological interventions at all levels of care.

The purpose of this PG Cert in CBP is to train practitioners in mental health and non-mental health programmes including primary care, to apply Cognitive Behavioural Therapy models at levels 1 and 2 within a stepped care model (low intensity psychological interventions). At the end of this course students will be able to apply evidence based low intensity interventions, such as behavioural activation and guided self-help.

The programme should be of interest to all health and social care professional groups and other staff such as counsellors who wish to learn basic Cognitive Behavioural Therapy methods and is relevant for staff working in mental health, primary care and social care settings.

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Tier 4 visa.

Closing date for applications: Monday 31 July 2023 at 4pm.

Cognitive Behavioural Practice highlights

The course is highly sought after with applicants from all main mental health disciplines from Northern Ireland, across the UK and the Republic of Ireland.

Industry Links

  • Funding Students currently employed by HSC Trusts in Northern Ireland may seek support from Trusts via funding available from the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB).

Internationally Renowned Experts

  • The teaching team is comprised of a multi-disciplinary group of accredited, skilled Cognitive Behavioural Therapy staff, who are currently involved in clinical practice and research.
  • Over 88% of research submitted by colleagues from Criminology, Social Policy, Sociology and Social Work to the Social Policy and Social Work Unit of Assessment was similarly judged to be World Leading or Internationally Excellent. An endorsement of the quality of our research and its impacts in areas such as the penal system, mental health and trauma; work once again achieved through work undertaken in partnership with the health, social care and criminal justice sectors.
"This multidisciplinary course will equip you with a better understanding of common mental health problems and the basic cognitive behavioural techniques to guide your clients towards recovery at Step 1-2 of the Mental Health Stepped Care Model. "

Dr Michael Duffy, Programme Director

Course Structure

The Postgraduate Certificate is offered over two 12-week semesters over one academic year. Students may enrol on a part-time basis only (one day per week).

Course DetailsThe Postgraduate Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete four 15-credit modules (60 CATS points):

Mental Health Awareness, Engagement and Assessment
This module will enable students to be able to engage patients and establish a therapeutic relationship while gathering information to begin assisting the client to choose and plan a collaborative treatment/intervention programme.

An Introduction to CBT Theories and Methods
This module will provide students with clear understanding of basic Low Intensity CBT theories and concepts that will enable students to conceptualise client problems using a generic CBT formulation. This module will explain basic cognitive & behavioural theory and enable students to discover potential benefits for clients of integrating Low Intensity CBT techniques into current practice. This module will introduce basic theories, models and techniques for practice within stepped care levels 1 and 2 and in non-mental health programmes such as primary care or social care settings.

Providing Psychological Interventions at Levels 1 and 2 in a Stepped Care Model
This module will educate students about evidence-based low-intensity psychological treatments of common mental health problems. Students will learn how to enable clients to use self-help and self-management methods such as CBT manuals, computerised CBT.

Evidence-Based Low-Intensity Psychological Intervention for Mild to Moderate Mental Health Problems
This module will develop students’ decision making abilities and enable them to use supervision and to recognise when and where it is appropriate to seek further advice or for the client to access a signposted or step-up service.
"I have really enjoyed my time on the PG Cert in Cognitive Behavioural Practice. As someone who currently works within a Recovery Community Mental Health Team in the NHS, this course has helped to enhance my understanding of the stepped-care approach to managing mental health difficulties. Having completed this course, I now feel better equipped to deliver targeted interventions at Step 2 including Behavioural Activation and Graded Exposure. The tools and resources provided to students have been invaluable in my NHS role. I found the pace and intensity of teaching to be "just right" and I have been able to fit study around my full-time work. I would highly recommend this course to anyone working within mental health services, whether in a statutory or voluntary sector. The quality of teaching was fabulous and you got a real sense that the tutors are truly passionate about Cognitive Behavioural approaches to managing common mental health problems."
Caroline Mayock (student 2022/23)

People teaching you

Programme Director

SSESW

Teaching Times

Part-time (1 day per week)

Career Prospects

Introduction
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) services are an expanding area of health and social care services due to an increasing demand for evidence-based psychological therapies. The award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Practice will enable students to apply for professional employment at stepped care levels 1-2 and integrate CBT informed interventions into professional practice.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

Morning and Afternoon.

Part-time (1 day per week)

VLE

Access to lecture notes and teaching material is provided via Canvas.

Assessment

Assessments associated with this course are outlined below:

Essays, case studies and simulated role plays.

Facilities

The School is situated across a suite of three buildings in Belfast's Queen's Quarter. We provide student and staff common rooms, computer suites and designated study spaces.
Explore the teaching and social spaces in our School through our 360 Virtual Tour:
https://youtu.be/vB0jafwkgd0

The Graduate School
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aJ_BwOtjXAE

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2022/23). Modules are reviewed on an annual basis and may be subject to future changes – revised details will be published through Programme Specifications ahead of each academic year.

  • Year 1

    Core Modules

Entrance requirements

Graduate
A 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University. Applicants who do not meet this academic requirement but hold a professional qualification will be considered on an individual basis.

