| UCAS code | 1234 |
|---|---|
| Duration | 1 year full time |
| Entry year | January start |
| Campus | Streatham Campus |
| Discipline | Psychology |
| Contact |
| Typical offer | Requirements vary depending on your specialism |
|---|---|
Overview
- This programme will help you develop your practice in evidence-based psychological therapies for children, young people and families.
- You will develop the knowledge and competencies required to be an effective practitioner, as determined by the relevant national curriculum for the CYP IAPT Programme, through university-based workshops, clinical supervision groups and tutorials.
- You will also be supported to undertake supervised clinical practice with children, young people and their parents.
- We provide 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.
Clinical Education Development and Research (CEDAR)
This programme is delivered by Clinical Education, Development and Research (CEDAR): an applied psychological practice centre of excellence, focussed on training the new psychological therapies workforce of the future.
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical teaching approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Competency-based training, delivered according to the latest evidence-informed clinical teaching approaches
Dedicated training facilities equipped with video and audio recording
A strong emphasis throughout the programme is placed upon your personal and professional development
Entry requirements
There are 5 strands (training options) available on our Postgraduate Diploma (PGDip) or Graduate Diploma (GradDip) courses. Entry requirements depend on which strand you apply to:
CBT - PGDip Only
Suitable for anyone with a foundation in CBT skills. This strand requires a Level 6 qualification.
It also requires a core profession as recognised by the BABCP or ability to complete a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio.
Find out more about the CBT strand.
Parenting
Suitable for candidates with experience of working with children, young people and families. This strand requires a level 5 qualification if you are applying for the GradDip route or a level 6 qualification if you are applying for the PGDip route.
It also requires a core profession as recognised by the BABCP or ability to complete a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio.
Find out more about the parenting strand.
0-5s
Suitable for candidates with a level 5 qualification (if applying for the GradDip route) or level 6 qualification (if applying for the PGDip route).
This strand requires experience of working with parents/carers and young children.
In some circumstances, you may be eligible for the course if you have a level 4 qualification - in this case, you would need to show substantial experience of working with parents/carers and young children.
Find out more about the 0-5s strand.
Systemic Family Practice - PGDip Only (for Conduct or Eating Disorders)
Suitable for candidates who have at least two years’ experience of working with the mental health of children and young people and families.
This strand also requires a level 6 qualification and a core profession as recognised by the AFT, such as social work, psychiatry, nursing or health visiting.
Find out more about the Systemic Family Practice strand.
Autism and/or Learning Disabilities
Suitable for candidates with a level 5 qualification (if applying for the GradDip route) or level 6 qualification (if applying for the PGDip route).
This strand requires at least two years’ experience of working with the mental health of children and young people or families. Ideally, this would include some experience of learning disabilities and/or autism, but this isn’t essential.
Find out more about the ASD/LD strand.
If You Don’t Have a Degree (Equivalent of Level 6 Qualification)
This programme is offered at both postgraduate level (PGDip) and at final year undergraduate degree level (GradDip) for our Parenting, 0 – 5s and Autism and/or Learning Difficulties strands.
If you don’t have an undergraduate degree (level 6 qualification), you may be eligible for enrolment on the GradDip programme. The topics you will study are the same for both programmes. Please contact the administrative team for more information. Please note that the CBT and SFP strands are available as a PGDip only.
Please also see our guidance on essential documentation required for an initial decision on taught programme applications.
Entry requirements for international students
Please visit our entry requirements section for equivalencies from your country and further information on English language requirements.
Course content
There are 5 strands available to study as part of the PGDip/GradDip:
Depending which strand you apply to, on successful completion of the programme you may be eligible to apply for accreditation of your therapy practice by the appropriate Professional Standards or Regulatory Body, subject to additional requirements as necessary (e.g. British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy).
Applicants without a degree
For the ASD/LD, Parenting and 0-5s strands, this programme is offered at both postgraduate level (PGDip) and at final year undergraduate degree level (GradDip). If you do not hold an undergraduate degree you may be eligible for enrolment on the GradDip programme. The topics you will study are the same for both programmes. Please contact the administrative team for more information. Please note that the CBT and SFP strands are available as a PGDip only.
Programme progression
- On completion of this programme, you may wish to progress to MSc Psychological Therapies Practice and Research.
120 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules
a CBT practitioners must take this module
b Parenting practitioners must take this module
c Systemic Family Practitioners must take this module
d Systemic Family Practitioners (Adolescent Eating Disorders Pathway) must take this module
e Systemic Family Practitioners (Adolescent Conduct Disorder and Depression Pathway) must take these modules
f 0-5 Practitioners must take these modules
g Autism (ASD) and Learning Disability Practitioners must take these modules
Compulsory modules
| Code | Module | Credits |
|---|---|---|
| PYCM027 | Core Skills for Working with Young People with Mental Health Problems and Their Families | 60 |
| PYCM028 | Evidence-based CBT with Children and Young People [See note a above] | 60 |
| PYCM029 | Evidence-based Parenting Interventions [See note b above] | 60 |
| PYCM030 | Systemic Family Practice in CAMHS [See note c above] | 30 |
| PYCM031 | Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Eating Disorders [See note d above] | 30 |
| PYCM032 | Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Conduct Disorders [See note e above] | 15 |
| PYCM033 | Systemic Family Practice for Adolescent Self-harm/Depression [See note e above] | 15 |
| PYCM034 | Fundamental Principles 0-5s [See note f above] | 20 |
| PYCM035 | Interventions to Enhance Attachment in Vulnerable Groups [See note f above] | 20 |
| PYCM036 | Interventions for Existing Diagnosable Problems in Children Aged 1.5 to 5 Years [See note f above] | 20 |
| PYCM086 | Autism-Learning Disability Core Knowledge and Skills [See note g above] | 20 |
| PYCM087 | Assessment, Engagement and Formulation with Young People and Families (Autism and Learning Disabilities) [See note g above] | 20 |
| PYCM088 | Mental Health Interventions with Young People and Families (Autism and Learning Disabilities) [See note g above] | 20 |
How to apply
To apply for this programme, you will need to currently be:
- Working in a service providing direct support to children and families (e.g. in a CAMHS service)
OR - Selected for a Recruit-to-Train practitioner role, where you’ll be employed by one of our NHS/voluntary sector partner services while you study with us (please see the SW CYP IAPT website for a full list of services)
Recruit to Train opportunities will be advertised on the NHS jobs website and on individual partner websites, as well as on our SW CYP IAPT website.
Once you have been selected for a Recruit to Train placement, you will then be put forward by your workplace for the PGDip/GradDip course. Please note it is not possible to attend this course without being employed by an NHS or voluntary sector service due to the clinical requirements and course funding arrangements.
For more information and common candidate FAQs, see the SW CYP IAPT website.
Fees
This course is funded by NHS 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 work 1 FTE, including 2 days per week 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
Teaching consists of lectures and workshops and small group tutorials. Sessions will include role-play, practical exercises and small group discussions. There will also be regular supervision sessions with University supervisors. Guided independent study is expected to take place.
Types of assessments include:
- supervisor rating of core therapy competencies (CAPS)
- essays
- reflective practice logs
- competency tapes and self-rating of competencies
- case presentation
- case reports
- and a clinical portfolio.
If you are on the CBT or Parenting strand and do not have a core profession, you will be required to complete a KSA portfolio during the course to evidence how you meet the prerequisite clinical competencies equivalent to a core professional training programme. See the BABCP website to find out more about the KSA portfolio.
Careers
This programme is training people already in a career within the NHS or NHS Talking Therapies service. It will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop your competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a 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.
