Career Development PGCert
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught / Professional
- Start Date(s): January 2024
- Duration: 6 months
- Study Mode(s): Distance learning / Full-time
- Campus: City Campus
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Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
The Postgraduate Certificate in Career Development course is designed to equip you with the skills, qualities and knowledge required of a professional practitioner working in the career development and employability sector, enabling you to meet the needs of clients in a variety of settings.
NTU has successfully been teaching career guidance courses since 1973, and has established a strong national reputation in this field. You’ll benefit from a broad spectrum of contemporary thinking and debate on careers education, information, advice, guidance and coaching, and you’ll develop the skills to make a positive impact on the sector and the profession.
This course is ideal if you’re looking to find employment in the sector, or are already employed in a career development or related role and seek Continuing Professional Development opportunities (CPD).
If you have any questions about our Career Development course, you can now chat to our experienced lecturers and course leaders through Unibuddy.
Duration
PG Certificate: six months distance learning plus attendance at six workshop days on campus
Starting
PG Certificate: January 2024
What you’ll study
The course aims to provide you with a comprehensive understanding of careers education, information, advice, guidance and coaching. You’ll develop a critical awareness of current developments, debates and insights in the discipline. You’ll apply theory to practice in a range of professional contexts, and will learn about the theoretical perspectives and concepts relating to career development, occupational choice, career planning and transition, and their applications for practice.
Personalisation of learning is a significant element of the course, and you’ll have choice around the content area for your assessment tasks.
On completion, you should be able to reflect upon your practice and performance, and identify CPD and personal development needs – ensuring that you’re able to adapt and respond to the contextual needs of clients, employers and the sector.
As a student on the PG Cert, you’ll complete the two modules below to achieve 60 credits of the Masters. Masters students will also study these modules before continuing their studies to complete the full MA qualification.
Ethical Stances and Professional Practices
The aim of this module is to develop essential skills with students who are either currently in practice, or who would like to work with individuals in a one-to-one situation – such as in education, youth work, social care, and in health contexts where the focus is on enabling individuals’ development. You’ll appraise a range of national and international theoretical perspectives and approaches on contemporary guidance practice, and you’ll reflect upon ethical perspectives and principles.
By the end of this module, you’ll have developed the skills to plan, execute, critique and reflect upon one-to-one guidance interactions, based on an informed ethical stance and tailored to specific individual contexts. The knowledge, skills and approaches explored are also appropriate to coaching, mentoring, and advisory work.
Frameworks for Professional Practice
The focus of this module is on professional networks and collaborative working arrangements. You’ll develop the critical thinking and analytical skills needed to facilitate career-related group activities with clients across a range of settings. Contemporary career education, information, advice and guidance development (CEIAGD) policy and curriculum initiatives will be explored. You’ll evaluate their impact, as well as examining how organisations and individuals work in partnership in the context of CEIAGD.
On successful completion of both of these modules, you’ll have completed the Postgraduate Certificate. You can either graduate, or transfer onto the MA to complete the remaining 120 credits and be awarded a full Masters qualification.
Further information on what you'll study
You can opt to become a Student Member of the CDI at the start of the course. Students who choose to complete the QCD Professional Standards module, having completed 90 credits, must register with the CDI and become a Student Member upon enrolling for this module.
Please note that registration and student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid direct to the CDI. Further details can be found on the CDI website.
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, including delivering papers at conferences and training events. Not only do they enrich the curriculum content with their findings, but they also feed directly in to our approaches to teaching and the assessment of skills development.
A blended learning approach is taken towards the delivery of the course, comprising of online 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.
For the PG Cert, face-to-face input will take place at six compulsory workshop days, which will be timetabled at appropriate stages of learning.
A range of teaching and learning methods are used for the PG Cert. These may include:
- lectures
- online activities
- individual tutorials
- case study investigations
- simulation exercises or role plays – experiential learning related to specific aspects of career guidance practitioners’ work, practice and skills, enabling students to practice in a controlled environment
- observations
- interactive or group learning, for both face-to-face and online delivery
- real-life practice and application of skills through University links and school partners, such as one-to-one guidance interactions with school or university students, or delivering CV workshops.
You’ll need to be able to make audio recordings of your one-to-one guidance interactions. Most students use their phone for this, but if yours isn’t suitable, you’ll need to purchase a Dictaphone. More details will be provided at the course induction to ensure you get the right specification.