All applicants must have:

- Evidence of working with people who have experienced a mental health problem

- A broad understanding of mental health issues

- Good written and verbal communication skills

- Good organisational and computer skills

Closing date for applications: Monday 31 July 2023 at 4pm.

Late applications may be considered.

Applicants are advised to apply as early as possible. In the event that any programme receives a high number of applications, the University reserves the right to close the application portal prior to the deadline stated on course finder. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Application Portal against the programme application page.

International Students

Our country/region pages include information on entry requirements, tuition fees, scholarships, student profiles, upcoming events and contacts for your country/region. Use the dropdown list below for specific information for your country/region.

English Language Requirements

Evidence of an IELTS* score of 6.5, with not less than 5.5 in any component, or an equivalent qualification acceptable to the University is required. *Taken within the last 2 years.

International students wishing to apply to Queen's University Belfast (and for whom English is not their first language), must be able to demonstrate their proficiency in English in order to benefit fully from their course of study or research. Non-EEA nationals must also satisfy UK Visas and Immigration (UKVI) immigration requirements for English language for visa purposes.

For more information on English Language requirements for EEA and non-EEA nationals see: www.qub.ac.uk/EnglishLanguageReqs.

If you need to improve your English language skills before you enter this degree programme, INTO Queen's University Belfast offers a range of English language courses. These intensive and flexible courses are designed to improve your English ability for admission to this degree.

  • Academic English: an intensive English language and study skills course for successful university study at degree level
  • Pre-sessional English: a short intensive academic English course for students starting a degree programme at Queen's University Belfast and who need to improve their English.

INTO - English Language Course(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Career Prospects

Introduction
Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) services are an expanding area of health and social care services due to an increasing demand for evidence-based psychological therapies. The award of the Postgraduate Certificate in Cognitive Behavioural Practice will enable students to apply for professional employment at stepped care levels 1-2 and integrate CBT informed interventions into professional practice.

Queen's postgraduates reap exceptional benefits. Unique initiatives, such as Degree Plus and Researcher Plus bolster our commitment to employability, while innovative leadership and executive programmes help our students gain key leadership positions both nationally and internationally.

Additional Awards Gained

There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.

Prizes and Awards(QSIS ELEMENT IS EMPTY)

Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award for extra-curricular skills

In addition to your degree programme, at Queen's you can have the opportunity to gain wider life, academic and employability skills. For example, placements, voluntary work, clubs, societies, sports and lots more. So not only do you graduate with a degree recognised from a world leading university, you'll have practical national and international experience plus a wider exposure to life overall. We call this Graduate Plus/Future Ready Award. It's what makes studying at Queen's University Belfast special.

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £3,795
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £3,795
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £3,795
EU Other 3 N/A
International N/A

1 EU citizens in the EU Settlement Scheme, with settled status, will be charged the NI or GB tuition fee based on where they are ordinarily resident. Students who are ROI nationals resident in GB will be charged the GB fee.

2 EU students who are ROI nationals resident in ROI are eligible for NI tuition fees.

3 EU Other students (excludes Republic of Ireland nationals living in GB, NI or ROI) are charged tuition fees in line with international fees.

All tuition fees quoted are for the academic year 2023-24, and relate to a single year of study unless stated otherwise. Tuition fees will be subject to an annual inflationary increase, unless explicitly stated otherwise.

More information on postgraduate tuition fees.

Additional course costs

All Students

Depending on the programme of study, there may be extra costs which are not covered by tuition fees, which students will need to consider when planning their studies.

Students can borrow books and access online learning resources from any Queen's library. If students wish to purchase recommended texts, rather than borrow them from the University Library, prices per text can range from £30 to £100. Students should also budget between £30 to £75 per year for photocopying, memory sticks and printing charges.

Students undertaking a period of work placement or study abroad, as either a compulsory or optional part of their programme, should be aware that they will have to fund additional travel and living costs.

If a programme includes a major project or dissertation, there may be costs associated with transport, accommodation and/or materials. The amount will depend on the project chosen. There may also be additional costs for printing and binding.

Students may wish to consider purchasing an electronic device; costs will vary depending on the specification of the model chosen.

There are also additional charges for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines.

Cognitive Behavioural Practice costs

Students are required to register for BABCP membership, the student rate costs £25. BABCP accreditation is optional for all students and would normally be applied for at the end of training at the PG Diploma level.

How do I fund my study?

The Department for the Economy will provide a tuition fee loan of up to £6,500 per NI / EU student for postgraduate study. Tuition fee loan information.

A postgraduate loans system in the UK offers government-backed student loans of up to £11,836 for taught and research Masters courses in all subject areas. Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance.

International Scholarships

Information on scholarships for international students, is available at www.qub.ac.uk/Study/international-students/international-scholarships/.

How to Apply

Apply using our online Postgraduate Applications Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

When to Apply

The deadline for applications is normally 30th June 2021. In the event that any programme receives a high volume of applications, the university reserves the right to close the application portal earlier than 30th June deadline. Notifications to this effect will appear on the Direct Entry Portal (DAP) against the programme application page.

Terms and Conditions

The terms and conditions that apply when you accept an offer of a place at the University on a taught programme of study.
Queen's University Belfast Terms and Conditions.


Download Postgraduate Prospectus