Cognitive Behavioural Psychotherapy

The course aims to provide students with:

• A sound knowledge of cognitive behavioural models, concepts, and methods
• An understanding of issues of importance relating to the theory and practice of CBT, including:
  • The relationship between CBT theory and therapy
  • The use of CBT with a variety of client groups and disorders
  • Related research on outcome and process
• Competence in assessing and treating patients using CBT:
  • In assessing patient suitability for CBT
  • In developing CBT case formulations
  • In devising and implementing individual treatment programmes
  • In evaluating their effects
• The ability to convey the central concepts of CBT and to communicate basic treatment skills

The course does not aim to prepare students to teach and supervise CBT. The emphasis is on acquiring, practising, and communicating specialised clinical skills within an explicit theoretical framework supported by associated empirical research.

Course structure

The course begins in September. You will attend the University for half a day if you are part-time, or for a full day (split over two afternoons) if you are full-time. Students receive two hours of small group supervision weekly, focusing on CBT skills development. In teaching sessions, emphasis is placed on observing CBT in action and on experiential learning through participation in role-play and other practical exercises.

Students must have access to adult treatment settings where they can access training cases suitable for novice CBT therapists (i.e. mild to moderate presentations of common mental health problems) and where cognitive behavioural therapy skills can be practised and refined regularly throughout the course. Students will also be responsible for arranging regular CBT supervision in the treatment setting with a qualified CBT practitioner.

Reading and completing written assignments will be undertaken in addition to the teaching days outlined above. Many students find it effective to set aside six to seven hours per week for private study. Some of the teaching days on this course may be made available to a wider audience.

Course structure

• Master's (MSc): one year full-time; two years part-time
• Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip): one year full-time; two years part-time

This course involves a range of half-day and full-day sessions. Optional modules on the part-time route may be delivered in a series of block sessions. You will also have the chance to exit with the following awards:

• Postgraduate Certificate in CBT – 60 credits

Depending on your level of experience and professional interests, you can choose to study a variety of modules.

Full-time study option:

The course requires the completion of:

• Year one
  • Semester One: one module
  • Semester Two: two modules
  • Semesters One and Two: one module spanning both semesters
  • Semester Three: Dissertation

For module descriptions, please see below.

Part-time study option:

The course requires the completion of two modules in year one, two modules in year two, and the dissertation in year three.

• Year One, Semester One:
  Introduction to Cognitive Behaviour Therapy (30 credits)
• Year One, Semester Two:
  Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Anxiety Disorders and Addictive Behaviour (30 credits)
• Year Two, Semester One:
  CBT Protocols and Skills Part One
• Year Two, Semester Two:
  CBT Protocols and Skills Part Two plus choose one of the following modules:
  • Cognitive Behaviour Therapy for Complex Cases (30 credits)
  • Compassion-Focused Therapy (30 credits)
  • Mindfulness-Based Approaches with CBT (30 credits)
  • CBT for Children and Young People (30 credits)
• Year 3, Semester 3:
  Dissertation (60 credits)

Applicants must have one year’s experience in a mental health setting and an active interest in cognitive behavioural work. Applicants must have an active placement where they can work with clients and have the approval to use clients as part of their coursework. Overseas students must be able to complete placements and have access to clients.

Students should access supervision from someone with experience of CBT. If the student does not have a core profession, then the KSA (see BABCP guidance) will need to have been commenced and be available to support any application.

This course is accredited with the BABCP at level 1. We fulfil all the 200 teaching hours and case studies. The 200 clinical hours and 40 supervision hours can be completed after the course to complete accreditation requirements. We provide a portfolio of all tasks completed on the course.

Placement suggestions and advice are offered by the course as well as consultation with our industry links but we do not directly provide placements.

DBS equivalent for international students is required.

English language requirements 

If you are an international student and not from a majority English-speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 5.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course. 

Please note: Due to the structure of this programme, it is not available to applicants who require a Student Visa.