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Careers Leadership Postgraduate Certificate in

About this course

This course is only available to students funded by the Careers and Employability Company (CEC). Find out more about this, and how to apply, below.

With today’s continually changing labour market, along with education and skills reforms, careers education and leadership have become a significant part of education, employment and training.

The course will equip you with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and attributes required in practice for designing and delivering careers education programmes and activities. It will enable you to develop leadership skills and take a strategic approach to careers and employability to enhance provision and service delivery. You'll benefit from a flexible approach to your studies with our blended learning, as well as personalised, hands-on learning.

Why study the PGCert in Careers Leadership at NTU:

  • Study at a university that has a strong reputation in this field with 50 years of experience in the careers and employability sector.
  • Upon completion, you will be eligible to join the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. You will also be eligible to join the Directory of Registered Careers Leaders should you meet additional requirements.
  • Flexible approach to your studies to enable you to balance studying with other commitments.
  • Opt to take either the accredited or non-accredited route, depending on your requirements.

What you’ll study

You’ll gain a comprehensive understanding of careers education, strategy and leadership, and develop a critical awareness of current developments, contemporary debates and insights in the discipline and sector. You will acquire professional skills for practice and apply theory to practice applicable for a range of professional contexts. You will learn theoretical and policy perspectives, concepts and frameworks relating to careers education, employability and career related learning, partnership working and leadership, applying these insights to practice and adopting a strategic approach to careers practice.

Upon completion, you will be able to reflect upon the development of careers provision and your practice and performance, identifying development priorities for career provision and your own continuing professional development and personal development needs – ensuring that you are able to adapt and respond to the contextual needs of clients, employers and the sector.

Course structure

The course is formed of two core modules, which are worth 30 credit points and develop different aspects of your career development skills, knowledge and experience. We have designed the course to enable you to combine your studies alongside other commitments.

Course overview

For those funded via The Careers & Enterprise Company, there are various points of the academic year when you can start the course.

For those self-funding or being sponsored by their employer, the course starts in January. The illustration below shows the time frame for the PGCert if joining in January.

January enrolment

Term one Term two
Designing and Delivering Career Related Learning (30 credits) Careers Strategy and Leadership (30 credits)

Designing and Delivering Career Related Learning (30 credit points)

  • This module is designed to develop your critical thinking and analytical skills to enable you to plan, design, deliver and evaluate career-related learning, appropriate for group activities as well as broader curriculum design.
  • You’ll develop a critical understanding of career-related theory, policy, frameworks, and curriculum initiatives, examining their impact on improved client outcomes and application to local, regional, national and/or international contexts.
  • You’ll critically examine how organisations/institutions and individuals work in partnership to negotiate, design, develop, organise and evaluate career-related learning.
  • You’ll explore the role and use of data and career and labour market information in informing provision and meeting the needs of clients and other key stakeholders.

Careers Strategy and Leadership (30 credit points)

  • The module is designed to enable you to take a strategic approach to career development and employability practice, exploring the values and principles that underpin a strategic careers/employability plan, and the drivers of strategy.
  • You’ll critically evaluate how a strategic approach can contribute to institutional/organisational improvements and enhanced service delivery.
  • You’ll apply understanding of key components of leadership and management and reflect on how this can support a strategic approach being adopted within an institution/organisation.
  • The module will support you in advocating for strategic careers practice and enhancing your personal effectiveness as a career professional.

Further information on what you'll study

Please note that registration and student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid directly to the CDI. Further details can be found on the CDI website.

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

Student Profiles

Joanne Leach

Careers Leadership

Jo Mcfadden the course tutor was fantastic from the very start until the final hand in of assignments. I could not have asked for any more support.

How you're taught

Study and support

Our dedicated team of staff are professionally trained practitioners from the career development and employability sector. They provide a wealth of experience from across the sector to support for our students. The team is actively engaged in professional activities and networks within the sector, and along with their research activity, this not only enriches the curriculum content but also feeds directly into our approaches to teaching and the assessment of skills development.

A blended learning approach is taken to the delivery of the PGCert Careers Leadership. For those funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company, there is the option to undertake an accredited or non-accredited route and to learn through blended or distance learning.

A key feature of the learning experience is that – although you may be learning at a distance from the University’s campus – you are able to learn from each other, as well as from the tutors, in a supportive environment.

The learning model is as follows:

  • Four workshop days at key points in the learning (non-consecutive) for those funded by The Careers & Enterprise Company, plus virtual twilight sessions; Six workshop days at key points in the learning (non-consecutive) for those self-funding or sponsored by their employer
  • structured online teaching and learning activities to engage with
  • tutorials with course tutors
  • work-related learning opportunities for those not employed in a relevant role within the sector, to learn from guest speakers from the sector and attend sector conferences/events, such as the CDI Student Conference and the Careers Leaders Conference (please note, there is a fee for the latter at a student rate).

A range of teaching and learning methods are used. These may include:

  • lectures and workshops
  • structured online teaching and learning activities
  • individual tutorials
  • case study investigations
  • experiential learning related to specific aspects of careers leadership and strategy
  • interactive group learning
  • work-based/work-related practice, and application of skills through networks or your own workplace.