Assessment methods
Assessment methods are varied and accommodate a variety of learning styles and preferences. Written assignments may include case studies, enquiry-based reports, and a reflective journal, while skills-based assessments will include one-to-one guidance interactions and group work.
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.
Careers and employability
The course will equip you with attributes that are highly sought after by employers in the careers and employability sector. As such, employability is a core theme throughout the course – not only will you have acquired the skills necessary for professional practice within the career development sector, but you’ll be able to apply these perspectives to yourself in order to assist you in managing your own employability.
Through our close links with the sector, you may have the opportunity to network with employers and practitioners at national career development events such as the CDI Student Conference and the National Career Guidance Show.
Upon graduating from the course, there are a range of jobs you can pursue in the career development and employability sector that align to 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. These include:
- career information and assessment experts
- career educators
- career counsellors
- programme and service managers
- social systems intervenors and developers.
Students from our previous Career Guidance course have entered a range of roles in career guidance and employability, including:
- Careers advisor
- Secondary enrichment coordinator
- Learning advisor
- Career consultant
- Student advisor
- Progress coach
- Learning technology consultant
- Freelance career counsellor
- Recruitment leader
- Community mentor
- European partnerships assistant
*Data extracted from the Nottingham Trent University Graduate Destinations Database 2009-10 to 2013-14.
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, providing you with easy access to our helpful and friendly support staff;
- The School’s media room, which provides opportunities for you to visually record your one-to-one guidance practice in order to aid your learning. Recording equipment is also available for group work practice and assessment 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
- 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.
- career development and guidance, often evidenced by visiting a guidance provider or by relevant work experience
- commitment to a “career in career”, evidenced as above
- an insight into the demands of the sector for practitioners working in the profession
- intellectual ability, and the ability to manage the demands of postgraduate study.
Other requirements
Interview
All suitable applicants will be interviewed as part of the admissions process – either face-to-face, or by phone or Skype for those applicants living overseas. The interview process will explore the applicant’s understanding and interest in the following areas:
DBS checks
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 reported to the Dean of the School of Social Sciences and the student will be required to withdraw from the course.
- 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.
Please note: This Postgraduate Certificate in Career Development 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.
Other requirements
Interview
All suitable applicants will be interviewed as part of the admissions process – either face-to-face, or by phone or Skype for those applicants living overseas. The interview process will explore the applicant’s understanding and interest in the following areas:
- career development and guidance, often evidenced by visiting a guidance provider or by relevant work experience
- commitment to a “career in career”, evidenced as above
- an insight into the demands of the sector for practitioners working in the profession
- intellectual ability, and the ability to manage the demands of postgraduate study.
DBS checks
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 reported 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:
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:
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:
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
For guidance, tuition fees for January 2023 entry are:
| Study route | Home (UK/EU students) |
|---|---|
| PG Certificate Distance Learning (cost per year of study | £2,267 (for Year One*) (excluding membership and registration for the QCD award) |
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is 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 numerous sources of funding available for postgraduate students, both from external sources such as the Government and funding bodies, and from the University.
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.
You might be able to get a scholarship to help fund your studies, We award scholarships to those students who can demonstrate excellent achievement, passion and dedication to their studies.
Please take a 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 opt to become a Student Member of the CDI at the start of the course. Students who choose to complete the QCD Professional Standards module, having completed 90 credits, must register with the CDI and become a Student Member upon enrolling for this module.
Please note that registration and student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid direct 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
For guidance, tuition fees for January 2023 entry are:
| Study route | International |
|---|---|
| PG Certificate Distance Learning (cost per year of study) | £4,834 (for Year One*) (excluding membership and registration for the QCD award) |
* Please note that if you are considering a part-time route that runs over more than one year, the tuition fee stated is for Year One of study. The course fee for Year Two is subject to annual review.
Career Development Institute (CDI) fees
You can opt to become a Student Member of the CDI at the start of the course. Students who choose to complete the QCD Professional Standards module, having completed 90 credits, must register with the CDI and become a Student Member upon enrolling for this module.
Please note that registration and student membership fees incur a separate cost and must be paid direct to the CDI. Further details can be found on the CDI website.
Tuition fees are payable for each year that you are at the University. The level of tuition fees for the second and subsequent years of your postgraduate course may increase in line with inflation and as specified by the UK government.
Scholarships
We offer scholarships of up to 50% of your tuition fee. You can apply for your scholarship when you have an offer to study at NTU.
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, Dean Penford.
Good luck with your application!
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.
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