Cognitive and Behavioural Therapies (PG Dip)

Why study this course

This BABCP accredited programme is available as a second year, following on from the postgraduate certificate. It enables mental health staff to develop further competence in high intensity CBT.

Accredited by British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP)

This programme meets the high-quality standards in education set by the BABCP and is designed to help you towards individual practitioner accreditation with BABCP.

The only accredited multi-professional CBT programme in Wales

This is the only multi-professional Cognitive Behavioural Therapy programme in Wales accredited by the BABCP.

Ranked 5th in the UK and 38th in the world

Our School is ranked highly for Psychology in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2021.

Taught by BABCP accredited practitioners

You will be taught by BABCP accredited practitioners with a vast range of professional, clinical and research experience.

This part-time course is intended for professionals working in mental health, such as mental health nurses, occupational therapists, psychiatrists, clinical psychologists, and social workers. The course is designed to help you towards individual practitioner accreditation with the British Association of Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy (BABCP). We also offer another route called the Knowledge and Skills Assessment (KSA) which enables practitioners with sufficient levels of experience and knowledge to be able to attain the equivalent level of training.

The syllabus is based on the Roth & Pilling competency framework for CBT with anxiety disorders and depression, and the course focuses on CBT with adults, although we also welcome practitioners working with children and older adults.

You should already have a high-level of clinical skill in CBT, which would have been attained by completing a BABCP level 1 accredited programme. You will put your knowledge and training into practice by working with adults, children, and older adults in a wide range of settings.

Within your clinical field, whether that is adults, children or older adult services, you will be expected to work with a range of presenting problems, predominantly depression and anxiety disorders that have been taught on your Level 1 BABCP accredited Certificate.

Accreditation by the BABCP ensures an excellent standard of training. The PGDip CBT programme is accredited at level 2. Level 2 course accreditation will apply from the 2022 cohort intake.

To be considered for this course, you must be able to practice CBT in your workplace as you will be expected to attain 100 hours of CBT practice. You will receive group supervision with an experienced BABCP accredited practitioner.

Accreditations

British Association for Behavioural & Cognitive Psychotherapies

Where you'll study

School of Psychology

Study in a dynamic and stimulating learning environment, informed by our leading research in psychology and neuroscience.

Get in touch
+44 (0)29 2087 4007
70 Park Place, Cardiff, CF10 3AT

Admissions criteria

In order to be considered for an offer for this programme you will need to meet all of the entry requirements. Your application will not be progressed if the information and evidence listed is not provided.

With your online application you will need to provide:

A copy of your degree certificate and transcripts which show you have achieved an honours degree in a relevant subject area, or an equivalent international degree.
Evidence that you have a core profession in mental health or a Knowledge, Skills and Attitudes (KSA) portfolio (please contact cbt-admin@cardiff.ac.uk for further details).
Evidence that you work (paid or unpaid) in the UK, and you can practise individual CBT with clients experiencing anxiety and depression.
Evidence that you have a manager and a clinical supervisor (these may be the same person). Please complete both the Manager’s and Supervisor’s forms.
A personal statement, which evidences your personal suitability, interest and commitment to CBT.
You will be required to obtain student membership of the BABCP.
Evidence of GCSE English language grade C/4. If you have alternative acceptable evidence, such as an undergraduate degree studied in the UK, please supply this in place of a GCSE.
A completed copy of the Additional Questions form.

Please note that you should apply for the postgraduate certificate (PgCert) in the first instance unless you hold a BABCP accredited CBT certificate from Cardiff University or another institution.

From the September 2024 cohort onwards, our courses are now fully funded by HEIW. We will be working directly with HEIW and Welsh Health Boards to complete our selection process. We are no longer able to accept applications from applicants who are self-funded or from funders other than HEIW. You would need to be employed in a Welsh NHS role and have the support of your Health Board to be eligible to apply for one of their funded places.

The two-year rule applies to anyone completing the Diploma. A trainee can complete the Certificate and still apply to the Clinical Psychology Doctorate or the Clinical Associates in Applied Psychology (CAAPS) MSc, however, if a trainee completes the Diploma there is a 2-year period that must lapse between the completion of the Diploma and the application for further HEIW or HEE funded training

Application Deadline

The application deadline is 26 March 2025. If you submit an application after this date, we will only consider it if places are still available.

Selection process

We will review your application against the stated entry requirements. On occasion we will invite applicants to an interview to ensure they are eligible for the course. Offers are made based on the application criteria and the outcome of the interview.

Find out more about English language requirements.

Application downloads

Manager Form

22 January 2025

For the CBT training to be effective those undertaking it will need the support of their managers.

Download document (PDF, 171.1 KB)

Request an accessible format

If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Supervisor form

22 January 2025

Evidence of supervision in the workplace.

Download document (PDF, 142.7 KB)

Request an accessible format

If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Additional questions

22 January 2025

Additional application questions.

Download document (PDF, 175.9 KB)

Request an accessible format

If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Checklist for entry

22 January 2025

Checklist for entry to the CBT Diploma.

Download document (PDF, 130.6 KB)

Request an accessible format

If this document cannot be read by your assistive software, you can request an accessible version by emailing web@cardiff.ac.uk. Please include the assistive tools you use and the format you require.

