Career Guidance and Development PgDip



You will explore the latest career counselling techniques, and undertake work placements or work-based learning

Overview

This fully online two-year part-time programme is accredited by the Career Development Institute and is recognised by the profession throughout the UK.  

You will study the latest developments in career development theory and career counselling and coaching practice as well as undertake work placements or work-based learning to prepare you for work in the career development sector. 

The programme will equip you with the knowledge and skills to support your clients navigate the complex web of pathways in employment and education and develop their career potential. You will work with young people, adults, parents, teachers, employers and training providers.

Typical entry point to this course is in September. Please enquire for more information.

Unfortunately, we are no longer accepting applications from international applicants for this programme for September 2024. We're sorry that you won't be able to join us in September.

 
Atrium at Sighthill campus

Mode of Study:

Distance learning (Available as full-time)

Duration:

2 years

Start date:

Sep

Course details

With an excellent employment rate for graduates, our postgraduate diploma combines academic study with practical professional training, including an optional four weeks of work placement. Academic teaching staff on the programme are also qualified and experienced career professionals and bring additional specialist expertise to the course.

You will acquire effective interpersonal communication skills for one-to-one career guidance, working with groups and via online media. You will learn and put into practice the latest career counselling techniques, while developing the necessary research and teamwork skills to carry you into your own successful career as a career practitioner.

The skills taught are also transferable to many other roles in employment, education and training and former students have also gone on to work in education-industry liaison, and projects promoting mentoring or equality and diversity.

Additional mandatory costs

  • Professional body fees, payable to the Career Development Institute, £345 (the total amount consists of two elements: student membership, £35 and registration for the Qualification in Career Development, £310)
  • Optional placement. Travel expenses are issued in some situations and are at the discretion of the Dean.
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    How you’ll be taught

    The programme is delivered over a two-year part-time basis. It has six modules taught over the two years (three per year). 

    The academic team, consisting of subject area specialists/ former career practitioners, will guide you through the course topics while recognising your unique experiences and perspectives. As adult learners, you will be encouraged to work collaboratively with your peers and draw on your own professional contexts. The programme is delivered fully online and utilises a variety of digital tools and media to provide spaces for communication. It is necessary for you to attend virtual twilight webinars (1.5 hours weekly) for the practice and assessment of practical skills. All other classes are recorded.
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    Assessments

     • No exams
    • Essays
    • Professional reports
    • Case studies
    • Group project
    • Observation
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    Work placement

     Twenty days of work experience - optional:
    To obtain the professional qualification from the Career Development Institute you must undertake twenty days of work experience. This may be completed in your current place of work, if you are employed in a career guidance related role.
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    Facilities

    Your studies will be supported through Edinburgh Napier University’s extensive suite of learning technologies, including our virtual learning environment, online webinars, online assessment and feedback tools, ePortfolio, digital voting system, classroom recording and digital networking spaces. As an Edinburgh Napier Student, you will have access to our study support services  and a wealth of digital resources including eJournals and eBooks from the library

Modules

Modules that you will study* as part of this course

Career Counselling and Coaching ( CRG11129 )

This module is intended to develop the skills, techniques and understanding necessary to deliver effective career guidance services to individuals. You will learn how to apply counselling and coaching concepts to your developing practice with individual clients to enable you to identify and address their career development needs. Your practical skills will be developed by background reading, observing experienced practitioners, using role-play, feedback on performance, discussion and reflecting on practice. There will also be a focus on building up the knowledge and skills to enable you to critically reflect on theories and models of counselling and coaching. You will be required to reflect on your own developing practice in the light of the conceptual literature. Topics will include -- Person Centred Counselling- Counselling skills and techniques- Models of career counselling and coaching- Structuring career interventions - stage 1 and 2- Structuring career interventions - stage 3 and 4- Reflecting on practiceThis module is available during trimester 1 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 14 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

Career Development Theory ( CRG11130 )

This module introduces the ideas that underpin career development work. It draws on psychology and sociology, but assumes no prior knowledge of these disciplines. Career theories will be compared and contrasted. The relationship between theory and practice will be explored. Every opportunity will be taken to relate theory to the work of career development practitioners. You will explore how theory can help in understanding service users, and in devising approaches to guidance and counselling. Units will include: matching theory - developmental theory - structural theory - learning theory - organisational career theory - contemporary theory - and the theory-practice relationship. The module will take place over weeks 2-11 in trimester 1.

