Programme Specification for the 2025/6 academic year
PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (Part-Time, 18-month)
1. Programme Details
| Programme name | PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (Part-Time, 18-month) | Programme code | PCT2PSYPSY01 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Study mode(s) | Part Time |
Academic year | 2025/6 |
| Campus(es) | Streatham (Exeter) |
NQF Level of the Final Award | 7 (Masters) |
2. Description of the Programme
Are you passionate about supporting people experiencing common mental health problems? Are you interested in a career as a Psychological Wellbeing Practitioner? Would you like to develop your clinical competency in the low intensity cognitive behavioural therapy clinical method? Would you like to have an understanding of ways to adapt your practice to accommodate diversity and increase access to evidence-based psychological therapies? If the answer to these questions is ‘yes’ then this may be the programme for you. This programme will provide you with an outstanding opportunity to develop the competencies and knowledge associated with practice as a Psychological 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.
- You will have the opportunity to study within the Clinical Education, Development and research (CEDAR) department within the University of Exeter, which is renowned for its contribution to the field of mental health research, development and training.
- The programme also has a strong focus on widening participation, with the option of completing the programme via an adapted route for part-time staff over a longer duration. This option aims to support those unable to commit to working/studying full time to still be able to successfully access and complete the programme to become a qualified PWP.
3. Educational Aims of the Programme
The aims of the PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (Part-Time, 18-Month) are to:
- Provide you with a thorough grounding in the National Curriculum for the Education of Psychological Wellbeing Practitioners working within an NHS Taking Therapies service.
- Develop your understanding and clinical competency in the low intensity CBT clinical method and enable you to adapt your practice to work effectively with adult patients 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.
4. Programme Structure
The PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (Part-Time, 18-Months) programme is delivered as an eighteen-month part-time adapted route. The programme is delivered at National Qualification Framework (NQF) level 7 (as confirmed against the FHEQ). This programme is offered in a single stage.
5. Programme Modules
The following tables describe the programme and constituent modules. Constituent modules may be updated, deleted or replaced as a consequence of the annual programme review of this programme.
http://cedar.exeter.ac.uk/programmes/
Stage 1
60 credits of compulsory and non-condonable modules
Compulsory Modules
| Code | Module | Credits | Non-condonable? |
|---|---|---|---|
| PYCM067 | Engagement and Assessment of Patients with Common Mental Health Problems | 20 | Yes |
| PYCM068 | Evidence-based Low Intensity Treatments for Common Mental Health Problems | 20 | Yes |
| PYCM069 | Values, Diversity and Context | 20 | Yes |
6. Programme Outcomes Linked to Teaching, Learning and Assessment Methods
Intended Learning Outcomes
A: Specialised Subject Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
1. Describe the low intensity clinical method as defined by the NHS Talking Therapies Service and demonstrate clinical competency in low intensity CBT assessment and supporting low intensity interventions with adults with diverse needs. | Knowledge and detailed informationare developed through lectures, tutorials, seminars, ‘flipped classroom’ pedagogy and supported by directed research of texts.. Independent but highly directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. Clinical competency is developed through clinical skills modelling, case studies, role play, service-based supervision and self-practice/self-reflection, supported by directed research of texts and journals. Independent study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. ILOs 1-4: competency assessment, essay, reflective commentaries, clinical planning presentation, practice-based outcomes portfolio, examination. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
B: Academic Discipline Core Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
5. Demonstrate skills of scientific writing and presenting results, at a level appropriate to Level 7. | All ILOs are developed through lectures, tutorials, seminars, ‘flipped classroom’ pedagogy and supported by directed research of texts and. Independent but highly directed and prescribed study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods or a combination of these. ILO 5: reflective commentary, essay and oral presentation. ILO 6: reflective commentary, essay, examination and oral presentation. ILO 7: reflective commentary, essay and oral presentation. ILO 8: clinical portfolio and practice outcomes document. |
Intended Learning Outcomes
C: Personal/Transferable/Employment Skills and Knowledge
| Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) On successfully completing this programme you will be able to: | Intended Learning Outcomes (ILOs) will be... | |
|---|---|---|
| ...accommodated and facilitated by the following learning and teaching activities (in/out of class): | ...and evidenced by the following assessment methods: | |
9. Think critically, creatively and independently. | All ILOs are achieved through supported reflection on own practice, clinical skills modelling, essays, role play, service-based and university based supervision and self-practice/self-reflection. Independent study and practice also forms a major part of our teaching and learning methods. | The ILOs are assessed by the following individual methods, or a combination of these. ILO 9: reflective commentary, essay, clinical planning presentation, competency assessments. ILOs 10, 14, 15: reflective commentary, essay, clinical planning presentation, competency assessments ILOs 9-15: practice outcomes documents |
7. Programme Regulations
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook.
Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
Programme-Specific Progression Rules
You must pass all the modules in the table above. The pass mark for these modules is 50% with an additional requirement to pass all individual assessments within individual modules.
The competency assessments have a pass mark of 50% and are marked using the Dreyfus system whereby PWP clinical competencies are rated on a Likert scale (0-6) across each of the sections being assessed. The clinical planning presentation also has a pass mark of 50% as it is a clinical component. You must pass these assessments as described in the individual module descriptors.
If you fail any modules, you will not be permitted to continue with the PGCert programme. If you fail any modules but your module mark is in the range 40-49% you will be transferred to the GradCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy), providing you have passed all clinical competency assessments above 50%. If you fail any modules with a mark of less than 40% your registration as a student will be terminated with immediate effect.
In line with PWP training accreditation requirements, there is a 100% attendance requirement. Should your attendance fall below that level you will be contacted and an action plan put into place. Should your attendance fall below 80% across the programme , you will not be able to pass the programme and will be required to repeat the affected module(s).
Classification
Full details of assessment regulations for all taught programmes can be found in the TQA Manual, specifically in the Credit and Qualifications Framework, and the Assessment, Progression and Awarding: Taught Programmes Handbook. Additional information, including Generic Marking Criteria, can be found in the Learning and Teaching Support Handbook.
8. College Support for Students and Students' Learning
Within Psychology there is a well-equipped suite of PCs dedicated for postgraduate use, with further support provided by a dedicated IT and statistics helpdesk.
A range of services is available to support your study both from within Psychology and the wider University. These include:
- Library, Study Skills, Wellbeing, AccessAbility, Academic English Support
- Personal and professional development planning.
- Student handbooks and programme guides.
- Student Guild Advisors
- Computing and Statistics Help Desk.
- Virtual Resource Room and other web-based learning materials.
- Clinically focused seminars, the ‘Think Tank’, provided by the Mood Disorders Centre.
Please see here for the full list of University services: https://www.exeter.ac.uk/departments/tqae/qualityandstandards/programme-module-development/support/
9. University Support for Students and Students' Learning
Please refer to the University Academic Policy and Standards guidelines regarding support for students and students' learning.
10. Admissions Criteria
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Specific requirements required to enrol on this programme are available at the respective Undergraduate or Postgraduate Study Site webpages.
Undergraduate applicants must satisfy the Undergraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
Postgraduate applicants must satisfy the Postgraduate Admissions Policy of the University of Exeter.
For those entrants to this programme with an Honours Degree, it is expected that they will have gained a degree class equivalent of 2:2 or better (i.e., 50%+). Those holding Third Class Honours may apply and each case will be considered on its own merits. Those without an Honours degree, or those holding Third Class Honours who are not accepted onto this Postgraduate Certificate programme, may be considered for admission onto the Graduate Certificate in Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy).
Candidates will need to provide evidence of a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Non-standard applications will be considered where applicants can demonstrate existing knowledge experience and skills developed in the workplace, relevant to this programme. Please contact the Programme Director for consideration, if you feel you qualify as a non-standard applicant.
To undertake the PGCert students must be employed on a paid or voluntary basis within a healthcare setting that has access to patients with depression or anxiety, and is compliant with the requirements associated with an NHS Talking Therapies Service (specifically in receipt of weekly case management supervision and fortnightly clinical skills supervision or its equivalent).
11. Regulation of Assessment and Academic Standards
Each academic programme in the University is subject to an agreed College assessment and marking strategy, underpinned by institution-wide assessment procedures.
The security of assessment and academic standards is further supported through the appointment of External Examiners for each programme. External Examiners have access to draft papers, course work and examination scripts. They are required to attend the Board of Examiners and to provide an annual report. Annual External Examiner reports are monitored at both College and University level. Their responsibilities are described in the University's code of practice. See the University's TQA Manual for details.
14. Awarding Institution
University of Exeter
15. Lead College / Teaching Institution
Faculty of Health and Life Sciences
16. Partner College / Institution
Partner College(s)
Not applicable to this programme
Partner Institution
Not applicable to this programme.
17. Programme Accredited / Validated by
20
18. Final Award
PGCert Psychological Therapies Practice (Low Intensity Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) (Part-Time, 18-month)
19. UCAS Code
N/A
20. NQF Level of Final Award
7 (Masters)
21. Credit
| CATS credits | ECTS credits |
|---|
22. QAA Subject Benchmarking Group
23. Dates
| Origin Date | 24/02/2012 |
Date of last revision | 27/03/2024 |
|---|
