Career Development (top-up) MA
About this course
The Masters in Career Development is designed to allow holders of a Postgraduate Diploma in Career Guidance, Career Education or Career Development to top up their qualification to a full master’s degree by completing a dissertation or service evaluation.
Through undertaking a piece of primary research, this course will enhance your critical thinking skills and your employability. This is an ideal opportunity for those who are already employed in a career development or related role and seeking Continuing Professional Development opportunities (CPD) or for those who are wanting to increase their qualifications in preparation for career progression or career change.
You’ll benefit from a broad spectrum of contemporary thinking and debate within the field, and you’ll develop the skills to make a positive contribution to the sector and the profession.
Why study the MA Career Development (top-up) at NTU:
-
Join a university that has a strong reputation in this field with 50 years of experience in the careers and employability sector. -
Top up your qualification to a full master’s degree.
What you’ll study
You'll top up your qualification to a full master’s degree by completing a dissertation or service evaluation.
Research Methods and Dissertation/Service Evaluation (60 credit points)
- This module equips you with the knowledge and skills required to undertake critical and ethical research in the field of career development professional practice.
- Emphasis is placed on practitioner-based research; a key feature being researcher reflexivity in relation to values and ethical issues.
- The dissertation provides you with an opportunity to make an original contribution to knowledge and understanding in career development professional practice.
- The service evaluation will enable you to reflect on real-world concerns of professional organisations.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Don’t just take our word for it, hear from our students themselves
How you're taught
Study and support
Our dedicated staff are professionally trained practitioners in the career guidance sector, and they provide a wealth of experience and support for our students. The team are actively engaged in research and other professional activities. Not only do they enrich the curriculum content with their findings, but they also feed directly into our approaches to teaching and assessment.
A blended learning approach is taken towards the delivery of the course, comprising of online seminars and teaching and learning activities and face-to-face workshop days at the University. A key feature of the blended learning experience is that – although you’ll be at a distance from the University’s campus – you’re able to learn from each other, as well as from the tutors, in a supportive environment. You’ll also be allocated a supervisor for your research project / service evaluation to help you develop your ideas and guide you through the process.
Face-to-face input will take place at three compulsory workshop days, and seminars, which will be timetabled at appropriate stages of learning.
A range of teaching and learning methods are used, which may include:
- workshops
- scheduled weekly online activities for you to access at a time that suits you
- online group seminars
- individual online tutorials
- interactive or group learning, for both face-to-face and online delivery
- practical application of critical thinking and research skills
- independent study
- individual online supervision.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying on degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
How you're assessed
The course is assessed wholly via a dissertation, which includes a literature review and primary research project or service evaluation.
To support the development of your academic journey, you will complete a mini literature review and present your research ideas and plan. Although these activities do not contribute to your final grade, you will receive formative and supportive feedback to help you build your ideas and enhance your academic skills.
Careers and employability
It is widely recognised that a master’s degree enhances your employability and potential earnings.
You may already be in employment within the careers/employability sector while studying the top-up, and the range of jobs our students are employed in progress on to are varied and include the roles outlined in the CDI’s Career Professionals in the 21st Century – A Blueprint of Learning Outcomes for Professional Roles in the UK Career Development Sector.
Employability team
Our expert Employability team will work closely with you at every stage of your career planning, providing personal support and advice. You can benefit from this service at any time during your studies, and for up to three years after completing your course. Find out more about the service.
Campus and facilities
NTU offers a wide range of learning resources and facilities to all students. As a Social Sciences student, you’ll also have easy access to the fantastic facilities in the Chaucer and Taylor buildings. These include:
- lecture theatres and teaching classrooms
- open access PCs and secure wireless points
- study areas and social spaces
- Cafés and eateries, serving drinks, hot food and light snacks
- our School of Social Sciences reception, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff
- the School’s media room with recording equipment, which is available for small focus groups undertaken at the University.
