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PgDip|Postgraduate Taught

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

Entry year
2025/26
Entry requirements
2.2
Duration
2 years (Part-time)
Places available
TBC (Part Time)
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Anxiety and depression are among the most common mental health disorders experienced by all ages. Cognitive Behaviour Psychotherapy (CBP) is currently the key recommended psychological treatment for these and other mental health conditions. It is essential that practitioners are prepared with the necessary knowledge, skills and attitudes to deliver CBP competently. This course is written to the requirements of the lead organisation in the UK which sets the competency standards for Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy. The teaching at the University is of the highest standard. This course will fundamentally alter the way clinicians work in practice.‌

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy is jointly offered by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. It is a rationalisation of two separate postgraduate diplomas in CBP/CBT which were previously offered by the two Schools. The programme meets the minimum training requirements for accreditation as a CBP therapist by the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP).

Please note that this course is not eligible for a Student route visa.

Closing date for applications: 12th May 2025.

Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy highlights

Professional Accreditations

The Postgraduate Diploma has been accredited by the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy professional body, The British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies (BABCP) to Level 2 (meeting BABCP minimum training standards criteria for individual therapist accreditation on successful completion of the course). The programme is also accredited for social workers at the specialist award level with NISCC.

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.

Career Development

This programme provides a fast track to an exceptional career as a practising Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist.

Student Experience

Students in the School of Nursing & Midwifery at Queen's are well supported through a network of Personal Tutors inside the University, as well as Link Lecturers and supervisors while in practice.

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Course content

Course Structure

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) consists of 6 x 20 credit modules, which are linked to the BABCP Minimum Training Standards for therapist accreditation (Level 2) and the Specialist Level award for social workers.

Students undertake three core modules and one optional module in Year 1 and, two core modules in Year 2. Please liaise with the programme lead Colin Hughes for advice regarding the optional module.

Students attend one day per week with small group supervision provided in the morning, followed by workshop teaching for the remainder of the day.

This programme is shared by the School of Nursing and Midwifery and the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. Students commencing the programme in Sept 2025 will be managed by the School of Nursing and Midwifery. Students commencing year two of the programme will be managed by the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work.

Modules taken in year two of the programme are CBP7104 and CBP7105.

Module Information

The Postgraduate Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (CBP) consists of 6 x 20 credit modules, which are linked to the BABCP Minimum Training Standards for therapist accreditation (Level 2) and the Specialist Level award for social workers.

CBP 7101: Core Concepts & Skills of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Depression
This module is intended to provide an introduction to the core theories, concepts and skills of CBT, the application of the CT model to depression and the efficacy of CBT in treating Depression.

CBP7102: Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Anxiety Disorders
This module is intended to provide an overview of the core theories and skills of cognitive behavioural therapy and the efficacy of CBT in treating anxiety disorders.

CBP7103: Training Supervision of the application of CBP Models and Skills for Depression and Anxiety
This module is intended to provide an introduction to the core theories, concepts and skills of CBT, the application of the CT model to depression and anxiety disorders and the efficacy of CBT in treating depression and anxiety disorders.

CBP7104: Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Complex Disorders
This specialist module is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the core theories and skills of CBT with complex cases and the efficacy of CBT in treating these disorders.

CBP7105: Training and supervision for the application of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy for Complex Disorders
This specialist module is intended to provide a comprehensive overview of the core theories and skills of CBT with complex cases and the efficacy of CBT in treating these disorders.

HSN7076: Evidence Based Practice (optional)
The student will be introduced to the principles of Evidence Based Practice (EBP). Students will reflect upon their practice; topic of inquiry; framing searchable questions and searing for the evidence; critical appraisal of a randomised controlled trials; critical appraisal of systematic reviews and qualitative study.

SWK7106: Self-Practice / Self-Reflection in Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy (Optional)
This module will provide the student with a comprehensive grounding in the practice of Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy self-reflective practice and related issues underpinning self-care.

Students undertake 3 core modules and 1 optional module in Year 1 and 2 core modules in Year 2.

