Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is recognised internationally as an effective psychological treatment for many emotional and mental disorders. The UK NICE guidelines recommend 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 Student route visa.
Closing date for applications: Thursday 31st July 2025 at 4pm.
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.
Cognitive Behavioural Practice highlights
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.
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).
Student Testimonials
"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
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).
The Postgraduate Certificate is awarded to students who successfully complete four 15-credit modules (60 CATS points).
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
"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. "
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.
Evidence-Based Low-Intensity Psychological Intervention for Mild to Moderate Mental Health Problems
Overview
This module will equip students with a good understanding of the process of therapeutic support and the management of clients, supporting families, friends and carers. Skills teaching will develop students competencies in the delivery of CBT-based low-intensity treatment such as guided self-help and computerised CBT.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with patients during their treatment programme
2. Demonstrate competence in planning a collaborative low-intensity psychological and/or pharmacological treatment programme for common mental health problems, including managing the ending of contact.
3. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of, and competence in the use of, a range of low-intensity, evidence-based psychological interventions for common mental health problems.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in low-intensity basic, intervention-specific, problem-specific and CBT competencies such as behavioural activation, exposure, and CBT-based guided self-help
5. Critically evaluate the role of case-management and stepped-care approaches to managing common mental health problems in primary care, including ongoing risk management appropriate to service protocols.
6. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in supporting people with medication, in particular antidepressant medication, to help them optimise their use of pharmacological treatment and minimise any adverse effects
Skills
1. Critically evaluate a range of evidence-based interventions and strategies to assist clients to manage their emotional distress and disturbance.
2. Demonstrate competency in delivering low-intensity interventions using a range of methods including face-to-face, telephone and electronic communication.
An overview of basic CBT theories and concepts will enable students to conceptualise client problems using a CBT formulation and Cognitive theory and be aware of possible benefits for clients of integrating CBT techniques into current practice. This module will be of potential benefit to many professional disciplines and provide opportunities to enhance skills of staff working in a range of care programmes. This module will inform practice within stepped care levels 1 and 2 and in non-mental health programmes such as primary care or social care settings.
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in basic, problem-specific CBT models and techniques
2. Demonstrate ability to construct a basic cross sectional CBT case formulation
3. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of, and ability to use activity schedules
4. Demonstrate understanding of significance of Negative Automatic Thoughts in emotional disorders.
5. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of and ability to use thought records
6. Critically evaluate a range of CBT interventions and techniques to assist clients to manage their emotional distress
7. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in developing and maintaining a therapeutic relationship with clients during application of basic CBT methods
Skills
1. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of, and ability to develop a problem list and set goal
2. Demonstrate in-depth understanding of, and ability to use Structure and homework with clients with clients
3. Demonstrate understanding of, and ability to apply Socratic Questioning skills
Mental Health Awareness, Engagement and Assessment
Overview
This module will equip students with a good understanding of the incidence, prevalence and presentation of common mental health problems, and of evidenced-based treatment choices. Skills teaching will develop students’ core competencies of active listening, engagement, alliance building, client-centred information gathering, information giving and shared decision making.
Learning Outcomes
Learning outcomes
1. Demonstrate knowledge, understanding and critical awareness of concepts of mental health and mental illness, diagnostic category systems in mental health and social, medical and psychological models.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence to engage patients, gather information, build therapeutic relationships with people with common mental health problems, manage the emotional content of sessions and grasp the client’s perspective.
3. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in client-centred information gathering to arrive at a succinct and collaborative definition of the client’s main mental health difficulties and the impact these have on their daily living.
4. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in recognising patterns of symptoms consistent with diagnostic categories of mental disorder from a client-centred interview.
5. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in recognition and accurate assessment of the risk posed by clients to themselves or others.
6. Demonstrate competence in understanding the patient’s attitude to a range of mental health treatments, including prescribed medication and evidence-based psychological treatments.
Skills
1. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in giving evidence-based information about treatment choices and in making shared decisions with patients
2. Demonstrate competence in accurate recording of interviews and questionnaire assessments.
Providing Psychological Interventions at Levels 1 and 2 in a Stepped Care Model
Overview
This module will equip students with an understanding of the complexity of people’s health, social and occupational needs and the services which can support people to recovery. It will develop workers’ 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. Skills teaching will develop workers’ clinical management, liaison and decision-making competencies in the delivery of support to patients, particularly where they require intervention or advice outside the core low-intensity evidence-based individual or group interventions taught in module 2
Learning Outcomes
1. Demonstrate competence in managing a caseload of people with common mental health problems efficiently and safely.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in using supervision to assist the worker’s delivery of low-intensity psychological programmes for common mental health problems.
3. Demonstrate a clear understanding of what constitutes high-intensity psychological treatment and how this differs from low-intensity work.
Skills
1. Demonstrate an appreciation of the worker’s own level of competence and an understanding of how to work within a team and with other agencies with additional specific roles which cannot be fulfilled by the worker alone.
2. Demonstrate knowledge of and competence in liaison with and signposting to other agencies delivering employment, occupational and other advice and services.
3. Critically appraise how the complex systems of community, statutory and voluntary sector provision of services work together.
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: Thursday 31 July 2025 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
There are no specific additional course costs associated with this programme.
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.