Applicants who require a Student visa to study in the UK must present an acceptable English language qualification in order to meet UKVI (UK Visas and Immigration) requirements.

Criminal convictions

If you do not currently work for the NHS you will be required to complete a DBS (Disclosure Barring Service) check if your application is successful. If you are applying from or have resided in certain countries overseas, a Certificate of Good Conduct may be required. If you have a relevant criminal conviction, this will be stated in the check and may affect your ability to enrol on the course. Applicants who are on the barred list should be aware that applying to this course is likely to be considered a criminal offence.

Course structure

The Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip) consists of a series specialist supervision sessions commencing in September.

The modules shown are an example of the typical curriculum. Final modules will be published one month ahead of your programme starting.

Year one

Core modules for year one

Module title	Module code	Credits
The Fundamentals of CBT	PST401	20 credits
CBT for Specific Disorders	PST402	40 credits

Year two

Core modules for year two

Module title	Module code	Credits
CBT Clinical Skills	PST603	30 credits
CBT Metacompetences	PST604	30 credits

The University is committed to providing a wide range of module options where possible, but please be aware that whilst every effort is made to offer choice this may be limited in certain circumstances. This is due to the fact that some modules have limited numbers of places available, which are allocated on a first-come, first-served basis, while others have minimum student numbers required before they will run, to ensure that an appropriate quality of education can be delivered; some modules require students to have already taken particular subjects, and others are core or required on the programme you are taking. Modules may also be limited due to timetable clashes, and although the University works to minimise disruption to choice, we advise you to seek advice from the relevant School on the module choices available.

Learning and assessment

How will I be taught?

You will be taught in supervision sessions offered by BABCP-accredited practitioners and including live supervision using therapy recordings.

You will have online access to programme materials and resources via Learning Central and also have access to Cardiff University library facilities. We provide recording equipment for students on the diploma course.

How will I be assessed?

The course is assessed via a combination of written assignments and practical assessment
The PG Cert is assessed by one essay and two case reports
The PG Dip is assessed by a further case report and a rating of a recorded therapy session.

How will I be supported?

You will have access to a personal tutor to oversee pastoral care, and there will be opportunities to consult with the teaching staff and to engage in discussion with visiting trainers.

A Programme Handbook will include detailed information about the programme of study including guidance on completing assessed work. The course outline, handbook and schedules of assessment will be available via the Cardiff University website, and you will have access to Cardiff University Library, a bench library of key text at the course base, and online resources via the Cardiff University website.

What skills will I practise and develop?

By fully engaging with this course, you should be able to:

Demonstrate critical understanding of the theoretical and research base for CBT through completing a Master’s level essay
Develop disorder-specific competences in each of three areas: (i) depression, (ii) phobic anxiety disorders i.e. specific phobias, panic disorder, agoraphobia, social phobia (iii) diffuse anxiety disorders i.e. generalised anxiety disorder, health anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder
Demonstrate CBT skills for specific disorders through completing an extended case report
Evidence 100 hours of supervised clinical CBT practice.
Evidence 100 hours of training from BABCP accredited practitioners

Tuition fees for 2025 entry

Your tuition fees and how you pay them will depend on your fee status. Your fee status could be home, island or overseas.

Learn how we decide your fee status

Fees for home status

Year	Tuition fee	Deposit
Year one	£4,500	None
Year two	£4,500	None

Students from the EU, EEA and Switzerland

If you are an EU, EEA or Swiss national, your tuition fees for 2025/26 be in line with the overseas fees for international students, unless you qualify for home fee status. UKCISA have provided information about Brexit and tuition fees.

Fees for island status

Learn more about the postgraduate fees for students from the Channel Islands or the Isle of Man.

Fees for overseas status

This course does not currently accept students from outside the UK/EU.

More information about tuition fees and deposits, including for part-time and continuing students.

Financial support

Financial support may be available to individuals who meet certain criteria. For more information visit our funding section. Please note that these sources of financial support are limited and therefore not everyone who meets the criteria are guaranteed to receive the support.

Additional costs

Will I need any specific equipment to study this course/programme?

No specific equipment required.

Living costs

We’re based in one of the UK’s most affordable cities. Find out more about living costs in Cardiff.

Funding

Postgraduate loans

If you are starting your master’s degree in September 2025 or later, you may be able to apply for a postgraduate loan to support your study at Cardiff University.

Career prospects

Graduates from the course will have evidence of skills in Cognitive Behavioural Therapies, recognised by the BABCP, which can be used in a number of employment fields.

To apply for accreditation, you first need to have a BABCP recognised professional background in mental health which the BABCP call a Core Profession. If your prior mental health profession is not listed here or you do not fully meet the criteria, equivalent training and experience in mental health is recognised through the KSA Route to Accreditation.

Read the Core Profession information on the BABCP website.

Next steps

Open Day visits

Register for information about our upcoming dates.

Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.

International

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Make an enquiry

Contact us for more information about this course.

HESA Data: Copyright Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited 2021. The Higher Education Statistics Agency Limited cannot accept responsibility for any inferences or conclusions derived by third parties from its data. Data is from the latest Graduate Outcomes Survey 2019/20, published by HESA in June 2022.

Applications are closed