Further information

Career Learning and Development ( CRG11131 )

This module is focused on planning, designing, delivering and evaluating career learning and development experiences in a range of contexts. You will explore the career education curriculum in schools, universities and in the community sector as well as analysing theories, models and concepts of career learning and development. There will also be a focus building up the knowledge and skills to enable you to critically reflect on theories and models of career learning. You will be required to reflect on your own developing practice in the light of the conceptual literature. The units will include -- Concepts of career learning in a range of contexts - Structure of career learning in schools- Structure of career learning in universities- Session planning- Facilitation in groups- Session management- Programme design and implementation- Programme evaluationThis module is available during trimester 1 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 14 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

Contemporary Career Counselling and Coaching ( CRG11135 )

This module is intended to further develop the skills, techniques and understanding necessary to deliver effective career guidance services to individuals. You will progress with learning how to apply counselling and coaching concepts to your developing practice with individual clients to enable you to identify and address their career development needs. Your practical skills will be developed by background reading, observing experienced practitioners, using role-play, feedback on performance, discussion and reflecting on practice. There will also be a focus building up the knowledge and skills to enable you to critically reflect theories and models of counselling and coaching. You will be required to reflect on your own developing practice in the light of the conceptual literature. Units will include -- Counselling skills and reflecting on practice- Solution focused coaching- Cognitive behaviour coaching- Narrative counselling- Career coaching in organisations- Structuring career interventions- Reflecting on PracticeThis module is available during trimester 2 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 14 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

Digital and Information Services ( CRG11132 )

The module will enable you to develop and critique your digital and information literacy skills relating to the application and use of sources of career and labour market information. It will include evaluating and accessing information resources and tools using a range of sources including websites, social media, online streaming services, AI sources and specialist software. You will also learn how to support clients with developing information and digital literacy skills. Units will include - - Locating and evaluating information sources- Delivering information in context of career conversations- Career web services- Social media- Audio, video, and online media- Artificial intelligence and automated services- Writing/generating career information content.This module is available during trimester 1 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 8 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

Education and Training ( CRG11133 )

This module will give you a broad understanding of structures in education, together with training provision. This knowledge will enable you to undertake educational guidance work. You will develop an understanding of how to evaluate provision, and how students and service users can navigate their way through the education system. You will learn how to interpret educational and vocational qualifications. You will be supported to network with learning institutions. Units of study will include: overview of the education industry - qualification systems - academic and vocational education - schools - higher education and international students - further education and adult/community education - vocational training. The module will run in weeks 2 -7 in trimester 1.

Further information

Employment Studies ( CRG11138 )

This module will enable you to give guidance about the world of work by providing you with a broad understanding of the labour market. You will explore structures in employment and how they are evolving. This culminates in an industry specific project which integrates the collection of labour market intelligence - making sense of the information and then presenting knowledge in accessible ways. You will be supported to gather industry information through online sources and direct contact with employers, professional and industry bodies. This provides a holistic and experiential view of labour markets as they relate to the work of career practitioners. Units will include: introduction to labour market economics - employer liaison - education-industry links - UK labour market patterns - unemployment and labour activation - skills - communicating abour market intelligence - the future of work. Classes will take place over weeks 8-14 in trimester 2.

Further information

Equity, Diversity and Inclusion ( CRG11134 )

This module involves the building the knowledge and competencies to work inclusively with diverse client groups. You will discuss how to respect characteristics (including gender & sexuality, disability, ethnicity/faith, age, and socio-economic background), and to understand what they mean for career. You will become aware of barriers affecting the ability of individuals and groups to access opportunities and progress their career development. You will develop anti-oppressive practices to empower individuals and groups to fulfil their potential. Units will include: social justice in career development - UK equality legislation - class, socio-economic disadvantage and social mobility - gender and sexuality - ethnicity and religion - disability and special educational needs - special populations (e.g. older workers; offenders; veterans) - practice to promote equity, diversity and inclusion. The module will take place over weeks 8 - 14 in trimester 1.

Further information

Group Learning and Coaching ( CRG11136 )

This module is focused on planning, designing, delivering and evaluating career group guidance and coaching experiences. You will analyse theories, concepts and models of career learning and development and there will also be a focus building up the knowledge and skills to enable you to critically reflect on theories and models. You will be required to reflect on your own developing practice in the light of the conceptual literature. The topics will include-- Learning theory - concepts and practice- Applying models of group guidance and coaching to a range of contexts- Group coaching rationale and planning- Contracting, confidentiality and building group relationships- Group coaching skills and techniques- Group dynamics and session management- Reflecting and evaluating group coaching interventionsThis module is available during trimester 2 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 14 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

Policy and Contexts ( CRG11139 )

This module explores how public sector career services are shaped by government policy. You will gain an understanding of how these services have evolved, and how they manage conflicting priorities. You will compare the approaches of services in different sectors, and locations. You will also examine the impact of career service organisations on the work of individual career development practitioners. Units of study will include: history and purpose(s) of career services - public policy for career services - policy in Scotland - comparative policy (home nations and international perspectives) - higher education career & employability services - community based guidance and active labour market policies - independent practice, and workplace guidance. This module will run in weeks 2 - 7 of trimester 2.

