PGDip/GradDip Psychological Therapies Practice
(Low Intensity CBT for Children, Young People & Families) (CWP)

Entry requirements

There are two separate training routes/qualifications for the course – one at postgraduate and at graduate level.

For those with no prior degree, on completion the student will be awarded an undergraduate diploma whereas those already with an undergraduate will qualify for a postgraduate diploma.

For postgraduate (PGCert, PGDip, MSc = level 7) applicants would normally be required to have an honours degree (ie studied at level 6 in the national curriculum). A Grad Diploma programme is a level 6 qualification so we would normally expect an applicant to have some evidence of activity at level 5 (e.g. second year UG study or equivalent)

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Course content

The aims of the PGDip Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy for Children, Young People and Families) are to:

• Provide you with a thorough grounding in the Department of Health Wellbeing Practitioner for Children and Young People (WP-CYP) curriculum working within the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies Programme.
• Develop your understanding and clinical competency in the low intensity CBT clinical method and enable you to adapt your practice to work effectively with children and young people (CYP), their parents/carers and professionals with diverse needs.
• Provide you with the foundations to establish a commitment to continuing professional development and becoming an evidence-based practitioner.
• Provide you with a high quality and stimulating learning experience in a supportive environment that is enriched by an internationally-recognised research environment, nationally-recognised innovative clinical teaching approaches and current clinical practice.

Teaching will begin with trainees spending five days per week at the University as part of the intensive teaching block. It will then taper down to four days per week, then three days per week, before working in service full time for the remainder of the training year. 

How to apply

In order to apply for this programme you will need to be selected as a Trainee Education Mental Health Practitioner (EHMP) with one of our NHS/voluntary sector partner services. Please see the SW CYP IAPT website for a full list of services. The EHMP is a full-time job role funded at NHS Band 4 and will involve direct practice working across a range of educational settings as well as university-based training days. Upon completion of your training, you will remain employed within your service at a NHS Band 5 Pay Scale.

Jobs will be advertised on the NHS jobs website and on individual partner websites, as well as on our SW CYP IAPT website. Please note it is not possible to apply directly to the University of Exeter as you are required to be working within a service in order to participate in the course.

Fees

This course is funded by Health Education England, so fees are not payable by candidates. You will be employed and paid by your service on a minimum 12-month contract, and will split your time between working clinically at your service and studying at the university.

Scholarships

The University of Exeter offers a wide range of scholarships to support your education, with £7 million available for international students applying to study with us in the 2026/27 academic year, including our prestigious Exeter Excellence Scholarships *. We also provide awards for sport, music and other achievements, as well as regional and partner scholarships with organisations such as Chevening, The Beacon Trust and the British Council. For more information on scholarships and other financial support, please visit our scholarships and bursaries page.

University of Exeter Alumni Scholarship

We are pleased to offer University of Exeter alumni beginning a standalone postgraduate programme in 2026/27 with us a scholarship towards the cost of your tuition fees. Full details can be found here.

^{*Terms and conditions, including deadlines, apply. See our website for details..}

Teaching and research

Our teaching team is committed to creating an engaging, interactive, and inclusive learning environment grounded in Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. Teaching begins with an initial block of timetabled lectures, which gradually tapers to allow for more in-service days before transitioning to full-time in service. Learning activities include a mix live lectures, clinical skills practice, role-play, group work, and asynchronous individual learning.

Assessment methods include:

• Online exam
• Recorded clinical competency assessments
• Reflective commentaries
• Clinical reports
• Narrated presentations
• Practice Outcomes Document (POD)
• Professional portfolio

Careers

This programme will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge as a children’s wellbeing practitioner.

A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development.

Advantages of the programme are that:

• You will study within a vibrant, stimulating and internationally-recognised research environment, where members of your teaching team have first-hand experience within the clinical setting.
• Your learning experience will be enriched by nationally-recognised, innovative, clinical teaching approaches, designed to develop you on your terms.

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