Personalisation of learning is a significant element of the course, and you’ll have choice around the content area for the assessments, case studies you engage with, as well as the context for work-related practice.  The teaching and learning activities will provide opportunities for peer learning and gaining insights from each other.

How you're assessed

Assessment methods are varied and accommodate a variety of learning preferences, including a presentation, an inquiry-based report and a portfolio of evidence (for those on the accredited route leading to the PGCert Careers Leadership).

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.

Staff Profiles

Jo McFadden - Senior Lecturer

School of Social Sciences

Jo McFadden

Careers and employability

The course will equip you with knowledge and attributes that are highly sought after by employers in the career development sector. Career related learning and strategic approaches are a core theme throughout the course.

Through our close links with the sector, professional and funding bodies, and our own employability team at NTU, you will have the opportunity to learn from others from within the sector and to network with other practitioners. The course will enable you to develop your own career in a sector that is flexible, varied and rewarding.

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
  • Chaucer café, serving drinks and light snacks
  • Our School of Social Sciences reception provides you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff
  • The School’s media room for visual recording of one-to-one guidance practice to aid your learning. Recording equipment is also available for group work practice and assessment undertaken at the University.

If you chose to become a Student Member of the Career Development Institute (CDI), you will also have access to CDI events, webinars and conferences.

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 with areas such as Harvard referencing and research skills.

Entry requirements

Applicants funded through The Careers & Enterprise Company

Applicants outside of the funding arrangements

  • 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 evidence relevant work experience in a related field, and demonstrate their motivation and ability to study at postgraduate level.
  • Via the admissions process, all suitable applicants are invited for an interview, which takes place at a convenient time via a Teams or phone call.  This is an opportunity for the applicant to discuss their application and motivation to study the course and to have questions about the course addressed. Areas for discussion include the applicant’s understanding and interest in the following areas:
    • career development/employability
    • commitment to a “career in career”
    • an insight into the demands of the sector for practitioners working in the profession
    • the ability to manage the demands of postgraduate study.

Other requirements

DBS checks

For those self-funding or sponsored by their employer, DBS checks are mandatory for this course. If a DBS check indicates that a student is unsuitable to work with young people or vulnerable adults, their case will be referred to the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and the student will be required to withdraw from the course.

Getting in touch

If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form

  • 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 evidence relevant work experience in a related field, and demonstrate their motivation and ability to study at postgraduate level.
  • Via the admissions process, all suitable applicants are invited for an interview, which takes place at a convenient time via a Teams or phone call.  This is an opportunity for the applicant to discuss their application and motivation to study the course and to have questions about the course addressed. Areas for discussion include the applicant’s understanding and interest in the following areas:
    • career development/employability
    • commitment to a “career in career”
    • an insight into the demands of the sector for practitioners working in the profession
    • the ability to manage the demands of postgraduate study.
  • Please note: This Postgraduate Certificate in Careers Leadership course does not meet the UK Visas and Immigration requirements for Student Route sponsorship and therefore we cannot progress applications from candidates who require a Student Route visa under the Points Based Immigration System. Applicants to this course must be eligible to work in the UK for the duration of the course. Those who require a Student Visa can apply for the MA in Career Guidance and Leadership as this is open to international applicants.

    Other requirements

    DBS checks

    For those self-funding or sponsored by their employer, DBS checks are mandatory for this course. If a DBS check indicates that a student is unsuitable to work with young people or vulnerable adults, their case will be referred to the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and the student will be required to withdraw from the course.

    International qualifications

    We accept qualifications from all over the world – check yours here:

  • Entry requirements by country
  • Postgraduate preparation courses (Pre-Masters)

    If you don’t yet meet our entry requirements, we offer Pre-Masters courses through our partner Nottingham Trent International College (NTIC), based on our City Campus:

  • Pre-Masters courses leading to postgraduate study at NTU
  • English language entry 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:

  • English language requirements
  • Pre-sessional English for Academic Purposes (PEAP)
  • 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

The course fees for 2025 entry are yet to be confirmed but, as a guide, the fees for 2024 entry are:

Study routeHome (UK) students
PG Certificate Distance Learning£2,540

*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 are paid directly to the University, and living expenses such as accommodation, travel, and food.

Please look at our postgraduate fees and funding page for information about sourcing grants, bursaries and scholarships, and much more.

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 that student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid directly to the CDI. Further details can be found on the CDI website.

Getting in touch

For more advice and guidance, you can contact our Student Financial Support Service.

Tel: +44 (0)115 848 2494

The course fees for 2025 entry are yet to be confirmed but, as a guide, the fees for 2024 entry are:

Study routeInternational/ EU students
PG Certificate Distance Learning£5,300

*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. Further details can be found on the CDI website.

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.

How to apply

All applications to this course are made via the Careers and Enterprise Company (CEC).

You will need to have registered with the CEC in order to secure your funding to undertake the course. Please refer to the CEC website for further information and follow these steps:

  • Go to the CEC website following the link above
  • Scroll down and click on 'Training Providers'
  • Scroll to the bottom of this page and click 'Register Now'
  • When applying, you need to select NTU as your chosen provider on the CEC Portal, and opt for either the accredited route leading to a Postgraduate Certificate, or the non-accredited route.

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.

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.

Good luck with your application!