Further information

Professionalism and Standards ( CRG11140 )

In this module you will examine the move towards the professionalisation in the career industry. The development of your own professionalism and ethical awareness will be key to this module. You will develop this through learning about models of reflective practice and applying them to your own work. You will take part in discussion, debate and interaction between fellow students and to develop skills to begin to operate as an autonomous reflective practitioner, integrating information from diverse sources to refine your professional practice and incorporate the values and ethics of the profession into your practice. You will examine the impact of engaging in continuous professional development to your practice and consider how evidence-based practice can inform your professional reflection. Units of study will include: professionalism, professionalisation, and professional identity - ethics - reflective practice - quality assurance and performance management - evidence-based practice - guidance organisation structure and culture - supervision, peer support and communities of practice. The module will take place across weeks 8-14 in trimester 2.

Further information

Work Based Learning ( CRG11137 )

This module will enable you to develop and apply a range of core professional skills gained as a result of work-based learning experiences, explore and apply the concepts of culture, identity and branding to your experience and share your experience and learning with students and staff at the Edinburgh Napier University to inform future work-based learning experiences. You will be required to undertake approximately 15 days of placement during the latter half of this module (or equivalent experience in your workplace). You will be allocated time during the work based learning experience to engage with lectures and undertake independent reading. Topics include - - Sector landscape and employment needs - Skills auditing and mapping- Successful teamwork and presentation skills- Developing networking and partnership working skills- Developing practical solutions to real-life issues- Reflective practice - Portfolio development This module is available during trimester 2 for full time on campus students or fully online (over 14 weeks) for part time students.

Further information

* These are indicative only and reflect the course structure in the current academic year. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

RECOGNISED BY

Disclaimer

Study modules mentioned above are indicative only. Some changes may occur between now and the time that you study.

Full information is available in our disclaimer.

Entry requirements

 

What are the entry requirements for Career Guidance and Development?

The entry requirement for this course is a Bachelor (Honours) Degree at 2:2 or above. We look for applicants to have a background in any discipline in order to be eligible for the programme.

We may also consider lesser qualifications if you have sufficient relevant work experience within the industry.

All successful applicants must complete a Protecting Vulnerable Groups (PVG) Scheme or police check.

Can I get admission into Career Guidance and Development based on my working experience in this sector?

This course has academic entry requirements which are assessed alongside relevant work experience. Full details of any relevant work experience, including references should be submitted with your application and may be considered for entry where the minimum academic entry requirements are below those required.

Usually, unrelated work experience is not considered sufficient for entry without meeting the minimum academic entry requirements. Please contact us with your specific circumstances by submitting an enquiry form above and we will be happy to discuss your options.

Can I make an appointment with an advisor to discuss further about the admission process?

If you want to get more information on the admission process, please get in touch with the postgraduate admissions team by submitting an enquiry form above.

If your first language isn't English, you'll normally need to undertake an approved English language test and our minimum English language requirements will apply.

This may not apply if you have completed all your school qualifications in English, or your undergraduate degree was taught and examined in English (within two years of starting your postgraduate course). Check our country pages to find out if this applies to you.

We welcome applications from students studying a wide range of international qualifications.
Entry requirements by country

Please note that international students are unable to enrol onto the following courses:
  • BM Midwifery/MM Midwifery
  • All Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

See who can apply for more information on Graduate Apprenticeship courses.

We’re committed to admitting students who have the potential to succeed and benefit from our programmes of study. 

Our admissions policies will help you understand our admissions procedures, and how we use the information you provide us in your application to inform the decisions we make.

Undergraduate admissions policies
Postgraduate admissions policies

Fees & funding

The course fees you'll pay and the funding available to you will depend on a number of factors including your nationality, location, personal circumstances and the course you are studying. We also have a number of bursaries and scholarships available to our students.

Tuition fees
Students from 2024/25 2025/26
Scotland, England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Republic of Ireland £3,315 £3,480
Overseas and EU £8,450 £8,875
Tuition fees are subject to an annual review and may increase from one year to the next. For more information on this and other tuition fee matters, please see our Fees and Funding links above.
Please note that the tuition fees liable to be paid by EU nationals commencing their studies from 1 August 2021 will be the Overseas fee rate. The University offers a range of attractive Tuition Fee bursaries to students resident in specific countries. More information on these can be found here.


In addition to University fees there is another mandatory charge for this programme. Student membership and registration for the professional body qualification amounts to £365.00, which is payable to the Career Development Institute (CDI).”

Please note:

The discount for Edinburgh Napier alumni can only be applied to year one of a full-time Postgraduate degree, any additional years are exempt from the discount.

For part time Postgraduate degrees the discount will apply to years one, two and three only and any additional years will be exempt from the discount.

Please read our full T&C here

Careers

• Career Adviser
• Guidance Practitioner

Main Employers:

• Skills Development Scotland
• University Careers Services
• Community agencies promoting employability for disadvantaged groups

Student in a one-to-one session with a Learning Adviser