IT resources
Our IT resource rooms and PC clusters are distributed across our City Campus, with PCs providing access to Microsoft Office, email, web browsing, networked file storage and high-speed online printing services, with a free printing allowance for each student.
Resource rooms are available 24 hours a day.
Books and library resources
Our state-of-the-art Boots library will give you access to an extensive and diverse range of books and periodicals that focus on specialist areas within the built environment. The library's OneSearch system provides access to all our electronic resources, journals and books.
Within the library there is a liaison librarian who has specialist subject knowledge and can offer detailed help in finding and using print and electronic resources, and also with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.
Entry requirements
What are we looking for?
- You will need a Post Graduate Diploma in an area related to Career Guidance, Career Education or Career Development.
Other requirements
- All suitable applicants will be interviewed as part of the admissions process, via Teams for those applicants living in the UK or overseas. The interview process will explore reasons for wishing to study the top-up and the applicant’s ideas for research.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form
What are we looking for?
- You will need a Post Graduate Diploma in an area related to Career Guidance, Career Education or Career Development.
Other requirements
- All suitable applicants will be interviewed as part of the admissions process, via Teams for those applicants living in the UK or overseas. The interview process will explore reasons for wishing to study the top-up and the applicant’s ideas for research.
International qualifications
International qualifications will be considered in light of course learning outcomes. This will be considered on an individual basis.
English language requirements
You can meet our language requirements by successfully completing our pre-sessional English course for an agreed length of time, or by submitting the required grade in one of our accepted English language tests, such as IELTS:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
Fees and funding
Fees for September 2025
| Study route | Home (UK) students |
|---|---|
| Masters (60 credit top up) Distance Learning | £2,590 |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Funding your studies
Preparing for the financial side of student life is important, but there's no need to feel anxious and confused about it. We hope that our fees and funding pages will answer all your questions.
There are two main costs involved with postgraduate study: the cost of your tuition fees which is paid directly to the University, and living expenses such as accommodation, travel and food.
Please take a look at our postgraduate fees and funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.
Getting in touch
For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.
Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494
Fees for September 2025
| Study route | International/ EU students |
|---|---|
| Masters (60 credit top up) Distance Learning | £5,400 |
*Please note that if you are considering a course that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for the first year of study. The course fee for the second year may be subject to annual review.
Career Development Institute (CDI) fees
You can become a Student Member of the Career Development Institute (CDI) at the start of the course. Please note student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid directly to the CDI.
Living costs
Get advice on the cost of living as an international student in Nottingham and how to budget:
Paying fees
Find out about advanced payments, instalment plan options and how to make payments securely to the University:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
How to apply
All applications to this course can be made through our NTU Applicant Portal.
You can apply for this course throughout the year. Most of our postgraduate courses are popular and fill up quickly though, so apply as soon as you can. Make sure you check the entry requirements above carefully before you do.
Writing your application
Be honest, thorough and persuasive in your application. Remember, we can only make a decision based on what you tell us. Make sure you include as much information as possible, including uploading evidence of results already achieved, as well as a personal statement.
You can get more information and advice about applying to NTU in our postgraduates’ guide.
Keeping up to date
After you’ve applied, we’ll be sending you important emails throughout the application process - so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
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.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or support, you can call our Admissions Team on +44 (0)115 848 4200, or contact the course leader, Jo McFadden.
Apply online through our NTU applicant portal.
Application advice
Apply early so that you have enough time to prepare – processing times for Student visas can vary, for example. After you've applied, we'll be sending you important emails throughout the application process – so check your emails regularly, including your junk mail folder.
Writing your personal statement
Be honest, thorough, and persuasive – we can only make a decision about your application based on what you tell us:
Would you like some advice on your study plans?
Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world. We also have members of staff based in Vietnam, China, India and Nigeria and work with a worldwide network of education counsellors.
- Complete this simple form to keep in touch with the International Office.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.