People teaching you

Joint Course Co-ordinator

SSESW
Expert in the field of CBP.

Joint Course Co-ordinator

SNAM
Expert in the field of CBP.

Contact Teaching Hours

Medium Group Teaching

12 (hours maximum)
Classes will be delivered both face to face and online.

Learning and Teaching

Learning opportunities available with this course are outlined below:

Teaching

Modules are provided one day per week at Queen's.

Assessment

Assessments will be carried out in a variety of formats, including written assignments, case studies, recorded clinical sessions and a portfolio.

  • The way in which you are assessed will vary according to the learning objectives of each module. Modules are assessed through project work, written assignments, written and oral examinations and recordings of therapy sessions. Details of how each module is assessed are shown in the Module Handbook which is provided to all students at the start of each module

Facilities

In 2020 the Faculty of Medicine, Health and Life Sciences opened a new, fully integrated teaching facility, designed to enable teaching of nursing, midwifery, medical and pharmacy students.  The facility will include treatment rooms, operating theatres and immersive simulation.  Students will work in teams in simulated scenarios where they will learn to manage real-life situations.
http://www.qub.ac.uk/schools/SchoolofNursingandMidwifery/ClinicalEducationCentre/

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Overview

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Modules

Modules

The information below is intended as an example only, featuring module details for the current year of study (2024/25). 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.

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Entry requirements

Entrance requirements

Applicants must hold a 2.2 Honours degree or equivalent qualification acceptable to the University in a cognate area, such as Mental Health Nursing, Psychiatry, Applied Psychology or equivalent recognised professional qualification(s).

In addition, you should have:
• At least two years' clinical practice / experience in a relevant area (statutory or independent sector) working with clients with mood and anxiety disorders, AND
• Be employed in clinical practice in a suitable area (where CBT approaches are employed) with the support of your management for study on the course, AND
• Have access to a minimum of eight suitable clients and supervision by an experienced BABCP accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapist while on placement in your own clinical area.

The eight clients must represent a minimum of at least three different types of mental health condition.
• A minimum of four cases will have been closely supervised.
• You must have access to your supervisor and be under supervision while you are seeing clients.
• You must spend a minimum of one hour per week engaged in face to face supervision; some of this must be ‘live’ supervision.
• All assessment and therapy sessions, with client consent, must be video recorded; this is both for supervision and assessment purposes and meets the requirement for ‘live’ supervision.

Applications are accepted from non-core professions such as counsellors. Non-core professionals, however, will be required to provide a portfolio of evidence in line with KSA guidelines as provided by the BABCP. Applicants who meet the academic criteria but who are non-core and unable to provide KSA evidence will be required to enter through the School's KSA pathway. In this instance if all other requirements are met the applicant will be offered a place on the one year certificate programme to allow time for the KSA portfolio to be completed. On successful completion of this course and the completion of the KSA portfolio, the student will normally then be eligible for application to the PG Dip programme.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements should contact the School for advice.

Closing date for applications: Monday 12th May 2025. 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 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.

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Careers

Career Prospects

Introduction

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy services are an expanding area of mental health services due to an increasing demand for evidence-based psychological therapies. The award of the PG Diploma in Cognitive Behavioural Therapy will enable students to apply for professional employment as fully accredited Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapists.

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.

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.

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Entry Requirements

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Fees and Funding

Tuition Fees

Northern Ireland (NI) 1 £8,900
Republic of Ireland (ROI) 2 £8,900
England, Scotland or Wales (GB) 1 £8,900
EU Other 3 N/A
International N/A

1EU 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 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

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

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.

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 (excluding Initial Teacher Education/PGCE, where undergraduate student finance is available). Criteria, eligibility, repayment and application information are available on the UK government website.

More information on funding options and financial assistance - please check this link regularly, even after you have submitted an application, as new scholarships may become available to you.

International Scholarships

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

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How to Apply

Apply using our online Queen's Portal and follow the step-by-step instructions on how to apply.

Apply now

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 a prospectus

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