Career Guidance
The PG Dip Career Guidance / Qualification in Careers Guidance is offered as both a full-time and part-time dual-award course that provides professional training and a qualification for work as a career guidance practitioner. It meets the learning outcomes laid down by the professional body - Career Development Institute - who have also commended the Careers Guidance course for its professional links and excellent teaching team.
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Please note the following information for applicants
Fact file
Entry requirements: Please see the
Applying section
Starting: 23 September 2013 and 22 September 2014
Course length: One year full-time or two years part-time
Study location: City site
Fees and funding:
Please see the fees and funding section.
Course content
The modules will enable you to gain the skills and theoretical knowledge required of a guidance practitioner. You will also gain the practical skills needed to:
- deliver high quality, individual careers interviews and group work
- manage the careers related curriculum.
This learning is underpinned by a comprehensive understanding of associated pedagogy, career learning and development theory including ethical practice, equality and diversity, advocacy and referral and collaborative working.
Modules include:
- Theory, Ethics and Research Based Practice
- Guidance Interventions - Interviewing
- Critical Reflection and Integrated Working
- Curriculum Design and Implementation.
The course will also enhance your professional capability in the field of Careers Education and Guidance (CEG). It takes the best from our experiences as educators, trainers and practitioners and delivers thought provoking, conceptual courses, which are grounded in practice. The assessment process for each module results in detailed action plans for your personal development and the learning organisations in which you work.
Assessment
A variety of assessment methods are used to prepare students for work in career guidance. A range of skills and knowledge are assessed through practical assessments (for example, interviewing and group work) and through written assignments. A portfolio of evidence is also produced, which provides evidence of students skills and knowledge-base.
How do you study?
This course combines academic study with skills-based work. Alongside the four modules taught at the University, the course incorporates a 12-week placement, which is taken with the same employer at intervals throughout the year in one, two and three-week blocks. Full-time students usually attend their placement for three days per week and part-time students for 1.5 days per week. Every student has a personal tutor to provide individual support and mentoring and a work-based mentor during periods of work-based learning.
This professional course has a strong national reputation and an outstanding record of employment in advise and guidance-related areas.
Previous students have gone on to become:
- Connexions personal advisors
- university careers advisers
- college-based careers advisers
- guidance practitioners
- advisers with charitable organisations
- school-based careers coordinators.
The course incorporates approximately 12 weeks of work-based learning, within:
- Higher Education Careers and Employability Services
- Further Education Institution
- Youth Support Services (Local Authorities)
- Schools
- Adult Services
- Voluntary and community organisations
Entry requirements
- You will need an undergraduate degree equivalent to a UK undergraduate honours degree or other equivalent higher education qualification e.g. HND / DipHE.
- Applicants without such qualifications will be considered but will be required to demonstrate their motivation and ability to study at postgraduate level.
- One academic and one vocational reference is required.
- Interviews form part of the selection process.
- All applicants will be required to complete a Disclosure and Barring Service check (formally known as Criminal Records Bureau disclosure).
- English language entry requirements for courses at the School of Social Sciences and a full list of all English language qualifications accepted by the University are available on our website.
Open days
The School of Social Sciences holds open events throughout the year. Come along and learn more about our courses, speak to programme leaders and find out about studying with the School. To find out more about these events visit the School of Social Sciences website.
How to apply
Click the Apply online button at the top of the page to complete your application.
