Career Guidance Practice Postgraduate Certificate
- Level(s) of Study: Postgraduate taught / Professional
- Start Date(s): September 2024 and January 2025
- Duration: 24 weeks
- Study Mode(s): Distance learning / Part-time
- Campus: City Campus
- Entry Requirements:
More information
Introduction:
With today’s continually changing labour market, along with and reforms in education and skills, careers guidance practice has become an increasingly significant part of education, employment, and training.
The Postgraduate Certificate in Career Guidance Practice will develop your understanding and the skills required for one-to-one interactions and designing and delivering career and employability-related education programmes and learning activities. The course will equip you with the theoretical knowledge, practical skills and qualities required of a practitioner in a range of work settings. You'll benefit from a flexible approach to your studies with blended learning that enables you to balance studying with other commitments.
The course is designed for those currently working within career development and employability, as well as those looking to enter the sector.
Why study the PGCert in Career Guidance Practice at NTU:
-
Join a university that has a strong reputation in this field with 50 years of experience in the careers and employability sector. -
Upon successful completion of the course, you'll be eligible to join the UK Register of Career Development Professionals. -
Flexible approach to your studies to enable you to balance studying with other commitments. -
Opportunity to progress on to the PGDip and MA Career Guidance and Leadership with accreditation of the 60 credits from the PGCert.
What you’ll study
The course will enable you to develop a comprehensive understanding of guidance work and careers education, 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 in a range of professional contexts. You will learn about national and international theoretical perspectives and concepts relating to guidance and employability and career-related learning, and their applications for practice.
Upon completion, you will be able to reflect upon your practice and performance and identify 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 designed the course to enable you to study part-time and combine your studies with other commitments.
Course overview
The illustration below shows the timeframe for the PGCert. If you enrol in September, you will complete the taught element at the end of Term Two of that academic year. If you enrol in January, you will complete the taught element at the end of Term One in the next academic year.
September enrolment | Term one | January enrolment | Term two |
Professional Guidance Practice and Theoretical Perspectives I (30 credit points) | Designing and Delivering Career Related Learning (30 credit points) |
Professional Guidance Practice and Theoretical Perspectives I (30 credit points)
- The aim of this module is to develop essential skills when working with individuals in one-to-one situations. Roles may be in a range of settings, including education, youth work, social care, and health contexts, where the focus is on enabling individuals’ development.
- You’ll explore the knowledge, skills and approaches appropriate to guidance, coaching, mentoring, and advisory work.
- You’ll critically appraise a range of theoretical perspectives and approaches that underpin contemporary guidance practice. It will enable you to reflect on ethical perspectives and principles fundamental to professional practice.
- You’ll develop analytical and critical skills to assist you in becoming a reflective practitioner.
- The skills acquired will enable you to plan, execute, critique, and reflect upon one-to-one guidance interactions, based on an informed ethical stance and tailored to specific individual contexts.
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.
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.
Upon successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to join the UK Register of Career Development Professionals.
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 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 Career Guidance Practice.
A key feature of the learning experience is that – although you are learning mostly at a distance from the University’s campus, you can learn from each other and from the tutors in a supportive environment.
The learning model is as follows:
- Six workshops days at key points in the learning (non-consecutive)
- structured online teaching and learning activities to engage with
- tutorials with course tutors
- work-based/workplace and work-related learning, opportunities to learn from guest speakers from the sector and attend sector conferences/events, such as the CDI Student Conference.
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
- simulation exercises and experiential learning related to specific aspects of career guidance practitioners’ work, practice, and skills, enabling students to practice in a controlled environment
- observations
- interactive and group learning
- real-life, work-based practice, and application of skills through the University networks and partners, or your own workplace, such as one-to-one guidance interactions and group work in a range of settings.
Personalisation of learning is a significant element of the course, and you’ll have a choice around the content area for the assessments, and case studies you engage with, as well as the context for work-related and work-based 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. Written assignments include a reflective case study and an enquiry-based report, while skills-based assessments include one-to-one guidance and group work.
In-sessional English language support
In-sessional English language support classes are available to all international (non-EU) students studying degree courses at NTU. There is no extra charge for these classes.
Careers and employability
The course will equip you with knowledge and 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 practice within the career development sector, but you’ll be able to apply these perspectives to yourself to assist you in managing your own employability.
Through our close links with the sector, the professional body, and our own employability team at NTU, you will have the opportunity to learn from others from within the sector and to network with employers and practitioners.
The course will enable you to develop your own career in a sector that is flexible, varied and rewarding. The course will enable you to work with a range of clients – from young people, students, adults, career changers and those seeking to (re)enter the labour market – and in a range of settings, including secondary, further and higher education, training and third sector organisations.
Destination outcomes from the course are excellent. There is also the opportunity to progress on to the PGDip or MA Career Guidance and Leadership and combine work with further study.
- Development Coach.
- STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Mathematics) Project Officer.
- Employability Adviser (higher education).
- Head of Careers (secondary school).
- Careers Destinations Adviser.
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
- 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
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.
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 Career Guidance Practice 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
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
Fees for September 2024 and January 2025
| Study route | Home |
|---|---|
| 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
Fees for September 2024 and January 2025
| Study route | International |
|---|---|
| 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.
- 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.
If you are interested in joining us in September 2025, this course will be open for applications through the applicant portal from September 2024. Courses starting in January 2026 will be open for applications from July 2025.
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.
The University's commitment to delivering the educational services advertised.